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Microsoft Great Plains Modifications – Overview Plus Implementation and Integration Options

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Each ERP system should be considered as the platform, which could be tuned to fit your company business processes through custom programming, integration, reporting and existing logic modification. Microsoft Dynamics GP isn’t exception and in this small article we would like to come through typical GP alterations scenarios

1. Great Plains Dexterity. This is Integrated Development Environment or IDE with its own programming language sanscript. Dexterity was designed specially for Great Plains Dynamics in earlier 1990th and this is one of the reasons why Dex is a bit “old-fashioned” and if you are software programmer, you should not expect to begin programming in Dexterity over night. If you are thinking about creation GP extension for the open market, then you should know that most of the extensions are written in Microsoft Dexterity. In order to understand the internal side of Dex, please take a look at Dynamics.set file, where all the products are listed. You begin Dex project by opening Dynamics.dic dictionary and adding or modifying resources in it: forms, reports, windows, fields, scripts, etc. Some Dex hints – copy Dex.ini from your GP workstation folder to your Dexterity application directory – this will allow you to launch Dex in debugging mode. Since version 7.0 Dex can call Microsoft COM objects.

2. eConnect. This tool opens you the access GP work transactions (SOP Invoice, POP Purchase Order, GL record, FA depreciation to name few examples) and master records (customer, vendor, employee, Fixed Asset, General Ledger account). Initially eConnect was designated to eCommerce developers by opening Sales Order Processing, Inventory and Receivables Management modules, but later on it was extended to cover most of the GP objects. You can call eConnect from your Microsoft Visual Studio C# or VB.Net projects, as internal logic of eConnect (business objects) is written in MS SQL Server encrypted stored procedures

3. VBA/Modifier. If you are comfortable with VBA scripting (remember MS Excel modifications?), you can add some logic to existing GP windows, such as SOP Entry screen, where you can put new button with Modifier and then attach VBA script to this field. If you plan to hit GP database from Modifier-added buttons and field, you should deploy ADO technology, where more likely you will have to hardcode user ID and password. Modifier allows you to include GP Dexterity sanscript scriplets into the VBA code – this allows you to use Continuum for VBA technology to switch GP modules and manipulate Dexterity objects across your multi-module GP workstation, however this technique is very complex and typically causes expensive version upgrade work

4. SQL Scripting. One of the most popular routines, where you deploy SQL stored procedures is Electronic Document Interchange or EDI. EDI has header, body and trailer and you deploy such SQL constructions as CAST, CONVERT to address fixed length fields EDI formatting

5. GP Integration. Microsoft Dynamics GP Integration Manager should be considered first – it is possible to extend IM with VBA scripting and fields translation table (you can create translation table in Excel and then import it to Integration Manager). If IM doesn’t do the job, consider eConnect, SQL scripts and Dexterity. Please, be aware – IM validates GP business logic and this prevents you from all the possible errors in integration. SQL scripting, in opposite doesn’t validate GP logic and by not doing so – it may compromise your data integrity

6. Modification Upgrade. Obviously you should expect some complication in GP version update if you deploy custom GP development technologies. In the case of Great Plains Software Dexterity alternative logic, you should keep Dynamics.dic or Extract.dic with modification scripts in them – Dex developer should be able to upgrade your custom logic. Talking about Modifier with VBA – if you do not deploy Continuum modules switch tricks, upgrade should be straightforward. IM typically is GP version proof. To give you additional version update considerations – Great Plains versions 7.5 and earlier: 7.0, 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.0 and 3.2 were available on alternative DB platforms: Btrieve (later on this DB was renamed into Pervasive SQL Server), Ctree/Faircom, and respectively, if you are on these legacy platforms, your modified logic might deploy programming constructions, specific to these DB platforms only – if you are thinking to upgrade to recent GP version (10.0 or 9.0) – you should come through custom logic porting to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and 2000

7. GP Reporting tools. ReportWriter is Dexterity module and it is seamlessly integrated in GP workstation interface and GP security model. Report Writer reports are stored in Reports.dic. RW is typically used when you need to modify GP existing reports: SOP Invoice Long Form (place your company Logo is classical example). Crystal Reports – you should consider good report design practice to offload report record set creation to MS SQL Server stored procedure or SQL view. SRS or Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services – in our opinion this tool is competitor to CR and you should be aware to use similar strategy – placing record set selection logic to SQL stored procs. You can also deploy MS Excel and MS Access to do reporting for GP – please research ODBC connection options for these tools

