A Complete Roadmap to Migrating from Microsoft Dynamics GP to Microsoft Dynamics Business Central with the Right People and Plan
- khushitaneja
- Nov 12, 2025
- 7 min read
For years, Microsoft Dynamics GP (GP) has served as a reliable enterprise resource-planning (ERP) system for small and mid-sized organizations, handling financials, inventory, warehousing and back-office operations. Meanwhile Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC) has emerged as Microsoft’s cloud-native ERP solution designed for the modern business-environment, offering tighter integration with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, the Power Platform, and Azure-hosted services.
In this article we’ll explore why migrating from GP to BC makes sense, the key differences between the systems, a detailed step-by-step migration roadmap, cost and timeline considerations, common pitfalls; and how Live D365 can accelerate your journey with certified talent and flexible engagement models.
Brief Overview: GP and BC – What’s happening in 2024/2025?
Dynamics GP is a long-standing on-premises (and hybrid/hosted) ERP solution from Microsoft, built on SQL Server and used by many SMEs and multi-site operations. Recent releases (for example version 18.8, aka “GP 2026”) show continued updates. However, Microsoft has announced that support and updates for GP will end 31 December 2029 (with some security updates extending later).
Dynamics 365 Business Central is Microsoft’s next-gen ERP offering aimed at SMBs and mid-market companies, available as SaaS (cloud) or on-premises. It benefits from semi-annual releases, enhanced integration with Azure, Power Platform and Microsoft 365, and capabilities aligned to modern business needs.
The trend-lines show increasing adoption of BC as enterprises move toward cloud-ERP, AI-driven automation, and cross-platform integration. Taken together, organizations still running GP face both opportunity and urgency: migrating to BC opens newer capabilities, while staying on GP may become a cost-and-risk burden as support winds down.
Why Migrate to Business Central?
Cloud-native agility & scalability: BC as SaaS on Azure gives on-demand scaling, multi-device access, and remote/hybrid work support; advantages hard to replicate with a purely on-prem GP installation.
Modern integrations: BC connects natively with Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, Power BI, and the Power Platform (Power Automate, Power Apps); enabling more seamless workflows and business-insight capabilities.
Innovation & updates: BC receives frequent updates, brings AI-automation and advanced analytics features; for example wave release planning covering 2025.
Reducing maintenance burden: With GP, infrastructure, third-party add-ons, and internal IT maintenance can be heavier; switching to BC (especially SaaS) shifts much of the maintenance/patch burden to Microsoft and partner ecosystem.
Future-proofing the business: As GP nears end-of-support (2029) and cloud uptake rises, migrating now helps avoid lock-in risk and positions the business for tomorrow’s digital environment.
GP vs Business Central: Key Differences
Here’s a side-by-side snapshot of important comparison points:
Area | Dynamics GP | Dynamics 365 Business Central |
Licensing & deployment | On-premises or hosted; periodic updates required; upgrade paths tied to version-hops. | Cloud first (SaaS), or on-premises version; modern-lifecycle updates; more flexible user licensing. |
Infrastructure & hosting | Traditional server/VM based; may require significant hardware/maintenance overhead. | Can be run as SaaS in Azure (or on-prem), reducing hardware and maintenance footprint; access from anywhere. |
Functional breadth & modern features | Well-established modules (financials, inventory, manufacturing via ISVs) but fewer built-in cloud/AI features by default. | Richer out-of-box features (budgeting, cash-flow projections, warehousing, built-in analytics), plus modern UI and extensibility via Power Platform. |
Integration & usability | Integration often requires third-party tools and custom effort; the UI is mature but less web/cloud-native oriented. | Deep integration with Microsoft stack, frequent interface and usability enhancements, better support for mobile/hybrid scenarios. |
Support & roadmap | GP is still supported until 2029 but future innovation is centred on BC. | BC is the strategic ERP platform from Microsoft; frequent updates and new features being rolled out. |
Strategic Benefits of Migration
When you move from GP to BC, especially when combined with the right implementation team and change-management approach, you unlock benefits such as:
Streamlined operations: One unified platform for finance, operations, supply chain, and services reduces process silos and manual reconciliation.
Real-time insights & analytics: Because data lives in the cloud and integrates with Power BI, users gain live dashboards, predictive analytics, and better decision support.
Enhanced integration with Power Platform: Automate workflows, build low-code apps, expose APIs and integrate across the Microsoft ecosystem, facilitating digital-transformation initiatives.
Lower total cost of ownership (TCO): Less infrastructure and maintenance, and subscription pricing can often deliver better cost-predictability compared to periodic-upgrade cycles of on-prem systems.
Improved security & compliance: Cloud-hosted by Microsoft, backed by Azure security, global datacentres, and regular updates, reducing internal risk burden and aligning with modern compliance requirements.
Better agility for growth: With BC you can scale, add modules/extensions, join mergers and acquisitions more cleanly, or enter new markets faster.
Detailed Migration Roadmap
1. Business Case Validation & Readiness
Validate strategic value: Why move from GP to BC? Align to business goals (growth, consolidation, agility, cost optimisation).
Assess readiness: Review existing GP version, customisations, add-ons, data quality, infrastructure, and migration risk.
Set key KPIs: e.g., reduction in manual entries, faster month-end close, improved user adoption, cost savings.
2. Requirement Gathering & Process Mapping
Document all current processes in GP: financials, inventory, warehousing, manufacturing (if applicable), service, projects.
