Microsoft Dynamics GP, previously branded Great Plains, has a longer history than virtually any other ERP solution written for Windows. Microsoft Dynamics GP is a mature, feature-rich product and is one of the most popular ERP platforms for small and mid-size businesses, with around 50,000 active customers globally. Many businesses who have relied on Dynamics GP for years or decades have been able to postpone upgrades to the point that they are now running legacy software and rickety IT infrastructure. This is risky. Meanwhile, a recurring complaint we hear from new customers is that they have trouble finding experienced Dynamics GP experts who can provide guidance on how to upgrade their Dynamics GP system affordably and extract the maximum business value out of the software.
The more an organization tries to make do with outdated releases of Microsoft Dynamics GP, the more challenging the migration process becomes. If physical host servers or storage systems break down, there may be no suitable devices available to use as substitutes. When releases of Microsoft Windows Server that run Dynamics GP reach end-of-support (EOS) status, vital security patches are no longer distributed. The latest editions of SQL Server may not be compatible with your special GP customizations. Innovative tools like Microsoft's Power BI may not run. Organizations investigating an upgrade of their Microsoft Dynamics GP environment can be overwhelmed by the number of components there are to the puzzle. And the cost quoted for a migration may seem through the roof.
Microsoft Dynamics GP Upgrade and Customization Services Available from Progent
Progent has supported Microsoft Dynamics GP and Great Plains for over 20 years, and Progent's seasoned professionals have delivered advanced and economical remote integration consulting for Windows-powered environments to businesses in every state throughout the U.S. By offering in-depth experience with all releases of Microsoft Dynamics GP as well as world-class network integration talent, Progent is ideally qualified to help your Clearwater, Florida business optimize the benefit of GP.
We partner with our customers and start by understanding their requirements. After gaining an understanding of the situation and the areas needing improvement we make our suggestions. Recommendations can involve a migration to a more current and fully supported version of Microsoft Dynamics GP, simple user education, full platform and specific module implementation including 3rd-party modules offered by a broad array of suppliers that have published add-ons to Microsoft Dynamics GP, integration with other key business applications within your company, custom report creation, and solution evaluations to assess whether GP is being used to its fullest. Our objective with every Microsoft Dynamics GP project of whatever size is to maximize strategic value and manage expense.
Progent can assist your Clearwater, Florida company in each phase of your Dynamics GP upgrade or enhancement process including:
- System Review
Review at what modules and features of Dynamics GP you are currently using and discuss additional features of the product that might be suitable for your business.
- Upgrade Planning and Timing
Develop a comprehensive upgrade plan and timetable that avoids business interruption. Schedule pilot testing, live deployment, and education. Specify customizations and add-on modules. Anticipate and manage integration problems.
- Pilot Testing
Design and implement a test system for validating the upgrade process.
- Environment Upgrades
Create backup copies of databases and dictionaries, eConnect, and GP Integration Manager database. eMigrate Microsoft Dynamics GP to the latest release to assure continuing support services from Microsoft and to have all current features accessible to your organization. Upgrade SQL Server and compatibility levels for all databases. Activate services from the Professional Services Tools Library. Prep data and execute scripts to address documented issues.
- Custom Reporting
Create reports and or custom dashboards for internal and public consumption. Configure SQL Server Reporting Services and integrate Microsoft Dynamics GP with Microsoft Power BI for self-service reporting and for combining data from diverse local and remote sources.
- Education
Provide one-on-one or group training for current and first-time users of Microsoft Dynamics GP.
- Support
Act as a single contact for expertise to ensure consistent and affordable resolution of problems made possible by close understanding of your specific situation.
Additional Microsoft Dynamics GP Consulting Expertise Available from Progent
Progent can provide the help of seasoned experts who have been creating working Dynamics GP and Great Plains solutions since relerase 1. Progent can do the jobs you require directly instead of managing less knowledgeable consultants or in-house IT personnel. Important areas where Progent can deliver Dynamics GP expertise include:
- Recommendations
Suggest the deployment of software modules included with the basic GP system but are not now being utilized. Also, suggest third-party add-ons written specifically for Dynamics GP to deliver capabilities that GP skips.
- Integrations
Build custom connections between Microsoft Dynamics GP and other business applications to avoid redundant data entry and increase consistency.
- Customizations
Create major and simple customizations that work with Dynamics GP to perform specific business functions not handled by standard GP modules or external modules.
Infrastructure Expertise
Progent can help you to enhance your network infrastructure to accommodate Microsoft Dynamics GP for any architecture including local, cloud-based, or a hybrid network model. Infrastructure services available from Progent's consultants include:
- Needs assessment and IT asset inventory
- Network topology design and deployment (on-premises, private or public cloud, or hybrid)
- Setting up security gateways and remote connections and creating security policies
- Managing Apple iOS, Google Android, and Windows mobile devices
- Creating high-availability architectures
- Integration with PaaS and IaaS services such as Microsoft 365
- Disaster recovery and business continuity planning
- Performance optimization
The Progent Advantage
A modern Microsoft Dynamics GP ecosystem includes multiple software platforms, on-premises network infrastructure technologies, and cloud products integrated into a cohesive enterprise resource planning solution. For over 20 years, Progent's consultants have provided remote and on-premises support from Microsoft-certified professionals including Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains consultants, Windows Server consultants, SQL Server developers, Microsoft Exchange configuration consultants, Microsoft Office experts, and SharePoint development consultants. Progent has supported these products from their initial releases to their latest editions, and Progent supports cloud-based options by providing Office and Microsoft 365 consulting, Exchange Online integration services, and SharePoint Online migration and development expertise.
Progent also has extensive experience providing help from top-tier Cisco CCIE-certified network experts, Windows Hyper-V integration consultants, and VMware virtual machine specialists. This background with core IT platforms saves time and expense when helping businesses through each phase of updating their legacy Dynamics GP environment. Progent also can provide the support of advanced security and compliance experts, business continuity planning consultants, application programmers, hybrid cloud integration experts, and database administrators who can help you to design, deploy, and manage a well-tuned Dynamics GP solution.
Progent's Consulting Expertise for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains Enterprise Resource Planning Solutions
To find out more about Progent's remote and on-premises consulting expertise in Clearwater, Florida for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains Enterprise Resource Planning software, visit:
Download Progent's Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains Consulting Services Datasheet
To download a datasheet describing the consulting expertise available from Progent for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP software, select Download Datasheet: Consulting for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains Enterprise Resource Planning Software (PDF file).
Contact Progent for MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains Upgrade Services
If your Clearwater, FL business is looking for a Dynamics GP/Great Plains deployment expert or software developer, call 1-800-993-9400 or go to Contact Progent.