Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) ERP Overview | Compare Dynamics GP

ERP Software Analysis

Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains

Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) is an on-premise and partner-hosted accounting and ERP system for small and medium-sized businesses, covering finance, distribution, HR, and light manufacturing. Microsoft now steers new customers to Dynamics 365 Business Central, with GP support winding down under a phased end-of-life timeline.

Updated July 2026

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Featured in:

Top 10 Manufacturing ERP Report

PRODUCT INFORMATION:

Vendor: Microsoft

Release Date: 2001

PRODUCT MARKET FIT:

10-5,000 Employees

£4M–£400M Revenue

DEPLOYMENT:

✅ Cloud (via hosting)

✅ On-Premise

CUSTOMERS:

43,000+

What Is Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains)?

Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) is a modular accounting and enterprise resource planning (ERP) system built for small and medium-sized businesses. Beyond core accounting, it offers support for finance, distribution, HR, payroll, and light manufacturing.

Dynamics GP runs on Windows and Microsoft SQL Server and can be integrated with a wide range of third-party add-ons. It is deployed on-premise or through partner hosting rather than as a native cloud service.

Microsoft has wound down major feature development on GP and now positions Dynamics 365 Business Central as its go-forward ERP for this segment. Existing GP customers remain supported during a defined lifecycle window, but new deployments are directed to Business Central.

• MODULES & FEATURES

• PROS & CONS

• GP VS BUSINESS CENTRAL

• MIGRATION

• INDUSTRY FIT

• HISTORY

• DEPLOYMENT

• FAQ

Modules & Features List

Microsoft Dynamics GP comes in different configurations, called 'Packs' which include different functionalities. Here is what features and functions are included in the packages:

**Starter Pack:**Financial Management & Accounting

Microsoft Dynamics GP manages payables and receivables, complete with automation features. It features fixed asset controlling and works with multiple locations and currencies.

Features include:

General Ledger

Bank Reconciliation

Multicurrency Management

Cash Flow Management

Inter Company Processing

Payment Document Management

Fixed Asset Management

Analytical Accounting

Receivables

Payables

Supply Chain Management

Microsoft Dynamics GP enables managing returns and has a Concur Expense Integrator. The solution offers Sales Order and Purchase Order processing, complete with Invoicing and Inventory Control.

Features include:

Field Service Return Management

Concur Expense

Sales Order Processing

Purchase Order Processing

Invoicing

Inventory

Project Accounting

Microsoft Dynamics GP includes project accounting for administration, cost management, and billing, letting services firms and contractors track project costs and revenue.

Administration

Cost Management

Billing Guide

HR

Microsoft Dynamics GP features complete HR management, company setup, organisational structure, employee records, and Position Control.

Features include:

Organisational Structure

Position Control

Advanced HR

Payroll

Business Intelligence and Reporting

Microsoft Dynamics GP lets you manage budgets easily. The Executive Center provides an overview of key metrics, but it has hundreds of built-in, customisable Excel report sheets. Its predictive modelling capabilities enable you to identify patterns and hidden relationships.

Extended Pack:

Manufacturing

A notable feature of the Microsoft Dynamics GP Extended Pack is that it offers complete solutions for organising and tracking the manufacturing process on an SMB scale.

Features Include:

Bill of Materials

Order Processing

Quality Assurance

Customer Relationship Management

Microsoft Dynamics GP includes a CRM system, with Contract Administration, Service Call Management, Depot Management, Preventive Maintenance

The solution comes with further customisation opportunities and integrations.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Microsoft backing means widespread usability, easy integration, and wide-ranging support
• Handles role-based permissions very well
• Flexible and robust
• It's still strong for accounting; users also highlight its employee-management capabilities

Cons:

• Being a fully-fledged ERP, the learning curve can be steep in a small-business environment
• The desktop interface is dated compared with modern cloud ERPs
• Not the cheapest solution in its category
• Dynamics GP is not cloud-native, so official updates are not applied automatically, and it is a legacy product with a finite support timeline (see below)

Dynamics GP vs. Business Central: What's the Difference?

The most common question from GP users today is whether to stay on Great Plains or move to Dynamics 365 Business Central. Business Central is Microsoft's modern, cloud-native SMB ERP and its designated successor to GP. The table below summarises the key differences.

For a fuller breakdown, see our Business Central pricing guide and the Business Central modules list.

How to Migrate from Great Plains to Business Central

Migrating from GP to Business Central is a data and process programme, not just a software swap. A typical migration follows these steps:

1. Assess your current system — inventory the GP modules, customisations, integrations, and reports you actually use.
2. Clean and map your data — tidy your chart of accounts and master data, and map GP records to Business Central structures.
3. Choose a certified partner — select a Microsoft implementation partner experienced in GP-to-Business-Central migrations.
4. Pilot and parallel run — validate Business Central against live GP data before committing.
5. Plan cutover, training, and go-live — schedule the switch, train users, and confirm reporting parity.
6. Review migration licensing — Microsoft's promotional "Bridge to Cloud" offers can reduce Dynamics 365 licensing costs for migrating GP customers.

