How We Keep a Manufacturer's Dynamics GP System Running Strong While They Plan Their Next Move

August 17, 2026

CEIA-USA has been happy running Microsoft Dynamics GP for almost 25 years. The manufacturer designs, engineers, and produces security screening equipment used across North America, everything from walk-through metal detectors to non-metallic cargo inspection systems, serving both commercial customers and government contracts. Dynamics GP still earns its keep for a business like that.

Like a lot of long-time Dynamics GP users, CEIA-USA knows a bigger decision is coming. Dynamics 365 Business Central is on the table as a future option. But now is not the right time to make the move. So the real question wasn't whether to think about it, but how to best support the GP system that's currently running their business until the time is right.

That's the situation CEIA-USA brought to Dexpro Dynamics. It turned out to be a good example of what we mean when we say we work as a partner instead of a vendor.

Choosing a Dynamics GP Consulting Partner Who Wasn't Pushing a Sale

CEIA-USA talked to several consulting firms before landing on Dexpro Dynamics. Robert Schindler, Accounting and Information Systems Analyst at CEIA-USA, said the fit became clear after speaking with our founder Marlena Stark about support options and what a future move to Business Central could realistically look like.

The difference showed up fast. Robert described working with us as a "night-and-day difference" compared to their previous Dynamics GP partner, calling it a breath of fresh air to finally work with a team that's responsive and willing to help.

That responsiveness matters more than it might sound. When a GP partner is slow to answer or hard to reach, small problems have a way of turning into bigger ones. Companies start eyeing a full system replacement just to escape bad support. CEIA-USA didn't need a new system so much as a partner who actually showed up.

Targeted Dynamics GP Improvements Now That Help This Manufacturer Plan for the Future

We didn't come in with a plan to move CEIA-USA off GP as quickly as possible. We came in to find out what actually needed fixing and what didn't. That meant being direct about ROI, even in moments where a consulting firm looking to sell a bigger project might have stayed quiet.

On one project, we told CEIA-USA plainly that the ROI on a proposed upgrade might not be worth it. Instead of pushing forward anyway, we laid out the options and helped them weigh the tradeoffs so they could make the call themselves. It's the same approach we take with Dynamics GP as a whole. We make more money when a client decides to move to a new system, but if the cost of moving outweighs the benefit, we'll recommend staying on GP instead.

From there, the work centered on a handful of targeted upgrades built for a manufacturing environment. This included a:

Warehouse management system integration
An expense management tool integration
An upgrade to a CRM web service feed

We also went back through custom code left by CEIA-USA's previous consultants to sort out what was worth keeping and what wasn't.

The expense management integration turned out to be one of the bigger wins. We pulled data from CEIA-USA's external expense app directly into fields inside GP, including expense type and associated employee. That cut their expense lookup time from five minutes down to two clicks, a small-sounding change that adds up to real hours saved and better visibility into where costs can be trimmed.

Dynamics GP Support for Manufacturers With Strict Security Requirements

CEIA-USA is a security company with government contracts alongside its commercial business, and their data protection standards reflect it. Rather than asking them to loosen those standards to make our job easier, we adapted our process to work within them. We coordinated closely and gave CEIA-USA's internal team clear direction whenever direct system access wasn't an option.

Robert pointed to one support interaction in particular, where a quick answer from our team let him solve a problem himself in about 30 seconds. It's the kind of support that builds trust in the small moments, not just the big projects.

Dynamics GP Support Today, Business Central Guidance for Tomorrow

Plenty of Dynamics GP customers feel pressure to jump to a new ERP system before they're ready. We told CEIA-USA the opposite. We'll keep supporting GP for as long as it makes sense for their business, and if they decide Business Central is never the right move at all, we'll still be there.

That's the model. Support the system that's working now. Give straight answers about what's worth changing and what isn't. When a company is ready to think seriously about Business Central, be the partner who's already earned their trust. If you're a manufacturer running Dynamics GP and wondering whether now is the time to explore Business Central, or whether Dynamics GP still has some runway left for your business, we'd like to help you figure that out.

Read the full CEIA-USA case study →

Talk to us about your Migration From GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central →

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How Dexpro Dynamics Simplified a Complex Business Central Implementation for a Medical Device Manufacturer

By Marlena Stark • August 17, 2026

"Dexpro Dynamics simplified a complex Business Central and Dynamics 365 Sales setup for a medical device manufacturer, untangling two systems into one that finally works."

