Cracks in the Foundation: Why It’s Time to Reconsider Dynamics GP and SL

For years, Microsoft Dynamics GP and SL have helped organizations run their businesses with confidence. They’ve supported finance teams, improved visibility, and kept operations running smoothly. But time changes things — and the reality is that the foundation these systems were built on is beginning to show cracks.

If you’re still relying on GP or SL, you’re not alone. Many organizations continue to run critical processes on these systems. But recent changes in Microsoft’s roadmap, combined with external technology shifts, make it harder than ever to justify standing still. Let’s break down where the risks are and why now is the time to start planning your GP or SL migration to the Cloud.

Windows 10 Sunsetting: A Silent but Serious Risk

Most GP and SL environments still rely heavily on Windows 10. That’s a problem because Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will officially reach end of life on October 14, 2025.

What does this mean for you?

• No More Security Patches: Once support ends, Microsoft will no longer release fixes for vulnerabilities. Every month that passes increases your exposure to malware, ransomware, and data breaches. In a world where cyberattacks are on the rise, running an unsupported operating system is a major liability.
• Compatibility Issues: New hardware, drivers, and applications are optimized for Windows 11 and beyond. Over time, you’ll find more of your tools and software are no longer compatible, leading to bottlenecks and costly workarounds.
• Compliance Concerns: If your business operates in a regulated industry, unsupported software can quickly become a compliance risk. Auditors may flag outdated systems, leaving you vulnerable to penalties and reputational harm.

In short: your ERP might continue to run, but the platform it runs on is becoming unsafe, unstable, and unsustainable.

Security Breaches Highlight the Weak Spots

The biggest risk with legacy ERP systems like GP and SL isn’t outdated features. It’s security. As these platforms age, the gap between what they were designed to handle and the threats businesses face today grows wider every year.

Recent breaches across industries have shown how vulnerable older systems can be. Attackers are no longer relying on simple tricks like weak passwords. They are using sophisticated phishing campaigns, ransomware, and supply chain exploits that slip past traditional defenses. Systems like GP and SL, especially when hosted on-premises, were never built to withstand this level of threat.

Here are some of the biggest challenges GP and SL environments face:

• Limited patching: Because GP and SL are in maintenance mode, security updates are few and far between. Add in the fact that most of these environments depend on Windows 10, which reaches end of life in October 2025, and you are left with systems that will soon stop receiving critical updates.
• Integration blind spots: Many GP and SL systems rely on third-party add-ons or custom integrations. These are often overlooked when it comes to patching and monitoring, which leaves unguarded entry points for attackers.
• Lack of monitoring tools: Modern cybersecurity requires continuous monitoring, anomaly detection, and automated response. Legacy ERP systems do not offer these capabilities, which means suspicious activity often goes unnoticed until real damage has been done.
• On-premises vulnerabilities: Running ERP on local servers adds risk. Physical access, misconfigured firewalls, and outdated antivirus solutions can all create opportunities for attackers.

Cybercrime today is not a matter of if but when. Midmarket organizations, which make up the bulk of GP and SL users, have become one of the top targets for ransomware. When a system is compromised, the cost of downtime, recovery, and reputational harm can be devastating.

Cloud ERP platforms like Dynamics 365 are designed with security at the core. Continuous patching, 24/7 monitoring, AI-driven threat detection, and built-in compliance provide a level of protection that legacy systems simply cannot deliver.

The truth is that GP and SL can still run your business, but the real question is whether they can keep it safe in today’s environment where every outdated system is a target.

Microsoft’s Focus Has Moved On

Microsoft has made it clear: the future is cloud. Dynamics 365 is where all innovation, investment, and development are happening. GP and SL, meanwhile, have been moved into “maintenance mode.”

That means:

• No major enhancements
• No new features
• Limited or no support for modern integrations

So while GP and SL may continue to function, they aren’t evolving. You’ll miss out on modern capabilities your competitors are already leveraging — whether that’s automation, advanced reporting, or streamlined integration across business systems.

Think of it this way: you’re paying to maintain a system that will never get better, while others are investing in platforms that continuously improve.

The Hidden Costs of Standing Still

On the surface, sticking with GP or SL feels like the safer, cheaper choice. But the cracks in the foundation lead to hidden costs that pile up over time:

• Inefficiencies: Manual processes that could be automated.
• Limited Visibility: Fragmented data and outdated reporting tools that slow decision-making.
• Integration Challenges: Struggles to connect with modern applications, e-commerce platforms, or customer portals.
• Talent Risk: As fewer professionals train on GP and SL, support resources become harder (and more expensive) to find.

What looks like stability is actually increasing fragility. The longer you wait, the more disruptive and costly the eventual transition becomes.

So, What Should You Do?

This isn’t about making a quick or rushed move. It’s about being proactive and putting a plan in place before small cracks turn into bigger disruptions.

Here’s how you can start:

1. Acknowledge the Risks: Understand how Windows 10 end of life and GP/SL maintenance mode affect your business.
2. Evaluate Your Environment: Take a close look at where your systems are creating friction, whether that shows up in reporting, compliance, or security.
3. Explore Options: Modern ERP does not mean ripping and replacing everything overnight. Cloud platforms like Dynamics 365 can be adopted at your pace, with hybrid models that make the transition easier.
4. Get Expert Guidance: Velosio’s ClearPath Assessment is built for this exact moment. It helps you identify risks in your ERP stack and gives you a practical, tailored roadmap forward.

The ClearPath Assessment is more than a system review. It is a hands-on process where our experts dig into your current environment, uncover hidden risks, and evaluate how your business is really using GP or SL today. From there, we outline what a modern ERP journey could look like for your organization, including timelines, cost considerations, and the steps needed to keep disruption to a minimum. The goal is to give you clarity, confidence, and a plan you can act on, whether you are ready to move now or later.

A Smarter Foundation for the Future

We are not here to scare you. Our goal is to help you see where the cracks are forming, understand the risks they create, and take steps to protect your business for the long term.

The reality is that foundations built on outdated systems will only continue to weaken. By addressing those cracks now, you give your organization the chance to rebuild on something stronger. With the right foundation in place, you can create a platform that supports resilience, drives efficiency, and positions your business to grow with confidence in the years ahead.

Velosio’s ClearPath Assessment is designed to guide you through this process. It highlights where your current systems are vulnerable and gives you a tailored roadmap to move forward. Taking this step ensures you are not just patching cracks, but laying the groundwork for a secure, modern, and future-ready business.

Take the ClearPath Assessment Today