| Microsoft Dynamics GP, formerly popular under Great | | | | |
| Plains eEnterprise and Dynamics name, this ERP, MRP, | | | | 3. Dynamics GP Customizations. Here you |
| Warehouse and Supply Chain Management application | | | | also have to consider reasonable balance — |
| requires certain experience and often your industry | | | | try to review available core modules and see if your |
| knowledge. Having said that, we expect that some | | | | unique business logic could be implemented |
| of the local Dynamics GP implementations leave you | | | | procedurally in existing GP functionality. If you have |
| under impression that your chosen Dynamics GP | | | | too many exceptions and standard logic |
| Reseller was in learning curve mode | | | | doesn’t fit, you might be trying to save too |
| If you feel, that you need second opinion and would | | | | much on new Corporate ERP software licenses |
| like to try guru level Great Plains consultant s and | | | | — try to think about Corporate ERP for larger |
| developers, in this small publication we offer Great | | | | organization, Microsoft Dynamics AX Axapta for |
| Plains technology and implementation highlights: | | | | example |
| | | | | |
| 1. Great Plains Architecture. Dynamics GP | | | | 4. Dynamics GP version upgrade. Here you |
| is MS SQL Server based application. If you tried it | | | | also have to do your homework. Microsoft Business |
| on MS SQL Server 2008 and Windows 2008 Server, | | | | Solutions tries to release new version of it s |
| chances are high that you got some issues with bullet | | | | Dynamics products every two years. However if |
| proof security and you had to enable SQL port 1433, | | | | you try to upgrade your one-step-behind version of |
| plus additional directory and shares level rights to | | | | Dynamics GP immediately — you may be at |
| your Windows users, especially if you are maintaining | | | | risk to be placed in Beta testing clientele pool. And |
| centralized Report.dic. Also, you should have some | | | | to our knowledge a lot of quick fixes and known |
| understanding on Great Plains Dexterity architecture | | | | issues are patched the next few month or first half a |
| — chunks, dictionaries, Dynamics.set and Dex.ini | | | | year of new version life |
| files. Most of the Dynamics GP ISV add-ons are | | | | |
| coded in Dexterity, as Dex allows you seamless | | | | 5. Dynamics GP and Industry knowledge. |
| integration with GP user interface and it also creates | | | | Here you have to try to avoid risk of Dynamics GP |
| custom tables in SQL Server company or Dynamics | | | | consultant not being familiar with your industry niche |
| databases | | | | requirements. It is important in GP modules selection |
| | | | | as well as in user training, business processes mapping |
| 2. Dynamics GP Data Conversion. If you | | | | and data conversion |
| are migrating from legacy accounting, especially large | | | | |
| accounting package: Oracle, PeopleSoft, SAP | | | | 6. Local versus Regional or even Nationwide |
| — often due to downsizing, you might be in | | | | Dynamics GP support. If your organization is located |
| the trap of over budgeting in Great Plains Data | | | | in rural area and your business model is very |
| migration. You should make a pause at some point | | | | traditional: wholesale or retail, simple service, |
| and reconsider Data Massage and conversion | | | | healthcare, manufacturing, you may prefer to appeal |
| strategy. Large Corporate ERP applications carry | | | | to local Dynamics GP Reseller, who will do basic initial |
| huge amount of historical data and you should | | | | service in selling your Dynamics GP licenses, installing |
| accommodate yourself and your IT management to | | | | the system with CPA type of user training. |
| the idea of limiting data conversion to GP and do not | | | | However if you are claiming to be industry leader in |
| convert All history, but only something that is | | | | high-tech, or pioneer in future business models, you |
| absolutely required. If you are facing your legacy | | | | may think of reviewing your Dynamics GP |
| Corporate ERP access termination, please consider | | | | implementation case with Nationwide Dynamics GP |
| exporting History from your legacy ERP and | | | | partner, who typically carries Great Plains Dexterity |
| importing it into MS SQL Server tables for potential | | | | Software Development Factory and reasonable pool |
| future inquiry only and do not try to move | | | | of Master level Dynamics GP Certified Consultants |
| Everything into Dynamics GP tables. New Corporate | | | | |
| ERP data conversion requires special philosophy and | | | | 7. |
| expectations management | | | | |