Guide to Migrating from Dynamics GP to Business Central for Field Service Companies
As the ERP landscape evolves, field service organizations running Microsoft Dynamics GP are increasingly looking to modernize with Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC). With its cloud-first design, real-time insights, and native integration with field service solutions like ExpandIT Field Service, Business Central presents a major opportunity to streamline operations, improve technician productivity, and enhance customer satisfaction.
This guide walks you through a field service–focused approach to migrating from GP to Business Central.
Step 1: Evaluate Your Current GP Environment
Understand your current field service setup
- Audit how you currently handle work orders, scheduling, dispatching, service items, and time tracking.
- Identify any third-party tools, spreadsheets, or manual processes used to manage field operations.
- Evaluate your GP version and whether it's supported by migration tools.
- Review customizations made to support service workflows.
Step 2: Define Migration Goals and Requirements
Align your field service goals with what BC can deliver
- Identify key issues with your current system (e.g., disconnected data, slow technician reporting, poor visibility).
- Set goals like mobile technician enablement, paperless service, automated scheduling, and better customer communication.
- Bring in stakeholders from service, operations, and IT early
Why ExpandIT Field Service Matters
ExpandIT offers a powerful extension to Business Central tailored for field service operations. It enables:
- Mobile work order management
- Real-time dispatching and scheduling
- Technician time/material tracking
- Paperless workflows and digital signatures
Many field service companies choose to migrate because BC + ExpandIT eliminates the need for multiple disconnected tools.
Step 3: Choose Your Deployment Model
Pick the right infrastructure for your service operations
- Cloud (SaaS):Ideal for field service teams needing access from anywhere.
- On-Premises:Only if required by strict compliance or connectivity constraints.
- Hybrid: Rare in field service; cloud-first is strongly recommended.
With cloud BC and ExpandIT, your technicians can operate fully remotely, even offline.
Step 4: Select a Migration Partner and Tools
Leverage expert guidance and proven technology
- Choose a Microsoft partner with experience in both GP and field service migrations.
- Ensure they’re familiar with ExpandIT and Business Central integration.
- Use Microsoft's GP Data Migration Tool where applicable.
- Confirm the partner can support both ERP and mobile/service functions.
Ask for field service-specific references or case studies from the partner.
Step 5: Prepare and Clean Your Data
Set the foundation for accurate service data
- Cleanse customer, asset, service item, and technician data.
- Map GP data structures to BC and ExpandIT (e.g., service orders, warranties, item tracking).
- Archive outdated or irrelevant historical service data.
- Standardize location, parts, labor codes, and equipment IDs.
Step 6: Train Users and Prepare for Go-Live
Equip your team with tools and confidence
- Train office staff on BC for invoicing, contracts, and financials.
- Train technicians on ExpandIT’s field service, including offline mode.
- Provide short videos, quick-start guides, and live walk-throughs.
Step 7: Go Live
Launch with minimal disruption to field operations
- Freeze transactions in GP and execute your final data migration.
- Enable scheduling, service contracts, mobile workflows, and job reporting in BC + ExpandIT.
- Monitor closely during the first 2 weeks—especially for dispatch, time entry, and invoice generation.
- Communicate proactively with customers about any temporary changes.
Final Thoughts
For field service organizations, migrating from Dynamics GP to Business Central—especially when paired with ExpandIT—is more than a tech upgrade. It’s a transformation of how you serve customers, manage technicians, and grow your business.
By modernizing your ERP and field operations together, you:
- Eliminate data silos
- Gain real-time visibility across service and finance
- Enable your team to deliver exceptional field experiences
If you're planning to move, start with a pilot, align with a skilled partner, and don’t underestimate the value of getting your technicians on board early.
