Microsoft Dynamics GP Version Support Lifecycles and Planning Your Next Steps

Microsoft Dynamics GP continues to be a strong accounting software platform for its customers, leaving many still relying on the solution with no plans for change. But as you map out your Dynamics GP platform’s future, it’s important to know Microsoft’s mainstream and extended support timelines, as they could impact your current Dynamics GP solution and your business.

Mainstream and Extended Support Features and Schedules

Mainstream support includes tax and year-end updates, security updates and non-security hotfixes. Extended support includes security updates, and non-security hotfixes will only be released with an additional hotfix support plan.

Microsoft has communicated the mainstream and extended support schedules so customers can plan accordingly. For example, mainstream support will end on July 13, 2021, for those using Dynamics GP 2016 or Dynamics GP 2016 R2, moving the version into extended support. This extended support for Dynamics GP 2016 and 2016 R2 will continue until July 14, 2026. There are no product enhancements for Dynamics GP versions in extended support or for which extended support has expired. Microsoft has announced the end of support and product updates for Dynamics GP (Great Plains). Product support and updates for Dynamics GP will end on September 30, 2029, and security patches will end on April 30, 2031.

Dynamics GP Mainstream and Extended Support Dates

Sources: Microsoft Lifecycle support, Dynamics Communities

Options for Your Expiring Dynamics GP Version

So, with this information about mainstream and extended support, when should you plan to upgrade your Dynamics GP system or even consider moving to Dynamics 365 Business Central? Ultimately, that is a decision you need to evaluate based on what’s best for your team and your company, but here are some things to keep in mind as you weigh your options.

• For those currently on Dynamics GP 2010, mainstream and extended support ended on October 13, 2020. You should be thinking about upgrading as soon as possible to either a supported Dynamics GP version or migrating to Dynamics 365 Business Central.
• If you are on Dynamics GP 2013 or 2015, you’re in extended support. It may be time to upgrade or migrate to Dynamics 365 Business Central soon. Even though extended support won’t expire until 2023 (GP 2013) and 2025 (GP 2015), you won’t receive tax and year-end updates or security updates.
• Customers on Dynamics GP 2016 or Dynamics GP 2016 R2 will lose mainstream support in July 2021. This important date is approaching fast, and you should consider upgrading to either a supported version of Dynamics GP or weigh the options of moving to Dynamics 365 Business Central, especially if you require tax and year-end updates or security updates.
• If you are currently on Dynamics GP 2018, you can rely on several more years of mainstream support under the Fixed Lifecycle Policy and then continue into extended support for five more years. You should still review your upgrade options based on your company’s future growth and natural changes. Also be aware that upgrading from Dynamics GP 2018 moves you into the Modern Lifecycle Support Policy, which allows customers to stay current by taking at least one of the three yearly planned Dynamics GP releases.

The expiring support dates for your Dynamics GP version are important to keep in mind as you plan for your next GP upgrade or possible conversion to D365 Business Central. Remember to start planning early and keep in mind what your team and company will need both today and tomorrow.

To learn more about your options for upgrading Dynamics GP or migrating to Dynamics Business 365 Business central, reach out to Armanino’s expert team to discuss your unique requirements.