Great Plains Integration Tools: Microsoft Dynamics Gp Integration Manager

Posted on October 29, 2009 by admin

Microsoft Dynamics GP, current version is 10.0, as of October 2007 – is successor of former Great Plains Software Dynamics/eEnterprise. Great Plains Software specially created GPS Dexterity technology and programming language to be used as the shell to abstract Dynamics business logic from computer operating system, database and graphical platform (such as MS Windows and MAC OS) in earlier 1990th. IM was initially and still is to the certain extent Microsoft Dexterity application, which uses Microsoft Dynamics GP workstation as OLE server to validate integration business logic behind the scenes. This is the reason, why performance might be a bit disappointing for large scale integration. However IM is powerful user friendly and “developer-friendly” tool, if you are comfortable with VBA scripting and ODBC SQL queries (including SQL data aggregation), you should be able to program advanced integrations

1. IM Queries. You can have tab or comma delimited text files as the sources (these are the most popular, especially tab delimited, as you can expect commas in customer or vendor names). The second option is ODBC queries, where you can have simple and advanced. Advanced will allow you to group records into one, good example is GL transaction import from one file, where you create GL transaction header by grouping records in the source by date. Advanced ODBC queries also allow you to script sophisticated SQL select statements (however you should be aware that ODBC standard does not support all SQL expressions and functions)

2. VBA Scripting. VBA scripting was very popular prior to the time when Microsoft introduced new software development and customization conception – Microsoft.Net. VBA scripting allows you to extend and customize Microsoft Office applications: Excel, Word, MS Access and as you could expect Microsoft Dynamics GP Integration Manager. As VBA was designed and it is applicable to GP IM – certain events are exposed to VBA developer: before document, before records, after document, after records – where you can intercept and replace or modify original IM logic. The example of interception would be changing document date to the end of the week

3. eConnect performance improvement project. IM is in the process of being rewritten in eConnect. eConnect has SQL stored procedures in its core and these are definitely or supposedly faster than Microsoft Dexterity cursors and OLE GP server

Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum Group: http://www.albaspectrum.com help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, serving Microsoft Dynamics GP Great Plains customers in USA/Canada nationwide. Local service is available in Houston, TX: Richmond, Sugar Land, Katy, Rosenberg, Missouri City, Pearland, Friendswood, Meadows, Mission Bend, Jersey Village; Chicago, IL: Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Joliet, Wheaton, Lisle, Downers Grove, Schaumburg, Elk Grove, Lombard, Woodridge, Darien, Westmont, Batavia, St. Charles, Elgin, Crystal Lake. Service is also available in Houston and Dallas metros, plus internationally in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Oceania and UK

Microsoft Great Plains Modifications â Overview Plus Implementation and Integration Options

Posted on October 29, 2009 by admin

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 isnât 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 âold-fashionedâ 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 â copy Dex.ini from your GP workstation folder to your Dexterity application directory â 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 â 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 â 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 doesnât do the job, consider eConnect, SQL scripts and Dexterity. Please, be aware â IM validates GP business logic and this prevents you from all the possible errors in integration. SQL scripting, in opposite doesnât validate GP logic and by not doing so â 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 â Dex developer should be able to upgrade your custom logic. Talking about Modifier with VBA â 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 â 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 â if you are thinking to upgrade to recent GP version (10.0 or 9.0) â 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 â 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 â in our opinion this tool is competitor to CR and you should be aware to use similar strategy â placing record set selection logic to SQL stored procs. You can also deploy MS Excel and MS Access to do reporting for GP â please research ODBC connection options for these tools

8. GP modules licensing consideration. Depending on your GP version â 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 â Implementing ERP System for Mid-size Business

Posted on October 29, 2009 by admin

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 â 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 â 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 â 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 â 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.

