Upgrading Microsoft Dynamics GP: Why, When and How?

Still, upgrade is something that should be done at certain point of your Corporate ERP life cycle.  We are consulting and implementing various small and mid size business Corporate ERP applications: Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains Dynamics, Great Plains Accounting for DOS, Windows and Mac in historical retrospection), SAP Business One and we saw various upgrade scenarios and we would like to share with you the pluses and minuses and how it should be done in your case:
1. What happens if I do not upgrade my Microsoft Dynamics GP 9.0, 8.0, 7.5, or Microsoft Great Plains 7.0, or Great Plains Dynamics 6.0 or earlier?  The answer depends: if you are on the version of Great Plains that is no longer supported - you are probably immune to the problems (as you already resolved them for you in the past, such as US Payroll Tax Updates, lack of Microsoft Business Solutions technical support for your legacy Great Plains version, your GP version incompatibility with current version of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 or even 2005).  Plus, in the case of archaic version you probably saved on Dynamics GP annual enhancement program fee (this fact also blocks your organization from getting access to new Microsoft Dynamics GP registration key, but maybe you don't really care).  Maybe the point here is simple - if you are prosperous organization (or publicly traded company), you do not want to be too cost cutting on your Corporate ERP application budget and rather prefer to stay more current in MS Windows, Microsoft SQL and Microsoft Dynamics GP versions
2. If you have strong Corporate ERP upgrade policy.  Here you do not allow your organization to lapse in Corporate ERP annual enhancement programs and prefer to have active support contract.  For those of you, we recommend to consider couple of options.  First one would be conservative: wait until new Dynamics GP version (likely to be 11.0, this should be released in May 2010) to mature (in the sense of having at least first or even better second service pack released).  Second approach is more technology innovations oriented (or when you try to be official case study customer) - this approach assumes that Microsoft Business Solutions should be supporting its technology innovators in their desire to participate in beta new Corporate ERP version testing and evaluation.  So the answer on the question of When should be answered - wait two service packs release in conservative scenario, or try to be enlisted in experimental group of Dynamics GP customers
3. What should I do if my organization is in recovery mode and I need to upgrade from really legacy version of Great Plains Accounting for DOS, Windows and Mac or from Great Plains on Pervasive SQL Server 2000, Btrieve or Ctree.  For older GPA customers you should check with your Microsoft Dynamics GP chosen partner what is Software license upgrade cost and what is GPA upgrading to Dynamics GP 10 or 11 consulting fee (if they are not sure, feel free to call our office).  For Great Plains on Pervasive SQL or Ctree (typically 7.5, 7.0, 6.0 and earlier version), you may have pat of your Corporate ERP operations automated in such Great Plains Add-ons as Intellisol Advanced Purchase Order Processing and Project Accounting
4. When to Upgrade?  If you are on Microsoft Business Solutions annual support plan, consider upgrading to new version (if you are conservative) with the release of the second Service Pack (for Dynamics GP 10.0 there is Service Pack 4 out there as of February 2010, for Microsoft Dynamics GP 11, please stay tuned, we should let you know)
5. Additional Considerations.  What is we have Microsoft Dexterity customization?  Great Plains Dexterity custom module requires attention and special consideration, especially when your Dynamics GP application depends heavily on Dexterity custom logic and business processes.  Dexterity modification application should be given to professional Dexterity programmer to evaluate for upgrade purposes.  Crystal Reports - these typically do not require re-haul and should be expected to work with new version right away
6. How to Upgrade?  You should get a quote from your chosen Microsoft Dynamics GP partner.  Typically you should expect reenrollment fee, when you are not current with Dynamics GP annual enhancement program and do not have active contract.  If you have current contract with Microsoft Business Solutions (through your Dynamics GP Partner) - you should have access to new version reg key.  If you would like to try upgrade internally, please try it in test Dynamics GP environment first, be ready to place several GP update support cases with Microsoft Business Solutions and with your current Dynamics GP VAR.  On your own - install Dynamics GP from CD, apply latest Service pack (prior to launching Dynamics GP Utilities), then launch GP Utilities and good luck with upgrade discovery!
7. Give us a call: 1-866-528-0577 or help@albaspectrum.com