8. GP modules licensing consideration. Depending on your GP version – GP professional, standard or business ready, you should be aware that custom modules might require additional purchases, please contact you Microsoft Business Solution partner or MBS ISV

9. Data conversion consideration. If you are switching from legacy MRP, such as Accpac, MYOB, PeopleSoft, Oracle EBusiness Suite/Financials/Applications, JD Edwards, QuickBooks, PeachTree, MAS 90/2000 to GP, data migration and massage might be required. We recommend you to keep legacy accounting system for data inquiry and lookup and do not do historical ERP data conversion to Great Plains. However if historical transactions migration is required, please contact us for the data cleansing quote

Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum Group, http://www.albaspectrum.com help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, serving customers USA/Canada nationwide: Illinois, California, New York, Quebec, Ontario, Colorado, Utah, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas. Local service is available in Houston & Dallas: Richmond, Sugar Land, Katy, Rosenberg, Missouri City, Pearland, Friendswood, Meadows, Mission Bend, Jersey Village, Fort Worth; serving GP customers in Chicago, IL: Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Wheaton, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Lyons, Niles, Downers Grove, Lisle, West Chicago, Barrington, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Lombard, Morris, Ottawa, Marseilles, Seneca, Oswego, Plainfield, Darien, Winchester, Hinsdale

Microsoft Great Plains – Implementing ERP System for Mid-size Business

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Microsoft Dynamics GP MRP product family has various options for small, midsize and large businesses. Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics GP package fits to midsize businesses in various industries: discrete manufacturing, services, staffing, project organization and constructions, wholesale, warehouse management, distribution and logistics. In this small article we would like to concentrate on GP software implementation scenarios, including installation, customization, data conversion, user training, custom reporting, integration with legacy system and EDI:

1. Installation – technical overview. GP installation creates DYNAMICS and company databases on MS SQL Server 2005 or 2000. Client workstation side is Microsoft Dexterity application with Dynamics.dic, where application business logic is stored. We are not talking here about integration tom Microsoft Office stack of products, especially MS Outlook

2. Integration Manager and eConnect.. eConnect should be considered as background technology to enable integration, especially new type of integration scenarios. IM helps you in initial data conversion, where you need to transfer open AR and AP to your newly implemented ERP system – Microsoft Dynamics GP. Regarding

3. eCommerce and batches Autoposting. eConnect, being set of encrypted stored procedures, does wonderful job in bringing work transactions in Sales Order Processing module, which is typical target for eCommerce websites, however automatic batch posting is outside of eConnect scope – you will need Albaspectrum Dexterity posting server to do automatic posting for your e-commerce application

4. Dexterity Software Development. If you need GP business processes advancing, modification and tuning, you should review GP customization tools. Great Plains Dexterity is GP Integrated Development Environment with Sanscript programming language. Dexterity programmers are typically rare resources on the job market, and it is recommended to appeal to Microsoft Business Solutions ERP development partners to do Dex customization job

5. GP Reporting. In our opinion, you can deploy various tools for GP, especially if you will follow the rules of separating report result set generation in MS SQL Server stored procedures – if you do so, Crystal Reports, Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, and even Microsoft Excel will do wonderful report design job

6. Initial Data Conversion. As our experience indicates, the best approach is to enter GL beginning balances and avoid historical RM, PM, SOP, and POP data conversion, please consider the scenario, when you have old ERP system for data inquiry and lookup

7. GP remote vs. local support. If you work for nationwide public corporation, then you should seek local support for your headquarters or the most important branch. If your ERP system is already implemented, then remote support might be budget saving option

Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum Group, http://www.albaspectrum.com – help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, serving customers USA/Canada nationwide: Illinois, California, New York, Quebec, Ontario, Colorado, Utah, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas. Local service is available in Houston & Dallas: Richmond, Sugar Land, Katy, Rosenberg, Missouri City, Pearland, Friendswood, Meadows, Mission Bend, Jersey Village, Fort Worth; serving GP customers in Chicago, IL: Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Wheaton, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Lyons, Niles, Downers Grove, Lisle, West Chicago, Barrington, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Lombard, Morris, Ottawa, Marseilles, Seneca, Oswego, Plainfield, Darien, Winchester, Hinsdale.

