Dynamics GP + SalesPad vs. Acumatica: Which Comes Out on Top?

Updated February 2026

Look, we’re going to be straight with you. If you’re running your business on Microsoft Dynamics GP with Cavallo SalesPad, you’re probably feeling the pain. It has been a solid solution for our clients in the past, but it has become an expensive patchwork of add-ons while delivering little additional value year-over-year, especially in the fast-moving era of cloud computing and AI.

Here’s the thing that might surprise you: everything you’re paying for, it’s already built into Acumatica ERP, plus so much more. With Acumatica there’s one solution that does the best of both, no integration headaches, no server upgrades. Just one comprehensive system that works the way your business needs it to.

Stop Paying Extra for Basic Business Functions

Let me paint you a picture of what’s really happening with your current setup. You’re paying Microsoft for Dynamics GP, then you’re paying Cavallo more in annual licensing fees just to get some of the functionality that comes standard in modern ERP systems.

3 Features SalesPad charges extra for that Acumatica includes:

1. Mobile Access– SalesPad Mobile costs extra. Acumatica Mobile? It’s built right in. Your sales team, field service techs and delivery drivers can access customer information, check inventory, and process orders from anywhere without paying a penny more.
2. Payment Processing– Need integrated payments? SalesPad relies on Nodus PayFabric or Square. Acumatica Payments with payment links comes standard, saving you thousands in additional licensing and processing costs.
3. Process Automation– SalesPad’s Automation Agent is an add-on. Acumatica gives you powerful automation scheduling and processing screens as part of the core platform.

The pattern is clear: SalesPad charges extra for features that Acumatica includes.

CAL’s Own Journey from Dynamics GP + SalesPad to Acumatica

We’ve been where you are. CAL Business Solutions used Microsoft Dynamics GP and SalesPad for nearly twenty years, and like many of our clients, we dealt with managing multiple disconnected systems.

Our old reality with GP:

• Microsoft Dynamics GP for core accounting and billing
• A separate system for time entry and project accounting
• Another system for CRM to track sales leads
• A fourth system for reporting
• A fifth system for case management and support calls

Sound familiar? We were the classic example of “islands of disconnected information.” Everything technically worked, but we were doing duplicate data entry, creating endless workarounds, and our teams couldn’t see the complete picture of what was happening in the business.

 What changed when we moved to Acumatica:

As CAL’s Founder, George Mackiewicz puts it: “As a business owner, I can look at everything that’s going on, and I absolutely love it. Having those dashboards in the fabric of the Acumatica application without having to buy or learn additional tools is great.”

Specific results we experienced:

• Eliminated duplicate data entry – No more entering the same information in multiple systems
• Integrated credit card processing – Saved over $3,000 annually in credit card processing fees alone
• Automated renewal process – What once consumed two weeks of a full-time employee’s month is now completely automated
• Real-time visibility – All teams now work from the same data instead of separate systems
• Streamlined collections – Customizable AR statements that really do get paid faster

The bottom line? We went from five systems to one, and everything became more efficient. When we recommend Acumatica to our clients, we’re not just selling software—we’re sharing what transformed our own business.

Why the Migration is Happening Now

Microsoft’s timeline creates urgency

Microsoft has made it clear: no new Dynamics GP sales after 2025, and full product support ends in 2029. If you’re on GP with SalesPad the clock is ticking. The question isn’t whether you’ll need to migrate—it’s whether you’ll do it proactively or wait until you’re forced into a rushed decision.

SalesPad’s integration limitations

Here’s what SalesPad doesn’t tell you: their solution is fundamentally limited by Dynamics GP’s aging architecture. You can bolt on all the add-ons you want, but you’re still constrained by a platform that wasn’t designed for today’s business requirements.

Acumatica was built from the ground up as a modern, cloud-native ERP. It doesn’t have the architectural limitations that force you to buy separate solutions for basic business functions.

The Feature Comparison That Says It All – Core Functionality

Let me show you exactly what I mean with some specific examples:

Inventory planning and automation

• SalesPad: Purchase Advisor is included, but automation requires separate licensing
• Acumatica: Inventory Planning, automated reordering, and MRP/DRP capabilities included

Document management

• SalesPad: Limited storage capabilities
• Acumatica: Comprehensive document management and file storage built in

Reporting and analytics

• SalesPad: Quick Reports included, advanced analytics costs extra
• Acumatica: Full report designer, Generic Inquiry, and pivot reporting included

Workflow management

• SalesPad: Workflows are good and included, advanced automation costs extra
• Acumatica: Workflow engine, business events, and approval mapping included

Mobile functionality

• SalesPad: Mobile access requires separate licensing
• Acumatica: Full mobile application included with core licensing

The pattern is unmistakable: Acumatica includes as standard features what SalesPad treats as premium add-ons.

CAL’s Deep Experience with Both Platforms

At CAL Business Solutions, we’re not just talking theory—we’ve lived the reality of both platforms. We’ve been a leading SalesPad/Cavallo partner since 2007, not only using it internally, our team has done numerous implementations and built deep expertise in maximizing the platform’s capabilities.

