Microsoft Dynamics GP, previously branded Great Plains, has a longer history than virtually any other enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform made for Windows. Dynamics GP is a mature, full-featured application and is one of the most widely used ERP systems for small and mid-size businesses, with about 50,000 active installations worldwide. A number of organizations who have relied on Dynamics GP for years have managed to defer upgrades to the point that they are now running legacy software and outmoded IT infrastructure. This can be dangerous. At the same time, a recurring complaint we hear from prospective clients is that they have trouble finding veteran Microsoft Dynamics GP consultants who can provide in-depth knowledge about how to upgrade their Dynamics GP system efficiently and derive the maximum business value out of the application.
The more a business attempts to make do with outdated versions of Dynamics GP, the more challenging the migration process becomes. When server hardware or disk systems break down, there could be no equivalent hardware on the market to use as substitutes. When releases of Windows Server used to host Dynamics GP reach end-of-support status, critical security updates are no longer developed. The latest editions of SQL Server might not work with your special GP customizations. Innovative tools such as Power BI may not be an option. Organizations investigating an upgrade of their Microsoft Dynamics GP deployment can be overwhelmed by the number of components involved in the project. And the cost quoted for a migration may seem through the roof.
Dynamics GP Upgrade and Customization Expertise Available from Progent
Progent has supported Dynamics GP and Great Plains for more than 20 years, and Progent's tested professionals have delivered high-level and affordable remote integration consulting for Windows-based networks to businesses in every state throughout the U.S. By combining in-depth familiarity with all editions of Microsoft Dynamics GP along with world-class system integration skills, Progent is ideally qualified to help your Petaluma, California business get the most out of GP.
We partner with our clients and start by understanding their needs. After gaining familiarity with the IT situation and the areas needing improvement we provide our suggestions. Proposed services may include an upgrade to a newer and fully supported version of Dynamics GP, simple user education, complete platform and individual module configuration including 3rd-party modules from a wide range of vendors that have written add-ons to Microsoft Dynamics GP, custom integrations with other key business software used by organization, custom report creation, and system evaluations to determine whether GP is being utilized optimally. Our goal with each Microsoft Dynamics GP project big or small is to optimize strategic value and control cost.
Progent can help your Petaluma, California company in every facet of your Microsoft Dynamics GP migration or customization initiative including:
- Deployment Review
Review at what features of Microsoft Dynamics GP you are now using and propose other features of GP that might be suitable for your business.
- Upgrade Design and Scheduling
Create a complete migration plan and schedule that minimizes business interruption. Schedule solution validation, production upgrade, and education. Identify customizations and add-on products. Predict and resolve compatibility issues.
- Testing
Plan and implement a pilot system for validating the migration process.
- System Upgrades
Back up databases and dictionaries, eConnect automation, and Microsoft Integration Manager database. eMigrate Dynamics GP to the current version to assure ongoing support from Microsoft and to make all current features accessible to your organization. Upgrade SQL Server and compatibility levels for all associated databases. Configure services from the Professional Services Tools Library. Prep data and execute scripts to address known issues.
- Management Reporting
Develop reports and or custom dashboards for private and external use. Configure SQL Server Reporting Services and combine Microsoft Dynamics GP with Microsoft Power BI for self-service reporting and for aggregating data from multiple on-premises and remote sources.
- Education
Deliver individual or group training for current and first-time users of Dynamics GP.
- Support Services
Act as a single contact for expertise to ensure effective and cost-effective resolution of problems made possible by familiarity with your particular environment.
Other Dynamics GP Consulting Expertise Offered by Progent
Progent offers the help of top-tier consultants who have been creating working Dynamics GP and Great Plains solutions since version 1. Progent can do the work you require directly rather than managing less experienced consultants or internal IT personnel. Important areas where Progent's consultants can provide Microsoft Dynamics GP support services include:
- Guidance
Recommend the use of software modules that come with the core GP system but are not now being used. In addition, suggest third-party add-ons designed exclusively for Microsoft Dynamics GP to deliver capabilities that GP doesn't offer.
- Integrations
Create custom integrations between Microsoft Dynamics GP and other strategic applications to reduce duplicate entry and increase consistency.
- Customizations
Create major and simple customizations that work with Dynamics GP to handle specific business functions not handled by standard GP modules or third-party add-ons.
Infrastructure Consulting Services
Progent can assist your business to upgrade your infrastructure to accommodate Microsoft Dynamics GP for any architecture including local, cloud-based, or a hybrid network model. Network infrastructure services provided by Progent include:
- Needs assessment and IT asset inventory
- Network topology planning and deployment (local, private or public cloud, or hybrid)
- Configuring security gateways and remote connections and creating security policies
- Managing Apple iOS, Android, and Windows smartphones and tablets
- Creating high-availability (HA) environments
- Integration with public cloud services such as Microsoft 365
- Disaster recovery and business continuity planning
- Performance optimization
The Progent Advantage
A modern Microsoft Dynamics GP ecosystem incorporates multiple application platforms, on-premises network infrastructure technologies, and cloud products integrated into a cohesive ERP solution. For more than 20 years, Progent has provided remote and onsite support from Microsoft-certified experts including Dynamics GP/Great Plains integrators, Windows Server specialists, SQL Server developers, Exchange configuration consultants, Microsoft Office experts, and SharePoint development consultants. Progent's consultants have worked with these products from their initial versions to their latest versions, and Progent supports cloud-based options by offering Office and Microsoft 365 consulting, Exchange Online integration services, and SharePoint Online deployment and application development services.
Progent also has a long history of providing help from seasoned Cisco CCIE-certified network infrastructure experts, Hyper-V integration consultants, and VMware virtualization consultants. This background with strategic IT platforms cuts time and expense when guiding businesses through each phase of upgrading their older Microsoft Dynamics GP deployment. Progent also can provide the support of advanced cybersecurity and compliance engineers, disaster recovery planning consultants, application programmers, hybrid cloud architecture consultants, and SQL Server DBAs who can help you to design, deploy, and maintain a well-tuned Dynamics GP ecosystem.
Progent's Consulting Services for Dynamics GP/Great Plains Enterprise Resource Planning Deployments
For more about Progent's online and on-premises consulting services in Petaluma, California for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains Enterprise Resource Planning software, refer to:
Download Progent's Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains Consulting Services Datasheet
To download a datasheet describing the consulting expertise offered by Progent for Dynamics GP/Great Plains software, select Download Datasheet: Consulting for MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains Enterprise Resource Planning Software (PDF file).
Contact Progent for MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains Migration Support
If your Petaluma, CA business needs a Dynamics GP/Great Plains integration expert or application developer, call 1-800-993-9400 or see Contact Progent.