Microsoft Dynamics GP in the Cloud

Microsoft Dynamics GP is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution that connects the many moving parts of a small to mid-sized organization. Originally developed by Great Plains Software, the Dynamics GP platform was created in Fargo, North Dakota in 1981, and acquired by Microsoft in 2000. Since then Microsoft has continually advanced the Dynamics GP platform by adding improved technology, integration, and capabilities.

The perceived age of the Dynamics GP platform has caused organizations shopping for ERP solutions to look elsewhere for their all-in-one accounting/operations needs. This is caused in no small part by the fact that the Dynamics GP platform is only offered as an on-premise solution without an option for a true cloud. However, this need not be the reason to eliminate Dynamics GP from your search. In this blog, I will show you that Dynamics GP can function much like a cloud ERP offering by simply pairing it up with an Azure subscription and partnering with a Microsoft services provider like FMT.

What is Microsoft Azure?

Microsoft Azure is an open, flexible, enterprise-grade cloud computing platform. The Azure cloud allows businesses of any size to build, deploy, and manage applications and services through a global network of Microsoft data centers. In addition, Azure provides data backup and disaster recovery services.

What does this mean to you?

As an IaaS provider, Azure hosts hardware, software, servers, storage, and other infrastructure components on behalf of your organization. Azure can also host applications such as Dynamics GP and handle tasks including system maintenance, backup and resiliency planning. Azure offers highly scalable resources that can be adjusted on-demand or as your organization grows and evolves. Azure's pay-as-you-go model eliminates the capital expense of deploying in-house hardware and software.

But Microsoft Azure is only half of the equation.

What is the Microsoft Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA)?

The Microsoft Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) allows eligible Microsoft partners and service providers to license Microsoft products including Dynamics GP on a monthly basis and then provide those software services and applications for their customers. FMT Consultants is a member of the Microsoft Partner Network as well as an SPLA reseller.

What does this mean to you?

As an SPLA reseller, FMT Consultants gives you the ability to purchase Dynamics GP as a monthly license rather than on premise through perpetual licensing. This is also referred to as a subscription license, and it is the method that allows business to use Dynamics GP in the cloud when partnered with a hosting provider like Microsoft Azure. The main advantages to this are it avoids the large upfront investment in software licensing and allows you to add or remove user licenses on a monthly basis to save costs. This is great for seasonal business or businesses that are growing rapidly.

Putting it all together

By combining a cloud hosting platform with a subscription-based licensing model for Dynamics GP, organizations can operate Dynamics GP entirely in the cloud. With the Dynamics GP Web Client revamped in GP2016, there has never been a better time to take advantage of modern platform technologies. With low monthly fees, Dynamics GP in the cloud makes a compelling presentation as a mature, feature-rich ERP platform with all of the modern advantages of a cloud-based application platform.

If you have any questions about selecting an ERP solution or about Azure, please feel free to let us know by filling out the form below.