In an unusually candid admission Sage developers admitted that at least one of their features pretty much sucks. Dennis Howlett has the specifics at AccManPro.
You, Me and Dynamics GP
The premier information site for Microsoft Dynamics GP
26 February 2010
GP 2010 Feature: Billing Frequency Options on Contracts
Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP’s newest Feature of the Day for GP 2010 covers improvements to the Billing Frequency Options on Contracts in the Field Service module.
Dynamics GP 2010 (Payables Management) Select Payables Checks Window
Amy Walsh is back looking at important changes to the Select Checks window in Dynamics GP 2010. It’s nice to see that a mature module like Payables is still being improved.
25 February 2010
Kits in Dynamics GP
The new JMC Solutions blog takes a look at the good and the bad of working with Kits in Dynamics GP. (That’s kits, not kilts or kites) Apparently there is no ugly when working with Kits so that’s good new.
Excel Pivot Table Builder in GP 2010
One of my favorite Excel features, Pivot Tables, gets some love in the upcoming Dynamics GP 2010 release. The Excel Report Builder product will now be able to output Pivot Tables in addition to list style reports. Details at Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP.
Negative Cash Receipts in GP 2010
Amy Walsh has a look at the new Negative Cash Receipts feature coming in Dynamics GP 2010 up now at DynamicsCare.
SnapShot Beta Release for GP 2010
From David Musgrave I see that the unsupported SnapShot utility has a beta release to update it for the upcoming GP 2010.
Weekly Review: Fixed Allocation Accounts
Allocation accounts have been in Dynamics for a long time but a lot of people still don't use them. Today we'll look at the simplest version, fixed allocation accounts.
With fixed allocation accounts you apportion costs based on a fixed percentage. Allocation accounts always have a zero balance. Transactions posted to an allocation account get their amounts split to the underlying accounts based on the percentages setup and nothing actually posts to the allocation account itself.
For example, if you have a sales office attached to headquarters. You could apportion say, 10% of the HQ facility costs to the sales office since they don't have separate rent, utilities, etc. Posting to the allocation account will automatically split the amounts 90/10 between a Headquarters account and a Sales Department account.
We use a different numbering scheme for allocation accounts to be able to easily identify them. To setup a Fixed Allocation, go to Cards-Financial-Fixed Allocation, then:
Originally Posted by Mark at 9/12/2006 05:06:00 PM
With fixed allocation accounts you apportion costs based on a fixed percentage. Allocation accounts always have a zero balance. Transactions posted to an allocation account get their amounts split to the underlying accounts based on the percentages setup and nothing actually posts to the allocation account itself.
For example, if you have a sales office attached to headquarters. You could apportion say, 10% of the HQ facility costs to the sales office since they don't have separate rent, utilities, etc. Posting to the allocation account will automatically split the amounts 90/10 between a Headquarters account and a Sales Department account.
We use a different numbering scheme for allocation accounts to be able to easily identify them. To setup a Fixed Allocation, go to Cards-Financial-Fixed Allocation, then:
- Enter an Account Number and Description
- Enter successive distribution accounts and their percentages
Originally Posted by Mark at 9/12/2006 05:06:00 PM
24 February 2010
Decisions 2010 Virtual Conference and Tradeshow
The link is up now for the Decisions Spring 2010 Virtual Conference and Tradeshow presented by MSDynamicsWorld. The conference is scheduled for May 19 & 20 and is great way to reinforce things learned at Convergence.
This is going to be a great event covering all of the Dynamics products. I’m speaking at the event and even better the whole conference is free. Register now!
Dynamics GP 2010 Feature: Drill Down Builder
Up now at Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP is a look at the new Drill Down Builder coming in GP 2010. Think of this feature as Smartlist GoTo’s but in Excel Report Builder.
23 February 2010
Manufacturing One Item in GP 2010
In their latest post, Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP looks at manufacturing a single item in Dynamics GP 2010.
Beyond the Role Tailored Interface in Dynamics
MSDynamicsWorld looks at Microsoft’s Mike Ehrenberg latest post on the Dynamics Community site. Mike looks at what’s coming in interface design for future Dynamics products.