Great Plains Version 10.0: Advancing Microsoft Dynamics Gp Integration With Office & Vista

Posted on October 29, 2009 by admin

If you have just implemented Microsoft Great Plains 10.0, you probably got it as something coming naturally with the ERP product. For users, who are familiar and using Great Plains since earlier versions, such as 6.0, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0 and even 9.0 – change in user interface is visible and probably significant. If you are using newest version of Microsoft Office 2007 or Vista OS – then you can recognize GP interface similarities, when for old version user learning curve is expected. Let’s take a look at some examples:

1. Forward & Backward buttons. Look at Home, Financial, Purchasing, Sales series on the left side of the navigation pane – if you click on one of those then Backward button will become available to go back. These are Vista and MS Office 2007 features and looks like Microsoft is deploying similar design in Microsoft Dynamics family of MRP products

2. No Toolbar, only drop down menus. Old good days Great Plains had concept of Toolbar, which was just below menu line. Versions 10,0 and 9.0 do not have it anymore and you will use drop down menu instead

3. Challenge for GP Dexterity programmer. If you are Microsoft Dexterity programmer, this might mean nightmare for you to imitate GP 10.0 graphical interface, however you always have the alternative to appeal to old GP interface without modern graphic to give your GP users workable custom logic. You should also imagine how much work was done by Microsoft Business Solutions Dexterity Development and GP new version creation team to make these changes happen

4. Microsoft Outlook plug-in. It might be something raising questions – why do we need Outlook to be incorporated in GP interface directly as we could have it with our Workstations? Seriously, we expect real work around to be considered when you deploy Citrix server or servers farm, where MS Office plug-in is probably not overly desirable

5. GP Reporting. If you are using old-good-days SOP blank invoice form to print our your sales invoices, you can relax and feel comfortable as RerpotWriter Dex reports are still and so far and maybe longer there and available. Besides Report Writer, you should get the trend that custom reports might be created in Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services or SRS module

6. Upgrading to GP 10.0 or currently latest version as of January 2008. If you are on GP 8.0 or 9.0, you should apply GP 10.0 Service Pack 1, released in mid-November 2007, prior to launching Great Plains Utilities to do upgrade work

7. GP 10.0 new security model. Security was redesigned from scratch in 10.0 and it is not compatible with earlier versions, including 9.0. If you plan to upgrade GP from earlier versions you should consider security rights reimplementation, and as temporary solution you could rely on security migration procedure. Known issue here – you should eliminate spaces from the location of GP 10.0 workstation directory

Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum Group, http://www.albaspectrum.com help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918. Serving GP customers in Illinois, Texas, California, Florida, Wisconsin, New York, Michigan and USA and Canada nation wide via remote support. Our service is popular in USA country side, where you do not expect local consultants to be available and we cover the whole country with travel onside with initial user training – then we typically save your budget by convenient remote support, as we already are familiar with your key IT and accounting personnel. Local service is available in Chicago, Houston, Naperville, Oakbrook, Wheaton, Joliet, Plainfield, Aurora, Elgin, Springfield, Morris, Ottawa, LaSalle, Channahon, Brookfield, Villa Park, Downers Grove, Lisle, Hinsdale, Lincolnwood, Zion, Kankakee, Braidwood, Niles.

Microsoft Great Plains Version Update Faq

Posted on October 27, 2009 by admin

Microsoft Dynamics GP ERP version upgrade should be planned, it is not recommended to do it impulsively. In order to facilitate your homework we would like to give you highlights in technical and functional compatibility areas

1. Microsoft Dexterity core. Great Plains is Dexterity application, which has new technologies, incorporated in Dexterity and serving as additions (and in some cases as replacements) to Dex: eConnect, Sharepoint (with approval cycles), Microsoft Office stack integration, plus integrations with Microsoft CRM, RMS and other MS business applications. The message here is to check if you have custom Dexterity logic – this is first step to analyze and address in version upgrade

2. Great Plains Dex modifications upgrade scenarios. Dexterity was designed as GP Dynamics IDE and programming language, and one of its fundamental features is upgradeability. However this should be given to the hands of professional Dexterity programmers. In the best case scenario, you should have DYNAMICS.DIC dictionary with your customization source code (in the case of Dex it is sanscript codes). Dexterity modification upgrade has further specifics, required to be taken to consideration in upgrade, this is outside of the scope here.

