Please, Please, Please Upgrade your Dynamics GP software

In the last few months, I have been asked to help several companies that were still using Dynamics GP 9.

I understand the dozens of reasons why many companies are still using GP 9.  Many of those reasons make sense, while some don't.  And I've also seen customers that use old versions for years simply because their business hasn't changed in years and neither have their ERP requirements. 

Regardless of the reason, if you are still using GP 9 and aren't actively working on your migration to GP 2010, I am begging you to upgrade.  If for no other reason than for the sanity of the poor consultants that start twitching when they hear "GP 9".

Two of the companies that use GP 9 have eConnect integrations.  I love eConnect, but with eConnect 9, there are so many "bugs" / "features" that I've had to write dozens of workarounds.  From the lovely "System Error" messages of eConnect 9, to the endless bugs and omissions in the Payroll interfaces, I will not miss good old GP 9.

And then last week I had to look into an Integration Manager 9 issue--back then, Integration Manager apparently wouldn't allow zero dollar transaction distributions.  Lovely.

And this week a client discovered one of the many significant flaws with GP 9 inventory costing and valuation, learning about it much too late to solve the problem.  If you are still using GP 9 and rely heavily on distribution and inventory, I can pretty much guarantee that all is not well with your costing.

And at least two of the GP 9 customers have wanted to submit support cases in the last month, but no such luck, as GP 9 is no longer supported in any form or fashion.

I know that new software versions don't always seem compelling, and that it doesn't necessarily make sense to upgrade to every new version.  And I know that it takes time, effort, and money to upgrade--something that the "cloud computing" and "SaaS" evangelists will point to as one of the great flaws of on-premise software.

But please, please don't stay two or more versions behind with your Dynamics GP software.  When Microsoft announces an end-date for support, there's a pretty good reason, and there are real consequences to that end-date.  And if you are paying your annual enhancement fees each year, you have already invested in the new releases, so you might as well make your investment complete and start using the new software.

So, if you are still on GP 9, please upgrade.  Please?

Steve Endow is a Dynamics GP Certified Trainer and Dynamics GP Certified Professional in Los Angeles.  He is also the owner of Precipio Services, which provides Dynamics GP integrations, customizations, and automation solutions.

http://www.precipioservices.com