PODCAST 2: Partner Story with Kristen Hosman, MVP
From GP End User to Business Central Consultant
Kristen’s journey started 20 years ago as an accounts payable clerk at a casino. She quickly became fascinated with GP as a full ERP, asking questions beyond her role: “How does purchasing work? What happens when there’s a margin difference?”
That curiosity led her into GP consulting and eventually into Business Central, just as Microsoft began signaling the shift toward the cloud. As Kristen put it, “I didn’t want to be a GP consultant forever. I wanted to learn something new, and Business Central was the future.”
Running a Consulting Firm While Staying Hands-On
Today, Kristen leads Mount Evans Consulting, a small but growing firm. Despite being a six-time MVP and business owner, she remains hands-on:
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Managing implementations
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Supporting clients directly
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Training users
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Growing her team
Her motivation is clear: “At the end of the day, it’s my name. If my clients aren’t happy, that’s on me.”
The Realities of GP to BC Migration
One of the biggest misconceptions Kristen sees is the idea that migration is just a “lift and shift.” The reality?
“It’s not just a migration — it’s a reimplementation.”
Key considerations include:
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Costs: discovery, configuration, training, and user acceptance testing.
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Data Migration: deciding how much history to bring (usually 2–5 years, not 20).
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Training: helping users understand that BC is not GP — it’s built on NAV, with different structures like dimensions instead of GP’s account segments.
Choosing the Right Partner
Selecting the right implementation partner is just as critical as the software itself. Kristen advises organizations to:
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Ask the right questions: Do they provide a project plan? A go-live checklist? Certified consultants?
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Request references: from similar industries or large-scale implementations.
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Look beyond invoices: A good partner engages regularly — not just once a year at renewal.
BC Features That Stand Out
Business Central offers modern features that GP never had, including:
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Copilot & AI Agents: Automating tasks like creating purchase invoices.
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Power Platform Integration: Workflows via Power Automate, embedded Power BI, and API connections.
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Excel Integration: Seamless “Edit in Excel” functionality.
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Personalization: Easily customize screens for individual users or roles.
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Mobile Access: A clean, modern interface accessible anywhere.
As Kristen put it: “Business Central is built to make users more productive — what was manual in GP can now be streamlined.”
Advice for Nervous GP Customers
For those hesitant about making the move, Kristen’s advice is simple:
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Get connected – join local user groups, attend conferences like Summit NA, and network with others.
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Ask for a sandbox – play with BC using your own data, not just Kronos.
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Take it in phases – start with discovery, then test your processes before going all-in.
Skills for Professionals to Stay Relevant
For consultants and IT professionals, staying ahead means certification and continuous learning:
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MB-800 (Functional Consultant)
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MB-820 (Developer)
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Keeping certifications current — don’t let them lapse!
Final Thoughts
The transition from GP to BC is not without its challenges. It requires investment, change management, and the right partner. But it also brings powerful opportunities: modern features, cloud scalability, and a system designed for the future.
Kristen’s final encouragement is timely: “Don’t wait until 2029. The longer you wait, the harder and more expensive it will be. Now is the time to start your discovery.”
Closing Note from the Host
Thank you for joining me in this conversation with Kristen Hosman. Her insights remind us that moving from Dynamics GP to Business Central is more than just a technical project — it’s a journey of reimagining processes, embracing change, and choosing the right partners along the way.At the GP to BC Community, our mission is to walk with you through this transition, sharing real stories, lessons learned, and practical advice from those who have gone before you. Whether you’re just beginning to explore Business Central or already planning your migration, remember — you’re not alone.
I’d love to hear your thoughts: What questions or challenges are you facing in your GP to BC journey? Share them in the comments, and let’s keep the conversation going.
Until next time, keep moving forward — together, we’re building a stronger community.
— Cecile Dinh, Microsoft MVP, Host & Founder, GP to BC Community Podcast
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