As new versions of Dynamics GP are released, older versions eventually fall off the supported list at Microsoft. It is a good time to consider an upgrade to the most current version of Dynamics GP before that happens. Your unsupported version will not automatically stop working but you do run the risk of having compatibility issues with GP and the other applications that support or interact with it. Upgrading also allows you to take advantage of the most current features introduced in the new version of GP. Before you begin an upgrade, it’s important to understand what’s involved. Whether you’ve been staying on top of the new versions or are a few releases behind, here are 7 checklist items to ensure a flawless Dynamics GP upgrade.
Understand your upgrade path: If you’ve been staying current on your updates, your upgrade path should be directly from your current version of GP to the newest release. Most customers will be able to make a direct upgrade. However, if you are several releases behind, a two-stage upgrade will be needed. Be sure you have allotted extra time as this can add roughly 50% to the total time required for an upgrade.
Inquire about a test upgrade: If you’re relatively current, don’t have complex integrations and don’t have many companies or locations, there should be no issues upgrading GP. However, if you don’t meet the above criteria, then a test upgrade is definitely recommended. Although a test upgrade does add more cost upfront, it can prove more cost-effective to identify and mitigate risk in a test environment to prevent costly issues later.
Make sure your hardware/software is compatible: This is a pretty standard part of any software upgrade but it’s also something that’s easy for you to check. Just don’t forget to review the specifications for the server you plan to install GP on as well as the workstations for your GP users. You can view the full GP 2018 System Requirements here.
Confirm your third-party add-ons and integrations support the new version: If you’re using Dynamics GP as an independent product, you don’t need to worry. However, if you’re using ISV products or have integrations that rely on third-party tools (ie. Scribe), you’ll need to make sure that they support GP 2018.
Evaluate moving to Azure (aka the cloud): Evaluating Cloud computing makes sense when planning your upgrade. As part of the upgrade process a new server is usually needed, so it’s a good time to review cloud options, like Microsoft Windows Azure. No matter which option is selected, the upgrade process itself mostly stays the same.
Make sure your backups are complete and recent: This is a critical and obvious step, yet easily overlooked if you haven’t had issues for a while. Before you begin an upgrade, make sure that your backups are current and complete.
Research which new modules and features you want to use: Before you decide to upgrade it is important to review all the new features and offers of the release. Once you have decided which features you want to take advantage of or new modules you want to install, then you can review your existing processes and schedule any necessary training. Click here to see what’s new in GP 2018 R2.
Contact Rimrock to help ensure your company is prepared or to answer any questions you have about upgrading to Dynamics GP 2018R2.