Both Dynamics 365 GP (Great Plains) and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central have a diverse set of business capabilities.
So, choosing between Microsoft Dynamics Business Central (earlier Dynamics NAV) and Dynamics GP depends on several factors such as the size of the organization, budget, functionality needs, and future growth plans.
While these two ERP solutions are equipped with tools suited to your specific business requirements in terms of high-end features, customized configuration, and scalability, both have their pros and cons.
However, you should note that Business Central comes with less cons than Dynamics GP.
Also, Microsoft has abandoned selling Dynamics GP licenses, thereby, existing GP users can only avail of GP support services directly from Microsoft Gold Partner like Dynamics Square.
With Dynamics 365 Business Central, the opportunities to grow your business on a scale are tremendous. And the good thing is, D365 BC is available for everyone.
That’s because it is a cloud-based ERP solution which is less hectic to deploy/implement, plus costs far less than an on-premises ERP software.
Now that you are a bit aware of what you’ll find in this blog, let’s get started with how different these business management are.
Dynamics 365 Business Central vs. Dynamics GP: Basics
Dynamics 365 GP forms an ERP solution and accounting, sales, and services modules. When we talk about Dynamics 365 Business Central, this all-in-one ERP solution also has various business management modules rather than the basic capabilities.
So, from the first principles’ POV, let’s explore both the ERP solutions:
What is Microsoft Dynamics GP?
Microsoft Dynamics GP, designed and developed to help not just your ERP part, but it can even assist you in accounting and other bottom-line business activities.
It is a great solution for businesses that seek reliable solutions to automate:
- Data
- Streamline workflows
- Optimize the use of resources
- Manage the financial flow efficiently and effectively, and related tasks.
Dynamics GP includes both sales and services modules wrapped with built-in business intelligence to make decision-making better and productive across your organization.
Note: To ensure the best database maintenance and availability, certain guidelines must be followed when configuring Microsoft SQL Server disk support for Dynamics GP, as it relies on SQL Server for these tasks.
What is Microsoft Dynamics Business Central?
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central as compared to Dynamics GP is developed as a powerful business management solution with endless features, vast configuration capability, and deployment flexibility (whether on-premises, hybrid, or on-cloud).
Business Central allows enterprises or companies up to 300 named users to manage end-to-end business practices including:
- Customer relationships (using CRM integration)
- Finance & Supply Chain (with SCM module)
- Human resourcing (using HRM plug-ins)
- Warehousing (with WMS add-ons)
- Sales
- Planning & budgeting
- Regulatory & global compliance and more.
Know More Here: Features of Dynamics 365 Business Central
Benefits of Rolling out Dynamics GP vs Business Central
Dynamics GP was and still one of the popular enterprise resource planning solutions that includes extensive functionality and allows quick customization options.
Unfortunately, Dynamics GP is no longer available for inexperienced users, thereby, only existing users can use its vital functionality.
GP, being a purely business management software application designed to serve mid-scale businesses in every domain context and diverse industry range, it is a smart choice.
With many add-ons at Microsoft AppSource, it allows businesses to extend their business capabilities to increase profitability level.
Dynamics GP helps to broaden your business practices and brings the capability to manage them seamlessly.
Businesses can effectively manage and drive practices, such as:
- Finance & procurement
- Field service
- Inventory
- Supply Chain
- Business intelligence (BI) & reporting
- Project automation, and more.
GP’s excellent BI capabilities assist enterprises to promptly make informed decision-making better.
Business owners or admins can automate their core business practices, simplify their process flows, drive efficient remote practices, and keep business continuity in loop.
If your business deals in sensitive data practices, Dynamics GP could be a proven and efficient deal for your business as it can be deployed on-premises while storing your data using SQL Server.
Advantages of Deploying Dynamics 365 Business Central vs Dynamics GP
Business Central is developed while keeping small to mid-scale enterprises (SMEs) in mind. The ROIs (return on investment) are quick to achieve, within 12 months, or so post its implementation.
It is a business management app to help SMEs streamline business processes, deploy data automation, and drive efficiency with real-time decision-making capability to support the overall operational performance.
Dynamics 365 Business Central can be a better choice for you if you are looking for a solution that can improve your production line and enable profitability at a higher level.
Managing your end-to-end operational flow is like putting butter on bread.
With AI-powered Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central’s latest version – 21.4, you can seamlessly manage:
- Finance & supply chain
- Manufacturing & distribution
- Resourcing & project automation
- Regulatory & global compliance, and more.
Because of the high-end business intelligence capabilities, Business Central empowers enterprises with real-time decision-making efficiency and an added level of control across their operational processes.
Business Central’s core version is configured with all the essential business functionalities improving the flow of growing organizations.
Since D365 Business Central helps you with continuous upgrades and feature releases, you can always keep your ERP system updated with upgraded functionality, anytime, anywhere. And allow remote work! Isn’t that’s what your employees are looking for?
Moreover, the implementation of Business Central is quite easy and straightforward. With a Business Central Partner like Dynamics Square, you deploy a business-centric model (whether on-premises, on-cloud, or hybrid) for your business.
Pricing and Licensing: Dynamics GP vs Dynamics 365 Business Central
Before you consent to buy any ERP solution, the budgeting factor is always a concern. And every enterprise like yours has a different budget and investment plan.
