Dynamics GP Updates: New Features and Pro Tips for Productivity
Dynamics GP continues to prove its staying power, delivering real value to organizations that use it strategically.
With the 18.7 update, Microsoft has introduced several improvements to make your daily processes faster, smoother, and more efficient. In this post, we’ll walk through the GP update cycle, highlight new features in version 18.7, explore ways to enhance your GP environment, and share pro tips and tools you can use today—plus where to stay current on what’s coming next.
Before we get into what’s new in GP 18.7, it’s worth understanding how the GP update cycle works and why staying current matters.
Understanding the Dynamics GP Update Cycle
Dynamics GP follows a predictable update rhythm that helps users plan and stay compliant. Microsoft typically releases three updates per year: a major update in October packed with new features and enhancements, and two smaller updates in December and June focused on regulatory and payroll-related changes. It's important to stay on a supported version within the last two releases. Ideally, you will be on the latest version (18.7) to ensure continued access to improvements and regulatory updates.
It’s also worth noting that GP’s official support timeline ends in 2029 for regulatory updates, with emergency fixes available through 2031. If you’re running an older version, now’s the time to evaluate an upgrade to stay on the mainline path.
Let’s take a closer look at what came with the most recent major release of GP 18.7.
What’s New in Dynamics GP 18.7
Released in October 2024, Dynamics GP 18.7 continues Microsoft’s focus on quality-of-life enhancements over sweeping changes. While this release doesn’t introduce dramatic new functionality, it includes a set of thoughtful improvements that help streamline common tasks and reduce workarounds. Below are some of the key updates users should be aware of.
Highlighted Features in 18.7:
Reprint EFT Payment Register
Previously, if the EFT Payment Register wasn’t printed during processing, there was no way to get it afterward. Now, users can reprint this report, helping support record-keeping and audits without needing to rerun payments.
Purchase Order Entry – Delete Line Option
A small but useful interface fix: the delete line option in Purchase Order Entry is now consistently visible, eliminating confusion and making it easier to manage purchase orders directly in the window.
Payroll Monthly Deduction & Benefit Maximum
This feature allows payroll admins to set a monthly cap for deductions and benefits. Especially helpful for weekly payrolls, it prevents over-withholding in months with extra payroll runs by automatically stopping deductions once the monthly limit is hit.
Default Vendor Class Roll Down Prompt Change
When changing a vendor’s class, the system defaults to rolling down all changes to vendors in that class, sometimes causing unintended updates. Now, the default prompt is set to not roll down changes, reducing the risk of large-scale updates unless explicitly intended.
New Word Templates – Multicurrency Blank Form and More
GP 18.7 adds several new Word templates, including ones for multicurrency forms. These templates expand your options when emailing documents, improving flexibility in vendor and customer communication.
Report Navigation List – Mass Email Capability
Users can now select and email multiple documents directly from Navigation Lists. This is particularly useful when documents aren’t grouped in a batch. An example of this is if you email all receivables invoices after posting them individually.
While this is just a highlight reel, if you didn’t see the change you were hoping for, the good news is you can help steer what’s coming next.
How You Can Influence Future Updates
Many of the features added to GP today come directly from user feedback. Microsoft is actively listening to the GP community, and one of the most effective ways to influence future development is by participating in the Experience Dynamics portal. Whether you're reporting a bug, suggesting an improvement, or supporting someone else’s idea, your input plays a critical role in the product’s evolution.
Where to Go
Visit experience.dynamics.com. It is a portal where you can submit ideas for new features and functionalities in a range of Microsoft products. Their experts will then review and potentially develop new tools based on your suggestions or the suggestions of others.
How to Get Involved
Here are a few ways you can use this portal to your advantage:
- Submit Feedback and Report Issues:
- If something in GP isn’t working for you or could be better, use the portal to describe the issue or recommend a change. This input helps Microsoft prioritize real-world needs.
- Vote on Suggestions That Matter to You:
- You don’t have to post something new to make an impact. Voting on existing items signals to Microsoft that an issue or feature request matters to more users, helping it rise in priority.
- Make a Direct Impact:
- The development team actively monitors this portal. Items with high engagement and clear business impact are often the ones we see implemented in future releases.
Now that you know how to influence future updates, let’s turn our focus to some powerful tools already included.
