How to Evaluate Your Dynamics GP and ERP Strategy for 2025
- Luke Caldwell
- Aug 12
- 4 min read
Why Evaluate Your Dynamics GP and ERP Strategy Now?
For years, Microsoft Dynamics GP has been a trusted backbone for finance, operations, and inventory management in thousands of U.S. companies. But in 2025, the business and technology landscape is moving faster than ever.
Cloud computing, AI-driven automation, and real-time analytics are reshaping how companies operate—and how quickly they can respond to market changes. At the same time, compliance mandates are becoming more complex, customer expectations are higher, and talent is harder to retain.
The truth is what worked five years ago may now be slowing you down. Outdated workflows, unsupported versions, or disconnected systems can create hidden costs, expose compliance risks, and limit your ability to grow.
That’s why now is the right time to step back and conduct a structured, unbiased evaluation of your Dynamics GP environment. The goal isn’t just to find problems—it’s to create a clear, future-ready ERP strategy that aligns with your company’s growth, profitability, and risk management goals.
1. Map Your Core Processes to Reveal Performance Gaps
Identify where Dynamics GP supports your growth—and where it’s holding you back.
Every ERP system exists to support a business’s most important functions. Start your GP evaluation by understanding which processes it supports—and how well it supports them today.
Key areas to review:
Financial Management: GL, AP/AR, budgeting, forecasting, fixed assets
Supply Chain & Inventory: procurement, inventory control, order management, fulfillment/shipping
Manufacturing (if applicable): BOM, production scheduling, work order management
Reporting & Analytics: SmartList, Management Reporter, Excel-based reports, Power BI dashboards
Why it matters: Mapping these processes will reveal if your ERP is:
Still aligned with operational needs
Creating manual workarounds
Missing key functionality newer systems or add-ons could provide
This foundation will help you decide whether to modernize GP or explore a different ERP path.
2. Expose Risks Before They Become Costly Problems
Reduce downtime, compliance issues, and hidden costs with proactive risk detection.
Many ERP risks remain invisible until they cause costly downtime, audit issues, or customer dissatisfaction. Proactively identifying these risks now avoids expensive surprises later.
Common GP risk factors:
Aging infrastructure: on-prem servers, outdated SQL versions, unsupported OS
Unsupported GP versions: no security updates, bug fixes, or tax compliance changes
Over-reliance on Excel: manual exports indicate GP’s built-in tools aren’t meeting needs
Compliance gaps: evolving tax rules, industry regulations, or internal control requirements
Early detection of these risks prevents emergency upgrades, compliance penalties, and operational disruptions.
3. Apply a Proven, Structured ERP Evaluation Framework
Go beyond “what’s broken” to uncover strategic improvement opportunities.
A well-rounded ERP evaluation looks at more than just pain points—it uses a framework that measures technical, functional, and business impact.
Key components:
System Health Check: infrastructure, integrations, user access, data performance
Functional Fit Analysis: match GP features and workflows to current/future needs
User Productivity Assessment: adoption, efficiency, ease of use, manual process bottlenecks
Integration Review: CRM, WMS, e-commerce, payroll connections
Reporting & Insight Readiness: real-time visibility, executive dashboards, predictive analytics
This approach ensures nothing is overlooked and produces a holistic view of your ERP environment.
4. Keep Your Evaluation Objective and Forward-Looking
Avoid internal bias and focus on future business goals.
After years with the same system, teams often accept workarounds as “normal.” Objective evaluation requires fresh eyes and a long-term vision.
Best practices for objectivity:
Engage a Microsoft ERP partner who has evaluated hundreds of GP environments
Benchmark against industry peers adopting automation, AI, and cloud ERP
Separate must-haves from “wish list” items
Develop a 3–5 year ERP roadmap tied to business goals like expansion, new products, or operational efficiency
Your ERP should be built for where your company is going—not just where it’s been.
5. Turn Insights into an Executive-Ready Action Plan
Prioritize investments that deliver measurable business impact.
An ERP evaluation isn’t complete until you have a clear, prioritized action plan that ties technology upgrades to tangible ROI.
Post-evaluation examples:
Upgrade GP to the latest supported version for security, features, and Microsoft support
Automate manual workflows with GP-compatible tools
Enhance reporting & analytics via Power BI, SmartList Builder, or a data warehouse
Improve integrations between GP and CRM, WMS, HR/payroll, or e-commerce
Plan a phased migration to Business Central if growth or limitations demand it
This ensures your ERP investment aligns with both current needs and long-term goals.
Make 2025 the Year Your ERP Works Harder for You
Your ERP strategy should accelerate growth, not slow it down. A structured evaluation can:
Uncover hidden risks
Identify automation opportunities
Improve decision-making speed and accuracy
Build a future-proof technology roadmap
Maximize ROI on your ERP investment
Take the First Step Toward a Smarter ERP Strategy
Your ERP system should be a driver of growth, not a drag on performance. Our ERP Strategy Review is designed specifically for Dynamics GP customers who want to:
Reduce manual work and eliminate redundant processes
Improve decision-making with faster, more accurate insights
Lower technology risk and ensure compliance with evolving regulations
Align ERP capabilities with your 3–5 year business growth plan
Let’s make sure your ERP strategy can carry your business into the next phase of growth.