ISC Software News & Updates

If you're currently using Microsoft Dynamics GP, you're likely aware that the platform is entering a maintenance phase, with enhancements ending in 2029 and support winding down by 2031. As a result, many organisations are beginning to explore modern ERP alternatives like Acumatica.

Before making the move to a new ERP system, here are the top five questions Dynamics GP users should be asking—along with the answers to help guide your decision.

1. What Will Happen to My Historical Data?
This is one of the biggest concerns for GP users. Years of financial, operational, and audit data are stored in GP, and preserving that history is critical.

• Answer: With the right migration tools and planning, your historical data—including transactional detail and audit trails—can be securely and accurately migrated to Acumatica. Validation processes ensure nothing is lost in translation.

2. How Does the New System Compare in Terms of Reporting and Analytics?
GP users often rely on SmartLists, Management Reporter, and Excel. But these tools can be limiting.

• Answer: Acumatica offers real-time dashboards, embedded analytics, and native Power BI integration. You can build reports without IT support and drill into data with ease—giving you better visibility and faster decision-making.

3. What Are the Integration Capabilities of the New ERP?
GP often requires third-party tools or custom development to connect with other systems.

• Answer: Acumatica is built with open REST APIs and OData support, making it easy to integrate with CRM, eCommerce, payroll, and other platforms. These integrations are upgrade-safe and can be configured with low-code tools.

4. What Does the Migration Process Look Like?
Migration can feel risky, especially for mission-critical systems.

• Answer: Acumatica and ISC Software offer structured migration processes that include data mapping, sandbox testing, and historical data import. You can even run GP and Acumatica side-by-side during the transition to reduce disruption.

5. What Are the Long-Term Costs and Licensing Differences?
GP uses a perpetual licensing model, while cloud ERPs typically use subscription pricing.

• Answer: Acumatica’s pricing is based on resource usage—not per-user licensing. This means you can scale affordably, with hosting, updates, and support included. No hidden costs, and predictable budgeting.

Ready to Explore Your Options?
Whether you're just starting to evaluate alternatives or actively planning your move, we're here to help. 

​Introduction
Acumatica is a comprehensive cloud-based ERP solution that helps businesses manage their operations efficiently. One of its features is the ability to integrate seamlessly with Microsoft Power BI, a powerful business analytics tool. 

​Acumatica uses OData (Open Data Protocol) to facilitate data integration with external applications such as Power BI. Here’s how you can set it up:

Once OData is set up in Acumatica, you can connect Power BI to your selected  Acumatica data:

1. Open Power BI Desktop: Launch Power BI Desktop on your computer.
2. Get Data: Click on the "Get Data" button and select "OData Feed" from the list of data sources.
3. Enter OData URL: Enter the OData URL (including Report name) from Acumatica and click "OK."
4. Authenticate: Provide your Acumatica credentials to authenticate the connection.
5. Select Data: Choose the data tables and fields you want to import into Power BI.

Step 3: Creating Reports and Dashboards

With the data imported into Power BI, you can start creating reports and dashboards:

1. Design Visuals: Use Power BI's drag-and-drop interface to design charts, graphs, and other visual elements.
2. Customise Reports: Tailor the reports to meet your specific business requirements by adding filters, slicers, and calculated fields.
3. Publish and Share: Once your reports are ready, publish them to the Power BI service and share them with your team.

​​Integrating Acumatica with Power BI can significantly enhance your business intelligence capabilities, providing you with real-time insights and powerful data visualisation tools.

​By following the steps outlined in this blog post and leveraging the advantages of Power BI, you can drive better decision-making and improve overall business performance.

​
Want to know more about Acumatica?