Moving from Dynamics GP or NAV to Business Central
If your organisation is still running Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains) or Microsoft Dynamics NAV, now is the time to start planning what comes next.
With Dynamics GP support ending and many NAV environments becoming increasingly difficult to maintain, moving to Dynamics 365 Business Central gives you an opportunity to modernise more than your ERP system. It is a chance to reduce technical debt, improve reporting, streamline processes and connect finance and operations with the wider Microsoft ecosystem.
At Pragmatiq, we help organisations do more than migrate data. We help them rethink processes, reduce complexity and create a platform for future growth.
Why organisations are moving away from GP and NAV
Many organisations have relied on Dynamics GP and Dynamics NAV for years. These systems often continue to perform core business functions, but they can become increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain as business requirements evolve.
Common challenges include:
- On-premise infrastructure and hosting costs
- Legacy customisations that are difficult to support
- Manual workarounds and spreadsheet-heavy processes
- Limited integration with modern business applications
- Difficulty accessing data remotely
- Reduced agility when adapting to new business needs
- Missing opportunities around automation, AI and advanced reporting
For Dynamics GP users specifically, Microsoft has announced that product enhancements, regulatory updates and technical support will end on 31 December 2029, with security updates available until April 2031.
Why a direct upgrade is not always the best route
One of the biggest mistakes organisations make is treating a move to Business Central as a like-for-like upgrade.
Over the years, many GP and NAV environments accumulate bespoke development, custom reports and workarounds that no longer reflect how the business operates today. Migrating everything across without challenge can simply carry the same complexity and technical debt into a new system.
Instead, we encourage organisations to ask:
- Which customisations are still genuinely needed?
- Which processes could be simplified?
- Are there better ways to achieve the same outcome?
- How can we use modern Microsoft technology to improve efficiency?
- What opportunities exist to automate and innovate?
Rather than recreating the past, we help organisations design a platform for the future.
Not sure whether to upgrade, migrate or reimplement?
Book a discovery call with our team to discuss your current environment, future requirements and the best route forward.
Book a discovery callWhy move to Dynamics 365 Business Central?
Business Central is Microsoft’s modern cloud ERP platform, designed to help organisations manage Finance, Operations, Inventory, Projects, Manufacturing and more within a single connected solution.
Work from anywhere
Give your teams secure access to business data wherever they’re working. With Business Central in the cloud, employees can access finance, operations and reporting information from any location, helping teams stay connected and productive.
Gain real-time visibility across your business
Stop relying on spreadsheets, disconnected reports and delayed information. Access real-time insights across Finance, Operations, Inventory and Sales.
Bring your Microsoft tools together
Connect Business Central with Outlook, Teams, Excel, Power BI and the wider Microsoft ecosystem, making it easier to collaborate, share information and work from a single source of truth.
Reduce manual work and improve efficiency
Remove manual workarounds that have built up over years of using legacy systems. Automate routine tasks and create more efficient, scalable processes.
Stay secure and up to date
Move away from maintaining servers, applying patches and planning major upgrade projects. Business Central is continuously updated and backed by Microsoft’s cloud security and compliance capabilities.
Take advantage of AI and Copilot
Take advantage of Microsoft Copilot and AI-powered capabilities to analyse data faster, uncover insights and help teams work more productively every day.
Take advantage of Microsoft's migration incentives
Microsoft currently offers programmes designed to help organisations move from legacy ERP solutions such as Dynamics GP and older on-premise Microsoft systems to Dynamics 365 Business Central. Through the Bridge to the Cloud promotion, eligible customers may be able to offset some of the cost of transitioning to the cloud while continuing to access their existing solution during the migration period.
By starting the conversation early, organisations can explore available incentives, build a migration roadmap and avoid leaving planning until support deadlines are much closer.
Not sure if your organisation qualifies for the Bride to Cloud Promotion?
Our team can help you understand the available options and assess the best route to Business Central.
Why Pragmatiq?
We bring experience across the wider Microsoft business applications stack, which means we do not look at Business Central in isolation. We help organisations understand where Business Central should sit, where other Dynamics 365 applications may be better suited, and where the Power Platform can replace complex custom development with more flexible, lower-maintenance solutions.
Whether you’re currently using Dynamics GP (Great Plains) or Dynamics NAV, we can help you assess your options and create a clear path towards Business Central.