Dynamics GP September 25th, 2024 Announcement

“The only constant in life is change – Heraclitus.”

Dealing with uncertainty is one of life’s toughest challenges. As humans, we crave information about the future, just like we crave pleasure, food, connection, and other rewards. Our brains don’t like uncertainty, which is generally perceived as a threat. When uncertainty pertains to our job, it can significantly impact our well-being. From this viewpoint, Microsoft’s announcement regarding the End-of-Support dates for Dynamics GP on September 25th, 2024, offers a measure of solace derived from unknown dates now becoming known dates. We now have clarity about the future of a product that has been a part of our businesses and livelihoods for the past 32 years.

We have all lived with this uncertainty for the past seven years and have been aware that decisions have been on the horizon since Community Summit NA 2022.

We can now move on from uncertainty and deal with the situation at hand. Some of us will need time to grieve, experiencing feelings of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and hopefully acceptance. It is a loss.

Current Timelines

As the information is digested, Partners and ISVs will develop their own thoughts about how they plan to implement their own participation and timelines based on their particular business models.

As of September 28^th, 2024, the following table depicts the current Microsoft timelines we need to understand. Some key dates include:

• April 1, 2025: No New Customers Sales (Perpetual Licenses)
• April 1, 2026: No New Customers Sales (Subscription Licenses)
• September 30, 2029: End of Product Enhancements, Regulatory (tax) updates, Service Packs and Technical Support
• April 30, 2031: End of Security Patches

Based on the current Microsoft-released information, we calculate the following detailed timelines:

Release	2024 – October	v18.7 – Release
Update	2024 – December	Tax Updates Released
End	2025 – April 1st	End of New Customer Sales (Perpetual Licenses)
Update	2025 – June	Potential Update Released
Release	2025 – October	v18.8 – Release
Update	2025 – December	Tax Updates Released
End	2026 – April 1st	End of New Customer Sales (all types of Licenses)
Update	2026 – June	Potential Update Released
Release	2026 – October	v18.9 – Release
Update	2026 – December	Tax Updates Released
2027 – April 12th		Happy Fabrikam Day!
Update	2027 – June	Potential Update Released
Release	2027 – October	v18.10 – Release
Update	2027 – December	Tax Updates Released
Update	2028 – June	Potential Update Released
Release	2028 – October	v18.11 – Release (Last Dynamics GP Release)
Update	2028 – December	Tax Updates Released (Last Dynamics GP tax updates – Potentially)
Update	2029 – June	Potential Update Released
End	2029 – September 30th	End of Support / Regulator Updates / Service Updates
End	2031 – April 30th	End of Security Patches

 

Current Public Information

 Below is a list of all the current public releases from Microsoft:

• Microsoft Customer Blog Post
• Customer End of Support FAQ (customer login required)
• Partner Blog Post (Partner Hub) (partner login required)
• PartnerSource Business Center Article (partner login required)
• Partner End of Support FAQ (partner login required)
• Dynamics GP Home Page
• Dynamics GP Support BLOG
• In addition to the Microsoft Announcements, hear from our very own John Seifert as he talks with Mike Morton, VP of Microsoft, about the End of Support dates in this interview: Exclusive: Dynamics GP September 2029 Timeline Interview with Mike Morton

What Does This Mean For You, the Dynamics GP Customer?

First, take a breath. There is no need to panic. Microsoft will continue enhancing and supporting Dynamics GP for five more years. You have time to determine your destiny and make your choices.

In the big picture, you will likely either stay with Dynamics GP and become a GP “lifer,” or move to another ERP system.

But you have time to determine what is best for you and your organization.

You can trust that Dynamics Communities will be here for any choice you make, along with the many Partners and ISVs that are part of our community – Dynamics GP or otherwise.

The first thing you need to do, is an ERP Systems Process Review. A Systems Process Review assesses and evaluates the efficiency, effectiveness, risks, and structure of an organization’s processes, systems, or workflows. This review helps ensure the processes align with business goals, operate efficiently, and comply with relevant regulations. (See the article – ERP Systems Process Reviews, coming within the next few weeks and more to follow in Q1 2025). It is a good idea to perform this type of process review at least every 5 years.

Upon completion of an ERP Systems Review, you will then be able to make informed decisions about your ERP software and the most appropriate direction to pursue as a business.

Staying with Dynamics GP

If you decide to stay with Dynamics GP, even for five or more years, keep in mind that as of September 30^th, 2029, Microsoft will no longer support it; no new updates or support will be offered.

REMEMBER: If you keep up with your Microsoft Software Support and update the product, based on released information, you could be on Dynamics GP 18.11 by January 2029. That means by the “End of Security Patches” date of April 30^th, 2031, Dynamics GP 18.11 will only be 2 years old. How many of you are still on v18.5 or older now?

Just a reminder that the end of support by Microsoft does not mean the end of support by the Dynamics GP Partners community. Dynamics GP Partners have been the best partners for over 30 years and are known for creating innovative solutions to problems. You can continue to look towards them for inspiration. For example, if the need arises, one of these partners could develop and release tax code updates for US and Canadian payrolls.