3. Third Party modules. Great Plains is the platform, open to Microsoft Business Solutions ISV, who extends GP business logic. Typically these extensions are written in Dexterity and distributed as Dexterity chink. The examples of popular ISV names for Great Plains: Mekorma, Avalara, Intellisol (late 1990th), Albaspectrum, and others. If you deploy third party GP extension module, you should check if third party tool is available for the new version, where you plan to upgrade

4. Reporting. Well, you may have various blends of reporting tools: Crystal Reports, SRS, MS Access, but in our opinion GP ReportWriter reports should be analyzed in the most careful manner in GP version update. Report Writer in turn is Dexterity-written module and it comes back to one of the first GP versions: 3.2 and 4.0, so this is not a surprise that you may encounter multiple surprises and restrictions

5. FRx. This is financial reporting tool, which has connection to GP General Ledger and GL account summaries. FRx upgrade is typically straightforward, in some cases you have to know “known issues”, you should be familiar with sysdata folder, FRX date and time table in Dynamics database. If you got FRx upgrade deadlock, please try to relax and search Microsoft Business Solutions technical knowledge database at partner or customer source

6. Upgrade Paths. How upgrade works behind the scenes? Dexterity utilities looks in Dynamics database which legacy version you are on and then if it has upgrade algorithm from your version it launches the update process. You should know probably all historical GP versions: 3.2, 4.0, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 9.0 and current 10.0 (October 2007). FRx versions: 4.0, 5.0, 6.5

7. GPA upgrade and migration. If you are on old Great Plains Accounting for DOS or MS Windows, you need to undergo migration to Microsoft Dynamics GP path. Migration tool is available if you contact your MBS partner

8. Pervasive SQL 2000/Btrieve and Ctree/Faircom Great Plains Dynamics upgrade. If you are on Pervasive or Ctree, then it is version 7.5 or earlier. Microsoft terminated these legacy platforms support in December 2004. MRP software industry deploys annual support fee mechanism to finance accounting software development expenses. In order to get new version registration key, you should be enrolled and current in GP annual enhancement program. If you are current, then you should contact your GP VAR of record to arrange migration from Great Plains Dynamics on Pervasive or Ctree to Microsoft Dynamics GP on MS SQL Server 2000 or 2005

9. No answer. If your topic is not covered in this publication, please feel free to contact us

Microsoft Great Plains Integration Manager 10.0 Technical Notes

Posted on October 26, 2009 by admin

Microsoft Dynamics GP version 10.0 advanced such new technologies as eConnect in and this seems to be general trend to walk away from proprietary tools, such as Microsoft Dexterity to Microsoft specific platforms, such as .Net, COM+ and MS SQL Server Stored Procedures, as you know eConnect core contains encrypted stored procs. Historically Great Plains IM was based on OLE technology, where GP workstation was used as OLE server and business logic validation was done in GP forms, where OLE mechanism was entering fields values. Let’s take a look at new and traditional features available in IM version 10.0, it is in our opinion in transition to be rewritten completely in eConnect, but at this time it is available with both traditional and eConnect connectors:

1. eConnect connector. For GP consultants, you should be aware that eConnect connector requires specific company, if you remember how OLE connector works – it recognizes the company, from where you call Integration Manager and so you do not need to specify the company in integration settings. eConnect requires the company target to be specified. eConnect integration performance should be higher comparing to traditional connector, as eConnect doesn’t use slow OLE technology and imitates business logic (or in other words it replicates Dexterity functionality) in SQL stored procedures (which are performed on the server). Typical GP integrations involve Sales Order Processing module (this includes eCommerce scenarios) as well as Purchase Order Processing module (where you integrate EDI vendor invoices, for example) and at this time, GP IM 10.0 eConnect connector enables these integrations, which is very optimistic note

2. IM upgrade. Typical scenarios are when you are upgrading skipping two versions, let’s say from GP IM 7.5 to 10.0. In this scenario you need to do two steps upgrade – first to GP IM 9.0 and then to 10.0

3. VBA programming for Integration Manager. This technology may seem outdated as VBA was popular in late 1990th to automate MS Excel and MS Access type of scenarios. However VBA and Modifier modules are still available with Microsoft Dynamics GP purchase or upgrade. VBA scripting is event driven one, so you should review the options to alter IM business logic on pre and post integration, pre and post document. This article format is short and we can not give you sample VBA scripts here, however if you have development budget and would like to get advanced technical and programming help, we would be happy to assist you

4. GP IM advanced techniques. Translation technology. Each field is available for translation logic. You can load Excel translation table to IM directly. Translation logic allows you to map external item number id to your internal one, or in collection agency example it allows you to translate vendor it to customer id, as collection business is reversed one, where sales means collection