Linux & Microsoft Dynamics Gp – Implementation in Cross-platform Environment

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As more midsize and small business organizations are deploying open platform operating systems and tools, such as Linux with various blends and PHP/MySQL, we would like to share our experience implementing Microsoft Great Plains in these combined OS environments. If you are using Oracle and Unix, you may also consider the methodology, however it deserves separate article just for brief overview, especially about Java, EJB nuances.

1. MS Great Plains platform overview. GP workstation is written in C Shell, named Great Plains Dexterity. It was designed in earlier 1990th, when DB and OS platform independence was the paradigm. However, when Microsoft acquired Great Plains Software seven years ago, Microsoft Dexterity was kind of de-emphasized and GP itself was open for .Net platform and for Microsoft Visual Studio C# and VB developers, especially via eConnect. Plus, GP is available on Microsoft SQL Server DB platform only. Saying these, Microsoft Great Plains version 10.0 and 9.0 should be considered as committed to Microsoft technologies: SQL Server, .Net, Windows, MS Office: Sharepoint, Excel, etc.

2. Cross Platform SQL Queries. If you do it from Microsoft SQL Server 2005 or 2000 side, the construction you typically use is Linked Server, where you should first try ODBC connection to Linux World. If you are on Oracle, then similar construction will allow you to hook up MS SQL Server

3. Web Services. eConnect allows you to open GP objects for non-Microsoft developer via XML web services – you can either use eConnect interface directly or wrap it in custom web service interface

4. eConnect excurse. The core of eConnect is set of MS SQL Server encrypted stored procedures, allowing you manipulate GP master records and work transactions: SOP Entry, POP Receivings, Customers, Vendors to name a few. eConnect has restrictions of GP architecture, one of the typical FAQ is why we can not post GP batches in eConnect? Well, this is the restriction, but you can break it utilizing Albaspectrum posting server. eConnect was dedicated initially to eCommerce software developers, to enable GP ERP platform as backoffice accounting for e-commerce front end

5. Integration technology. Here again eConnect comes to the scenes. GP Integration Manager, which is rather traditional Great Plains integration tool, was recently redesigned partially in eConnect and so IM performance was substantially increased. IM can read tab and comma delimited text files as well as ODBC compliant queries. When you are programming integration, be sure that you select eConnect destination connector as preferred, versus deploying regular destination connector (old-fashioned connectors use GP workstation as OLE Server to validate Great Plains business logic directly in GP screens, which obviously slows down the performance)

Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum Group, http://www.albaspectrum.com – help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, serving customers USA/Canada nationwide: Illinois, California, New York, Quebec, Ontario, Colorado, Utah, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas. Local service is available in Houston & Dallas: Richmond, Sugar Land, Katy, Rosenberg, Missouri City, Pearland, Friendswood, Meadows, Mission Bend, Jersey Village, Fort Worth; serving GP customers in Chicago, IL: Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Wheaton, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Lyons, Niles, Downers Grove, Lisle, West Chicago, Barrington, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Lombard, Morris, Ottawa, Marseilles, Seneca, Oswego, Plainfield, Darien, Winchester, Hinsdale.

Small and Medium Business Centre – Microsoft Software Products Review

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Microsoft offers wide range of software products for small and medium businesses in India. The products are of much importance and useful for all types of businesses. In this article, we take a look at each of the Microsoft Products in detail:

The Products that we discuss here are developer tool products.

Microsoft Visual Studio 2005

Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 provides a range of tools that offers many benefits for individual developers and software development teams: Be more productive and obtain faster results, build dynamic windows, web, mobile, and office-based solutions, communicate and collaborate more effectively within your software teams, ensure quality early and often throughout the development process

Visual Studio 2005 provides a range of tools that offer many benefits for individual developers and software development teams:

  • Be more productive and obtain faster results

  • Build dynamic Windows, Web, mobile, and Office-based solutions

  • Communicate and collaborate more effectively within your software teams

  • Ensure quality early and often throughout the development process

Microsoft Silverlight
Microsoft Silverlight is a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering next-generation media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web. Silverlight offers a flexible programming model that supports JavaScript, Visual C#, Visual Basic, and other languages.

  • Deliver media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web that incorporates video, animation, interactivity, and stunning user interfaces.

  • Seamless, fast installation for users, thanks to a small, on-demand, easy-to-install plug-in that is under 2 megabytes (MB) in size and works with all leading browsers.

