Major Functional Differences Between Dynamics GP and Business Central — And Why It’s Time to Start Planning Your Move
Authored by Sam Taylor
Business Central Pre-Sales
As Microsoft prepares to end mainstream support for Dynamics GP by 2028, many organisations are evaluating their ERP systems and considering what comes next. For years, GP has been a reliable platform, but it was built for a different era. Today’s businesses demand agility, modern functionality, and seamless integration. That’s where Dynamics 365 Business Central comes in.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve highlighted some of the major functional differences between Dynamics GP and Business Central, especially those that can unlock greater efficiency, visibility, and control across your organisation.
Number One – A Modern Chart of Accounts
GP users are familiar with its segmented account structure, but Business Central brings a more flexible approach. With its dimension-based accounting, you can tag transactions with additional data (like department, cost centre, or project) without creating endless GL accounts.
This makes for cleaner, simpler reporting and eliminates the complexity of managing hundreds (or thousands) of static account combinations.
Number Two – (Almost) Every Window Is a SmartList
GP users have long relied on SmartLists to access and export data. Business Central takes this concept even further, almost every screen becomes a filterable, exportable list, with built-in functionality that mirrors SmartList-like behaviour.
You can drill down, customise views, add columns, and even save personal filters, all without leaving the window. No more jumping between modules or relying on external tools to get the data you need.
Number Three – Built-In Multi-Company Consolidation
Consolidating multiple entities in GP often means manual work, third-party tools, or complex reporting structures. Business Central comes with native multi-company consolidation, allowing you to roll up data across multiple companies, even with different currencies or charts of accounts.
It’s a significant leap forward for organisations managing several legal entities or operating internationally.
Number Four – Say Hello to “Edit in Excel”
Tired of making updates line-by-line in GP? Business Central offers Edit in Excel for many records, meaning you can pull data into Excel, make changes in bulk, and publish them back to the system in seconds.
This dramatically reduces admin time, improves accuracy, and empowers your teams to work faster with the tools they know best.
And That’s Not All…
Business Central introduces dozens of everyday improvements that streamline tasks, reduce errors, and give users more control. From smoother corrections to smarter data entry and better user personalisation, the difference is in the detail.
Less Financial, More Functional: Other Key Differences
While the finance and operations enhancements are impressive, Business Central also introduces modern features across the board, such as:
- Integrated AI and Copilot – Automate repetitive tasks, generate forecasts, and get data insights with Microsoft’s embedded AI tools.
- Mobile Accessibility – Access your ERP securely on the go via smartphone or tablet.
- Embedded Power BI – Visual dashboards within the system help you make data-driven decisions instantly.
- Microsoft 365 Integration – Sync with Outlook, Teams, Excel, and Word for streamlined daily workflows.
- App Marketplace – Extend your system with pre-built, industry-specific apps from AppSource.
- Regular Automatic Updates – Stay current without the disruption of major upgrades.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait
The decision to move ERP systems isn’t one to rush, but it is one to start preparing for now. As Dynamics GP approaches its sunset, delaying the transition could increase risk, cost, and operational disruption. Planning early gives you time to explore options, understand your needs, and make the move on your terms.
How mhance Can Support Your Transition
At mhance, we’ve helped many organisations successfully migrate from Dynamics GP to Business Central, minimising disruption while maximising value. From data migration and training to licensing, support, and strategic advice, we’re with you at every step.
We offer:
- Tailored transition planning
- Full data migration and validation
- Custom training programmes
- Ongoing support post go-live
- Advice on cloud licensing and CSP optimisation
If you’re ready to explore the future of your finance system or just want to know what Business Central could look like for you, we’re here to help.
Let’s chat about your roadmap to Business Central.