Again, Partners and ISVs are businesses, and as they have done many times before, they will respond to customers’ requests and needs.

Can I Use My Software After April 30, 2031?

As per the release FAQ from Microsoft:

“…Customers with a perpetual license for Dynamics GP may continue using their licensed solution beyond its end of support date…”

and

“…Currently customers with a subscription license for Dynamics GP are not blocked from renewing their subscription license on Dynamics GP’s end of support date, but doing so is not recommended as the product would no longer be supported. Permitting such continued use will be reviewed and may change.”

This tells us that if you are on a Perpetual License, you can keep using it forever. However, the Subscription License is somewhat vague after September 30, 2029. We are currently seeking clarification from Microsoft. Keep in mind that this is the subscription license is subject to change.

If you are currently on a subscription license and decide to stay with Dynamics GP going forward, my suggestion is to convert to a Perpetual license for Dynamics GP before March 31, 2025. This date is your last chance to convert to a Perpetual license since they will no longer sell Perpetual licenses after that date.

Additional Users Logins

As of today, Microsoft will continue to sell Dynamics GP User login Licenses, even past the announced end dates. But as noted above, subscription licenses may be subject to change.

Want to Move to the Cloud?

There are two types of cloud solutions available within Dynamics GP. The first is Dynamics GP in Azure or Cloud. This cloud solution utilizes hosted servers for SQL and the Dynamics GP application on a terminal server in a cloud environment. Some available options include Azure, AWS, or some other private version. This first solution, if it is truly a managed environment, offers advantages with security and even systems management.

The second cloud solution type is a SaaS – Software as a Service environment. As of today, there is only one option for this solution, and it is from our friends at Njevity. Their PowerGP Online service is a true type of SaaS for Dynamics GP.

An advantage of cloud and hosted environments is that you can use Dynamics GP with subscription licenses since the Partner is required to manage the license keys.

Partners In for the Long Haul

Check out the list of Partners and ISVs that have pledged long-term commitment to support and maintain their Dynamics GP add-ons, development and support:

• Data Source Inc.
• DLD Business Solutions
• Dorado Solutions
• Dynamic Budgets
• Enavate
• Endeavour
• eOne Solutions
• Evergrowth Consulting Ltd.
• GP Geek Inc.
• GP Support
• GP Support North
• GraVoc
• Intellitec Solutions, LLC
• Mekorma
• Nanook Software
• Njevity (PowerGP Online)
• Panatrack
• Rockton Software
• RSM
• Trimble
• Wennsoft
• Winthrop Development Consultants (GP PowerTools)

What Can You Do Today?

Remember, Microsoft is a business, and money drives all businesses. Keep paying Microsoft your support enhancement fees. When these support fees are paid, Terry Heley and her people can continue working on product enhancements driven by you, the Dynamics GP community.

To submit your product enhancement suggestions, please enter them at Microsoft Experience; you also need to VOTE for your preferred suggestions to give them traction. Please review regularly and vote for your favorites.

Now, if you are a customer who is current with your Dynamics GP support fees but are NOT running Dynamics GP 18.2 or newer, please upgrade to the latest version. You are missing out on many features. This will also allow you to stay on Dynamics GP longer once it reaches the “End of Support” and “End of Security” life.

Suppose you are not current with your Microsoft support fees, but still use Dynamics GP (perpetual license).

If you love Dynamics GP and do not want to move in the next 5-10 years, I suggest you re-purchase your Dynamics GP. You only have until March 31, 2025, to purchase a perpetual license. You can also purchase a monthly subscription license until March 31, 2026, which you need to do with a Partner who will be managing your systems. But again, subscription services may be subject to change. By upgrading to the latest version of GP, you can then use it for many years.

Again, Microsoft is a business and wants to make money while providing its customers with the best products and experiences. This is what motivates us all to innovate and drive new technologies. But sometimes, customers just want a product to work and don’t need or want any changes. How can that be balanced? Well, suppose there are still 10,000 customers paying yearly enhancement fees, a sizable sum, then Microsoft might reconsider its position on some aspects of Dynamics GP management.

Leaving Dynamics GP

After you have completed your ERP Systems Process Review and if you have decided it is in your company’s best interest to move away from Dynamics GP, you will need to find a new ERP product. Of course, Microsoft has excellent offerings with Business Central and F&O (Finance and Operations) for larger companies – a minimum of 20 “full” users is required.

There are also other non-Microsoft ERP solutions on the market that you can evaluate, such as Acumatica, NetSuite, SAP, Sage, and Quick Books. Again, understand what you needs are.

Dynamics Communities

We are dedicated to supporting all Dynamics Users, including Dynamics GP, Dynamics Business Central, and Dynamics F&O, as well as other Biz Apps, both now and in the future. We are committed to offering you the best expert advice and fact-based information in a timely manner. As the world’s largest Dynamics Community User Group, we will be here to assist you through these constantly changing times. Lastly, if you are a user, please submit your Dynamics GP questions here, which will be addressed during the Dynamics GP General Session at Community Summit NA 2024, on Wednesday, October 16, from 9:15-10:15 AM.

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