A new year means resolutions, but it also means predictions. Usually lots of them.

So what can we expect from Microsoft GP in the coming 12 months?

A blog post on MS Dynamics World shared some insights that could help your 2020 get off to a cracking start.

1. Microsoft Dynamics 265 Business Central? Enough already…

This year we can expect a lot of talk about Dynamics 365 Business Central. Microsoft’s latest evolution in mid-market ERP software is not a like-for-like upgrade from GP, but users are already making informed decisions about whether to make the change. However, because Microsoft employees and partners are incentivised on Azure usage, and GP doesn’t generate direct Azure usage, companies are being actively encouraged to make the move. Some call it persuasion, others call it pestering. Whatever you call it, you can expect plenty more in 2020.

2. Business Central will do well, but some companies will look elsewhere

Things seem to be going well for Business Central. It’s selling well – from small company installs to larger implementations. But the lack of direct upgrade means Microsoft is running the risk that companies will move off Dynamics GP and onto a completely new, non-Microsoft alternative. Business Central does offer a migration path for master records and balances, but that might not be enough to keep some people on board. This year could see companies reviewing all competitive options as and when they decide to make the move.

3. The new GP: Same, same, but (not much) different

GP will get incremental improvements – more workflows, more document attachment points, and possibly additional “Import from Excel” windows, for example. And while these are certainly classed as changes, they are not game-changing features. 2020 will be when we see whether these changes are enough to convince companies to stick with it.

4. Moving from perpetual to modern licensing could mean GP is perceived more as SaaS

GP’s move from Perpetual Licensing onto the Modern Lifecycle license means it is better aligned with Microsoft’s cloud product licensing. And while that’s a good thing, it could also result in companies treating GP more like a software as a service. Microsoft wants users to move to the latest version of GP and onto regular upgrades. That means where a fix is only provided in a later version, upgrading will be forced upon the user. Upgrades are certainly simpler than they used to be, but that might not be the path companies (eg those with extensive customisation or tricky upgrade paths) want to take.

5. Is it time to recruit an expert?

If your company is planning to stick with GP for the foreseeable future, it might be time to hire some top GP talent. With so many changes happening in the industry, many experienced people are looking for more permanent positions. If you feel you could be getting more out of Microsoft Dynamics GP, 2020 could be the time to capitalise on your existing investment and hire the best talent.

If you would like to find out more about finding and recruiting the talent you need to keep your business at the top of its game, get in touch with Hunter Charles today.