How can you move all your GP Data to Business Central
Microsoft has recently announced that they will discontinue support for Dynamics GP by December 2029. This brings the curtains down on an era. But businesses cannot afford to get sentimental! If you have a lot of data saved on Great Plains, you must move all your GP data to Business Central and migrate to another ERP.
Microsoft recommends that you migrate to Dynamics 365 Business Central, its cloud-based, AI-driven ERP solution for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs)
In the following post, we will look at Dynamics GP Data to Business Central Migration and some of the critical aspects that you should focus on during migration
How to Execute Dynamics GP Data Migration to Dynamics 365 Business Central?
It is recommended that you contact a certified Dynamics 365 Business Central Consultant before you plan and execute Dynamics GP Data Migration to Dynamics 365 Business Central.
At Evolvous, we offer a customized plan for GP for D365 Business Central migration. Therefore, the process depends on your specific needs and existing infrastructure. But here is an overview of the process that we follow:
PHASE 1: Planning the Migration
The first stage of the process is planning the migration. Here are the tasks that we do at this stage:
- The team reviews the modules, customizations, and data volume of your current GP environment.
- We will identify the migration scope and the unique requirements.
- The migration timelines and risk mitigation strategies will be laid out.
PHASE 2: Data Preparation and Mapping
The next stage of the process focuses on preparing the data and mapping it between GP and the Dynamics 365 Business Central fields
- Extract all the data from GP environment.
- Cleanse and standardize the data according to the formats compatible with Dynamics 365 Business Central.
- Map the GP Data Fields to Business Central data structure.
PHASE 3: Migrating Files from GP to Business Central
At this stage, we will migrate files from Dynamics GP to Dynamics Business. Here are some of the things we do to migrate the data and other assets to the cloud platform.
- Use the right tools to import data.
- Rebuild or reconfigure the necessary customization in Business Central. We might use AL extensions, if required.
- Set up the workflows, security roles, and financial settings in the new platform.
PHASE 4: Testing and Deployment
At the last step of the process, we will rigorously test that all the data is properly migrated. Once it is tested thoroughly, we will go live with the system. Here are the tasks that we do:
- Validate the data integrity.
- Conduct User Acceptance Testing (UAT). All identified issues are addressed.
- After training, the new Dynamics 365 environment is deployed. The GP environment is decommissioned.
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How to Optimize Timelines During GP to Business Central Migration?
Now that we have some idea about the process of Dynamics GP data migration to Dynamics 365 Business Central, it is important to take steps to save time. The migration process, especially for large data sets and configurations, can take a significant amount of time, often more than a year!
Here are some of the things that we do to optimize the time taken for Dynamics GP Data Migration to Business Central.
Use the Right Data Migration Tools
Choosing the right tool and approach is essential to migrate data in a safe, secure, and quick way. In most cases, we recommend using the Dynamics GP Data Migration Extension in Business Central. This tool automates the import of master records, like customer and vendor information, items, and chart of accounts, as well as historical transactions.
Test and Validate with the Help of Scripts and Templates
Our team of migration specialists often use PowerShell scripts, AL test scripts, or third-party tools to help with the testing of data loads and validation. We also create reusable templates for configurations and mapping. This plays a significant role in eliminating manual work during testing cycles.
Using Configuration Packages in Business Central
In the case of large datasets, we can use configuration packages like rapid start for bulk import and configuring data like GL accounts, dimensions, vendors, and customers. With the help of these packages, you can quickly define mappings, load them into Business Central and then reuse them across test, staging, and production environments.
Get a FREE 2 Hour Assessment for GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central Migration
Want to get a more accurate estimate timeline for Dynamics GP Data Migration to Business Central?
Schedule a FREE 2-Hour Assessment with our team to set clear expectations for time and costs.
How to Reduce the Cost of Dynamics GP Migration?
Apart from the timelines, you also need to look at the costs of the migration. If not planned and executed properly, the costs of the entire project can be significantly high. Here are some of our recommended measures to reduce costs:
Migrate Only the Essential Data
Instead of migrating all data in one go, focus on critical master data and recent transactional data. You can archive older data in Azure SQL, SharePoint, or a data warehouse. Less data translates into lower storage requirement, processing needs and overall consulting costs.
Go for a Phased Migration Process
If the size of the data is huge, you should consider phased rollout of migration. This reduces the chances of errors, and even if errors do occur, you can solve it with ease.
Avoid Excessive Customizations
After you have just migration, try to stick to standard Business Central functionalities, and not customize the platform extensively. Over-customization increases the development time, testing, and maintenance costs of the future.
Get Started with Dynamics GP Data Migration to Business Central Migration
Looking to execute Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central Migration? Contact our experts and get the support you need to manage the project with confidence.
