Dynamics GP 2024 Customer Survey Results
We are excited to present the much-anticipated results from the 2024 Dynamics Communities Future of Dynamics GP Customer Survey!
This year’s findings reveal that Dynamics GP is currently utilized by companies all sizes, not only small to medium corporations but also very large corporations. The survey also reveals valuable insights into Dynamics GP Customers and their intentions.
Why Do We Perform the Survey?
At Dynamics Communities, we support all User Communities for Microsoft Business Applications products, including Dynamics GP, which has been an integral part of this community for over thirty years. Our goal is to gain a better understanding of the current and future landscape of the Dynamics GP User Community. To achieve this, we conduct surveys open to all Dynamics GP Users and share the results. This helps us gain important insights into the mindset of Dynamics GP Customers.
Survey Parameters
This year’s survey was conducted online from July 18, 2024, to October 12, 2024, using a completely anonymous form. No personal information was collected to ensure confidentiality and anonymity.
Participants
A total of 74 participants took part in the survey. Notably, 73 respondents submitted their answers before September 25, 2024, which is the same day Microsoft publicly announced its new Dynamics GP End-of-Life Timeline. I would like to thank all the participants for their time in completing this important survey.
Now, let’s get started!
Company Demographics
76% of the customers who responded are part of Dynamics Communities, and 45% attended Community Summit 2024 in San Antonio, which was a fantastic event.
Our survey results indicate that companies of all sizes utilize Dynamics GP. Notably, 21.62% of respondents have between 101 and 250 employees, while another 21.62% have over 1,000 employees. Additionally, we also have some companies with more than 5,000 employees. This demonstrates that Dynamics GP is suitable for more than just small companies.
Dynamics GP System Demographics
The total number of Dynamics GP logins from the 74 customers responding is 3,898, which results in an average of 52.7 logins per customer. It is important to note that when we estimate there are 20,000 to 25,000 active customers for Dynamics GP, we are referring to the sites using Dynamics GP, not the total number of users or logins. While some partners believe the number of users may even be higher, we report here the generally accepted figures.
Based on this average, we can estimate that there are approximately 1 million to 1.32 million Dynamics GP users.
Nearly 50% of users report being on the most current version of Dynamics GP at the time of this survey, which is impressive considering it is less than one year old. Additionally, over 60% are using a version that meets Microsoft’s criteria for support, meaning their version it is no more than one release behind the current version.
Our ecosystem includes many established systems. Over 86% of respondents have used Dynamics GP for more than 10 years. Additionally, 47.31% have benefited from GP for over 20 years, and 5.41% have used it for more than 30 years.
Seventy-four customers responded, representing a total of 649 unique company databases. This number may be even higher, as one respondent mentioned using MEM, which contains 213 companies in a single database.
Dynamics GP’s strength has always been its inherent structure which allows independent software vendors (ISVs) to create exceptional add-on products and customizations. This design, combined with the expertise of the developers, has generated endless possibilities for Dynamics GP and its users. Today, the developer community continues to enhance the system by adding features that facilitate interaction with the latest software developed by Microsoft and others.
Thank You to the Community
By paying your enhancement fees to Microsoft and, more importantly, to your ISVs, you support their businesses and help fund the processes that maintain your Dynamics GP in a modern and functional state in today’s ever-changing world.
Partners remain the #1 choice (60.81%) for customers seeking support for Dynamics GP. About 33% retain their own in-house experts, typically within the larger companies, where this type of expertise would be efficient. Least frequent sourcing, comes from those who obtain direct support from Microsoft and Independent Consultants.
Dynamics GP Environment, Technologies
Regular review and optimization are essential for achieving maximum efficiency in all computer systems and business processes. Over 77% of respondents have conducted a review within the past three years, showing a solid understanding of this practice. It is considered best practice to perform a Business Process Review (BPR) every five years to ensure ongoing effectiveness.
Two-thirds of respondents intend to enhance their businesses by adopting modern technologies developed in recent years.
Currently, Dynamics GP integrates natively with Power BI and SQL connectors, while Power Platform also relies on the SQL connector. Advanced methods can further enable Dynamics GP to fully leverage Microsoft cloud technologies through Azure SQL, effectively functioning as a data warehouse.
As demonstrated above, the majority prefers using modern technology. This desire extends to the Dynamics GP product, where users are interested in seeing built-in functions or connections with these modern innovative technologies.
Today, Microsoft has provided many built-in features for Dynamics GP. However, moving forward, the development of new features will fall on independent software vendors (ISVs), as Microsoft has announced that it will not add any new features. This doesn’t mean new features won’t be developed; rather new features will be developed by the ISV community.
Future of Dynamics GP
Today, 57% of our respondents do not plan to move away from Dynamics GP within the next three years, and 46% have no intention of leaving Dynamics GP for over five years. Interestingly, among the 43% who are considering leaving Dynamics GP in the next three years, only 50% are eager to switch to a Microsoft product. Of these, 69% are choosing Business Central, while the remaining 31% are moving to D365 F&O.
Business Central Migration
13.51% of the respondents are taking advantage of or plan to take advantage of the migration offer from Microsoft. This matches with the 15% that said they are moving to Business Central.
Interestingly, 33.78% have reviewed the Microsoft migration offerings but have yet to choose to take advantage of them. That is an acceptance rate of 40% or 2 in 5.
Cost remains the primary concern when considering a move to the cloud or changing their ERP system.
Summary
We have gathered many illuminating insights and trends from our 2024 survey. The trends we have observed over the past few years align closely with previous survey results. Based on the 2024 survey, we see that customers considering leaving Dynamics GP are taking their time to evaluate all ERP products.
We also have a solid base of users committed for the long haul, with 46% planning to stay for at least 5 more years, and 80% for at least the next 3+ years. I interpret this as an indication that users have been waiting to understand Microsoft’s detailed plans for Dynamics GP — which have now been announced — as well as what the broader community may be able to provide.
All the major Dynamics GP ISVs have communicated their commitment to supporting and developing Dynamics GP for at least the next 10 years. Additionally, Dynamics Communities is also dedicated to supporting the User Community for many years to come.
At Summit 2024 in San Antonio, Mike Morton, VP of Business Central & SMB, Microsoft, assured the community that Microsoft is committed to providing Dynamics GP with regular updates, security fixes, and small enhancements until September 2029 — just under five years from now.