Dynamics GP Tools to Help You Optimize Your System
Dynamics GP offers a range of tools that come with your licensing, but they’re often overlooked or underused. These tools can make a big difference in streamlining workflows and increasing efficiency. In this section, we’ll look at three areas that can help you get more out of your system: Electronic Banking, Approvals, and Emailing. Each feature can simplify processes, enhance communication, and improve overall productivity.
Electronic Banking in Dynamics GP
The Electronic Banking module in Dynamics GP offers several features that streamline financial processes, particularly as businesses increasingly move away from paper checks and embrace electronic transactions. Here’s a breakdown of the key features you can leverage:
- Electronic Bank Reconcile: This feature simplifies the bank reconciliation process by allowing you to upload a downloaded bank statement directly into GP. The system automatically matches transactions, making it easier and quicker to reconcile your bank accounts.
- Safe Pay (Positive Pay): Safe Pay, or Positive Pay, helps prevent fraud by allowing you to generate a file after making payments within GP. This file is then uploaded to your bank, where it verifies the payments and ensures that only authorized checks are processed.
- Vendor EFT: With Vendor EFT, you can generate electronic payments directly from GP. This allows you to pay vendors faster and more securely, by generating a payment batch and sending the file to your bank, which then processes the payments.
- Customer EFT: Similar to Vendor EFT, Customer EFT enables you to make electronic payments to your customers. This feature can help streamline refund or rebate processes, reducing the need for paper checks and speeding up cash flow.
- Direct Deposit ACH: For payroll processing, Direct Deposit ACH allows you to electronically deposit employee wages directly into their bank accounts. Payroll teams use this feature to ensure timely, secure payments to employees without the need for physical checks.
- Credit Card Processing: This feature is ideal for businesses that use company credit cards for purchases. When making payments in GP, you can transfer the vendor balances directly to your credit card provider, simplifying the process of managing company expenses and credit card payments.
These electronic banking tools are designed to save time, reduce errors, and enhance security, making them powerful assets for businesses looking to modernize their payment systems.
Approvals in Dynamics GP
The approval process in Dynamics GP offers a streamlined way to manage transactions and master record changes with greater control. You can configure workflow conditions, such as transaction amount, account type, or vendor record changes, that automatically trigger the need for approval. With this setup, the system holds transactions until someone approves them, ensuring accurate oversight. The process also allows you to create a hierarchy to designate who should be approved based on these conditions.
Plus, you can send approval requests via email, enabling even non-GP users to approve directly through a simple email link. This capability makes approvals easy to manage and boosts efficiency, ensuring critical processes are kept on track.
Emailing in Dynamics GP
Emailing in Dynamics GP simplifies sending documents and reports directly from the system to your stakeholders. You can easily email Word template reports, such as purchase orders, sales orders, and customer statements. These emails can include attachments, such as PDF versions of documents or scanned copies, and are automatically sent based on data stored in your customer or vendor records. In addition, you can send remittances for vendor EFT payments, making communication even more efficient.
With seamless integration to Microsoft 365 and modern authentication, configuring and using the emailing functionality in GP is simple and highly effective, creating a smooth communication process for your business.
Great Resources to Keep Up with Dynamics GP Updates
Keeping up with the latest tools and enhancements will help you make the most of what GP offers, while also ensuring long-term supportability. Here are a few resources to help you stay on track:
- Microsoft Learn - What's New Section:
- Stay updated on all the latest features and versions of Dynamics GP. The features we highlight in this blog are just a snapshot of what is new in each release and what capabilities are available to you and your team in GP. To learn more, visit the "What's New" section on Microsoft Learn.
- Stoneridge Software Blog:
- Keep an eye on Stoneridge's blog for the latest insights and updates related to Dynamics GP and other Microsoft technologies. Subscribe to Stoneridge’s Blog
- Stoneridge Confab Livestream:
- Join Stoneridge’s bi-weekly Confab livestream to get the latest updates on Microsoft technologies, including Dynamics GP. It’s a great way to stay informed about new trends and best practices. Tune into Confab Live
Utilizing these resources keeps you and your team informed and ensures you make the most out of Dynamics GP while planning for future needs.
Talk to Stoneridge for Everything You Need to Know About Dynamics GP Updates
Reach out to the Stoneridge experts today to learn more about what's coming for Dynamics GP! Whether you have questions or want to dive deeper into new features, our experts can help you optimize your system. Additionally, if you are considering a migration to the cloud, we can also help you develop a comprehensive plan that fits within your business' timeline and goals.
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