Moving from Dynamics GP to Business Central
Everything you need to plan your ERP move while keeping your AP processes on track.
Business Central Takes AP to the Future
More than a migration, moving from GP to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is an opportunity to build on the AP knowledge your team has developed over time while preparing your processes for a modern cloud ERP.
Business Central can give your organization greater flexibility, easier access to current technology, tools to reduce payment risk , and less reliance on maintaining on-premises infrastructure.
For AP teams, that creates a foundation for processes that can evolve as the business does. For IT teams, it means more time to focus on security, strategy, and other business priorities.
Use this page as a guide for your GP to BC transition planning. If you have any questions not addressed here, please reach out to support@mekorma.com.
What Does Dynamics GP End of Support Mean for Your Business?
In 2024, Microsoft announced the end of support for Microsoft Dynamics GP . This means it’s a good time to start planning for what’s next. GP won’t stop working when support ends, but Microsoft will eventually stop providing updates, security patches, and technical support.
Dynamics GP customers using Microsoft’s Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA) face additional milestones. New SPLA licenses ended April 1, 2026, and Dynamics GP SPLA licensing is expected to end April 30, 2031.
Planning Your Move from Dynamics GP to Business Central
When do you need to start thinking about Business Central?
The short answer: you have time to plan, but planning early gives you more options.
For Accounts Payable teams, the priority is maintaining the processes that keep the business moving while preparing for what comes next.
You don’t need to have every answer today. Start by getting Finance, AP, IT, and your Microsoft Partner aligned around a few important questions:
What works well today?
Which AP processes, controls, approval workflows, and ways of working should carry forward?
What needs to change?
Where are manual steps, workarounds, or outdated processes creating extra work or risk?
What does IT need to account for?
Consider existing customizations, dependencies, security requirements, and other systems that may be affected by the move.
What can’t be disrupted?
Identify the AP processes that need to keep running smoothly throughout the transition, especially approvals and vendor payments.
What does your timeline look like?
Think about other technology initiatives, available resources, budgets, and business priorities that could influence when you’re ready to move.
Answering these questions doesn’t commit you to a migration date, but it does give you a clearer picture of your current environment, what you want from Business Central, and what you’ll need to plan for along the way.
When Should You Move from Dynamics GP to Business Central?
There is no single migration date that is right for every Dynamics GP organization.
Your timeline should reflect your Microsoft support and licensing situation, ERP strategy, technical environment, budget, internal resources, and business priorities.
Signs It May Be Time to Start Planning
Your organization may be ready to begin the conversation if:
- Business Central is already part of your long-term ERP strategy.
- Your Dynamics GP environment is becoming harder to maintain.
- Your current processes depend on customizations or workarounds that need to be reconsidered.
- Business growth is creating new or more complex requirements for AP or finance.
- You want time to evaluate your options before Microsoft support or licensing milestones affect your choices.
- Your organization has not documented how critical GP processes should translate to a future ERP.
Starting to plan does not mean committing to an immediate migration. It means understanding the work ahead so your organization can make the decision on its own schedule.
How Long Does a GP to Business Central Migration Take?
9–18 months
ERP migrations are significant projects. A typical project journey can include:
Evaluation & Planning
Implementation
Data Migration
Testing
Training
Go-Live
What Happens If You Stay on GP?
Staying on Dynamics GP does not necessarily create an immediate problem. Many organizations may continue using GP while they evaluate their long-term plans.
The tradeoff is that waiting to plan can reduce flexibility, even if waiting to migrate is the right decision for your business.
Waiting to migrate and waiting to plan are not the same thing.
As the Dynamics GP lifecycle progresses, your organization may need to account for changes in Microsoft support, licensing, compatible technology, internal expertise, and the amount of time available for a future ERP project.
How Mekorma Supports Your Move
Mekorma supports Accounts Payable teams in both Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. That gives us perspective on the AP processes, controls, and requirements customers rely on today, and how those needs may translate as they move to Business Central.
Our role is not to decide when you should migrate. We’re here to help you make the transition as smooth as possible whenever you’re ready.
For Microsoft Partners
We support migration planning and implementation, helping protect the partner-client relationship while bringing AP-specific expertise.
For Finance Teams
We can help you identify the AP requirements and controls that matter most to your organization and plan for continuity throughout the transition.
Ready to talk?
What Changes When You Move from Dynamics GP to Business Central?
Your AP responsibilities will stay the same in Business Central, but how your process looks may change. Payment runs, approvals, security, and other familiar workflows may look different in Business Central.
