Dynamics GP Consulting Chicago, San Diego, Los Angeles: Great Plains Technology notes

Microsoft Dynamics GP, formerly this Corporate ERP application was known as Great Plains Dynamics and eEnterprise.  GP implementation often requires in depth technology expertise, in such tools as Microsoft Dexterity, GP Integration Manager, Crystal Reports, eConnect, FRX Financial Reporting.  For Mid-size company initial data conversion may require several cycles of test migrations, and if this is the case, your Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner should be very versatile with Great Plains Integration Manager.  Plus such modules as Manufacturing, Fixed Assets, Project Accounting may require advanced integration techniques, as they have their own integration methods or require SQL post migration data touches and GP Macros to reset parameters for all master records in specific class.  In this small publication we would like to share with you our consulting experience, based on our practices in Chicago, Southern California and Houston areas:

1. Dynamics GP Initial Implementation: Data Migration from Legacy Accounting application, Test Period, User Training, Reports Design, Customization requirements, programming ongoing integration with such systems as eCommerce, External Sales Order Processing, EDI, etc.

2. Special considerations to GP Customizations and Modifications.  Traditionally Dynamics GP add-ons are programmed in Microsoft Dexterity (formerly known as Great Plains Dexterity).  Dexterity allows you to work in GP User Workstation interface and deploy the same security realm.  Alternatives to Dexterity are Modifier with VBA (form small scope modifications, where you usually have to deploy Microsoft ADO for interfacing with GP database), Extender (this is abstraction shell coded in Dexterity, which allows you to build extensions to GP without knowing Dexterity and being programmer)

3. Special Considerations to GP Integrations.  Here we would like to mention Integration Manager and eConnect.  Dynamics GP Integration Manager is user friendly and intuitive integration design tool and even if you are not very technical, you can still build integration, which could be called on demand by Dynamics GP user.  If you are programmer, you can like advanced ODBC Data Sources (where you can base your query on SQL View, including cross platform, where data is queried and joined from Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, Pervasive SQL, Text, MS Excel, MS Access, etc.) .  eConnect - this tool and SDK is great for real time integrations in EDI, eCommerce, integrations with XML streams

4. Special Considerations to GP Data Conversions.  We recommend you to be conservative and do not pursue 100% of conversion or in other words, do not set a goal "to convert everything".  The best and the most failure proof and realistic scenarios would be entering beginning balances in GL, bringing in current customers, vendors and open transactions in AR and AP.  The rest should be left in the old legacy accounting system for inquiry only.  We do not recommend you to bring in AR, AP, Sales Order Processing and other modules historical data into GP, as even this is possible, but it will require a way more consulting time and may lead to data fixing needs down the road

5. Analytical Accounting and non Profit Grant Management.  Microsoft Dynamics GP has special concentration on Non Profit sector.  Grant Management module in Great Plains Dynamics GP requires Analytical Accounting.  Please check with us, if you are not for profit organization and need Dynamics GP implementation or support

6. How to get additional help?  We encourage you to search in google for Dynamics GP video demos and presentations.  Our web engineers are deploying web casting technologies, similar to the ones used in Youtube and Google Video to provide free Dynamics GP internet video presentations.  Feel free to call or email our office.  Service is available virtually Worldwide via remote connections, web sessions and phone conferences.  We will be happy to travel to your USA, Canada, Brazil or international based office or facility, if required.  Our consultants speak English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Filipino and other languages