9 Things Your Dynamics GP Partner Should Be Doing for You

Purchasing enterprise business management software like Dynamics GP is a long-term investment. And in order to see a return, you need your solution to be as effective as possible for as long as possible. Often, this has as much to do with a good partner as it does with the software itself. The right partner will provide the ongoing support, education, and services you need to get the most out of your investment.

So what exactly is a partner? The most common way to purchase Microsoft software like Dynamics GP is through a Microsoft partner. These are companies who are certified to resell and support Microsoft products. Microsoft is fully committed to its partner approach because it is the best way to scale their business while still providing quality customer care. Microsoft focuses on developing their products and relies on reliable partners to provide support for their customers.

There are hundreds of Dynamics GP partners out there and each one is a little different. Some focus solely on Dynamics GP, while for others, Dynamics GP is one of many solutions they offer. Partners also come with a range of experience and knowledge. The right partner will set you up for success now and in the future, while the wrong partner can leave you feeling frustrated and alone. Here are some fundamental things your GP partner should offer you.

Knowledge and experience

Your partner should have enough experience to offer you advice about leveraging your solution to its fullest. Partners who have been selling Dynamics GP for many years will know the advantages of the software, as well as its limitations, so they can tell you when it’s best equipped to benefit your business and when you might want to consider a third-party add-on to enhance its functionality. They will easily be able to address common problems and challenges you might encounter as they’ve likely seen them before.

Beyond experience with the software itself, your partner should have an understanding of your business processes so they can make knowledgeable recommendations about leveraging the software to your advantage. In addition, your partner should have a dedicated consulting team with members who specialize in Dynamics GP. These consultants will have a deep knowledge of the software and be able to offer the highest level of support. They will be fully equipped to dive into details, offer recommendations about best practices, and provide technical support. By understanding how the software interacts with your business, they can help you evolve your solution as your organization grows and changes.

Commitment

You are committed to your software solution and you want your partner to be, too. Partners who have been selling Dynamics GP for years have built a business and a customer base on it, and they are unlikely to abandon it at the drop of a hat. Your partner should also be committed to you as a customer. This means keeping you informed about what is happening in the software industry, what changes may be occurring with Dynamics GP or other related products, what impact that has on your business, and how to plan for the future.

Services

Because your business will change over time, your partner should offer a range of services related to Dynamics GP, so no matter what your needs are, they will be met. Off the start, you might just need general support, a knowledgeable resource to answer questions or solve glitches. As your business evolves and your processes change, you may require a technical assessment to see if you can gain efficiency by reconfiguring your software. Several years down the road you may find you’d like to implement additional modules or add-ons to Dynamics GP to increase its functionality. Your partner should be able to help you each step of the way.

Integration capabilities

As mentioned previously, some partners may only work with Dynamics GP, while others may work with a myriad of solutions. You can find advantages in the middle ground, a partner who specializes in GP, as well as several related solutions. Partners who are knowledgeable about other enterprise solutions will help you get the most out of Dynamics GP, while filling any functionality gaps by integrating additional solutions. By taking advantage of APIs (application programming interface), partners with integration capabilities can write integrations between Dynamics GP and other programs that do not have an existing integration. Partners that specialize in other products can also help you implement those solutions if they are beneficial to your business, like a customer relationship management (CRM) solution to drive your sales and marketing processes.

Custom capabilities

A partner with integration capabilities can help you extend and improve Dynamics GP’s functionality, but a partner with custom capabilities can help you build your ideal solution with features and functions that are tailor-made to fit your needs. The power of custom software is its ability to give you the exact tools you need for your business that are not available through out-of-the-box software. A partner with a custom development team can build modules or applications that perform the tasks you need and integrate them seamlessly to Dynamics GP using APIs. When custom development is an option, it opens up a world of possibilities for your software.

Proactive engagement

You shouldn’t be communicating with your partner only when something goes wrong. The right partner will develop a relationship with you and will be invested in your success. This means regular check-ins to gauge how things are going, ensure past problems have been resolved, make recommendations to address current problems, and plan for the future. Your partner should understand what is happening with your business so they can help you adapt and grow Dynamics GP to meet your changing needs and prepare you for the future.

Community resources

While specialized consultants know Dynamics GP inside and out, sometimes it’s nice to talk best practices or everyday scenarios with another GP user. When you connect with other users who have businesses similar to yours, you can share ideas and learn how others are leveraging Dynamics GP in new and unique ways. In addition to their own services, your partner should ensure that you are connected with Dynamics GP customer communities like Microsoft’s CustomerSource and GPUG (Dynamics GP User Group) so you can take full advantage of their resources.

Continuing education

Dynamics GP is a robust enterprise solution with an array of features and functions. With so much packed into the software, you may not be aware of all the tools available to you. In addition, the software will continue to evolve as upgrades are released. Your partner should offer continuing education or on-going training resources so you can take advantage of everything Dynamics GP has to offer and ensure you are using the software in a way that is most efficient and productive for your business.

Strategic planning

The technology industry is continuously evolving, as is your business. It’s important that your solution evolves with you and takes advantage of new advancements as they become available. This could involve making changes to your configuration of Dynamics GP, activating additional GP modules, integrating additional solutions, or developing custom applications. In some cases, the best option for your business may be to transition to a different solution. Your partner should discuss and understand your vision for the future, be open and honest about all of your options, and help you develop a plan to take you where you want to go. Your success should be the primary objective.

With the right partner, you will have the support you need today, resources for continuous growth and improvement, and a plan for future success. Cargas has been a Great Plains partner since 1993, before the product was acquired by Microsoft. Made up of CPAs and former CFOs and Controllers, our dedicated consulting team is uniquely equipped to understand your needs and help you reach your goals. Learn more about how we can help you plan for future success with Dynamics GP.