Facing the Dynamics GP end-of-life decision? Get a personalised pricing estimate for Business Central, compare it against your current GP setup, or connect with a certified implementation partner.

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Industry Fit

Microsoft Dynamics GP is used across a range of industries, most commonly:

Manufacturing

The GP Extended Pack adds bill of materials, order processing, and quality assurance, making it a fit for small and medium-sized discrete manufacturers that need accounting and light production management in one system.

Distribution & Logistics

With sales and purchase order processing, inventory control, and multi-location support, GP suits wholesale distributors and supply-chain-driven businesses managing stock and fulfilment.

Professional Services & Construction

Project Accounting, cost management, and billing make GP workable for services firms and contractors that track project costs, time, and revenue.

Nonprofit & Public Sector

GP's fund-accounting heritage and analytical accounting made it popular with nonprofits, education, and public-sector organisations needing grant and fund tracking.

History

Great Plains was a software developer company founded back in 1981. They created one of the most well-known accounting software packages at the time, which has become the core of Microsoft Dynamics GP. Microsoft acquired Great Plains in 2001.

Dynamics GP is written in a language called Dexterity. All modern versions use Microsoft SQL Server databases.

There are several other similar systems within the Microsoft Dynamics family (SL, C5, AX or NAV). Most of the variants have migration paths to Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Business Central.

Deployment Options

Microsoft Dynamics GP can be deployed on-premise or hosted by a partner.

On-premise means installation on a local server, and the client company is responsible for all maintenance.

Some providers offer remote hosting for a monthly fee, which provides professional security, but the connection requires internet access at all times. GP is not a native cloud SaaS product like Business Central.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Microsoft Dynamics GP being discontinued?

Microsoft Dynamics GP is not being switched off overnight, but it is a legacy product. GP is governed by Microsoft's Modern Lifecycle Policy, and Microsoft has confirmed there will be no new major GP versions — new customers are directed to Dynamics 365 Business Central instead. Existing customers remain supported during a defined, phased wind-down, but GP should be treated as an end-of-life platform rather than a long-term investment. Any organisation still running GP should be planning a migration to Business Central.

When does support for Microsoft Dynamics GP end?

Microsoft has published a phased end-of-support timeline for Dynamics GP. As widely reported, sales of new perpetual licences ended on 1 April 2025 and sales of new subscription licences are set to end on 1 April 2026. Product enhancements, regulatory/tax updates, and technical support for existing customers are scheduled to continue through 31 December 2029, with security updates running until 30 April 2031. Exact dates can change, so confirm the current lifecycle schedule with Microsoft or your partner before planning your migration.

What is the difference between Dynamics GP and Business Central?

Dynamics GP is an older, on-premise/partner-hosted ERP that Microsoft is winding down. Dynamics 365 Business Central is Microsoft's modern, cloud-native SMB ERP and GP's designated successor, with continuous updates, a browser-based interface, tight Microsoft 365 integration, and subscription licensing. GP suits organisations maintaining an existing installation; Business Central is the platform for new deployments and migrations.

How do you migrate from Great Plains to Business Central?

Migration is a phased programme: assess your current GP modules and customisations, clean and map your chart of accounts and master data, choose a certified Microsoft partner, pilot and parallel-run Business Central against live GP data, then plan cutover, training, and go-live. Microsoft's promotional migration licensing can reduce the cost of moving. Most organisations complete the move with the help of an implementation partner.

Is Microsoft Dynamics GP cloud-based?

Microsoft Dynamics GP is not cloud-native, although the latest versions can be hosted in the Microsoft Azure cloud by a partner. Running GP in the cloud requires hosting workarounds. For a true cloud ERP, Business Central is the native option.

What are the system requirements for Microsoft Dynamics GP?

System requirements vary from version to version. A recent version calls for Windows 11, a 2.6 GHz processor, and at least 2 GB RAM, plus Microsoft SQL Server for the database. Confirm the exact requirements for your version with Microsoft's documentation or your partner.

How much does Microsoft Dynamics GP cost?

Historically, the indicative list price of the Starter Pack was around £4,000 for three concurrent users, with additional users about £2,400 each, read-only users about £480 each, and self-serve users roughly £50–£120 each. The Extended Pack was about £8,000, the Customisation Pack about £4,800, and the Extended HR & Payroll Pack about £5,600. Because GP is winding down and new licence sales are closing, confirm current pricing — and Business Central licensing — with a partner before budgeting.

What does Microsoft Dynamics GP stand for?

GP stands for Great Plains. GP is based on an accounting software called Great Plains that existed for many years before Microsoft acquired it, similar to SL and C5, which are other members of the Dynamics software family.

What are the competitors to Microsoft Dynamics GP?

We commonly see buyers evaluating other cloud ERP solutions such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Oracle Cloud ERP, Sage Intacct, Acumatica, SAP Business One, or QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise alongside Microsoft Dynamics GP. Because GP is end-of-life, most GP users comparing options are effectively choosing a replacement platform.

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