Microsoft Small Business Financials conversion to Dynamics GP Notes

One of the recommended options for the future (Small Business Financials version 9.0 is the last one available) is migration to Microsoft Dynamics GP Business Ready.  To remind you the history of Great Plains Small Business Manager 7.0 - this was specially scaled down code of Great Plains Dynamics, where Dexterity dictionary (Dynamics.dic) was simplified.  However most of the tables names, forms technical names in SBF 9.0. 8.0, 7.5 or 7.0 are similar to Great Plains or its successor Dynamics GP respective objects.  Let's review migration path and steps:

1. Small Business Financials upgrade to version 9.0.  If you are still on older versions: 8.0, 7.5, 7.0, you will need to upgrade, prior to migration to Dynamics GP.  SBF upgrade is typically simple and you should not expect major problems or issues, assuming that you do not have complex modifications, customizations (including in-house programmed Dexterity add-ons), ongoing data integration, etc.  Small Business Financials was not exposed to advanced customization, reporting and programming tools, this is one of the reasons why version upgrade is relatively smooth

2. Migration tool: SBF 9.0 to Dynamics GP 9.0.  You can request this tool from your Small Business Financials and likely future Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner or Reseller.  Dynamics GP VAR can download this tool from Microsoft Dynamics Partner Source.  Migration tool itself is sort of black box, which connects to your SBF databases and converts them (it doesn't need any support from Small Business Financials client or even doesn't call Dynamics GP user workstation, as you probably expect for GP service packs).  One of the important things here to keep in mind - when you install Dynamics GP 9.0, please do not apply any service pack, as migration tool expects it work to be finished by launching GP 9.0 Utilities installed directly from OEM CD Dynamics GP 9.0

3. Launching Dynamics GP 9.0 Utilities.  This step will move you to Dynamics GP 9.0 deployment.  At this point, please review the list of known issues.  We got two of them: upgrade to GP 10.0 fail (had to delete DU000030 table as work around recommended by MBS), plus Security transfer fail (as you may know in Dynamics GP 10.0 Security model is completely redesigned).  Probably good option to work around to move security (for each individual user in the form of user specific roles) is to avoid applying Dynamics GP 9.0 SP4 (apply SP3 only)

4. Upgrade to Dynamics GP 10.0.  As normally in upgrade to Great Plains 10.0 you apply recent Service Pack (currently October 2009 it is SP4) and then you launch GP 10.0 Utilities to convert data and reports

5. Some ideas on Dexterity Customization migration.  Such Dex add-ons as eOne Extender could be simply left in the Company database and then taken care by purchasing licenses for Extender on Dynamics GP 10.0 (including Extender Enterprise).  If you have in-house coded Dexterity module, use the same technique - try first to reapply you Dexterity chunk file on version 10.0 (as data conversion is likely not required, you will keep the same functionality in 10.0).  You may still need help in Dexterity programming in repackaging custom logic into new chunk (where you may need, but hopefully this problem will not happen, to review Dexterity code in order to respect new table fields, etc)

6. Advantages of being on Dynamics GP, versus Small Business Financials.  One of the good examples is Report Writer Graphical reports (such as Payable Management Module Graphical Check form).  Another apparent plus is Dynamics GP eConnect (which could be the gateway to ecommerce, EDI and other integrations).  Also, Dynamics GP has Dexterity modification tool (in SBF you could also use Dex, if you involve external Dexterity consulting partner)

7. Alternatives.  If you feel that Microsoft Dynamics GP Business Ready licensing is out of your budget, consider converting SBF to Microsoft Office Accounting, or two alternative Corporate ERP application vendors: SAP Business One seems to be reasonably priced for Small Business or Non Profit organization.  If you consider SAP B1, we have trained programmer and technical consultants to secure data conversion via export to Text files and import via SB1 Data Transfer Workbench

8. Notes on Great Plains Accounting for DOS and Windows Migration to Small Business Financials.  SBF could be considered as intermediate phase in GPA archaic version upgrade to Dynamics GP (Great Plains Accounting 9.5, 9.2, 9.1 and earlier).  You can also consider GPA migration to Dynamics GP 7.5 and then upgrading to GP 10.0, if desired.  Typical problem for old GPA customers is budget.  You will have to purchase Dynamics GP Business Ready licenses with GPA owned modules respecting discount

9. 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 and Microsoft CRM 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