Having the sunsetting dates affirms the need to transition from Microsoft Dynamics GP to a newer system, but it also means that users have ample time to begin planning and assessing their options. 

While Cogsdale will continue to support all customers using Dynamics GP beyond the sunset date, it is highly recommended to evaluate options before the 2031 sunset date. After security updates cease, all systems operating with Dynamics GP installed are at a higher risk  of cybersecurity threats.

Cogsdale looks forward to future proofing your organization with Microsoft Dynamics Business Central and our full solutions suite

As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, Cogsdale is prepared to assist you with the optimization of your Dynamics solution. Our dedicated team of experts, with decades of experience, are ready to help you plan for a successful migration.

Want to learn more about Cogsdale's Dynamics 365 Business Central readiness consultations? Send an email to businesscentral@cogsdale.com to get started.

If you currently have an on-premise solution, your data will remain unchanged.

If your organization's instance of Dynamics GP is hosted through Microsoft Azure, your data will remain securely stored in the cloud and can be accessed so long as it remains active. 

If you intend on making the direct transition from Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central, Cogsdale will leverage the migration tools to securely migrate your Dynamics GP data.

In the short term, no; your organization's instance of Dynamics GP will continue to function as normal.

However, as Microsoft ends support, your Dynamics GP platform will be more at risk. It is suggested to begin transition planning before Dynamics GP is no longer supported. Cogsdale can help with this planning and is ready to help you transition to a more modern ERP solution.

No, you do not have to stop using Microsoft Dynamics GP by the sunset date. Dynamics GP can be used up-to and past the September 30, 2029 date.

However, operating within an unsupported environment poses risks. As such, Cogsdale highly recommends your organization plans a migration strategy well in advance to ensure your data remains secure.

No, there are other FIS / ERP solutions that support small and medium-sized utilities.

However, migrating to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers numerous benefits, including a familiar user interface and experience, native data migration capabilities, scalability through AppSource add-ons, advanced built-in functionality, analytics and reporting capabilities, and the world's most secure cloud-based hosting with Microsoft Azure.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central was also recently ranked as the best ERP system of 2024 by Forbes.

Every migration process is different, and can vary vastly depending on the complexity of your environment, the amount of data being migrated, and the amount of integrations and customizations. With this in mind, Microsoft has worked effortlessly to make the transition from Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 more timely and seamless than any of its competitors.

Every organization's requirements are unique, and we recognize that this can directly affect the turnaround time. Cogsdale's professional services team will provide all migrating customers with a detailed project timeline, including expected milestones and progression points.

Change Management: 

Cogsdale follows a change management methodology and has certified change management consultants who will be able to address any concerns and questions.

Data Management: 

Cogsdale will assist with your data management, ensuring all data is transferred accurately and securely.

Technical Support: 

Cogsdale customers will continue to receive our world-class technical support services to quickly resolve any issues you may experience.

Ongoing Training & Resources:

Cogsdale has a dedicated team of professionals and training resources that are available for onboarding, training, and continued learning.

Yes, existing hardware and infrastructure can be used with Dynamics 365 Business Central.

However, Cogsdale recommends using Microsoft's cloud-based hosting, Microsoft Azure. Cloud-based deployment offers more flexibility for device useage, eliminates on-premise infrastructure costs and maintenance, and provides increased security.

Migration costs vary based on the size of your organization, how many users you will need, the complexity of your current solution, and the level of customization required in the new solution. We will provide a detailed estimate of all relevant migration costs during the initial stages of the consultation process.