Future-proofing payroll in a GP-centric world

For many finance and operations professionals, Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains) has been a reliable cornerstone for decades. It’s the system you know, the one your team is trained on and the foundation of carefully built processes. But with Microsoft signaling plans to end mainstream support for GP in 2029, the future suddenly feels less certain.

 

The thought of migrating from GP entirely is daunting – and understandably so. Many businesses are not ready to move their full ERP stack. At the same time, clinging to legacy GP modules, especially for payroll, can hold companies back in more ways than one.

 

Why payroll deserves a head start

 

Payroll has evolved from a back-office task to a strategic lever. It now informs budgeting, labor planning, compliance tracking and workforce strategy. It’s not just about issuing checks – it’s about managing risk, controlling costs and enabling smarter decisions across the business.

 

But many legacy payroll systems, including GP’s native module, were not built for that level of demand. They often require significant manual effort and deep institutional knowledge to keep running. Routine tasks such as updating tax tables, tracking garnishments or processing off-cycle runs can become time-consuming and error-prone.

 

A common frustration is a lack of flexibility. GP payroll users often struggle to adapt pay rules by role or region, split payroll by department or respond quickly to mid-cycle changes. And as compliance rules shift, legacy systems typically leave it up to users to configure updates – adding more strain to already stretched teams.

 

It’s no wonder payroll teams using legacy systems often feel stuck between doing things “the way they’ve always been done” and the growing pressure to modernize. But that’s exactly why payroll is the right place to start.

 

The strategic value of payroll modernization

 

Forward-looking companies are discovering that payroll is more than a process – it’s a competitive edge. A modern, cloud-based payroll solution supports:

• Better decision-making through real-time cost and labor data
• Built-in compliance tracking, reducing the risk of penalties or rework
• Improved employee satisfaction through accurate, on-time pay
• Faster onboarding and offboarding, especially in high-turnover environments
• Stronger collaboration between finance, HR and operations

It also plays a critical role in brand trust. When payroll is handled professionally, employees notice – and so do auditors, stakeholders and future hires. Payroll is no longer just about processing numbers. It’s about credibility, consistency and control.

 

By modernizing payroll first, businesses can reduce risk, improve agility and deliver stronger outcomes – all while staying within their GP environment.

 

Modernizing without migrating

 

You don’t need to walk away from GP to move forward. Many companies are choosing to modernize payroll first – integrating a flexible, cloud-based solution that works seamlessly with GP today and is ready for tomorrow’s ERP, whether that’s Business Central or another platform.

 

This approach offers a flexible middle ground:

• Keep payroll in-house while eliminating tedious manual processes
• Stay ahead of compliance with automated tax updates and alerts
• Confidently manage multi-state taxes, garnishments and pay variations
• Save time and reduce errors with ERP-connected payroll data
• Lay the groundwork for a future ERP transition, on your timeline

And the shift is already happening. Today, 62 per cent of companies use cloud payroll systems – up from just 35 per cent in 2019 – making modern payroll the new standard, not a fringe upgrade. Implementing it now lays a clean foundation for whatever comes next.

 

The case for proactive change

 

Microsoft’s 2029 GP sunset date isn’t a call to panic – but it is a reason to plan. Payroll is one of the most regulation-heavy, time-sensitive and people-focused functions in any organization. Letting it evolve first reduces risk, improves agility and prepares your team for future transitions.

 

In short: the sooner payroll gets modernized, the more value it can deliver.

 

If you’re still relying on GP payroll, the question isn’t whether change is coming. It’s whether your payroll will be ready to lead it.

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To explore strategies for upgrading payroll while staying connected to your GP environment, visit get.greenshades.com/payroll-for-gp-users