So, let’s get to understand how Dynamics GP and Business Central can fit into your planned budget.
Dynamics GP is an on-premises facilitation deal that also involves extra upfront cost for required hardware installation, and related infrastructure, and that too with a nudged subscription plan.
Also, it is no longer available for GP’s extinct users as Microsoft has already stopped selling new user GP licenses.
However, if you are still getting help from Dynamics GP, you can always look for trusted, hassle-free support from a reliable Microsoft Gold Partner – Dynamics Square.
Again, D365 Business Central runs on cloud and incorporates Azure facilitation, which is not with Dynamics GP. It makes D365 BC one of the most secure and reliable business management apps in today’s digital space.
And with its cloud-based deployment, you can use your Business Central account to keep an eye on your data from anywhere, anytime, using any portable device like a Mobile Phone, Tablet, or your laptop.
So, being a new Business Central user, you are left with the Business Central licensing options which you can avail yourself of with flexible licensing plans suited to your specific business level or requirement.
Latest Licensing and Pricing for Business Central
Initially, it starts at $70 per user/month and Microsoft named this license as Business Central Essential Plan.
The Essential plan includes:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Financial Management
- Advanced Financial Management
- AI-enabled Forecasting
- Project Management
- Supply Chain Management (SCM)
- Warehouse Management & Inventory Management
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) – Advanced Capabilities of Dynamics CRM
- Human Resources Management
- E-Services
- Analysis Reports
- Embedded Power BI
- Workflow
- Word Reporting/Document Reporting
- Reason Codes
- User Management and User Tasks
- Access to an Unlimited number of Companies, and more.
Here are other Business Central plans for you to consider if you want more advanced business management:
Business Central Premium Plan: $100 per user/month
Includes: All Essentials license capabilities plus Service Order Management and Manufacturing.
Additional Capabilities of Business Central Premium License:
- Planning and Dispatching
- Service Item Management
- Service Contract Management
- Service Order Management
- Agile Manufacturing
- Finite loading
- Sales and Inventory Forecasting
- Production Bill of Materials
- Version Management
- Production Orders
- Basic Capacity Planning
- Basic Supply Planning
- Machine Centers
Note: There’s also a basic plan for Business Central, known as Team Member, which starts at: $8 per user/month. This plan is already included in the Essentials and Premium plan with unrestricted access. Get in touch with our Dynamics 365 experts to explore its features, and benefits.
Hence, this will be your only licensing cost.
However, if you want a customized or specially configured solution, or any sort of integration for add-ons like integrated WMS solution from Insight Works, Sana Commerce for eCommerce, or NaviPayroll to simplify your HR Payroll process to maximize your functional and financial capability, your pricing will be revised accordingly.
Functional Capability: Dynamics GP vs Dynamics 365 Business Central
In terms of functional capability, Business Central wins without any efforts since it provides all those functionalities that are with Dynamics GP, plus its extended ones.
Even with its essential plan, you can get exclusive modules like dynamics 365 finance, inventory, project management, order management, and more.
If its Team Member plan does not meet your needs, or you want to add more modules like service management, sales order management, manufacturing, or others, you can choose its premium plan.
Moreover, if you start with its essential plan, you can switch anytime to its advanced version i.e., the premium one or higher (including the team member plan).
Why Business Central Can be the best ERP Choice for your Business?
Going with Microsoft Dynamics Business Central over Dynamics GP, can be a smart move because of the following key factors that can help you achieve new heights:
Cloud-based: Business Central (or BC in short for your ease of reading) is a cloud-based solution, which means that it can be accessed from anywhere, anytime, and on any device with an internet connection. Dynamics GP, on the other hand, is an on-premises solution, which means it needs to be installed and maintained on a physical server.
Subscription-based or Pay-as-you-Go Model: Dynamics 365 Business Central is available as Pay-as-you-Go service, which means you pay for what you use monthly. This makes it easier for businesses to budget and plan for their expenses. Dynamics GP, however, requires a large upfront investment in licensing and implementation.
Integrated with other Microsoft products: You can seamlessly integrate Business Central with other Microsoft products such as Office 365, Power BI, and PowerApps – from the Power Platform suite. This integration allows for a seamless experience across different applications and tools. Dynamics GP, on the other hand, may require more customizations to integrate with other Microsoft products.
Modern User Interface: D365 Business Central has a modern user interface (UI) that is intuitive and easy to use, which can improve user adoption and productivity. Dynamics GP has a traditional interface that may require more training and may not be as user-friendly for modern users.
Advanced features: D365 BC offers advanced features such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, which can help businesses make data-driven decisions and automate processes. Dynamics GP may not have the same level of advanced features.
Ultimately, the choice between Business Central and Dynamics GP depends on the specific needs of your business. It’s important to carefully evaluate your requirements and compare the features, functionality, and cost of both solutions before deciding. Or, let our experts at Dynamics Square help you make a better decision.
Final Words!
Now that you know how different Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics GP are, you can make a smarter decision.
If you need expert advice, contact our Dynamics 365 consultants that have years of industry expertise in deploying Dynamics 365 products.
Experts at Dynamics Square are ready to reveal and suggest to you the best solution for your business. Send us your requirements so that we can review your current ERP system, and let you know whether you need an upgrade.