Dynamics GP 2010 Connect Feature
Amy Walsh beat me to a look at the Connect feature coming in Dynamics GP 2010. She has plenty of screen shots and covers everything I was looking at.
22 February 2010
Wildcards in Smartlists
In Wednesdays tip of the day Frank Hamelly looked at wildcard operators available for Smartlists in Dynamics GP.
Rapid Migration Tool in GP 2010
Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP also has a look at updates to the Rapid Migration Tool in GP 2010.
GP 2010 Beta VPC…Playtime!
For partners, the “core” 32 bit build of the Dynamics GP 2010 beta is now available as a Virtual PC build. This will let partners play with GP 2010 without going through the trouble of an install. Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP has the details. This core build doesn’t have everything, no communication server bits for example. A bigger, hyper-v based build is coming but for now, this is a great place to start.
Tools Available From MS Professional Services
Leslie Vail has a great post up listing paid and free modules available from Microsoft Professional Services. These are special purpose modules designed for certain scenarios but not necessarily applicable to all customers. I’ve never seen a comprehensive list like this. Great job Leslie!
[Update: Fixed Link]
[Update: Fixed Link]
GP 2010 Feature: Custom EFT Template
Amy Walsh of DynamicsCare takes a look at creating a custom EFT Template, a new feature, in Dynamics GP 2010.
[Update: Corrected attribution. Sorry about that Amy]
[Update: Corrected attribution. Sorry about that Amy]
Weekly Dynamic: FRx and XBRL
The question comes up of whether FRx will handle XBRL. The answer is yes and no. The XBRL specifications, tags and taxonomies have evolved since the first specification and FRx has not evolved as quickly because of the ultimate move from FRx to Management Reporter. Consequently it's important to understand what FRx will and won't do with respect to XBRL reporting.
- FRx only supports monetary items, not decimal, ratio/percentage or text data
- FRx doesn't support footnotes
- FRx doesn't provide a way to enter the entity scheme and identifier required in an instance document. Generic information is created and needs to be manually changed.
- FRx generates an instance document for each unit of the reporting tree. This may or may not ultimately be what a company needs.
- FRx does not support CALC columns with XBRL output. Only GL and Forecaster columns will export.
19 February 2010
GP 2010: Project Accounting SSRS Reports
A new feature coming in GP 2010 is SSRS Reports for Project Accounting! Finally! Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP has the scoop.
GP 2010 Login
Up at DynamicsCare now Amy Walsh gets a look at the GP 2010 beta and shows off the new login screen.
18 February 2010
System Preferences Option in GP 10
Leslie Vail has a look at controlling items on the Home Page of GP 10 via the System Preferences Option in GP 10.
MRP Move-Out Enhancements in GP 2010
Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP has a new post up looking at MRP Move Out enhancements coming out in GP 2010.
Fixed Price ERP Considerations
Panorama has a look at considerations for fixed price implementations of ERP. While this isn't specific to Dynamics GP, all of the considerations definitely apply.
Weekly Review: Dynamics GP Set File
Dynamics GP uses a configuration file with the extension SET to identify which products are installed and where their dictionary files are located. The file is dynamics.set and by default it is in c:\program files\microsoft dynamics\gp. Generally, changes are made to this file by an administrator when they want to point users to a centralized forms or reports dictionary for an application like main GP app or a 3rd party.
If you are able to get into GP, you can modify the Set file from Tools-Setup-System-Edit Launch file. Occasionally though, an errant install can damage the file and you have to make changes using a text editor like notepad so that you can even enter GP. For this Weekly Dynamics,
For an additional 10 pages of mind numbing detail on the set file, visit chapter 11 of the Administrator's Guide at Help-Printable Manuals-System-Administrator's Guide from within Dynamics GP.
Originally p
If you are able to get into GP, you can modify the Set file from Tools-Setup-System-Edit Launch file. Occasionally though, an errant install can damage the file and you have to make changes using a text editor like notepad so that you can even enter GP. For this Weekly Dynamics,
For an additional 10 pages of mind numbing detail on the set file, visit chapter 11 of the Administrator's Guide at Help-Printable Manuals-System-Administrator's Guide from within Dynamics GP.
