Microsoft Dynamics GP Continues Forward

A few weeks ago, hundreds of Dynamics GP Partners attended the reIMAGINE 2016 summit with one question on their minds. Does the release of Dynamics 365 mean the end for Dynamics GP? The answer is NO and Microsoft wanted to make sure that all their GP partners believed it. “Dynamics GP goes forward”, shouted Errol Schoenfish, Microsoft Dynamics GP product manager, before offering a sneak peek at the upcoming GP 2016 R2 release and a product roadmap through 2017 for GP and the rest of the Dynamics product line.

According to Brian Meier, Senior Program Manager, after GP 2016 R2, which is planned for later this year, the next release, GP "Next" as it is called today, will be in the second half of 2017. Microsoft will be moving from a semi-annual to an annual GP release schedule after hearing from partners that neither they nor their customers could keep up with the quick pace of semiannual updates and therefore weren’t able to take advantage of the offering.

Some other topics discussed at reIMAGINE2016:

• Upgrading customers to GP 2016 was a key theme of the event. The new web client and other modernizing enhancements like web services with OData and Power BI integration improve the product's image and new Azure-based hosting options add flexibility and improve interaction with other modern Microsoft offerings.
• Microsoft executives assured GP partners that Dynamics 365 Business Financials does not replace GP, and VARs don't even need to add it to their businesses if they don't feel it is a good fit. It is, as Microsoft described it, one more option for partners to consider selling.
• Microsoft announced plans for a GP to Dynamics 365 Business Financials data migration tool and related incentives. As Microsoft stated, there will be GP customers who will want to migrate to 365.

After hearing from Microsoft, it is safe to assume that Dynamics GP will be around for a long, long time. According to Pam Misialek, a Microsoft executive, “Microsoft will keep developing Dynamics GP as long as Partners keep selling it.”

Contact Rimrock Corporation to learn more about Dynamics GP.

by Rimrock Corporation