Dynamics GP Special Report: sa.global’s John Kirsch on Dynamics GP End-of-Life Timeline, Migration Considerations

In this “Dynamics GP Special Report,” John Siefert, CEO, Dynamics Communities and Community Summit NA, is joined by John Kirsch, Dynamics GP Product Lead, sa.global. The two discuss the implications of Microsoft’s announcements regarding the end-of-life for Dynamics GP, the importance of staying current with timelines and considerations for migrations, and the need for thorough business process and software assessments.

This episode is sponsored by Community Summit North America, the largest independent gathering of the Microsoft Business Applications ecosystem, taking place Oct. 13-17, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Register today to connect with thousands of users across the Microsoft business applications ecosystem at the for user, by user event.

Key Takeaways

• Background: Watch the recent interview between John Siefert and Microsoft’s Mike Morton that details Microsoft’s announcements and Dynamics GP timeline. Further, Dynamics Communities and its affiliate brands like Community Summit North America, Cloud Wars, AI Copilot Summit NA, and Biz Apps Partner Summit are wholly owned by Dynamics Communities – not by Microsoft or any other partners – ensuring its independence and enabling it to be the largest independent innovation, education, and training platform for Microsoft business applications.
• Initial reaction: The announcement about the timeline for GP wasn’t a surprise, explains Kirsch, but it provided much-needed clarity after years of speculation. His initial reaction was focused on the implications for businesses and individuals, emphasizing the importance of staying current with updates and supported platforms.
• Educating customers: sa.global is starting conversations with clients about the timeline, with some wanting immediate discussions and others preferring to wait a few months. The company’s advice is to start planning now rather than waiting four years, with Business Central being the recommended path for most. Kirsch emphasizes the importance of staying current and educating clients about the increasing risks of not transitioning by 2029.
• Migration considerations: When thinking about transitioning to a new ERP system, Kirsch explains that there are two core aspects to consider; the business process and software, focusing on core software first, add-ons, and customizations followed by the “people side and how they want to use it.” Longtime GP users are finding that many add-ons from years ago are now integrated into systems like BC, offering a chance to refresh and enhance their technology. While there’s some reluctance, there’s also excitement about the opportunities for improvement.
• Change management: Kirsch notes that sa.global is in a good position with its clients, especially those familiar with their software systems, as they are valuable assets for upcoming projects. Whether clients have technical expertise or not, change management is crucial, and partners need to handle the transition to Business Central, or other ERPs, methodically. While technology is important, the focus remains on working with people to implement solutions that work best for them.
• Learn more at Summit NA: Kirsch will be leading a number of sessions at Community Summit NA 2024, running October 13-17 in San Antonio, Texas. Learn more from Kirsch by attending the following sessions:
  • “Ask Us Anything DynGP – Reporting,” on Monday, October 14 from 2:30-4 PM
  • “Ask Us Anything DynGP – Payables,” on Tuesday, October 15 from 2:30-4 PM
  • “Modern GP Roundup,” on Wednesday, October 16 from 8-9 AM
  • “General Session – GP,” on Wednesday, October 16 from 9:15-10:15 AM
  • “Ask Us Anything DynGP – Administration,” on Wednesday, October 16 from 1:30-2:30 PM
  • “Power App and Power Automate Overview for GP Users,” on Wednesday, October 16 from 4:30-5:30 PM
  • “Get DATA in AND out of BC faster using these 5 FREE MICROSOFT TOOLS!!,” on Thursday, October 17 from 8:30-9:30 AM
  • “SQL: Useful Code Projects for Dynamics GP,” on Thursday, October 17 from 9:45-10:45 AM