5. IM in cross platform integrations, here we need to stress ODBC standard and advanced integrations. Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and 2005 linked server construction allows you to deploy either direct SQL select statement or OPENROWSET one. Now is you are coming from Oracle and Oracle EBusiness Suite world, similar integration concept is available from Oracle EDI. If you are on Linux Red Hut and PHP and MySQL, please consider ODBC bridge or appeal to Java technology. If you PHP is sitting on MS Windows platform you can deploy direct call to MS SQL Server 2005 or 2000

6. GP data conversion and Integration Manager. Legacy data massage, conversion, is available and IM usage is very helpful. Microsoft Dynamics GP offers IM installation or initial migration license, which is limited to the number of days

7. The most popular Integration Tables in Great Plains: SOP10100, SOP10200, RM00101, RM00102

8. Integration Manager and Great Plains Dexterity connections: DEX_ROW_ID is one of the most popular questions among the developers community. If you do direct SQL insert statement feed into GP tables, DEX_ROW_ID is outoincremental and so you don’t need to populate it

9. GP and MS CRM connector. It is outside of GP IM, so please do not be confused. MS CRM connection business is pretty much taken over by Scribe Software, so please check with these folks first. Also, SAP Business One is very popular small business ERP and MRP (Manufacturing module and extensions) platform, where you can have Microsoft CRM to be integrated. From Microsoft Dynamics CRM side you can use SQL views and stored procedures to store exported data in the custom database, and from SB1 side you use Sap B1 SDK to program SB1 integrated objects: Sales Orders or Sales Invoices

10. XML Web Service Approach. As XML is in essence text, it is the platform independent data (or text files) stream. To open Web Service to UNIX client, from GP side you typically involve C3 or VB.Net developer

11. IM closing remarks. Great Plains Integration Manager is both end user and developer friendly tool. If you are VBA or Microsoft.Net programmer you should be able to build sound integration on IM platform. eConnect will more likely be the main IM transformation technology, so if you are deploying IM integrating techniques, you should follow eConnect news

Microsoft Great Plains Implementation Faq: Financial Setup, Conversion, User Training

Posted on August 2, 2009 by admin

Microsoft Dynamics GP ERP implementation process is similar to other mid-market accounting and MRP products: GP partner selection and sales cycle, business processes mapping, customization design if required, reports. Then you go to the actions: Microsoft Dynamics GP software licenses purchase, GP installation, initial data conversion and beginning balances, business specific users training. If your company is large business, you may consider switching GP for one or several business entities as a pilot project with the plan to turn all your departments and units to Microsoft Great Plains in the short future. We will not be covering business processes mapping scenarios in this small article and will try to give you technical side of the implementation

1. Great Plains Installation. You should plan for appropriate Server hardware, SQL Server 2005 installation (including planning for data and log files separation on different drives). Then you go ahead with GP server installation – we certainly understand and confirm, that GP Utilities installation Wizard is very intuitive, however, GP is not small business accounting application, so it is powerful and at the same time sensitive to options chosen. This is why we strongly recommend you to invite GP consultant to do installation and overall implementation job

2. Data Migration. The best approach is to leave old ERP data in your old system and make fresh start in Microsoft Dynamics GP. If this is not possible, then consider migrating Chart of Accounts, Customers, Vendors, Employees, and entering beginning GL balances (this last step manually). This recommended data migration should be done via GP Integration Manager, as it validates Great Plains Dynamics business logic and doesn’t allow data inconsistency.

3. GP Modules Setup. Each module: General Ledger, Inventory Control, Sales Order Processing, Receivables Management, Payables Management, Payroll and others requires opening setup screen and coming through the required fields setup there. One of the most important setup decisions is Posting Accounts setup – this is done on the company setup level

4. User Training. First of all – you should be aware that Microsoft is in the process of synchronizing its ERP applications user interface with the one in Microsoft Office and Microsoft Outlook – meaning that if your users are very good and intuitive with Microsoft Office products, they should be ready to do GP discovery. Saying this, we have to admit that GP user training is needed, as MS Office interface unification, leading to users intuition is just the top level

5. Frequently Asked Questions. Software Licenses – you can purchase these from MBS partners only. To get new user licenses or modules – you will need to be enrolled in Microsoft Dynamics GP annual enhancement program. Migration from old versions: 5.5, 6.0, 7.0, 7.5 – if you are on Pervasive SQL or Ctree, then you need migration tool, please contact your MBS partner. Version upgrade – current version is 10.0 and one-step migration path exists for 8.0 SP5 and 9.0 SP2

6. Reporting. You can consider industry tools, such as Crystal Reports, Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services (SRS), MS Excel, or even Microsoft Access Reports, if you are comfortable with Access. Very important reporting hint – consider creating report logic in MS SQL Server stored procedure or view and not expect the magic from reporting tool Wizard.

