So, your finance or accounting firm is still running on Microsoft Great Plains (GP)? That’s like trying to run a hedge fund using an abacus – Sure, it worked in the past (way in the past), but there are way better tools now! Enter Microsoft Business Central (BC), the cloud-powered ERP that modernizes finance operations, streamlines reporting, and eliminates outdated manual processes.
GP is now in “extended support mode”, which is Microsoft’s polite way of saying, “We’re not really updating this anymore, but we’ll keep it running for a bit.” No new features – just patches and the occasional error fix.
Enter Microsoft Business Central, the robust, cloud-powered ERP platform, which can rescue your plastics or other process manufacturing business from outdated technology.
Business Central (“BC”) is a fast, intuitive, cloud-based, future-ready platform, built to optimize your process manufacturing operations in addition to robust, world-class industry-specific knowledge and skills from CKS Cloud Solutions.
BC can take over your operations like a seasoned Financial Officer, while GP is headed toward retirement, and CKS can help make the transition smoother than a perfectly written Statement of Work.
Take a look at how Microsoft BC & CKS could manage and optimize your finance organization!
Tools That Don’t Require an Advanced Degree in Stress Management – BC automates accounting, compliance, and financial reporting, so you spend less time fixing errors and more time making strategic decisions.
Budgeting & Forecasting That Doesn’t Involve Guesswork – Real-time financial data and AI-driven insights mean you can predict cash flow, manage budgets, and avoid financial surprises.
Regulatory Compliance Without the Headaches – Whether you’re dealing with GAAP, IFRS, SOX, or industry-specific regulations, BC helps ensure financial compliance so you can avoid audit-induced panic.
Client Management That Actually Works – With integrated CRM and workflow automation, tracking client accounts, managing invoicing, and monitoring payment schedules is a breeze.
Okay, so you’re ready to leave GP behind and move to Business Central, but you don’t want to do it alone. That’s where CKS Cloud Solutions comes in – think of us as the financial technology specialists who know exactly how to optimize your operations.
A Partner That Understands Finance – CKS isn’t just an ERP vendor – we specialize in financial operations and know the unique challenges of budgeting, forecasting, and financial management.
Industry-Specific Features – CKS Cloud Solutions provides custom ERP solutions designed for accounting firms, finance teams, and investment firms.
Automation to Reduce Manual Work – From reconciliation to automated financial reporting, CKS implementation of BC helps streamline workflows so your team can focus on advising clients, not chasing paperwork.
Compliance & Security Made Simple – Whether you need to meet SEC regulations, banking security standards, or tax compliance, BC ensures you stay audit-ready without the stress.
The Slow Goodbye (2025-2028)
By 2026, GP will become less compatible with modern financial tools. If GP were an accountant, it would still be using a ledger book while everyone else has cloud-based financial analytics.
The Final Curtain Call (Post-2028)
After 2028, GP will be fully decommissioned. No support, no updates—just an outdated system sitting in the digital equivalent of a forgotten filing cabinet.
Plan Like a CFO
Audit your current GP setup—financial records, reporting templates, compliance documents, and client accounts—and decide what needs to move to BC. Think of it like prepping for tax season, but way more exciting.
Data Migration (Don’t Lose Your Financial History)
- Microsoft offers migration tools and expert partners to ensure your transactions, tax records, and financial history move over without a single misplaced decimal point.
Train Your Team (Yes, Even the Old-School Accountants)
- New system = new workflows. Train your staff so they don’t panic when GP disappears. Consider some incentives (coffee gift cards, catered lunch, or a casual Friday)—trust us, it works.
Go Live & Optimize
- Run GP and BC in parallel for a while to make sure everything runs smoothly. Once you’re confident, say goodbye to GP and embrace financial efficiency!
CKS // Cloud Solutions 
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