Microsoft Dynamics GP, originally called Great Plains, has a lengthier heritage than virtually any other ERP solution written for the Windows OS. Dynamics GP is a mature, feature-rich product and is one of the most popular ERP systems for small and mid-size businesses, with about 50,000 active installations globally. A number of organizations who have depended on Dynamics GP for years have managed to defer upgrades and maintenance long enough that they now find themselves using legacy software and outmoded network infrastructure. This can be risky. Meanwhile, a recurring complaint we hear from prospective customers is that they have trouble locating experienced Microsoft Dynamics GP consultants who can provide guidance on how to update their Dynamics GP system efficiently and get the most benefit from the application.
The longer an organization tries to limp along with outdated versions of Dynamics GP, the more challenging the migration procedure tends to be. When physical host servers or storage systems fail, there could be no equivalent devices on the market to use as substitutes. When editions of Microsoft Windows Server used to host Dynamics GP arrive at end-of-support (EOS) status, critical security updates stop being distributed. The latest editions of SQL Server might not work with your important GP customizations. Next-generation products like Microsoft's Power BI may not run. Businesses investigating an upgrade of their Microsoft Dynamics GP deployment can be intimidated by the number of pieces involved in the puzzle. And the price tag quoted for a migration may be through the roof.
Dynamics GP Upgrade and Enhancement Services Available from Progent
Progent has offered support for Dynamics GP and Great Plains for more than two decades, and Progent's tested experts have delivered advanced and economical remote consulting for Windows-based environments to businesses in every state throughout the U.S. By combining deep familiarity with all versions of Dynamics GP along with world-class network integration skills, Progent is uniquely suited to make sure your Cincinnati, Ohio business optimize the benefit of GP.
We partner with our customers and begin by understanding their requirements. After gaining an understanding of the IT environment and the areas for improvement we provide our suggestions. Proposed services may involve a migration to a newer and fully supported release of Dynamics GP, simple user education, complete platform and individual module implementation including 3rd-party modules from a wide array of suppliers that have written add-ons to Microsoft Dynamics GP, integration with other key business software within your organization, custom report creation, and solution evaluations to assess whether GP is being utilized to its fullest. Our goal with every Dynamics GP engagement big or small is to optimize strategic value and control cost.
Progent's consultants can help your Cincinnati, Ohio company in each facet of your Microsoft Dynamics GP upgrade or enhancement initiative including:
- System Review
Take a look at what modules and features of Dynamics GP you are now running and discuss additional capabilities available on the product that may be helpful to your organization.
- Migration Planning and Scheduling
Develop a complete upgrade plan and timetable that avoids business disruption. Schedule pilot testing, live deployment, and education. Identify customizations and add-on products. Anticipate and resolve integration issues.
- Pilot Testing
Plan and configure a test environment for validating the migration process.
- System Updates
Create backup copies of databases and dictionaries, eConnect automation, and GP Integration Manager database. eMigrate Dynamics GP to the current release to ensure continuing support from Microsoft and to have all the latest features accessible to your business. Upgrade SQL Server and compatibility levels for all databases. Configure services from the GP Professional Services Tools Library (pstl). Prepare data and execute scripts to resolve documented issues.
- Custom Reporting
Develop reports and or custom dashboards for private and external use. Configure SQL Server Reporting Services and combine Dynamics GP with Power BI for on-demand reporting and for combining information from diverse local and remote repositories.
- Education
Provide individual or group training for current and first-time users of Microsoft Dynamics GP.
- Support
Act as a single contact for support to ensure effective and cost-effective resolution of issues made possible by close understanding of your specific environment.
Other Dynamics GP Consulting Services Available from Progent
Progent can provide the help of seasoned consultants who have been creating working Microsoft Dynamics GP and Great Plains environments since version 1. Progent has the skills to do the work you need directly rather than supervising less experienced consultants or internal IT personnel. Important areas where Progent's consultants can deliver Dynamics GP support services include:
- Recommendations
Suggest the use of modules included with the basic GP platform but are not currently being utilized. In addition, suggest third-party products written specifically for Dynamics GP to deliver capabilities that GP doesn't offer.
- Integrations
Create custom integrations between Microsoft Dynamics GP and other strategic platforms to reduce redundant data entry and increase accuracy.
- Customizations
Build major and small customizations that run with Dynamics GP to perform specific functions not addressed by standard GP modules or third-party add-ons.
Infrastructure Consulting Services
Progent can help your business to enhance your network infrastructure to accommodate Microsoft Dynamics GP for any architecture including on-premises, cloud-based, or a hybrid network model. Network infrastructure services provided by Progent's consultants include:
- Requirements analysis and IT asset inventory
- Network topology planning and implementation (on-premises, private or public cloud, or hybrid)
- Configuring security gateways and VPN connections and defining security policies
- Managing iOS, Google Android, and Windows smartphones and tablets
- Developing high-availability (HA) solutions
- Integration with PaaS and IaaS services such as Microsoft 365
- business continuity preparedness
- Performance optimization
The Progent Advantage
A modern Dynamics GP ecosystem incorporates diverse software platforms, on-premises network infrastructure technologies, and cloud products combined into a seamless enterprise resource planning solution. For more than two decades, Progent's consultants have provided online and on-premises help from Microsoft-certified professionals including Dynamics GP/Great Plains integrators, Windows Server consultants, SQL Server developers, Microsoft Exchange configuration experts, Microsoft Office experts, and SharePoint Server development consultants. Progent's consultants have supported these products from their initial releases to their current editions, and Progent can help with cloud SaaS options by offering Office and Microsoft 365 integration services, Exchange Online integration services, and SharePoint Online deployment and development services.
Progent also has extensive experience providing help from top-tier Cisco CCIE-certified network experts, Windows Hyper-V planning and integration experts, and VMware virtualization consultants. This experience with core technologies cuts time and costs when guiding businesses through every phase of updating their legacy Microsoft Dynamics GP environment. Progent also offers the skills of senior security and information assurance experts, disaster recovery and business continuity planning consultants, application programmers, hybrid cloud integration experts, and SQL Server DBAs who can assist you to plan, deploy, and manage a modern Microsoft Dynamics GP ecosystem.
Progent's Consulting Expertise for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains Enterprise Resource Planning Deployments
For more about Progent's remote and on-premises support expertise in Cincinnati, Ohio for Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP software, see:
Read/Download Progent's Dynamics GP/Great Plains Consulting Datasheet
To download a datasheet about the consulting services available from Progent for MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains software, select Download Datasheet: Expertise for Dynamics GP/Great Plains Enterprise Resource Planning Platform (PDF file).
Contact Progent for MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains Upgrade Support
If your Cincinnati, OH business needs a MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains integration consultant or application developer, phone 1-800-993-9400 or see Contact Progent.