7. Beyond the generic implementation. Customization – please review eConnect, Microsoft Dexterity, GP SDK, SQL Stored Procedures, Modifier with VBA. Integration – please start with Integration Manager, then think about eConnect programming, SQL direct scripting. EDI or Electronic Document Interchange – this is popular SQL scripting routine, it is often resolved via XML feed. If you represent lager corporate entity and need major integration project, we will be happy to help you.

Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics Gp Upgrade Incentive

Posted on August 2, 2009 by admin

If your organization is on old version of Microsoft Great Plains: Great Plains eEnterprise 6.0 or 7.0, Great Plains Dynamics for MS SQL Server 6.0, 7.0, Great Plains Dynamics or Dynamics C/S+ 4.0, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, Great Plains Dynamics on Pervasive SQL 2000 or Ctree, or even on Microsoft Dynamics GP 7.5, 8.0 or 9.0, we offer you 4 hours of free upgrade support. This offer is valid for all Chicago metropolitan area customers, and if you are outside of Chicago area, meaning USA and Canada nationwide – this offer is valid via remote support. You pay for required MBS reenrollment – to be placed back to Microsoft Business Solutions annual enhancement program to get new GP 10.0 software licenses and we do the job of updating your Great Plains to version 10.0. To make this deal more attractive we place our cards on the table and announce complete Great Plains Dexterity, VBA Modifier, Crystal Reports and FRx upgrade and support through our development facility. This offer should help you to cut upgrade cost and appeal to industry top ranking GP technical expertise:

1. What we need from you. Call our toll free phone number: 1-866-528-0577 or email us: help@albaspectrum.com . Have your Great Plains IT internal support people to be able to help us connect to your system via web session or remote desktop connection to identify your current version and existing modifications, custom logic and altered reporting

2. Hidden cost disclaimer. We are Microsoft Dynamics GP partner, consulting and software development company, so we are not absorbing Microsoft Dynamics GP software licenses and technical support cost (provided directly by Microsoft), however we offer 4 hours of free time of our technical and functional Great Plains consultants. If you manage to get your case being clarified in four hours of GP consulting, then you may consider us to become your GP VAR of record

3. Reasons to upgrade to GP 10.0. Technology typically advances from several directions: OS platform, here it is Microsoft Windows Server 2003 both 32 and 64 bit blends; Database platform: Microsoft SQL Server 2005, Microsoft Office and MS Sharepoint direction, plus added business logic in Microsoft Dynamics GP itself. Additional consideration should be given to existing and available at the time Microsoft Dynamics GP technical support

4. Customization upgrade. In the case of GP customizing was probably done in Great Plains Dexterity (DYNAMICS.DIC with sanscript source code), VBA with GP Modifier, SQL Server Stored Procedures, eConnect, C# or VB .Net base GP SDK programming, which is in fact resembling of Dexterity, Extender (including eOne Extender Professional)

5. Crystal Reports update. CR are typically based on Microsoft SQL Server Stored procedure or SQL View, and if this is the case CR are easily upgradeable

6. Complex cases. If you are on archaic version, such as Great Plains Accounting (GPA) 9.2 or 9.5 for DOS, Windows or MAC, please give us a call to discuss the upgrade and recovery details

Seven Strengths Of Great Home And Business Security Systems

Posted on July 30, 2009 by admin

It is always a good idea to evaluate your basic security alarm systems to determine if they are serving you well. There are numerous ways to assess the value of your home or business security system. Here are seven questions to ask about the strengths of any security system.

1. Is it customized? You need a home or commercial security system that takes into account all your particular needs. For example, if a business has a glass storefront, the security issues will be different from a warehouse which is closed up inside an industrial complex. Furthermore, monitoring may need to be done more by the employees or more by the security alarm systems company. The system should suit the application for which it is being used.