  • Consistent experiences between Windows-based and Macintosh computers without any additional installation requirements.

  • Create richer, more compelling Web experiences that take greater advantage of the client for increased performance.

  • Enhance existing standards/AJAX-based applications with richer graphics and media, and improve their performance and capabilities by using Silverlight.

Currently, there are two runtimes available for users to experience Silverlight content.
Microsoft Silverlight 1.0
Microsoft Silverlight 1.1 Alpha September Refresh
Both runtimes support rich media capabilities and enable fast, cost-effective delivery of high-quality audio and video to all major browsers including Firefox, Safari and Internet Explorer running on the Mac or on Windows. The designer experience remains largely the same for both runtimes as well. The main difference resides in the developer experience. The Silverlight 1.1 Alpha runtime introduces support for.NET languages such as Visual Basic and Visual C#.

GT Kimberly is an ardent reader & writer of http://www.microsoft.com/india/smb/default.mspx” target=”_blank”> Microsoft Small & Medium Business Products .

Microsoft and Ethics – Get Some Google Search Share at Any Cost

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With the majority of the rich world now having upgraded to IE7, did Google notice the way Microsoft have stolen search share? Did WE notice? Search engine optimisation international specialists are buzzing. In IE7 there is now an embedded web search facility in the toolbar at the ‘top right’ of the browser. Whilst Google can be selected as the search provider, did we think Microsoft would give up the search currency so easily? Not the same people that knocked Netscape into a cocked hat and into the sidelines of connected world control. But with world on constant alert of the software giant’s malpractice, it can’t be too high in profile. They chose a perfect way to unethically get people to stray from Google.

How they did it

How? By not allowing the selection of a ‘regional’ Google as the search provider. Let’s take the case of a searcher in Canada. When searchers use Google.com for their searches they get a set of results. If they travelled across the border to the US, using Google.com for the same search would yield a different set of results again (some similarities, but different). Now back in Canada the user searches using Google.ca and gets different results again – this time the best optimised set of results. He’s in Canada and Google.ca is built for Canada and delivers the best results (Google.com gives results somewhere between the two because of the overwhelming recognition of .com as a first stop for many domains). The fact that for USA searchers it makes no difference at all gives Microsoft a leading time for regional users to become dissatisfied with the search leader Google before it’s flagged up as a ‘bug’. It’s a perfect mechanism to accomplish their plan of shifting some of that persisting favour Google has amongst web users.

Why don’t they just switch to local Google?

You can try it. Selecting different search providers takes you to Microsoft’s web site from where you get a choice of providers. If you need a regional Google, you have to jump through hoops which the vast majority will not do. But even if they do, the selection doesn’t persist across browser sessions. Microsoft have to allow users to select a different search provider, who knows – someone may even want to use MSN. But the selection is only available from the broad companies – MSN, Yahoo, Google, Ask, etc. These other main search engines (Yahoo, MSN and Ask) have redirects in place that provide local results just as if they were using yahoo.co.uk, yahoo.ca, etc. Google is on their own in the way they provide regional results. Perfect then. Microsoft put up with Yahoo, but bitterly hate the Google that some of their best people are defecting to. The IE7 browser upgrade doesn’t permit people to easily select Google.ca (or other region) as their search provider – and even successfully jumping through the hoops they provide doesn’t allow the selection to persist. Users aren’t going to bother – over time they’ll notice the sub-optimal results but not work out why, they won’t see this search turf issue. They’ll go elsewhere – right into the arms of the next two – Yahoo and MSN.

The solution

Who know the best way for Google to beat this? But first they need to recognise it – we doubt they even know. Effecting a solution could start the first search world war. Consider the most blood curdling solution – Google developing their own browser. Could Microsoft ‘netscape’ it? Google have nearly as much money as Microsoft and so could fight them legally equally – but what would the famous Microsoft fighting with ‘time’ produce (as with Netscape)? Other solutions? Google could skew results locally when searching through this toolbar facility, so that effectively users would be seeing the same results as the google.co.uk or google.ca they should be using. Google could show nothing, no results at all for searches originating through this IE7 toolbar. Google could do what the other engines have done – show the same results for regional uses of .com as those searched for using google.co.uk (etc.), or redirect IP ranges to their regional engine.

