From Legacy to Leading Edge, Part 4: Common Questions About Migrating to a Modern Solution

As Microsoft continues to phase out support for Dynamics GP, many businesses are considering when they will migrate from GP Payroll to a more modern solution. Payroll NOW is native to Business Central (BC), providing enhanced functionality and improved user experience. Here are answers to common questions we hear GP users asking about making this important transition.

I dread changing systems; will this be worth the effort?

If any of these scenarios sound familiar, you will benefit from modernizing your payroll:
– You’re struggling with an inflexible on-premises setup
– You’re manually applying system updates
– You have limited reporting and automation options
– Your user interface and experience feels dated
– You’re concerned about shrinking support windows from Microsoft

What should I expect during migration?

A Payroll NOW implementation first requires establishing your organization in BC. Depending on your current setup’s complexity and the amount of data being migrated, this process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

The Payroll NOW onboarding process involves several key steps:
– Data setup
– Employee setup
– Data entry
– Uploading historical data
– Testing and validation
– Training

Should I clean up my data before migrating?

This migration isn’t just a system-to-system transfer. You’ll have the opportunity (and are encouraged) to clean up your data before migration. This is an ideal time to:
– Remove old, irrelevant information
– Improve your business processes
– Update your GL structure

How would tax updates be handled?

Payroll NOW automatically maintains historical tax tables and adds new year tax tables and rates as changes occur. This includes updates for federal, state, and local taxes, ensuring your payroll calculations remain accurate and compliant.

When tax updates are applied, users receive system notifications so administrators can verify that updates have been correctly implemented.

How is the system maintained and updated?

Payroll NOW typically receives 3-5 updates per year, applied without any system downtime. Integrity Data’s IT professionals perform bug fixes and updates remotely, ensuring your solution remains operational. This is a key advantage of BC’s cloud-based platform—seamless updates without business disruption.

What will this cost us?

Payroll NOW uses a transparent subscription model with pricing based on a Per Employee Per Month charge. Your subscription cost adjusts based solely on the number of employees you pay through the system. Additional fees for optional services (ACA compliance, electronic tax filing, Time & Attendance) are clearly outlined on the website.

Are there benefits to keeping payroll inhouse using BC?

If you’ve been running payroll in GP, you’ll appreciate these advantages of continuing in-house with Payroll NOW in BC:

Control and Customization: Greater control over the entire process with the ability to tailor procedures to your specific business needs
Data Security: Enhanced security by managing sensitive employee information internally
Immediate Access to Information: Direct access to payroll data at no additional cost
Seamless Integration: Integration with BC functionality including General Ledger, Financial Reporting, Accounts Payable & Receivable, and more
Quick Issue Resolution: Ability to quickly address and resolve any payroll-related issues
Cost Efficiency: Often lower costs compared to outsourcing, especially when considering per-check fees charged by third-party providers