For a lot of organizations, accounting starts simple enough. The system works, the processes feel familiar, and everything runs smoothly… until one day, it doesn’t. That’s exactly what happened to one of our clients, Firstrust Financial Resources. As this firm continued to expand, the cracks in their legacy ERP accounting software, like manual backups and limited access, became harder to ignore. On top of that, with Microsoft Dynamics GP support set to end in 2029, they were wondering: How do I get off Dynamics GP and onto something more scalable?
A Turning Point
Firstrust is a perfect example of how a modern, cloud-based system can transform operations. They had been using Microsoft Dynamics GP for years, but realized it was no longer a good fit as they grew. The system was desktop-based, had to be manually backed up, and required a dedicated computer.
Their Vice President of Operations and Finance, Russell Colosi, explains, “We could no longer handle the risk of having the ERP accounting software for the entire firm saved on the hard drive of a local computer.” When they decided it was time to make a change, they looked to Business Central and an experienced partner for help.
A Smooth Move
When switching to a new system, one of the biggest concerns we hear is always, “What about our historical data?” With Business Central’s GP to Business Central migration utility tool, we’ve helped clients migrate everything from master records to General Ledger (GL) journals and accounts payable/receivable history without missing a beat. This means you get a clean start without losing any critical data.
With everything carried over into Business Central, you can continue working with a full history of your financial records, including payment details. It’s the perfect way for businesses that want to maintain continuity and avoid any hiccups when transitioning to a new system.
To make their transition easier, Firstrust took advantage of a dual-system approach, working in both GP and Business Central at the same time. Colosi says, “I was working with two systems, which was extremely helpful because I was able to get familiar with the new system.” This parallel approach gave Firstrust time to get comfortable and identify gaps before fully implementing Business Central in their day-to-day operations.
The Perfect Fit
We get it because we see it all the time: no two businesses are exactly alike. While Business Central provides a flexible, powerful foundation, the real difference comes from how it’s implemented. That’s why we take the time to understand each organization’s unique processes and then tailor training, configurations, and workflows to make the system work the way your business does.
For example, some clients are set up and run their business exactly the way the ERP accounting software comes out of the box. Other times, that won’t work quite right. For example, when Firstrust Financial needed to pay accounts payable invoices via credit card, we didn’t just say, “Here’s how you do it”. We built a process that fit exactly into their workflow.
In just a few clicks, they could issue invoices and make payments, all while streamlining reconciliation. If they needed to run reports based on specific customer relationships, say, “sell-to” customers, even if the invoice was billed from a parent company, we made sure Business Central could handle that, too. It’s all about listening to your needs and making sure the system is configured in a way that makes sense for your business.
Going Live in 3 Months
One of the best things about Microsoft Business Central is how fast you can get up and running. Fun fact: We helped one of our clients go live in just three months – a timeline backed by MS Dynamics World. They were dealing with an unstable server and needed a solution quickly, so we moved fast. By using Business Central’s migration tool, we were able to get their data transitioned in no time and made sure everything was in place for a smooth go-live.
Not only did we help them hit their deadline, but we did it with minimal disruption to their operations. This kind of speed is possible because Business Central makes data migration so much easier, allowing you to transition seamlessly without the long downtime that often comes with switching systems.
Real-World Impact
Even with all the things we’ve already mentioned, know what the biggest win was for Firstrust? The efficiency gained in their day-to-day operations. Colosi describes, “My time has gone from 2-3 hours every Friday to 1-2 hours every Friday. It’s a huge time saver.” That might sound small but it’s almost 10 entire workdays saved over the course of a year. Forrester found that Business Central users experience up to an 18% productivity improvement for finance and operations staff. With that time, Colosi can now concentrate on more strategic, value-added activities that offer growth opportunities for Firstrust.
And There You Have It…
Microsoft Business Central isn’t just another ERP accounting software. It’s a solution designed to help you work smarter and more efficiently. With a powerful migration tool, custom training, quick deployment, and the right partner, it can transform the way you manage your finances, streamline your operations, and give you the flexibility you need to grow.
If you’re ready for a change, reach out to our team. From data migration to system configuration, we’ll make sure your transition is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
