Saying goodbye is one of the hardest things anyone has to do. But for Dynamics GP users, the time may soon be coming. Plans for the software remain a bit murky after 2024 and companies using the software may want to look at new options. Over the past few months, we’ve spent a bit of time discussing the shortcomings of GP and the challenges that may present themselves when you push the software past its use-by date.

In these blogs, the first documenting the evolving software market and the ways that GP has been unable to keep up, and the second exploring whether or not the Modern Lifecycle can save GP, our goal was to help you discover the shortcomings of this once-reliable product and the potential steps forward.

But as you move forward in your journey, your path forward may end up looking a bit unclear. A change in software, a change in software delivery—and likely a change in the way you work. Getting used to the thought of new processes and practices can become both exciting and challenging. But to get the most out of your software move, you’re going to want to have a clear picture of your path forward, and it pays to ask questions about where you are and where you want to be.

As you look at GP replacement options, here are just some of the questions you should ask yourself.

How Does This Cloud Thing Work?

One of the biggest things to look at on the journey away from an on-premises software is the concept of the cloud. Designed as a way to pool resources and give users economies of scale, cloud software is essentially a computing model that allows users to access software using little more than an internet connection.

True cloud applications were built in the cloud and built for the cloud. They were built to handle all the requirements of the cloud. Simply existing in the cloud doesn’t mean it’s a cloud application. 

One area where true cloud applications thrive is in integration. Integrations in true cloud applications are easy to set up and resilient in the rapid update world of the cloud. Fake clouds are built on old architecture, often leaving your IT staff on firefighting duty two or more times a year as they work to fix a broken integration. Learn how to tell the difference here.

Is Now the Right Time?

Though the simple answer is “of course,” it begs a few questions. Did 2020 leave you struggling to provide users with access? Was everything happening a bit slower because of this? Did things get disconnected? The lockdowns and work from home orders reinforced the value of cloud computing for its ability to provide users with speed, security, mobility, and access.

In 2021, you really can’t ignore the cloud-based software offerings permeating the marketplace, and it’s in your best interests to consider them, even if doing so requires a change in the way you manage your data, business processes, and workflows.

Is the Cloud Secure?

There’s perceived safety in leaving your data where it is—on in-house servers, where it’s always been. But people still have an overarching fear of cloud applications, despite proof that these applications are more secure than on-premise ones.

Not only is it clear that technology vendors are using state of the art methods to keep their customers’ data secure, but business decision makers are getting the message and adopting the technology.

How Fast Can We Get Up and Running?

As discussed by members of Forbes Technology Council in 13 Biggest Challenges When Moving Your Business To The Cloud, “when it comes to cloud adoption, the biggest challenge isn’t technology—it’s the people and processes that must change and adapt.”

As you approach a move to the cloud, there’s a good chance you can be off to the races in three to six months—including training, data conversion, configuration, and implementation. But timeframes differ greatly based on the methodology and partner, so to get the most out of a cloud ERP implementation, you’re going to want to work with a partner who has seen both sides of the solution.

As a company that has worked with and still supports GP users, we have the expertise to get your data away from GP and into the cloud with fewer headaches and hours, helping you to get faster ROI and greater value.

Make the Move with MIBAR

Though there are many partners you can choose, if you’re a GP user looking to forge ahead, you’d probably benefit from a company who has worked on both sides of the migration. We’ve helped a variety of companies like yours to recognize the advantages of moving to the cloud, put a solution in place that will facilitate your business, and provide you returns for years.

As a Dynamics GP user, it is important that you understand GP End of Life. It is not just a distant event; it carries substantial implications that every business must be aware of. To learn more, please watch our on-demand webinar, Microsoft Dynamics GP End of Life – What’s Next, to:

  • Gain a firm grasp of the critical dates that will shape your decision-making process.
  • Decode the terminology to understand how it will directly affect your day-to-day operations & future of your org.
  • Delve into the security & business continuity risks that may jeopardize your organization.

Click here to watch now.

Learn more about Dynamics GP alternatives.

Dynamics GP Alternatives

Get to know more about our work or download our free guide titled Why Replacing Legacy Systems with a Cloud Solution is Now Mission Critical, and contact us for a free consultation.