For organizations still running Microsoft Dynamics GP, planning an ERP migration involves more than selecting a replacement system. Historical data, integrations, reporting requirements, and day-to-day operations all need to be accounted for before the transition begins.
Microsoft has announced that support and product updates for Dynamics GP will end on December 31, 2029, making it important for organizations to establish a realistic migration plan. According to Panorama Consulting Group’s , more than a quarter of organizations exceeded their ERP project budgets, with additional technology requirements contributing to overruns.
The experience of Skill Creations, a North Carolina provider of residential and community-based support services, offers a practical example of how preparation can help organizations manage a complex ERP transition.
Building a Strong Foundation Before Migration
Skill Creations had relied on Dynamics GP for more than 20 years when the organization began preparing to move to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Its financial records represented decades of operational history, and maintaining access to that information was essential.
The partnership with ACE Micro began in 2018, after Skill Creations’ previous consulting partner became unresponsive. ACE Micro initially focused on maintaining the existing GP environment, managing the underlying SQL Server infrastructure, and coordinating integrations as the organization’s requirements evolved.
That ongoing relationship proved valuable when migration planning began. After eight years of working together, the teams already understood the organization’s data, reporting requirements, integrations, and system-specific complexities.
Making Historical Data Part of the Plan
Migrating decades of financial information requires decisions about which records should move into the new ERP system and how older transactions should remain accessible.
Microsoft’s supports bringing historical information into Business Central, with options for determining how much transaction history to migrate. Organizations can also evaluate archival approaches for older records that must remain available for reporting or audits.
For Skill Creations, these decisions were informed by an established understanding of how its team used financial data. This helped the organization determine how to preserve its history without treating the migration as a purely technical exercise.
Weekly Validation and Extended Sandbox Testing
The migration team met with Skill Creations every week to migrate and validate data. This consistent process gave both teams regular opportunities to identify discrepancies and address issues before moving forward.
After the data migration work was completed, Skill Creations spent several months refining the new system in a Business Central sandbox. Its internal team tested real processes against real data, working through issues before the production rollout.
The preparation paid off. Staff onboarding took less time than expected, and the transition did not disrupt the care provided to residents.
Lessons for Other Dynamics GP Customers
Skill Creations’ experience highlights several practical priorities for organizations planning an ERP migration:
- Establish a reliable support relationship early. A partner who understands the existing environment can help reduce the learning curve when migration begins.
- Make deliberate decisions about historical data. Finance teams and auditors should help determine which records belong in the new system and which can be archived.
- Build validation into the project schedule. Regular reconciliation and data checks help identify problems before go-live.
- Protect time for testing. Extended sandbox testing gives employees an opportunity to become familiar with the new system before production use.
Organizations evaluating their next steps can also review these .
Skill Creations’ successful transition demonstrates the value of long-term preparation, consistent data validation, and a migration plan built around the needs of the organization.
Read the full story: Explore how Skill Creations preserved more than 20 years of financial history while moving to Business Central in the .