Rescuing Hely & Weber from an Overcomplicated Business Central Implementation

By Marlena Stark • August 12, 2026

Highlights · Moved order entry, commissions, royalties, tracings, and customer management into Business Central. · Eliminated integration bottlenecks between ERP and CRM systems · Completed the project on time and on budget · Reduced future infrastructure costs by more than 90% Customer Hely & Weber Industry Medical Manufacturing and Distribution About Hely & Weber Hely & Weber develops and manufactures orthopedic bracing, including knee braces, back braces, ankle braces, wrist braces, and other orthopedic support products, with a focus on innovation and high quality, to satisfy a wide variety of patient needs. Project Snapshot After years on Microsoft Dynamics GP and SalesPad, Hely & Weber moved to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics 365 Sales. However, the architecture implemented by their original Microsoft Dynamics partner created a new challenge. Manufacturing and shipping were handled in Business Central, while order entry and sales functionality were handled in Dynamics 365 Sales. The integration to connect the two systems was never smooth, which led to frustration with the entire system. When they started working with Dexpro Dynamics, the team was able to take a fresh look at their ERP, moving all processes into Business Central to take advantage of native functionality. The result was a simpler, more manageable solution that was delivered on time and on budget. Moving From Dynamics GP to Business Central Kirk Rogers, IT Manager at Hely & Weber, tells the story of their changing technology needs. “We were using Dynamics GP and SalesPad on-premises. GP is marching toward end-of-life, so we saw the need to move to a modern solution. We’re a small company, and it’s no longer practical for us to have a data center. We needed to move to the cloud with Business Central.” Their previous partner guided them toward two systems to meet their needs. “We put our manufacturing and shipping in Business Central, and we put our order entry, commissions, royalties, tracings, and customer management in Dynamics 365 Sales. A custom integration was built to bridge the two environments.” That integration soon became the problem. “We went live in December 2024, and we fought that integration for a year. I wasn’t able to do anything else because I was always fighting fires.” A Fresh Look at What Hely & Weber Really Needed After those struggles, Hely & Weber began looking for a different approach. They interviewed several Dynamics partners before choosing Dexpro Dynamics. “We had several conversations with Dexpro and looked at the idea of moving all our sales processes over to Business Central to get rid of the integration bottlenecks. Their vision for our systems fit what I thought we should be doing long-term.” Dexpro’s depth of knowledge and honest pricing also struck a chord. “Their experience with Business Central and their willingness to look at our unique needs was what we were searching for in a partner. Even though they also work with Dynamics 365 Sales and would lose out on extra license fees, they recommended what was best for us. They gave us a fixed price range for the project, and we moved forward.” Then, the teams on both sides got to work. “We sat with Dexpro for a couple of months to work on the design and specifications. Implementation started in January. When we finally moved order entry over in May, things began to work a lot more smoothly. Since then, my nightmares have gone away.” Moving to Business Central Without Losing Functionality Hely & Weber had a complex process to migrate from SalesPad to Business Central. “We have over 400 contracts with special pricing, which makes price adjustments a real challenge. With Business Central’s enhanced sales pricing features, we were able to control that process.” Dexpro also helped customize the order entry experience so users could stay productive. “Our customer service reps liked the grid-style input in SalesPad. Business Central didn’t have that out-of-the-box for entering orders. With Dexpro’s customization, our staff is now greeted with a familiar interface.” Migrating from Dynamics GP to Business Central hasn’t left them hanging. “We now use a shipping tool that has a native integration with Business Central, and that streamlined the process. The manufacturing functionality in BC was very straightforward to implement and hasn’t caused us many issues. The things we were doing in GP we’re able to do in BC as well.” Reducing Infrastructure Costs by Moving to the Cloud “From an IT perspective, the cloud is easier because we don’t have our own servers or SQL Server licensing to worry about, or any of the other idiosyncrasies that come with on-premises servers.” Before the move, Hely & Weber had a much larger server footprint. “We had around a dozen servers for remote users, databases, shipping, etc. Now we have a domain name server and our shipping integration server for handhelds. Those are the only servers we have to keep on-premises.” That smaller footprint will have a major impact when the company refreshes its hardware. “To replace the servers we have now will be about $10,000 or $11,000. If we were still replacing the old cluster, it would have been $120,000 to $150,000. It has also saved us time. The people who help us manage infrastructure are now working on other projects.” A Bigger Partner Isn’t Always Better Hely & Weber has clear advice for other companies evaluating a move from GP to Business Central. “Look for the partner that is the right fit for you. Bigger is not always better.” That can make a major difference. Location is also important. “We have a very tight budget and very short timeframes to get things done. When we had to work with consultants located overseas, it was challenging to align schedules and keep costs under control. Right-sizing your partner is critical.” The fact that Dexpro Dynamics has a US based team benefited this client. Just as important is a listening ear. “Some partners just tell you what you need based on their experience with other companies. However, you need a partner that listens. They should get to know your business model and your unique operational requirements before making recommendations.” Good communication is another key factor. “With Dexpro, I dealt directly with the people who have ‘boots on the ground’ with our implementation. I could get answers to my questions quickly, no matter how technical they were, without having to go through a salesperson or gatekeeper.” An experienced partner produces good results. “The project was great! We turned it around on time and on budget, which is a rarity in the IT world.” A Partner for the Future As a longtime IT professional, Rogers wanted a partner who would help him understand the new ERP, not keep him at arm’s length. “I pose operational questions to them, and they show me how to accomplish it in Business Central. They’ve been willing to help me figure out the things I didn’t know about the cloud so that I can attend to system maintenance on my own.” Dexpro continues to help Hely & Weber get more from Business Central. “They’ve been able to help us in many different areas. We’ve worked with them on everything from order entry and financials to inventory, shipping, label printing, form setup, and more. And they continue to support us as we encounter new challenges and improve our internal processes.” How does Rogers feel about the ongoing partnership? “I would highly recommend Dexpro Dynamics. They’ve been very easy to work with. The move from one Dynamics partner to another has been seamless.” Hely & Weber now has a solid foundation for future growth with Business Central. And they have a partner who supports them every step of the way.

