Microsoft’s recent decision to stop supporting Dynamics GP might feel like the end of an era for organisations relying on it, but it’s actually a big opportunity to upgrade to something better— Business Central, a cloud-first ERP solution.
Here are 7 reasons why I find Business Central to be a better option that gives your business space to grow and respond faster to the challenges in the market.
1. On-Premises & IaaS vs Built for the Cloud
Dynamics GP relies on on-premises deployment, which means organisations must invest in hardware, maintain servers, manage backups, and ensure system security. Not only is this approach outdated, but it is also inflexible and inefficient preventing organisations from aligning system needs with the scale of their business. Yes, Dynamics GP can be hosted (so minimise your own infrastructure), but that’s still a 6-8 years old technology that lacks the scalability and flexibility needed for modern operations.
Business Central is a modern, cloud-native system designed for flexibility that is accessible anywhere via a browser or mobile app. Moreover, Microsoft handles backups, security, and scalability ensuring your organisation can adapt to the changing market without extra IT hassles.
2. Limited Integration vs. Seamless Microsoft Ecosystem
Dynamics GP has limited integration with tools like Teams, Power BI, or Office 365; getting them to work with GP can be tricky and often requires third-party applications or custom development. This approach increases complexity, cost, and effort, reducing efficiency and flexibility.
Business Central connects seamlessly with the rest of the Microsoft ecosystem. For example, you can export data to Excel with one click, analyse it using native Power BI reports and dashboards, and discuss results with your team in Teams—all without leaving the system and without additional configuration. This makes it easy to collaborate and gets the most out of your investment, while helping your to make faster and smarter decisions.
3. Manual Processes vs. Smart Automation
Dynamics GP requires manual effort for many essential processes, such as bank reconciliations or payment approvals. This not only increases the risk of errors but also wastes valuable time that could be spent on more strategic tasks.
Business Central automates these tasks to save you time. For example, it can match bank transactions automatically, so you don’t have to do it by manually. It can also send reminders for overdue payments and use AI capabilities to predict cash flow issues before they happen. These features free you up to focus on more important tasks.
4. Disruptive Updates vs. Continuous Innovation
Dynamics GP updates require manual installation, and often disrupt operations. Additionally, the system evolves slowly, leaving organisations stuck with outdated tools and limited functionality. Especially in the last years, since Microsoft positioned Business Central as the go-to solution for SMB market, the decline in getting relevant updates was very obvious..
Business Central receives two majors updates (waves) every year – April and October – and multiple minor updates that are applied automatically without disrupting operations. Each update includes security enhancements and a plethora of new features, such as Copilot, AI-driven predictive tools, improved user interfaces, new capabilities (e.g. sustainability, subscription billing, native Power BI reporting etc) keeping the product and the organisations using it ahead of the curve.
5. Clunky User Experience vs. Intuitive Design
Dynamics GP interface is outdated and difficult to navigate, particularly for new users. While it may have worked fine 20 years ago, in 2024 (soon to be 2025) it feels obsolete and out of place. As a result, training and onboarding often take longer, leading to a steep learning curve and slower onboarding for new employees.
Business Central features a clean, intuitive interface designed for ease of use and aligned with the rest of Microsoft ecosystem, making it easier to navigate. Whether on a desktop, tablet, or smartphone, even new users can find what they need quickly. This speeds up onboarding and ensures a better user experience overall.
6. Basic Reporting vs. Advanced Analytics
Dynamics GP reporting is rather limited, often relying on SQL Reporting Services or third-party tools for anything beyond basic functionality. Generating meaningful insights can be time-consuming and costly, as they often require development.
Business Central comes with built-in dashboards, 300+ reports, export to Excel and native Power BI reports, providing real-time analytics and deep insights. Additional, the built-in Financial Reports (formerly know as Account Schedule) allows users to construct their own reports and slice and dice financial data so the organisation can make data-driven decisions faster and with greater confidence.
7. Limited Customisation vs. Endless Extensibility
Dynamics GP customisations, unless you need a vanilla deployment, often require expensive development work and significant time investment. GP also lacks access to a broad ecosystem of extensions and apps – at least as the standards defined by AppSource.
Business Central has roughly 6,500 apps available on Microsoft AppSource, all developed by reputable Microsoft partners, ready to extend its native capabilities. As an organisation starting with Business Central or expanding its adoptions in other areas, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel – most likely, there is already a proven app available. Still, for unique needs, Business Central can be easily tailored, ensuring it meets business requirements efficiently.
Therefore, if you’re an organisation using Dynamics GP and you’re concerned about the future, know that Business Central has everything you need (and more) to support your business.