Microsoft Great Plains 2018 Mainstream Support Ends in 2023

December 28, 2022

Microsoft announced it would end its mainstream support for Dynamics Great Plains 2018 and 2018 R2 in 2023 and extended support in 2028. Mainstream support covers tax updates, security, and non-security hotfixes, while extended support only includes security updates. This means after the allotted time frame, 2018 Dynamics GP users will have difficulty receiving upgrades and may encounter software issues. 

For instance, last October 1, 2022, Microsoft rolled out an email security update that involved using the now-required multifactor authentication (MFA) to access the mail server. 

While the company sent out the announcement months before, users were still unprepared for what came next. The update impacted Dynamics GP users not using the latest version of the product, as they experienced disruptive “login failed” messages. Users trying to set their MFA methods also ran into issues, receiving errors when attempting to save changes.

Versions of older Dynamics GP (2016 below) have all reached the end of their mainstream support timeframe and are now only on extended support.

Switching to New Versions is Crucial But Not So Simple

For older Dynamics GP users to still receive important updates, they would need to switch to newer versions. All new versions are under the Modern Lifecycle, wherein the company provides three updates per year.

However, switching to Modern Dynamics GP is more challenging than it sounds, especially for small businesses that have added custom workflows and processes to suit their needs. Each upgrade may affect all these add-ons and cause further issues. 

Microsoft is also seemingly focused on its new Dynamics 365 Business Central, a cloud-based ERP solution. This addresses all the weak points of Dynamics GP, including access from anywhere, flexibility, and scalability.  

Many Dynamics GP users contemplate whether to switch to this cloud solution instead. The issue remains the same: custom plugins that are vital to the business may translate poorly when migrating to Dynamics 365 Business Central. Moreover, various features native to the original GP software that made it a customer favorite won’t be transferable to the cloud.

Migrating business and accounting data is challenging when dealing with Microsoft Dynamics GP. It requires a proper understanding of data integrity, security, and privacy. Since the transitions to new Microsoft updates alone were not smooth, migrating may be more challenging. Fortunately, SaaS Direct has culminated years of experience and expertise in data migrations from any software to anywhere.

Switching to Alternative Solutions

Many are considering new software entirely, as Dynamics GP lacks the flexibility of access and can be restrictive about moving data. Microsoft’s cloud solution may also be too large an ERP for small and medium-sized businesses that only need finance and accounting solutions. Therefore, it may not be the most cost-effective move.

Accounting-specialized software like QuickBooks and FreshBooks may be more viable solutions to address such concerns. They offer more advantages too. For instance, aside from offering smooth regular updates and allowing custom integrations that aren’t too restrictive, both software offer access through mobile devices and both Windows and Mac.

However, migrating to QuickBooks Online offers the best choice for small to medium businesses. Not only does QuickBooks Online have an intuitive interface, but it also comes with essential features for SMBs, such as inventory management, sales automation, and bank feeds. 

Additionally, it offers easier and pre-configured integrations with other popular third-party systems. On the other hand, Dynamics GP provides its API for users to create wide-reaching integrations. This requires a level of coding knowledge for the benefit to be fully utilized.  

QuickBooks’ features overall are designed for scalability, making it an attractive option for small businesses. Dynamics GP may be more suited for enterprises that work with Microsoft Office applications and other business applications created in Microsoft Azure.

Consider a QuickBooks migration with SaaS Direct

Migrating accounting data to QuickBooks Online is more manageable with assistance from data conversion specialists who understand the chart of accounts, key financial data, and data integrity. 

About SaaS Direct
SaaS Direct specializes in accounting data conversions and data migrations with capabilities to convert 88+ software. With over 1500+ accounting data conversions delivered and over 25 years of cumulative ERP and accounting data migration experience, SaaS Direct helps businesses improve productivity and increase financial transparency. Inquire with us about your Quickbooks conversion needs today.