How a Security Company Keeps Dynamics GP Running While Evaluating Business Central

By Marlena Stark • August 12, 2026

Customer CEIA-USA Industry Security Screening Equipment About CEIA-USA CEIA-USA's mission is to sell, distribute and service the world's most advanced technology in electromagnetic fields manufactured by CEIA and CEIA-USA to public (federal, state and local governments) and private sector customers in North America. Highlights · Full support for Dynamics GP without rushing a move to a new system. · Process improvements that deliver quick wins without overinvesting in a legacy system · Improved expense visibility in GP, reducing lookup time from 5 minutes to two clicks · Worked successfully within CEIA-USA’s strict security requirements · Fast response times and superior customer service keep projects moving forward Overview CEIA-USA has relied on Microsoft Dynamics GP for decades. While the company is evaluating future ERP options, including Dynamics 365 Business Central, GP continues to support critical business processes today. Rather than pushing CEIA-USA into an immediate migration, Dexpro Dynamics took a practical approach: keep GP running well, make targeted improvements where they make business sense, and avoid large investments that won’t deliver a long-term return. Working within CEIA-USA’s strict security requirements, Dexpro supported several key initiatives and supported them with the communication, responsiveness, and flexibility needed from a long-term ERP partner. A Dynamics GP Partner That Actually Responds Robert Schindler, Accounting and Information Systems Analyst at CEIA-USA, explains the central role that Dynamics GP plays for their operations. “We’ve used GP for almost 25 years. It still works for our company. It’s what we know, and it continues to support the business.” CEIA-USA evaluated several consulting firms before choosing Dexpro Dynamics. “We talked with a few different companies. After speaking with Marlena at Dexpro about their support and how a future move to Business Central might work, we really liked what she had to say and decided to go with them.” The difference was immediate. “Dexpro has been great for us. They’re a night-and-day difference from our previous Dynamics GP partner. It’s a breath of fresh air to work with people who are responsive and willing to help.” Targeted Dynamics GP Improvements Without Overinvesting in a Legacy System Like many long-time Dynamics GP users, CEIA-USA knows it will eventually need to make a long-term ERP decision. Dexpro’s team helped CEIA-USA evaluate what made sense. “Dexpro has been very cognizant of our circumstances. On one project, they told us straight up that the ROI might be iffy. But they also gave us options, brainstormed different routes with us, and helped us decide whether we wanted to move forward.” Real Results From Targeted Dynamics GP Improvements With Dexpro’s support, CEIA-USA began addressing long-standing needs around Dynamics GP. The work included a warehouse management system integration, an expense management tool integration, and upgrading a CRM web service feed. “The team at Dexpro has looked at different processes and helped us with smaller projects that give us more data. They also went back and looked at custom code we had from our previous consultants to see what was good, what was bad, and where we could improve.” One of the biggest wins came from improving the integration of their expense management tool with GP. “Dexpro helped us add fields and populate them with data from our external expense management app. Now we can see the expense type, who the expense is associated with, and more. Now we have more information right in GP, which helps us do analytics and see where we may have opportunities to cut expenses.” Dynamics GP Support That Works Within Strict Security Requirements “We’re a security company, so we make sure our organization and our data are locked down. The team at Dexpro definitely understood our security concerns and has been willing to accommodate them.” Instead of expecting CEIA-USA to change its security standards, Dexpro adapted its approach. The team coordinated closely, provided clear direction, and helped CEIA-USA’s internal users perform tasks when direct access was limited. That flexibility showed up in even in everyday support calls. “I’m a good learner, so I try to look things up before I reach out. But when I do need help, Dexpro is quick to respond and point me in the right direction. For example, something came up recently, and I asked them for help. They were quick to respond and said, ‘Go here, here, and here.’ I was able to fix the problem in 30 seconds.” GP Support Today, Business Central Guidance For Tomorrow Many GP customers feel pressure to move quickly to a new ERP system. Dexpro’s willingness to support GP made a difference. “The fact that they’re still willing to support us on GP is huge. They’ve even said that if we don’t ever want to go to Business Central, they would still be willing to support us and help us in the future.” Dexpro is a partner who can support today’s system while helping them evaluate tomorrow’s options.