“We know we need to move off our current system eventually, but we’re not in crisis mode, so it’s not urgent.”

I’ve talked with plenty of business leaders running Dynamics GP or SL who have said some version of the statement above. It’s a common mindset when it comes to Business Central cloud migration. Understandable, but definitely not ideal.

It’s like waiting to schedule a dentist appointment until you can’t chew on one side. Technically, yes—you can wait. But the fix is usually a lot more painful (and expensive) than it needed to be.

The reality is, you don’t need a full-blown system failure to justify moving to the cloud. In fact, the smartest transitions I’ve seen happen before things go off the rails.

They start with a conversation: What’s working? What’s not? Where do we want to be a year from now… and can our current system help us get there?

If you’re thinking about moving to Dynamics 365 Business Central but haven’t started planning yet, this blog is for you. I’ll walk through what I’ve learned from helping clients successfully migrate from Microsoft Dynamics GP and Dynamics SL to the cloud ERP systems of today—what to expect, how to prepare, and why waiting until you “have to” could be the riskiest strategy of all.

Why Plan Your Business Central Cloud Migration Before You’re in a Bind?

Delaying a legacy ERP system migration rarely saves time or money. The longer companies stay on legacy ERP systems like Microsoft Dynamics GP or Dynamics SL, the more hidden costs they accumulate—from manual workarounds and delayed reporting to aging infrastructure and rising maintenance fees.

As I shared in my last blog, The Advantages of Moving Your ERP to the Cloud, waiting until things break is NOT a strategy. It’s a gamble. And it often ends with a caffeine-fueled scramble to fix issues that could have been avoided with a proactive plan.

A cloud migration ERP strategy allows you to modernize on your terms, before a compliance issue, security vulnerability, or unexpected downtime forces your hand.

What’s the Best Way to Migrate from Dynamics GP to Business Central?

While no two companies follow the exact same roadmap, here’s what a successful GP to Business Central cloud migration typically entails:

• Assess your current setup: What’s working well? What’s held together by duct tape? Know what you want to keep, change, or leave behind.
• Engage leadership early: Getting executive alignment early makes budget and timeline conversations much smoother.
• Choose a migration partner: A trusted partner will help you define scope, avoid common pitfalls, and guide your team through the process.
• Set realistic expectations: This isn’t a one-week project. Think thoughtful renovation vs. a 30-minute home makeover. But the results are worth it.

Can I Keep My Historical Data When Migrating to Business Central?

Short answer: Yes. But with caveats.

• Full history imports are possible but can be costly and complex.
• To mitigate costs, migrate Master Data + Open Transactions, excluding closed or historical transactions unless absolutely required.
• Older records can be archived separately for compliance or reference.
• Custom reports and fields may not transfer exactly. Scoping early helps manage expectations.
• Regulatory requirements (audit trails, tax records) often determine what data must be retained.

Whether you choose a full history import or a selective approach, make this decision early in the process. It’ll shape your timeline, budget, and approach.

How to Easily Import Data into Dynamics 365 Business Central

There’s no ‘Ctrl+Migrate’ shortcut, but there are tools that simplify the process:

• Configuration packages allow you to import master data quickly.
• Assisted setup guides help with step-by-step data migration.
• Partner-built accelerators can streamline complex transitions.

Microsoft’s official cloud migration guide highlights why early planning and environment prep matter.

Moving to Business Central isn’t just about moving data, it’s about setting your business up to move forward.

Common Migration Pitfalls—and How to Avoid Them

Here are a few traps I’ve seen teams sidestep with the right planning:

• Migrating messy data: If it’s broken in GP or SL, it won’t magically fix itself in the cloud.
• Underestimating change management: New systems mean new habits. Training matters.
• Ignoring third-party integrations: Double-check that your external tools will still connect.

I’ve seen these approaches save a lot of stress (and budget):

• Start with a pilot rollout to minimize disruption
• Clean and standardize data before you import it
• Get users involved early, so adoption doesn’t stall post-launch

Is Dynamics GP Being Discontinued? (And What About SL?)

Technically, Microsoft Dynamics GP and SL aren’t being discontinued—but they’re in what we call “maintenance mode.” While there’s no official Dynamics GP end-of-life announcement, the writing is on the wall.

That means fewer updates, limited new features, and a whole lot of uncertainty for long-term planning. Microsoft’s investments are focused on cloud-first solutions like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and the Power Platform.

This isn’t about fear. It’s about future-proofing. If your ERP vendor isn’t actively innovating on the platform you’re using, it’s time to consider a system that is.

Final Thoughts: Build a Better Future… Before You Have To

A Business Central cloud migration isn’t just an IT project. It’s a business strategy.

It sets you up for remote access, lower infrastructure costs, real-time insights, and seamless integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. It also ensures your business isn’t held back by outdated tools, security gaps, or surprise compliance issues.

More importantly, it gives you the ability to adapt so you can scale, evolve, and compete without worrying whether your system will keep up.

Trust me—it’s a lot less painful than waiting for a root canal.

Let’s take the uncertainty out of the equation and help you move confidently to the ERP cloud. Whether you’re coming from Microsoft Dynamics GP, SL, or another legacy ERP system, I’ll help you map out a step-by-step strategy tailored to your goals, timeline, and budget.

If you’re considering a move to Business Central, join me for an upcoming webinar where I’ll share common migration paths, lessons learned, and tips to get ahead of the curve.

Can’t attend? Feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to chat about what’s next for your ERP.

About the Author

Sharon Conkey is a CPA, former CFO, and ERP consultant at ERP Global Solutions, LLC, bringing a rare blend of financial expertise and hands-on technical insight. Now, through her work with Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Dynamics SL, Sharon helps organizations build systems that don’t just function—they fit.

Her approach is grounded, human-centered, and informed by a career spent bridging the gap between finance and technology. She’s committed to making ERP more useful, more intuitive, and more aligned with the way people actually work.

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn.