Microsoft Dynamics GP Modifications: Extender, Dexterity, eConnect notes

If you have Dynamics GP, formerly known as Great Plains Dynamics and eEnterprise implemented in your organization, the second phase is to think about precise business logic mapping and implementing via customizations and light modifications.  This small publication is to get you some initial info on such Dynamics GP modification tools, as Extender, Microsoft Dexterity and eConnect.  We are trying to keep balance between being too technical and not being too "executive level FAQ".  Dynamics GP is Corporate ERP, designed for mid-market, and this should mean for you that GP programming might not be apparent and if you have generic Microsoft Visual Studio C# or VB.Net programmers in IT staff, you should be realistic and not expect them to become Dynamics GP Dexterity programmers over night, over week or even over month:

1. Extender.  It is the shell coded in Microsoft Dexterity.  You can modify Dynamics GP with Extender by building new windows, interfaced to major GP modules, such as Sales Order Processing Transactions.  In the Extender version, available directly from Microsoft Business Solutions you do not have the option to attach Sanscript Dexterity scripts to the objects.  If scripts are desirable, you may consider to purchase Extender Enterprise directly from eOne Solutions - original Extender Dynamics GP ISV partner in Australia.  In Extender Enterprise with Dynamics GP Version 10.0 there is no way to debug your Sanscript code, so it should be verified and probably be debugged in Microsoft Dexterity

2. Microsoft Dexterity, formerly known as Great Plains Dexterity.  This tool was initial architecture for Great Plains Dynamics.  GP Dexterity was coded as a shell in C++ programming language to abstract Dynamics from Database Platform and Operating System dependencies back in earlier 1990th.  Dexterity is traditional software development tool for Dynamics GP and majority of the add-ons are coded in Dex.  You can get maximum on Dexterity if you are working for Dynamics GP Dexterity Source Code Partner and have access to Dynamics GP Source Code (Dynamics.Dic with original Sanscript codes in it - Dynamics.dic, coming from Customer Purchased Dynamics GP CD comes with Sanscript codes stripped off).  Dexterity can modify virtually all the Dynamics GP window without restrictions, plus you can build new tables, forms, windows, triggers.  If you are Dexterity Sanscript programmer with ten or more years of experience - Dynamics GP customization is familiar land for you and you are unlimited in your abilities.  If you do not have Dexterity developers with two years experience in staff, consider outsourcing Dynamics GP Dexterity programming project to Great Plains Technology Partner

3. eConnect for Microsoft Dynamics GP.  This tool and SDK was initially dedicated to Great Plains eCommerce software developers to open GP Accounting Back Office realm for ecommerce shopping cart integration.  Typically ecommerce shopping cart is integrated into GP Sales Order Processing Invoice with Credit Card Payment in the form of Customer Deposit.  eConnect was introduced for Great Plains Dynamics version 7.0, and later on it was expanded to other GP modules: General Ledger, Purchase Order Processing, Inventory Control, Receivable Management, Payable Management, Payroll, Project accounting to name few examples.  In our personal opinion, eConnect came to its maturity in Dynamics GP version 9.0, so we recommend you to upgrade your Microsoft Dynamics GP system to current version 10.0 or at least to 9.0.  eConnect has to follow Dynamics GP architecture restrictions, this is why it is impossible to post ecommerce batches (or any GP batches) from eConnect application directly.  If you need automatic batch posting directly from eConnect integration project, consider deploying Alba Spectrum Posting Server add-on

4. How to get help? Please, feel free to call us: 1-866-528-0577, outside of USA: 1-630-961-5918 or email us help@albaspectrum.com We are very technical and real Dynamics GP Dexterity, SAP Business One SDK programming gurus. We have Great Plains Software Development Factory and could support unlimited Dynamics GP Customization and Programming needs. Plus we speak English, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and not only as native speaking sales folks, but as real technical consultants. If you prefer skype: albaspectrum