Microsoft have skewed the results for searches outside the USA. It may seem minor, but companies in other countries don’t show up when searched for through the Microsoft utility – a solution is needed – wake up Google – work on this one.

By Baron Turner, Search Strategist at TurnerDow Search Engine Optimisation – where optimising web sites for search engines is our passion. Web Optimisation for the new connected world – let us help you make a success of your web presence. Let us help you get heard above the noise.

Microsoft Exchange – the Greatest Email on Earth for Your Business

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Microsoft Exchange is one of Microsoft’s combination servers which envelopes all services one would need into one convenient package: e-mail, scheduling, messaging and data storage. Rebranded Microsoft Outlook in 1997, Microsoft Exchange now uses a variety of clients and enables users to keep up with their email in a variety of device settings.

Microsoft exchange is now used on devices such as cell phones and PDA Smart phones; giving the user computers feel away from home. The service is also available to other computer systems such as Apple Macintosh, therefore not leaving any stone unturned when it comes to versatility of the program.

Now, Microsoft Exchange enables users to have access to anti-virus and anti-spyware programming in a multitude of settings. Users are also protected by an anti-spam program, which protects them from inbox flooding attacks as well as email takeovers by spammers.

Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Outlook are tools used by 90% of the business people; it is an everyday tool, and it brings functionality into the table.

Overall, when using Microsoft Exchange, one is using one of the most well programmed and beneficial email and scheduling programs available today. With all of the protection services, the user may check email and schedule meetings with confidence and without problematic spyware and spam issues plagued by other email clients. Also giving the user the option of an Intelligent Message Filter, which is an add-on that allows the user to block incoming messages or direct them to the “Junk E-Mail” folder in their Microsoft Outlook program.

I’m Zoe Soto; I work for Streamline Solutions, a company that provides you a solution for your CRM needs. You can visit us at Microsoft CRM and CRM Software

Online Advertising Network – to Market Your Products!

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Online advertising network helps you to market your products well. A mass coverage of audience is what you’ll achieve with an online network. An advertiser, can run an advertising campaign, with out much cost incurred. If you are looking out to market your products, then, online campaign is the best way to handle your promotions.

The advertising network serves advertisements from its ad server, which responds to a site once a page is called. Drive traffic through the help of three types of online advertising networks, representative network, blind network and targeted network.

Representative network – they represent the publications in their portfolio, allowing a greater transparency for the advertiser. It drives greater traffic, and hence is used by the marketers extensively.
Targeted ad networks: Otherwise known as next generation ads. These work on behavioral or contextual patterns.

Blind networks – ad network:  ad serving technology can deliver instant global visibility for your brand and bring you proven solutions that your business requires to stay ahead in today’s dynamic global market.

Always take benefit of using one dependable marketing source for all of your needs and substantially enhance your traffic in a short span with online impressive & comprehensive suite of end-to-end solutions.

Selecting the right ad network partner can make the difference between a hit and a miss for your campaign or site. Exclusive representation generally generates a higher percentage of revenue sharing, but sometimes results in a smaller percentage of ad inventories being sold. Whereas, in non-exclusive arrangements, publishers may use secondary advertising options to fill the space left unsold by the primary ad networks online. Choose your type of ad network carefully.

You can achieve brand awareness, sell products, or attract new players. Online channel of ad network boasts a large collection of websites likely to be visited by the target demographic. Advertising networks provide a way for media buyers to co-ordinate ad campaigns across dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of sites in an efficient manner. The campaigns often involve running ads over a category (run-of-category) or an entire network (run-of-network). Site-specific buys are not a major emphasis when dealing with advertising networks. In fact, site-specific buys are not even available at some networks, so as not to conflict with in-house sales reps.

Ad networks vary in size and focus. Large ad networks may require premium brands and millions of impressions per month. Small ad networks may accept unbranded sites with thousands of impressions per month.

Expert Author, Platinum status Online advertising network help: Online advertising network


Free guide on Search Engine Optimization in India: Search Engine Optimization in India

The Top 5 Social Networking Websites of 2008 – the Reigning Champions

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We are almost at the end of the glorious year, 2008. Everyone using the Internet would be aware of the fact that the social networking websites have gained huge popularity through this whole year. And it’s now the ideal time to make a review on the 5 best social networking sites of the year 2008. There were no much changes from the start of this year and the reigning champions are:

1. Myspace
2. Facebook
3. Bebo
4. Friendster
5. Hi5

The winner is Myspace

Almost every Internet user knows what Myspace is and more than 80% of them would have used Myspace. The key factors of the success of this social networking giant are, unique social networking web design, the easiness in sharing pictures, communicating with friends, and option to create the best customized social networking profiles. Another cool feature of myspace which we loved is the independent music bands anchored on myspace for easy music discovery. With loads of social networking features enabled through social networking softwares and all of them available for free, Myspace is the Winner.

Facebook – The contender

Facebook, yet another popular social networking website has been a serious competitor of Myspace. With the cool social networking softwares made available, facebook has become addictive to many teenagers (still no harm to them). With top notch security features, facebook is one of the most preferred social networks. So here is what holds facebook back off the winner circle. It is the limited customization options that facebook offers. However, considering all other social networking features that facebook offers, it receives the silver award. Facebook is the contender.

Bebo and Friendster – The Quickly grown Social networks

The growth of the popular social networking site- Bebo and friendster was very quick. These two social networking websites remained unknown by the start of this year and today the reached the 3rd and 4th positions of the social networking website rankings. Bebo, being bought by AOL is gaining popularity each day in the United States. Like all other social media sites, there are cool social networking softwares, personalization and privacy settings. Bebo and Friendster are in the 4th and 5th place respectively.

The rise of other social networks

The popularity of social networking has driven many people to have their own social networking website. With the social networking website design becoming easier each day, many online marketers have created their own business social networks. Though these social networking websites doesn’t appear on the top 50 rankings, they are of great use to the creators. Though these social networks, online marketers are able to promote their products, understand customer needs and get more exposure to their business. With the easiness of social networking website design we are now expecting some huge changes in the rankings of social networking websites in the year 2009.

Jonathan Mac is a professional Social networking web designer of pearsestreet.com. When it comes to social networking web design, he knows the fact that social networking web design should be unique or else it will be lost in the Internet Ocean.

Microsoft Dynamics Gp – Typical Customizations

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Microsoft Great Plains, currently new name in Microsoft Dynamics family is Microsoft Dynamics GP, originally this ERP package was created by Great Plains Software as Great Plains Dynamics in earlier 1990th as Great Plains Dexterity application. Microsoft Great Plains tailored business logic or professional modifications were initially made back in late 1990th in Great Plains Dex, this IDE has it own C-shell based scripting language – sanscript. MRP package at that time had similar customization capabilities: SAP had ABAP, Axapta – Morph X, X++, Navision – C/Side. When Microsoft purchased Great Plains Software and formed Microsoft Business Solutions, Dexterity core of GP was deemphasized (however it stays and not going anywhere), instead Microsoft BS opened GP objects for Microsoft Visual Studio C# and VB.Net developers via new tool – eConnect. eConnect obviously is not a miracle and it replicates Dex logic in SQL stored procedures – meaning that eConnect is definitely step forward to make Microsoft Great Plains more open MRP platform, but this step is rather evolutional, not a major revolution. Let’s review typical GP modification scenarios

1. eCommerce. GP is now open ERP or accounting backoffice, thanks to eConnect. Good approach in eConnect software development is calling XML web services scenarios. If you have already practiced eConnect e-commerce development, you should come to the dilemma of eCommerce invoices automatic posting. eConnect doesn’t do posting job and it is understandable, as eConnect is build upon Great Plains Dexterity architecture, where posting is left to GP operators

2. EDI or Electronic Document Interchange. Traditionally EDI is considered as fixed length fields standard, new approach is XML data interchange, including XML web services. In the case of Microsoft Great Plains both approaches could be relatively easy realized on MS SQL Server scripting level, where you deploy such statements and constructions as convert and cast to program fixed field length

3. Sales Order Processing module modifications. SOP is one of the most popular custom logic scenarios. If you think about deploying custom logic in GP user workstation, then more likely modification should be programmed in Dexterity. If Dex is too complex, especially if you plan to customize GP in-house, then consider GP Modifier with VBA

4. Modifier with VBA (Visual Basic for Applications). This tools is related to older Microsoft OLE technologies – customization of Microsoft Office Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc

Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum Group, http://www.albaspectrum.com – help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, serving customers USA/Canada nationwide: Illinois, California, New York, Quebec, Ontario, Colorado, Utah, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas. Local service is available in Houston & Dallas: Richmond, Sugar Land, Katy, Rosenberg, Missouri City, Pearland, Friendswood, Meadows, Mission Bend, Jersey Village, Fort Worth; serving GP customers in Chicago, IL: Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Wheaton, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Lyons, Niles, Downers Grove, Lisle, West Chicago, Barrington, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Lombard, Morris, Ottawa, Marseilles, Seneca, Oswego, Plainfield, Darien, Winchester, Hinsdale.

