May 19, 2021

This paid piece is sponsored by Eide Bailly LLP.

A version of this article previously appeared on EideBailly.com.

It can be overwhelming to think about an entire software overhaul, but when your ERP software becomes more of a burden than an asset for your organization, you know it’s time to make the switch.

If you’re using Microsoft Dynamics GP, consider a move to NetSuite Cloud ERP.

Here are 10 distinct disadvantages that all Dynamics GP users face in trying to run their operations on an old, on-premises system:

1. It wasn’t built for the cloud. Dynamics GP isn’t available on the cloud and can be put there only in a private cloud environment. This means you are required to use additional software to modernize your business system and don’t get to realize the benefits of a true cloud application. NetSuite was built in the cloud originally and incorporates advanced technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence.
2. No remote possibilities. When the global pandemic sent companies scrambling to set up remote work arrangements for their employees, anyone using on-premises software quickly found themselves struggling to meet these new, unprecedented demands. Unless they had some type of remote desktop server in place, Dynamics GP users ran into major challenges during this critical period.
3. The platform is nearing end of life. Even as their own companies continue to grow and expand, current Dynamics GP users aren’t getting the regular, useful software enhancements that their organizations need.
4. The switch requires more than just a license change. A company that’s currently using GP and considering just moving to the “next” Microsoft product, such as Business Central, should understand that this requires more than just a simple license change. It will be an entirely new implementation and data migration process.
5. No native customer relationship management system. Great Plains has been around for a long time and covers many functional areas, but it has no built-in CRM. In fact, obtaining CRM support requires the purchase and integration of Microsoft Dynamics CRM or a third-party solution. NetSuite on the other hand provides a single, integrated suite that includes ERP, CRM and e-commerce, with editions tailored for specific vertical markets.
6. Lack of insightful business dashboards. If you don’t have a 360-degree view of your customer in today’s business environment, you’re basically operating in the stone age. Not only does Dynamics GP lack useful dashboards, but the platform’s cloud option – Business Central – doesn’t offer much of an improvement over any native capabilities that the system may offer. Alternatively, NetSuite provides rich, informative dashboards based on an employee’s job role – from the CEO through to the plant floor supervisor and all points between.
7. Lack of native e-commerce support. To set up an e-commerce storefront, Dynamics GP users have to purchase and install Microsoft GP eConnect, which allows them to redirect web-based transactions into data entry screens and share inventory, pricing and other key information via the web. NetSuite’s suite of solutions includes integrated e-commerce support for seamless data flow across all key business processes — and without the need to purchase connectors that are costly and frequently break.
8.  Even simple modifications are difficult. Another disadvantage of GP is its lack of easy customization. The system’s existing tables and fields cannot be modified, which means you can’t change a table structure without ruining your data. NetSuite on the other hand provides Suitelets — web servelets that can produce a front-end graphical user interface or handle back-end responses to user requests — and Portlets that let you create a customized dashboard that includes external data feeds via RSS, HTML or Flash.
9. Too many different third-party add-ons to juggle. Nearly all Dynamics GP users need additional applications from multiple third parties, with the average company needing eight or nine applications to be able to run their businesses. That is a lot to maintain and manage.
10. A lot of throats to choke. Because it often requires so many different third-party applications, Dynamics GP gives users a lot of different throats to choke in lieu of a single, responsible provider. “We have one past customer that had 22 third-party applications on the day it went live with Dynamics GP,” said David McDonald, ERP business development manager for Eide Bailly. “Can you imagine having to track down the vendors for those applications in the event of a problem? It would be a total nightmare.” And not to mention a huge security risk. By keeping third-party applications to a minimum and providing direct integrations for others, NetSuite gives companies peace of mind knowing that it will be there when its customers’ need it.

Dive Deeper: Visit EideBailly.com for an in-depth look at the advantages of NetSuite.