2. Is it sophisticated? You will want a home security system that cannot be tricked by any garden variety burglar. The system should be complex enough in its design that it is not easily bypassed. Business security is just as important, and those who try to steal from businesses are often even more resourceful than home burglars. The level of sophistication in any commercial security system should be high.

3. Is it comprehensive? It is important to have security alarm systems, fire safety equipment, and even security surveillance if necessary. Security systems can be set up and programmed to check doors and windows, as well as monitor appliances, report flooding, and sound the alarm for fires. Every aspect of business or home security should be covered by a good security system.

4. Is it sensitive? Any security alarm system should be able to warn of intrusion, fire, or other damage whenever it happens. If it takes extreme force to start the alarm going or trip the security surveillance, the system is useless. Look for an alarm setup that will catch anything that should not be happening on your property as soon as trouble starts.

5. Is it versatile? An alarm system should be able to be upgraded whenever your business or home situation changes. Having a versatile system will make any transitions smoother and less costly. For instance, a great commercial security system would allow a quick addition of additional security surveillance equipment without reconfiguring the entire system.

6. Is it preventative? One way to make business or home security systems more preventative is to post signs stating that the systems are in place. Cities like Jacksonville, Palm Coast, and Tallahassee Florida have numerous signs showing that security alarm systems are placed in many homes and businesses. This tells burglars and vandals to stay away. Fire safety features should also prevent excessive damage by alerting the fire department quickly, before much damage is done.

7. Is it constant? Every home or commercial security system needs a backup power supply in order to keep it online in case of a power outage. This is especially true in areas like Florida where storms often put out electrical service. Along the same lines, equipment should be taken care of by skilled technicians so that it never fails in time of trouble.

When you answer all these questions, you will have a good idea of whether your alarm system is the right one for you. If it is, rest assured that it will keep you safe in an often unfriendly world. If it does not meet these standards, it is time to look for a new business or home security system company.

For more info on Business security systems visit www.certifiedsecuritysystems.com.

Security Guard and Patrol Service: A Great Help to the Nation

Posted on July 29, 2009 by admin

For commercial property managers, security is a big concern. In keeping your properties and assets safe, security guard can be the best companion. With electronic security system and hidden cameras, the modern age has seen much progress; but human guards are by far the best option till date. Therefore, private security guards are employed for proper utilization of human power over electronic safety aids.

The security services are increasingly becoming important in our society, and the security industry is thriving fast. Security guards are liable to protect their employer’s investment, enforce rules and laws on the property to safeguard property, and deter criminal activity or other problems.

A security guard, according to law have the following functions:

· Protection of People and Property: The main aim of the security guard is protection of persons and/or property from harm, theft, and/or illegal activity

· Deterrence, observation, discovery, and/or reporting unlawful or unauthorized activity to the property owner is another important function of the security guard

· Street Patrol Service: The security guards are also utilized for street patrol service

· Setting Security Alarm: They can in response to, but not installation or service of, a security system alarm, act accordingly.

· Close Contact: The security guards in borders are always in contact with one another. This communication is important in reducing risks. For this, trained and experienced security services are most wanted.

What the security guards do?

· Notify about the suspected person: The task of the security personnel is to ask questions to anyone who is suspected; this is notified to higher authorities thereafter.

· Locking Doors: Checking the building entrance doors in order to ensure that they are properly locked at the designated times.

· Check Doors: The security guards also ensure that the doors are properly closed before the beginning of work and after its completion.

· Deny access: The security personnel ensure that any unauthorized persons are denied access into the building or tenants’ areas.

· Double Checking of Entrance: The security guards also need to ensure that the entrance doors are double-checked when the work is completed.

· Removing the Potentially Hazardous Substances: The security guards are also responsible for removing the potentially hazardous substances from the site of the property. That may be combustible substance or dangerous gaseous sources.

Security or Patrol Services are of great help for the nation. Security is into the hands of patrol services or security guards. The patrol services, rendering its help to the discerning people ensures that the property is safe, and the owner is satisfied.

Tyler Moon is an expert in article writing and internet marketing. She regularly contributes articles on various topics like security services, birth announcements etc.