As a Cavallo partner, CAL Business Solutions was one of the early adopters of Cavallo (formerly SalesPad) in 2007. We felt that the user interface and the flexibility were a great alternative to using standard Microsoft Dynamics GP. We’ve seen firsthand how businesses have succeeded with GP + SalesPad, and we understand the value it provided when it was the best option available.

But we’ve also experienced the limitations, the escalating costs, and the architectural constraints that come with building solutions on top of an aging platform. GP’s legacy client/server design (including 32-bit ODBC requirements) and SalesPad’s dependency on matching GP versions create ongoing coordination, testing, and upgrade effort—technical debt that compounds over time…

Why CAL Became an Acumatica Partner:

Even back then, we could see that Microsoft was not heavily investing in the distribution capabilities of Dynamics GP. When we evaluated Acumatica, we saw a platform that delivered everything our SalesPad clients were paying extra for—included as standard functionality.

Our unique position:

• SalesPad experts – we started with SalesPad in 2007 and know the platform inside and out
• Experienced internal team – We don’t rely on Cavallo (SalesPad) for implementations; we do them ourselves
• Direct experience – We migrated our own business from GP with SalesPad to Acumatica and can share real results
• Objective perspective – We can honestly compare what you’re getting with each platform

This relationship gives us credibility when we tell you that for most businesses today, Acumatica is simply the better choice.

Beyond Feature Parity: Why Acumatica is Simply Better

But here’s where it gets interesting. It’s not just that Acumatica includes more features for less money—it’s that the entire platform is fundamentally more capable.

True cloud architecture: Acumatica was designed for the cloud from day one. That means automatic updates, anywhere access, and scalability that just works. SalesPad with GP? You’re still dealing with on-premise limitations and complex upgrade cycles.

Unlimited user options: With Acumatica’s licensing model, you can give everyone in your organization access to the information they need without worrying about per-user costs. Try doing that with SalesPad.

Integration-ready: Need to connect to e-commerce, CRM, or other business systems? Acumatica’s modern APIs make integration straightforward. With GP and SalesPad, every integration is a custom project.

Future-proof technology: Acumatica is actively developed with modern technologies and regular updates. GP is in maintenance mode, and SalesPad is limited by that aging foundation.

The Migration Process: It’s Easier Than You Think

I know what you’re thinking: “This sounds great, but migrating our entire ERP system sounds like a nightmare.”

Here’s the reality: migrating from GP + SalesPad to Acumatica is actually more straightforward than most people expect. Why? Because Acumatica was specifically designed to handle data from legacy systems like GP.

The process typically involves:

1. Data assessment – We analyze your current GP data and SalesPad configurations
2. System design – We configure Acumatica to match your business processes (often improving them) or propose better ways of doing things
3. Data migration – Your historical data moves cleanly into Acumatica
4. Training and go-live – Your team learns the new system and goes live
5. Ongoing support – We ensure everything runs smoothly after implementation

Most of our clients are fully operational on Acumatica within 3-6 months, and they wonder why they waited so long to make the switch.

The Bottom Line: Acumatica Includes SalesPad Features

Every month you stay on Dynamics GP with SalesPad, you’re paying for functionality that Acumatica includes as standard. You’re also missing out on the operational improvements that come from having a truly integrated, modern ERP system.

The businesses that are thriving in today’s competitive environment aren’t the ones trying to squeeze more life out of aging systems—they’re the ones that invested in platforms designed for growth, efficiency, and adaptation.

Key questions to ask yourself:

• How much are you spending annually on SalesPad licensing and add-ons?
• How many workarounds do you have because of system limitations?
• How often do integration issues slow down your operations?
• What opportunities are you missing because your system can’t keep up?

If you’re honest about these questions, the path forward becomes pretty clear.

Ready to See What You’re Missing?

We’ve helped dozens of companies make the transition from GP + SalesPad to Acumatica. Every single one tells us the same thing: they wish they’d done it sooner.

The combination of cost savings, improved functionality, and operational efficiency typically pays for the migration within the first year. After that, it’s pure advantage.

Want to see exactly how Acumatica compares to your current SalesPad setup? We can provide a detailed feature comparison and cost analysis specific to your business. No sales pressure, just real data so you can make an informed decision.

Contact CAL Business Solutions today to schedule your Acumatica evaluation and take a look at how it can help cut costs and give you the SalesPad functionality built-in.

At CAL Business Solutions, we specialize in helping businesses transition from legacy ERP systems to modern, cloud-based platforms like Acumatica. Having been both a leading SalesPad partner since 2007 and having migrated our own business from GP to Acumatica, we bring unique expertise and firsthand experience to every implementation. Our team has the experience and expertise to ensure your migration is smooth, cost-effective, and delivers real business results.

By CAL Business Solutions, Connecticut Acumatica & Microsoft Dynamics 365 BC/GP Partner, www.calszone.com