Microsoft Dynamics Gp 10.0 – Improved and Enhanced

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Microsoft Dynamics-GP 10.0 (formerly Microsoft Great Plains) brings together increased productivity and functionality, by enabling integration with Office Sharepoint Server 2007, SQL Server 2005 and Microsoft .Net technologies. With this strategy, which is the single most important improvement over version GP9.0, when you deploy these solutions in tandem, the user benefits from a number of technology innovations that are unparalleled, and which will increase their work efficiency.

Compatibility with the Microsoft Office System makes release 10.0 an ERP system capable of giving end users an enhanced experience, by tailoring processes according to their individual roles with in their company. As a result, there are more than 120 new features and enhancements spanning a gamut of management functions.

Top ten reasons for upgrading to version 10.0

1. Streamlined processing of purchase orders

The ordering process has been simplified and automated. It has been tailored to the end user’s specific role in the company hierarchy as well as the approval route for a purchase order within that organization. Also, now you get password protection for deleting Returns Management Authorization and you can use expired lots when entering purchasing returns.

2. Better distribution control

Two step transfers enable tighter control over distribution by enabling tracking of inventory that is in transit between warehouses. Alerts let you know when a lot is nearing expiration date and new flexibility allows you to consume the lot, extend the expiration dates or edit the lot’s quality.

3. Improved productivity with the Action Pane

The Action Pane is a new feature of the updated 10.0 ERP system that helps your staff get more done. A graphical command bar that is customized to their specific role will appear across all navigation lists. On the lines of the Ribbon in Microsoft Office System 2007, this bar helps you preview and filter the details for lists and perform actions for multiple records with out having to open new windows and switch back and forth.

4. Enhanced dexterity for production planning.

When situations change, you can reverse the receipts for manufacturing orders even after posting them, enabling much better control over the shop floor. Another new feature is a multi-level pegging tree that easily facilitates the tracking of supply sources, inventory needs and demand generation.

5. Simplified Installation

Software solutions can be installed easily with prompts and prerequisite regulators. Improvements enable synchronization of security across platforms, including web services for Microsoft Dynamics-GP 10.0 and Business Portal.

6. Search, use and share information effortlessly.

When Office SharePoint Server 2007 is installed with GP10.0, it’s a snap to find, utilize and share the necessary data with others. You can specify and instigate searches and obtain information quickly, for both structured and unstructured data such as Word documents, Outlook emails and Excel spreadsheets.

7. Strategic decision making

The Report List with new types of reports enables you to quickly find virtually any report needed. The Report Libraries in Office SharePoint Server2007 simplifies the storage, launching and viewing of reports, whether your staff is working on Microsoft Dynamics-GP or other programs. Benefit from standard reporting tools with Excel reports that can be refreshed, and obtain pertinent glimpses of the overall picture, based on over 200 SmartList favorites and 75 SQL Server Reporting Services reports.

8. Efficient teamwork with automated announcements and decision approvals

When it comes to vital financial and supply chain procedures, you can improve efficiency by customizing the workflow, so that employees are able to coordinate better on tasks across the system, using reports on the intranet and extranet sites. Accountability is ensured for ownership of actions with a complete audit trail. Remote access to the Business Portal enables secure access for partners, customers and employees from any internet connection.

9. Quicker, more precise payables processes

For individual vendor 1099s, you can now print in multiple boxes on a single 1099 form or print out multiple 1099s based on the tax category. Take advantage of enhanced options for Electronic Funds Transfer.

10. Manage payroll requirements expediently

Retroactive adjustments to employee salaries for additional wages can be calculated quickly, with out hassles. Handle complex deduction concerns and compliance with the help of new features added to the application.

For more information on Microsoft Dynamics-GP 10.0, please visit Integrity Partners online at https://www.integritymbs.com or call 888.869.4090 ext 701.

Beautiful Planning Marketing Group
http://www.beautifulplanning.com