 |
Microsoft Great Plains Implementation Faq: Financial Setup, Conversion, User Training
Author: Andrew Karasev  | Posted: 03-11-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 33 | Rating: (53)  (?) 
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.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/software-articles/microsoft-great-plains-implementation-faq-financial-setup-conversion-user-training-251554.html
 About the Author: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
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we have adapter for Project Accounting in GP ...
By: GPIM | 16-10-2007
Do we have adapter for Project Accounting in GP Integration Manager Ver 10.0 ?
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Software Articles
Great Plains Consultant Chicago, San Diego Newsflash: Version Upgrade
By: Andrew Karasev | 12/10/2008
Microsoft Dynamics GP is new name for very popular ERP and MRP platform – Great Plains Dynamics and eEnterprise. Each accounting application lifecycle requires maintenance, and periodic version update. Current GP version is 10.0.
Software Development in Vietnam
By: TuVinhSoft .,JSC | 12/10/2008
Information Technology is a fast growing industry. New architecture and multiplying software platforms are forcing the application development to undergo a massive sea change in existing technologies. And yet the pressure of building a robust & agile application is growing continuously.
Sap Business One Partner Chicago, Atlanta Newsflash: Custom Edi
By: Andrew Karasev | 11/10/2008
SAP B1 ERP and MRP application could be easily integrated with your Electronic Document Interchange channel, either for outbound (when you are ordering products from your vendors) or inbound (when your customers places their orders in EDI code).
How to Get Quality Custom Software Development
By: Anirban Bhattacharya | 11/10/2008
In the recent past, the concept of custom software development has revolutionized the IT world.
Program Mazatrol Directly From Solidworks
By: Martin J. Aguilar | 10/10/2008
SolutionWare Corporation in Silicon Valley has enhanced their product line to include MazaCAM CAD/CAM and Editor's ability to output Mazatrol programs directly from SolidWorks: this product is PowerCAM, the CNC programming assistant, which for many parts can reduce programming time typically by 75%.
Sap Business One Integration: Sb1 Reseller Chicago, Atlanta Newsflash
By: Andrew Karasev | 10/10/2008
SAP B1 becoming more and more popular among small and even mid-size businesses, especially in light manufacturing, assembly, services, warehouse management, transportation, logistics. However all mentioned business niches often require ongoing data integration
Choosing the Right Porn Filter
By: WebWhile Ltd | 10/10/2008
In order to keep your children and family safe, you should install a porn filter on your home computers. Choosing a filter can be challenging.
Qc Software Sees Spike in Wcs Business Due to State Tax Incentives
By: Thomas Cutler | 10/10/2008
QC Software Sees Spike in WCS Business Due to State Tax Incentives
More from Andrew Karasev
Great Plains Consultant Chicago, San Diego Newsflash: Version Upgrade
By: Andrew Karasev | 12/10/2008 | Software
Microsoft Dynamics GP is new name for very popular ERP and MRP platform – Great Plains Dynamics and eEnterprise. Each accounting application lifecycle requires maintenance, and periodic version update. Current GP version is 10.0.
Sap Business One Partner Chicago, Atlanta Newsflash: Custom Edi
By: Andrew Karasev | 11/10/2008 | Software
SAP B1 ERP and MRP application could be easily integrated with your Electronic Document Interchange channel, either for outbound (when you are ordering products from your vendors) or inbound (when your customers places their orders in EDI code).
Sap Business One Integration: Sb1 Reseller Chicago, Atlanta Newsflash
By: Andrew Karasev | 10/10/2008 | Software
SAP B1 becoming more and more popular among small and even mid-size businesses, especially in light manufacturing, assembly, services, warehouse management, transportation, logistics. However all mentioned business niches often require ongoing data integration
Great Plains Consultant Newsflash: Custom Edi
By: Andrew Karasev | 09/10/2008 | Software
Microsoft Dynamics GP ERP application, or popular old name Great Plains Dynamics and eEnterprise, if you have relatively recent version, is based in Microsoft SQL Server. If you are experienced SQL DBA yourself, just this fact should give you the idea on structuring select statement and make it Electronic Document Interchange code compliant.
Sap Business One Reseller Chicago, Atlanta Newsflash: Db Structure Notes
By: Andrew Karasev | 08/10/2008 | Software
If you have implemented SAP B1 and now have phase two integration with legacy system or external CRM application needs, then you should first research SAP Business One Data Transfer Workbench and its ODBC integration options.
Sap Business One Var Newsflash: Workbench Integration Highlights
By: Andrew Karasev | 07/10/2008 | Software
SAP B1 is dedicated to small and mid-size businesses. This ERP and MRP enriched accounting application becomes more and more popular, especially since the release of SB1 version 2007A. The intuitive and very simple SAP BO interface often comes with the fact, that SAP Business One certified consultant comes without solid technical background in data conversion, customization, SDK programming and also in making ad-hoc SQL queries.
Sap Business One Partner Atlanta, Chicago Newsflash: Data Conversion
By: Andrew Karasev | 06/10/2008 | Software
SAP B1 is on the way to take its ERP and MRP applications market share for small and mid-size businesses. This publication should help you with your SAP Business One consultant, VAR, reseller and implementation partner selection
Sap Business One Consultant Atlanta, Chicago Newsflash: Customization
By: Andrew Karasev | 05/10/2008 | Software
This publication should help you in your next accounting software selection, as well as in deciding on who will be your SB1 VAR or Reseller and Implementation Partner.
|
|
Computers 
