Dynamics GP, originally called Great Plains, sports a lengthier track record than virtually any other enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution made for the Windows OS. Microsoft Dynamics GP is a proven, feature-rich product and is one of the most widely used ERP platforms for small and mid-size businesses, with around 50,000 active installations worldwide. Many organizations who have depended on Dynamics GP for years or decades have been able to defer upgrades and maintenance to the point that they now find themselves running legacy software and outmoded network infrastructure. This is risky. At the same time, a common complaint we hear from new clients is that they have a hard time locating veteran Dynamics GP experts to partner with for in-depth knowledge about how to update their Dynamics GP environment affordably and get the most business value out of the application.
The more an organization tries to make do with legacy versions of Dynamics GP, the more challenging the migration procedure tends to be. If server hardware or storage systems fail, there may be no suitable hardware available to use as substitutes. When releases of Microsoft Windows Server that run Dynamics GP reach end-of-support (EOS) status, critical security patches are no longer distributed. Current releases of SQL Server may not be compatible with your important GP customizations. Innovative products such as Power BI may not be an option. Businesses investigating an upgrade of their Dynamics GP environment can be intimidated by the volume of pieces there are to the puzzle. And the cost quoted for an upgrade may seem through the roof.
Microsoft Dynamics GP Migration and Customization Expertise Offered by Progent
Progent has supported Dynamics GP and Great Plains for over two decades, and Progent's seasoned experts have provided advanced and economical remote consulting for Windows-based networks to businesses in every state in the U.S. By offering in-depth experience with all releases of Dynamics GP as well as world-class network integration skills, Progent is ideally qualified to help your Edmonton, Alberta business optimize the benefit of GP.
We become partners with our customers and begin by understanding their needs. After gaining familiarity with the environment and the areas for improvement we make our suggestions. Proposed services may involve an upgrade to a more current and supported version of Microsoft Dynamics GP, basic user training, full platform and individual module implementation including 3rd-party modules from a wide range of vendors that have written add-ons to Dynamics GP, custom integrations with other critical business applications used by organization, custom report writing, and system evaluations to determine whether GP is being used to its fullest. Our goal with every Microsoft Dynamics GP engagement big or small is to optimize business value and control expense.
Progent's consultants can help your Edmonton, Alberta company in each phase of your Dynamics GP migration or enhancement process including:
- System Review
Take a look at what modules and features of Microsoft Dynamics GP you are currently running and propose other capabilities of GP that might be helpful to your business.
- Migration Planning and Scheduling
Create a comprehensive upgrade plan and timetable that minimizes business interruption. Plan for pilot testing, production upgrade, and training. Specify customizations and add-on modules. Anticipate and resolve compatibility problems.
- Testing
Design and implement a pilot system for validating the upgrade project.
- Environment Updates
Back up databases and dictionaries, eConnect, and Microsoft Integration Manager database. eMigrate Microsoft Dynamics GP to the current release to ensure continuing support from Microsoft and to make all the latest features accessible to your organization. Upgrade SQL Server and compatibility levels for all associated databases. Activate services from the Professional Services Tools Library. Condition data and execute scripts to resolve known issues.
- Management Reporting
Create reports and or custom dashboards for internal and external use. Configure SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and integrate Microsoft Dynamics GP with Microsoft Power BI for on-demand reporting and for combining information from multiple on-premises and external sources.
- Training
Deliver one-on-one or classroom style training for existing and new users of Microsoft Dynamics GP.
- Support Services
Act as a single point of contact for expertise to deliver effective and cost-effective resolution of problems made possible by close understanding of your particular environment.
Other Microsoft Dynamics GP Consulting Expertise Available from Progent
Progent can provide the support of seasoned experts who have been creating working Dynamics GP and Great Plains solutions since version 1. Progent can do the work you require directly instead of managing less experienced consultants or in-house IT personnel. Key areas where Progent can deliver Microsoft Dynamics GP expertise include:
- Guidance
Suggest the use of modules that come with the core GP platform but are not now being utilized. Also, recommend third-party products written exclusively for Microsoft Dynamics GP to deliver capabilities that GP doesn't offer.
- Integrations
Create special connections between Dynamics GP and other strategic platforms to reduce duplicate entry and improve accuracy.
- Customizations
Create major and small customizations that run with Dynamics GP to handle specific business functions that are not addressed by standard GP modules or external modules.
Infrastructure Expertise
Progent can help your business to upgrade your network infrastructure to support Microsoft Dynamics GP for any architecture including local, private or public cloud, or a hybrid network model. Network infrastructure services offered by Progent include:
- Needs assessment and IT asset inventory
- Network architecture design and implementation (local, cloud-based, or hybrid)
- Setting up firewalls and VPN connections and creating security policies
- Managing Apple iOS, Google Android, and Windows mobile devices
- Developing high-availability environments
- Integration with public cloud services such as Microsoft 365
- business continuity planning
- Performance optimization
The Progent Advantage
An optimized Microsoft Dynamics GP ecosystem incorporates multiple software platforms, on-premises network infrastructure resources, and cloud services combined into a cohesive enterprise resource planning solution. For more than 20 years, Progent has provided remote and on-premises help from Microsoft-certified professionals including Dynamics GP/Great Plains integrators, Windows Server specialists, SQL Server consultants, Microsoft Exchange integration experts, Microsoft Office consultants, and SharePoint development experts. Progent's consultants have supported these products from their initial versions to their latest versions, and Progent can help with cloud SaaS options by offering Office and Microsoft 365 consulting, Exchange Online integration services, and SharePoint Online migration and application development expertise.
Progent also has extensive experience providing help from top-tier Cisco CCIE-certified network infrastructure experts, Windows Hyper-V integration consultants, and VMware virtual machine consultants. This background with strategic technologies cuts time and costs when guiding organizations through every phase of updating their older Microsoft Dynamics GP environment. Progent also offers the skills of senior security and information assurance experts, business continuity preparedness consultants, application developers, hybrid cloud integration experts, and database administrators who can help you to design, deploy, and maintain a productive Dynamics GP environment.
Progent's Consulting Expertise for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP Solutions
For more about Progent's remote and onsite support services in Edmonton, Alberta for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP software, refer to:
Download Progent's MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains Consulting Datasheet
To download a datasheet describing the consulting support offered by Progent for MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains software, select Download Datasheet: Consulting for MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP Platform (PDF file).
Contact Progent for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains Upgrade Services
If your Edmonton, AB business needs a Dynamics GP/Great Plains integration consultant or software developer, call 1-800-993-9400 or see Contact Progent.