Identify gaps, pain-points, manual workarounds, and areas for improvement.
Define desired state in BC: what new functionality will you adopt (e.g., Power Platform workflows, automated cash flow forecasting, integrated dashboards).
Establish integration requirements: e.g., CRM, HR, third-party apps, e-commerce, payment systems.
3. Assessment of Current Systems & Data Audit
Review chart of accounts, historical data, transaction volumes, custom reports, third-party ISV modules in GP.
Cleanse data: retire obsolete accounts, archive old transactions, ensure master data integrity (customers, vendors, items).
Conduct compatibility check: which GP customisations and ISV modules are supported in BC (or need replacement).
Determine migration scope: which modules and years of data will move.
4. Customisation & Add-on Review
List all customisations in GP (modifications, ISV solutions, integrations).
Map to BC: decide which are still needed, which can be replaced by standard BC functionality, which need re-engineering or retirement.
Confirm extension model: BC uses AL-extensions vs heavy in-system modifications, this influences migration scope and cost.
5. Migration Planning: Roadmap & Timeline
Build a project plan: phases, milestones, roles/responsibilities, dependencies.
Resource planning: identify internal resources plus external resources (functional consultants, technical migration specialists, data conversion chart, testers).
Define data migration strategy: test conversion, cut-over plan, fallback procedures.
Set training plan: user training, change-management, support model post-go-live.
6. Data Migration Execution
Configure BC sandbox/test environment.
Perform initial data migration from GP: master records, open transactions, historical data (as per scope).
Validate data integrity, reconcile volumes and balances between GP and BC.
Test migration scripts, conversions, transformations.
7. System Configuration, Integration & Testing
Configure BC: modules, workflows, security roles, reporting, dashboards.
Build integrations: Power Platform flows, third-party system links, API endpoints.
Unit testing, system testing, user acceptance testing (UAT).
Parallel run (if required): keep GP and BC running side-by-side for a period to validate results.
8. User Training & Go-Live
Deliver role-based training: finance, operations, inventory, warehouse, management.
Communicate change: highlight benefits, set expectations, provide support.
Execute go-live cut-over: ensure minimal downtime, validate live data, monitor early transactions.
Early support: dedicated support team, helpdesk, quick fixes, user feedback loop.
9. Post-Migration Support & Optimisation
Monitor KPIs: user adoption, transaction accuracy, close-cycle time, system performance.
Continual improvement: tune configuration, refine power-automations, remove legacy workarounds.
Governance and maintenance: keep BC updated (watch Microsoft release wave plans).
Scalability roadmap: plan for additional modules/extensions as business evolves, e.g., manufacturing, project-service, advanced warehousing.
Cost & Timeline Considerations
Migrating from GP to BC is not “plug-and-play”; resource planning, data transformation, customisation rationalisation and change-management all contribute. Some rough guidelines:
Licensing: Transitioning from GP to BC will require new licenses. For example, BC SaaS user licenses may start around USD 90 per user/month (depending on edition/region).
Service/migration cost: Depending on complexity (financials only vs full supply chain/manufacturing), migration engagements could range from tens to hundreds of thousands of USD.
Timeline: A mid-sized organisation might complete a full migration within 6-12 months; simpler ones may complete within 3-6 months.
Staff-augmentation model: Using a flexible model (part-time, full-time, remote) via a platform like Live D365 can significantly reduce fixed overhead, accelerate onboarding of experts, and optimise cost.
Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
Underestimating data complexity: Legacy GP data (custom fields, historical volumes, ISV tables) may require more conversion effort than anticipated.
Ignoring customisations/ISVs: GP may have heavy third-party add-ons; you’ll need to evaluate support or replacement in BC.
User adoption resistance: New UI + processes can confuse users; without training and change-management you risk low adoption.
Cut-over downtime risk: Poor planning for go-live can lead to business disruption.
Post-go-live support lack: Without dedicated support, early errors or user frustration can erode business confidence.
Using a partner-and-staff-augmentation model (such as Live D365) helps mitigate these risks by providing experienced consultants, migration teams, and change-management frameworks.
How Live D365 Accelerates Your Migration Journey
Live D365 specialises in providing certified Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform professionals, on-demand, remote-ready, and within 48 hours.
Here’s how we support your GP to BC migration:
Pre-vetted functional consultants: Experts in GP legacy and BC deployment, able to bridge old to new.
Technical migration specialists: Data conversion experts, customisation rationalisation, ISV compatibility mapping.
Project managers & architects: Driving the timeline, dependencies, stakeholder communication and governance.
Flexible models: Hire part-time, full-time, or hourly as suits your project stage; ideal for faster onboarding, lower ramp-up cost.
Global availability: Serving clients across US, Canada, India, UAE; we can align time-zones and delivery models accordingly.
Managed contracting & payroll: We handle contracting, payroll and compliance so you focus solely on migration success.
If you are still on GP and considering the move to BC, talk to our team. Together we can scope your migration, estimate cost and timeline, and staff the right team to move you forward confidently.
Migrating from Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central is more than a technology upgrade; it’s a strategic shift to a more agile, integrated, future-ready business platform. With the right planning, execution and expert team in place, your organisation can streamline operations, improve insights and reduce costs.
Don’t let legacy ERP hold back your growth.
Ready to move from GP to BC?
Contact the Live D365 team today to schedule a migration readiness assessment and build your dedicated migration-team plan.
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