Rose Business Solutions Dynamics GP

I hear more and more buzz being thrown around about Dynamics GP  2010 all the time. I myself have installed, tested, created youtube video’s, participated in webinars, etc. so I guess I’ve just added to the general hysteria.

I was just trying to think back over the past several releases of Great Plains and remember if there was similar hype. I remember going to convergence during one of the major release announcements (could have been 7 or 7.5) and hearing MBS announce a great new version that is now available. Excited and surprised a bit, having to spend the whole convergence trying to find out about all the cool new features etc. I’m sure there will be those type of breakout sessions this time around in Atlanta but if you keep up with any of the Dynamics blogs, communities, and resources there is far less need to wonder what is being release.

I’m sure some of this is because of the following:

• Downloading a GB or so of data is way more feasible now than in 2005
• MBS used to send out CD’s when the software was released. That was often the first time partners and customers actually got to play with the new version
• Bloggers, MVP’s, MBS employee’s etc. are able to disseminate great information to the Dynamics community where in the past the monthly email newsletter from your partner was about all the resources available
• Youtube demo’s galore on Dynamics GP
• Webinars from MBS and your local partners regarding what’s coming out new
• Beta testers used to be the risky early adopters. Now they seem a dime a dozen. ha.

So does all of the above make upgrading less of an unknown? Sure.

Does that mean you should run out and upgrade as soon as the RTM release is finalized? NO WAY.

I recommend waiting at least one full service pack before even considering upgrading. I’m sure there are lots of differing opinions on this subject but to me it’s just not worth the pain and agony that occur with the first version no service pack release of any software.

Should 8.0 and before clients upgrade to 10.0 at this point?

So if you are on an older version of GP (8.0 and before) should you be waiting until Aug/Sept timeframe for the first SP of Dynamics 2010 to be released? (that’s 5 or 6 more months) I guess it depends if you are OK with the risk of running without MBS support for that long. (Obviously if you are still on 8.0 or before this isn’t that big of an issue for you.)

My general thoughts are at this point, wait for the first SP of Dynamics 2010. You can skip some further pain that’s caused by unexpected bugs in waiting for the first SP and you can still have a good 4 or 5 years of use from the system. This is assuming you will use 2010 until very last legs of the product mid way through 2015. But you really should be upgrading at some point as I suggest in my To upgrade or not to upgrade post.

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