The Hidden Risks of Overlooking SmartLists and Ad Hoc Query Needs
Many organizations rely on Dynamics GP’s SmartLists for quick reporting. These lists let users slice, filter, and export data on the fly – a powerful tool for finance teams. In Business Central, however, there is no built-in “SmartList” feature. Migrating without a plan to replace this functionality can lead to frustrated users and a rocky go-live.
Why It Matters
SmartLists are the daily lifeline for CFOs, controllers, and staff to get answers quickly. Skip planning for this, and users may struggle to find and analyze data, hurting efficiency. Ensuring your team can still run ad-hoc queries and create lists in Business Central is critical for confidence in the new system.
The Solution: Replace and Enhance Your Reporting Tools
Business Central has many ways to meet this need. Plan replacements before go-live:
- Inventory Your SmartLists: Catalog all SmartLists and how you use them. This lets us plan rebuilding each query in BC.
- Saved Views & Filters: BC list pages let you set filters and save those views. Users get quick access to common queries — like SmartList favorites.
- Excel & Power BI: BC integrates with Excel and Power BI. We’ll enable exports and dashboards so users can analyze data outside BC.
- Custom Pages & Queries: If built-in tools fall short, TrinSoft can build custom list pages or query tools in BC, tailored to your needs – from SmartList-style interfaces to multi-company reports.
- Add-On Solutions: Third-party tools can restore SmartList-like functionality. We’ll help select and implement the right add-on for your team.
By replacing SmartLists with these alternatives, you turn a potential “gotcha” into an advantage. Business Central’s reporting tools keep improving, and TrinSoft will make sure your team is ready to use them effectively.
Don't Wait for GP to Fade Out
Microsoft’s support for GP ends in 2029. The sooner you address ad-hoc reporting needs, the smoother your migration will be. Tackling SmartList replacements now ensures your finance team can hit the ground running.
Why TrinSoft?
Picking the right partner matters. We’ve helped dozens of companies migrate from GP to BC. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, we know Business Central inside and out – and we excel at customizing it to fit your exact processes. We’ll work closely with your team to understand every SmartList-style requirement and build solutions so no information is lost in transition. Our custom development expertise means we can extend Business Central when necessary, ensuring you have all the reporting capabilities you need.
Read the Full Guide
This blog is just one in a 14-part series covering the most common pitfalls we see during GP to BC migrations. Want to see the full list now? Download the full GP to BC Migration Pitfalls guide for all 14 pitfalls, plus expert insights to help you plan your move.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today for a free consultation or personalized demo of Business Central. We’ll review your ISV landscape and show you how to build a future-ready ERP.
