Dynamics GP Product Roadmap Session Emphasized New Features, Strategy,Road Ahead
Terry Heley, Senior Escalation Engineer, Microsoft, discussed Microsoft’s commitment to Dynamics GP during the Dynamics GP Product Roadmap session, which took place at Community Summit NA. She discussed the current lifecycle for the product and feature releases.
New Releases
The most recent GP 18.8 release focuses on security, back-end modernization, and customer-driven refinements. This includes testing for SQL 2025, support for TLS 1.3, and updates aligned with .NET 2019, all designed to extend GP’s technical life and compliance readiness.
Heley highlighted the inclusion of feature requests from the community. The Vendor class setup now defaults roll-down messages to “No,” helping users avoid accidental changes. Enhancements to Sales order processing improve visibility when fields are missing, and Navigation lists now include new posting and print options for easier workflow management.
Heley also referenced improvements to Fixed Assets, including a new depreciation update window that lets users modify values directly without installing full year-end updates. “We created a new table for this and a window for you, giving you that flexibility,” she noted.
Security and regulatory compliance remain top priorities, with updates to HMRC protocols, password management, and EFT payment reprints. Payroll and payables also received refinements, including new monthly deduction tracking, enhanced remit-to address auditing, and expanded 1099 reconciliation tools.
While Microsoft’s focus has shifted toward cloud solutions, GP remains fully supported through 2029. “We are starting to think about how we can make GP go further into the future and help you as a user,” she said.
Customer Considerations
Following Heley’s updates, sa.global’s John Kirsch and Shawn Dorward explored what the coming years mean for GP customers who are either choosing to stay or planning to migrate.
Kirsch highlighted the realities of moving off GP for organizations exploring Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC). Migration is not just a technical project, it’s a strategic business initiative that requires early planning and strong partner engagement. With tens of thousands of companies still running GP, partner capacity will become a constraint as the 2029 date nears.
For those considering a move, Kirsch outlined several advantages of BC, including:
- Cloud accessibility
- Native Copilot integration
- Microsoft 365 connectivity
Many GP capabilities have now been replicated or improved within BC, he noted, thanks to user feedback and Microsoft’s investment. “Some of the things GP could do that BC couldn’t, those have been added in the last year or two,” he said.
Still, Kirsch underscored that Business Central isn’t the right move for every organization. Staying on GP remains a viable option for businesses that value stability, proven processes, and the strength of the GP partner and ISV ecosystem. He explained that now is the time for preparation and planning.
Vision and Readiness
As a business chooses to stay on GP or move to Business Central, success depends on vision, expressed Shawn Dorward.
“For an organization, vision is the ability to know where we’re going and why,” Dorward said. “Without a destination in mind, we may be acquiring facts that don’t apply or making decisions we don’t need to make.”
Dorward encouraged companies to align their ERP strategy with their broader business goals, not just technical or financial considerations. “Sitting still is not safe nor smart,” he concluded. “But with a clear vision, your passion, and your ERP future, whatever it is, will be a success.”
Future for the GP Community
As Heley, Kirsch, and Dorward made clear, the future of GP isn’t just about technology. It’s about the people, planning, and purpose that keep this community moving forward together.