As you plan, consider:
What needs to stay the same?
Identify the controls and requirements your team depends on.
What doesn’t need to come with you?
Reconsider old workarounds, customizations, and tools instead of automatically recreating them.
What doesn’t need to come with you?
Reconsider old workarounds, customizations, and tools instead of automatically recreating them.
The best approach is not to try to recreate Dynamics GP in Business Central. Instead, plan carefully and ensure you carry forward what matters.
Resources
We’ve brought together practical resources to help you assess where you are today, plan what comes next, and navigate your move to Business Central.
Coming Soon: GP to BC Guidebook
Coming Soon: GP to BC Guidebook
The Partner's Guide to Assessing AP Transformation Risk During Dynamics GP-to-BC Migrations
The Partner's Guide to Assessing AP Transformation Risk During Dynamics GP-to-BC Migrations
Dynamics GP to BC FAQs
Does Dynamics GP stop working when Microsoft support ends?
No. The end of Microsoft support does not mean Dynamics GP will automatically stop working. It means Microsoft will eventually stop providing updates, security patches, and technical support. Organizations can use the support timeline as an opportunity to evaluate their long-term ERP plans.
Will my current products still work?
Today, yes. We expect that Mekorma products will continue working in supported GP environments. Like any software built within an ERP ecosystem, future compatibility depends on Microsoft’s platform, operating system, and technology decisions.
If Microsoft introduces changes that affect GP itself, that could also affect solutions built within GP. We’ll continue monitoring those changes and communicating with customers as new information becomes available.
Will new license keys continue to be available after Microsoft’s support ends?
Because future support depends on Microsoft’s platform and other factors, Mekorma is not able to answer that definitively. As our plans evolve, we’ll communicate any changes in this regard.
Can I migrate gradually?
In many cases, yes. Every migration is different, and the right approach depends on your GP environment, business processes, customizations, and organizational priorities. Many organizations choose to begin planning well before their actual migration so they can move in phases rather than all at once.
Mekorma works with customers and partners to help develop a migration strategy that supports business continuity while minimizing disruption.
When should I move from Dynamics GP to Business Central?
There is no single migration date that applies to every organization. Start planning early enough to evaluate your ERP environment, processes, budget, resources, and business priorities without being forced into a rushed decision.
Can I keep using Dynamics GP after Microsoft ends support?
Dynamics GP will not automatically stop working because Microsoft support ends. However, organizations that continue using GP will need to consider the implications of operating without ongoing Microsoft support, updates, and security patches.
What happens to my Mekorma products if I stay on Dynamics GP?
Mekorma expects its products to continue working in supported Dynamics GP environments. Future compatibility depends in part on Microsoft’s platform, operating system, and technology decisions. Mekorma will continue monitoring those changes and communicating new information as it becomes available.
How long will Mekorma support Dynamics GP?
Mekorma remains committed to supporting Dynamics GP customers throughout Microsoft’s published support timeline and beyond, where practical. Because Microsoft controls the underlying platform, Mekorma cannot make indefinite commitments that depend on future changes outside its control. Customers will receive communication in advance of any changes to Mekorma’s support policies.
Do I have to rebuild my AP processes when moving to Business Central?
Not necessarily, but the way those processes happen may change in Business Central. Migration is an opportunity to identify which AP processes work well today, which should be improved, and which no longer serve the business. Documenting your existing workflows and controls before migration can help you decide what should carry forward.
What AP processes should I review before moving from GP to Business Central?
Review invoice processing, approvals, vendor management, payment creation, payment methods, internal controls, multi-company processes, reporting requirements, customizations, and manual workarounds. Focus first on processes that are essential to keeping vendors paid and AP operating.
What support will I have during the transition?
Mekorma is committed to helping customers navigate this transition with confidence. Whether you’re continuing to use Dynamics GP today or planning for Business Central in the future, we’ll continue providing guidance, resources, and expertise to help you make informed decisions. We also work closely with our partner community to support successful migration planning and implementation.
Can Mekorma help me plan my GP to Business Central transition?
Yes. Mekorma is happy to help customers and their Microsoft Partners consider and plan the Accounts Payable side of a GP-to-Business Central transition, with a focus on maintaining continuity before, during, and after migration.
Give Yourself Time to Plan What’s Next
You don’t need to have every detail figured out before you start. A thoughtful transition from GP to BC begins with understanding your priorities and bringing the right people into the conversation.
When you’re ready to think through the AP side of your move, Mekorma is here to help.