Dynamics GP: A Thriving Ecosystem for ISVs
Dynamics GP was built from the ground up as a platform that embraces Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). Great Plains Software knew that they could never employ enough developers to create every solution for every industry. So they encouraged ISVs to build both vertical (industry-specific) and horizontal (general-purpose) solutions that extend and enhance the core functionality of Dynamics GP. This philosophy has allowed GP customers to benefit from a wide array of tools tailored to their specific needs, ranging from reporting tools for better decision-making to sub-ledger reconciliation tools and industry-specific applications.
Customers in industries as varied as manufacturing, retail, medical billing, and warehouse management have relied on GP for decades because of the breadth of options available. These out-of-the-box, best-of-breed ISV solutions allowed businesses to operate without the need for costly custom code, and when it came time for upgrades, each ISV maintained and upgraded their solutions independently, ensuring a smoother, less expensive experience for the end user.
Navision/Business Central: A Developer-Centric Culture
In contrast, Navision (recently renamed Business Central) has historically taken a very different approach. Instead of fostering a robust ISV community, the Business Central culture revolved around Value Added Resellers (VARs) hiring developers to build custom solutions specific to an industry or client. Customers often weren’t even aware that they were using Navision/Business Central—they simply believed they were buying a vertically tailored solution for their specific industry.
But the downside to this approach became painfully clear during upgrades: custom code had to be updated for each client individually, making upgrades expensive and time-consuming. As a result, Business Central customers often postponed or avoided upgrades altogether due to the complexity and cost.
GP customers typically use 5-7 ISV products to run their business...benefit from a thriving ecosystem of ready-made solutions.
This difference in approach created two very different customer experiences. GP customers typically use 5-7 ISV products to run their business (I’ve seen as many as 25 ISVs in one customer deployment) and benefit from a thriving ecosystem of ready-made solutions. On the other hand, Business Central customers often find themselves dependent on custom-built functionality that requires ongoing maintenance and investment.
The ISV Dilemma in Business Central
As GP ISVs have sought to transition to the Business Central platform, they have encountered significant resistance. The Business Central channel, dominated by VARs who prefer to build custom solutions themselves, has not been welcoming to ISV products. The culture of custom development persists, leaving GP ISVs with few opportunities to succeed in the Business Central market. Many GP ISVs have exited the Business Central space entirely because the demand for their solutions simply isn’t there.
One Njevity customer with just two users of GP was quoted over $100,000 by a Business Central VAR to custom-build the ISV functionality."
This lack of available ISV solutions is a major obstacle for GP customers who are considering Business Central. The solutions that GP customers have relied on for years aren’t available in the Business Central ecosystem. One Njevity customer with just two users of GP was quoted over $100,000 by a Business Central VAR to implement BC and custom-build the ISV functionality they currently get out-of-the-box. It’s no wonder many GP customers are hesitant to make the switch.
Conclusion
The cultural divide between Dynamics GP and Business Central has made it difficult for GP customers to seriously consider BC. GP’s rich ISV ecosystem, where out-of-the-box solutions are the norm, contrasts sharply with Business Central’s reliance on custom development. This fundamental difference means that for many GP customers, moving to Business Central would require a complete rethinking of how they operate—a transition that comes with significant cost and uncertainty. The ISVs that make GP so powerful simply don’t have a place in Business Central, leaving GP customers without the tools they need to succeed in that ecosystem.
The ISVs that make GP so powerful simply don't have a place in Business Central, leaving GP customers without the tools they need.
GP customers can rest assured that they can continue running their businesses on Dynamics GP and the ISVs upon which they depend with full confidence, knowing that Njevity is here to support them every step of the way. At Njevity, we love and fully support Dynamics GP, whether you run it On Premise or in the Cloud, and our commitment to its future is unwavering. For those looking to move to the cloud, PowerGP Online offers a modern, secure, and fully authentic cloud experience built specifically for Dynamics GP and our ENTIRE ecosystem of ISV solutions.
