Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution designed for small and mid-sized businesses.
It provides financial management, supply chain management, human resources, payroll, project accounting, and business intelligence capabilities.
Key Features of Dynamics GP:
1. Financial Management – General ledger, accounts payable/receivable, cash flow management, and budgeting.
2. Supply Chain Management – Inventory, procurement, order processing, and warehouse management.
3. Human Resources & Payroll – Employee records, benefits, payroll processing, and compliance reporting.
4. Project Accounting – Track costs, manage budgets, and allocate expenses.
5. Business Intelligence & Reporting – Built-in reporting tools, including Microsoft Power BI and SSRS integration.
6. Manufacturing & Field Service Management – Supports production planning, job costing, and service management.
Current Status of Dynamics GP
Microsoft has been gradually shifting its focus toward Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management (F&O) and Business Central, which are cloud-first ERP solutions.
While Dynamics GP is still supported, it is no longer receiving major innovations, and Microsoft is encouraging customers to transition to Dynamics 365 Business Central for a more modern cloud-based ERP experience.
How It Compares to Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management (F&O)
• Deployment: Dynamics GP is primarily an on-premises solution, while D365 F&O is cloud-based with hybrid options.
• Target Audience: Dynamics GP is designed for small and mid-sized businesses, while D365 F&O is for large enterprises with complex operations.
• Scalability & Integration: Dynamics 365 F&O provides better integration with Power Platform, Office 365, and Azure, making it a better fit for enterprises looking for deep cloud integration.
When will Microsoft Dynamics GP be retired?
Microsoft Dynamics GP is not officially being retired yet, but Microsoft has been gradually reducing its focus on the product in favor of Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management.
Microsoft’s Lifecycle Plan for Dynamics GP:
Microsoft follows a Fixed Lifecycle Policy for older versions and a Modern Lifecycle Policy for newer releases:
• Older versions (2016 and earlier): These versions are either out of support or in extended support, meaning they only receive security updates.
• Dynamics GP 2018 and later: These versions follow the Modern Lifecycle Policy, receiving regular updates, but without a long-term roadmap for innovation.
End of Support Dates for Key Versions:
• Dynamics GP 2013 & 2013 R2 → Ended in April 2023
• Dynamics GP 2015 & 2015 R2 → Extended support ends April 2025
• Dynamics GP 2016 & 2016 R2 → Extended support ends July 2026
• Dynamics GP 2018 & 2018 R2 → Extended support ends January 2028
What This Means for Businesses Using Dynamics GP:
• Microsoft is encouraging customers to migrate to Dynamics 365 Business Central or Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management for a cloud-based, modern ERP experience.
• No major new features are being added to GP—only regulatory and security updates.
• GP is still supported under the Modern Lifecycle Policy, but long-term investment from Microsoft is shifting to Dynamics 365.