Dynamics GP, previously called Great Plains, has a longer heritage than virtually any other ERP solution made for the Windows OS. Dynamics GP is a proven, feature-rich application and is one of the most widely used ERP platforms for small and mid-size businesses, with about 50,000 active installations worldwide. A number of organizations who have depended on Dynamics GP for years or decades have managed to defer upgrades to the point that they now find themselves running seriously out-of-date software and rickety IT infrastructure. This can be dangerous. At the same time, a recurring complaint we hear from new customers is that they have trouble locating experienced Microsoft Dynamics GP experts who can provide guidance on how to upgrade their Dynamics GP system efficiently and extract the most benefit from the software.
The longer an organization attempts to limp along with outdated releases of Microsoft Dynamics GP, the more complex the upgrade process becomes. When physical host servers or disk systems fail, there could be no equivalent devices on the market to use as substitutes. When versions of Microsoft Windows Server that run Dynamics GP arrive at end-of-support (EOS) status, critical security patches stop being distributed. The latest editions of SQL Server might not be compatible with your special GP customizations. Next-generation products like Power BI may not be an option. Businesses considering an update of their Microsoft Dynamics GP deployment are often intimidated by the number of pieces involved in the puzzle. And the cost quoted for a migration may be astronomical.
Dynamics GP Upgrade and Customization Expertise Offered by Progent
Progent has supported Microsoft Dynamics GP and Great Plains for over 20 years, and Progent's seasoned experts have delivered advanced and affordable remote consulting for Windows-based networks to businesses in every state in the U.S. By offering deep familiarity with all versions of Dynamics GP along with world-class system integration talent, Progent is ideally suited to help your Albany, New York business optimize the benefit of GP.
We become partners with our clients and start by understanding their needs. After gaining an understanding of the IT situation and the areas for improvement we provide our suggestions. Proposed services can involve an upgrade to a newer and supported release of Dynamics GP, basic user training, complete platform and individual module configuration including 3rd-party products from a broad array of suppliers that have published add-ons to Microsoft Dynamics GP, integration with other key business software used by company, custom report writing, and system analysis to determine whether GP is being utilized optimally. Our objective with each Microsoft Dynamics GP engagement of whatever size is to optimize strategic value and minimize expense.
Progent's consultants can assist your Albany, New York company in every phase of your Dynamics GP upgrade or enhancement process including:
- System Review
Review at what modules and features of Microsoft Dynamics GP you are now running and discuss other capabilities available on the product that might be suitable for your business.
- Upgrade Design and Timing
Create a comprehensive migration plan and timetable that avoids business interruption. Schedule pilot testing, production upgrade, and education. Identify custom development and add-on products. Anticipate and manage integration problems.
- Pilot Testing
Plan and configure a pilot environment for proving the upgrade process.
- System Updates
Create backup copies of databases and dictionaries, eConnect automation, and GP Integration Manager data. eMigrate Microsoft Dynamics GP to the current version to ensure continuing support from Microsoft and to have all the latest features available to your organization. Upgrade SQL Server and compatibility levels for all databases. Configure services from the GP Professional Services Tools Library (pstl). Prep data and run scripts to address known issues.
- Management Reporting
Create reports and or dashboards for internal and public consumption. Deploy SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and combine Dynamics GP with Microsoft Power BI for self-service reporting and for combining data from diverse on-premises and external sources.
- Training
Provide one-on-one or classroom style training for existing and new users of Dynamics GP.
- Support Services
Provide a single point of contact for support to deliver effective and affordable handling of problems made possible by close understanding of your specific environment.
Other Dynamics GP Consulting Expertise Available from Progent
Progent offers the support of seasoned experts who have been developing working Microsoft Dynamics GP and Great Plains solutions since version 1. Progent can do the jobs you need directly instead of supervising less experienced consultants or in-house staff. Key areas where Progent's consultants can deliver Microsoft Dynamics GP expertise include:
- Guidance
Recommend the use of software modules that come with the core GP system but are not currently being utilized. Also, suggest third-party add-ons written exclusively for Dynamics GP to provide features that GP skips.
- Integrations
Build custom integrations between Microsoft Dynamics GP and other business platforms to reduce redundant entry and increase consistency.
- Customizations
Create big and small customizations that run with Dynamics GP to handle specific functions that are not handled by standard GP modules or third-party add-ons.
Infrastructure Expertise
Progent can assist your business to enhance your network infrastructure to accommodate Microsoft Dynamics GP for any deployment model including on-premises, cloud-based, or a hybrid network model. Infrastructure services provided by Progent include:
- Needs analysis and site inventory
- Network architecture planning and implementation (local, private or public cloud, or hybrid)
- Configuring firewalls and VPN connections and defining security policies
- Managing Apple iOS, Android, and Windows mobile devices
- Developing high-availability solutions
- Integration with public cloud services including Microsoft 365
- business continuity preparedness
- Performance tuning
The Progent Advantage
A modern Microsoft Dynamics GP ecosystem includes diverse application platforms, on-premises network infrastructure resources, and public cloud products integrated into a seamless enterprise resource planning solution. For more than two decades, Progent has delivered online and onsite support from Microsoft-certified professionals including Dynamics GP/Great Plains consultants, Windows Server specialists, SQL Server consultants, Exchange Server integration experts, Microsoft Office consultants, and SharePoint Server integration consultants. Progent has worked with these products from their first releases to their current editions, and Progent supports cloud SaaS options by offering Office and Microsoft 365 integration services, Exchange Online support, and SharePoint Online deployment and application development services.
Progent also has a long history of delivering help from seasoned Cisco CCIE-certified network experts, Windows Hyper-V integration experts, and VMware virtual machine specialists. This background with strategic IT platforms saves time and expense when helping organizations through each phase of upgrading their older Dynamics GP deployment. Progent also can provide the support of advanced cybersecurity and compliance experts, disaster recovery and business continuity preparedness experts, application programmers, hybrid cloud architecture consultants, and database administrators who can assist you to plan, deploy, and manage a well-tuned Microsoft Dynamics GP environment.
Progent's Support Expertise for Dynamics GP/Great Plains Enterprise Resource Planning Deployments
For more information about Progent's online and onsite consulting services in Albany, New York for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP product family, refer to:
Read/Download Progent's Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains Consulting Services Datasheet
To download a datasheet describing the consulting support offered by Progent for MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains software, click Download Datasheet: Consulting for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP Software (PDF file).
Contact Progent for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains Migration Services
If your Albany, NY business is looking for a Dynamics GP/Great Plains integration expert or software programmer, phone 1-800-993-9400 or go to Contact Progent.