Originally p
17 February 2010
Support Debugging Tool 12 Release for Dynamics GP
David Musgrave has finally release version 12 of the Support Debugging Tool into the wild. Don't forget that this supports versions back to 8.0. It's not just for the latest and greatest. Check out Developing for Dynamics GP to see all the new features and fixes.
Sharpen the Axe
In a new MSDynamicsWorld article, Frank Hamelly looks at axe sharpening, skills sharpening and Dynamics GP.
Dynamics GP and Compliance
Merit Matters has a new blog entry and whitepaper looking at how to Help Achieve Compliance Objectives with Microsoft Dynamics GP.
Too Many Note Windows Open
Mariano Gomez has a look at the error "You have too many note windows open. Close a note window" in Dynamics GP. Mariano looks at why it occurs and what to do about it.
Dynamics ERP Edging Ahead
MSDynamicsWorld has a look at Panorama Consulting Group's newest survey showing that Microsoft Dynamics products have gain ground in the recession.
New Facebook Poll: How often do you backup Dynamics GP?
There is a new poll up on the Facebook Fan Page. I'd like to know how often you backup Microsoft Dynamics GP. It's always been a sore spot for me and I'm curious about what a broader segment of users actually does.
16 February 2010
Inventory Auto Lot Numbers in GP 2010
Looking at another new feature in Dynamics GP 2010, Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP looks at auto assignment of inventory lot numbers.
GP 2010 Service Call Management
Mariano Gomez has a great look at Service Call Management improvements in the Field Service module for Dynamics GP.
Developing for Dynamics GP Needs Your Feedback!
The Developing for Dynamics GP blog needs your feedback. They want to know how to improve the information they provide to you. Go tell them what you think. I know you have an opinion.
I'm off to the Microsoft MVP Summit
As this post goes live I'm actually on a plane on my way to the Microsoft MVP summit in Bellevue, WA. The Dynamics GP team won't be there but I'm hoping to learn a lot about upcoming BI initiatives from Microsoft and I'm looking to get some time with the Excel, PowerPivot and SQL Server teams. The whole event is under a non-disclosure agreement so there are some limits to what I can blog and tweet about. My blog posting ability may also be sporadic depending on what kind of access I have. It looks like I'll be the only GP MVP there. Mohammad Daoud was trying to go but was running in to visa problem. If he makes it, we'll have a lot of fun representing Dynamics GP.
15 February 2010
What's New in VST 2010
Patrick Roth shares with us what's new in Visual Studio Tools for Dynamics GP 2010. It looks like developers are getting some cool new features.
Dynamics GP 2010 Customer Launch Portal is Live
Visit the Dynamics GP 2010 Customer Launch Portal to learn more about the upcoming release. Hey, Microsoft, the site looks great.
Microsoft Dynamics Customer Carousel
Via The Edge, Microsoft has a new site highlighting customer success stories at the Microsoft Dynamics Customer Carousel.
Fixed Assets Basic Webinar Tomorrow
It's not too late to register for and attend the DynamicsCare Fixed Assets Basic webinar tomorrow, Feb. 16 at 11am ET. This is a free, one hour webinar on the basics of the Dynamics GP Fixed Asset module.
FRx versus Management Reporter
Gloria Braunschweig of the ComputerationDynamics blog has a new post up on why she is exited about Management Reporter replacing FRx. I agree with all of her reasons but I'm withholding judgment. Right now, the install of Management Reporter isn't wowing me. Window Server 2003 is required, IIS is required. Just reading the install instructions reminds me that this is a 1.0 product. Put me in the "holding my breath and praying this works category".
Slipstream Service Packs in a Dynamics GP Client Install
Rob Mitchell has a great post up at DynamicsCare explaining how to slipstream a service pack into a GP install.
Dynamics GP 2010 Feature: PO Date Roll Down
Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP has a new post up looking at the brand new Date Roll Down functionality for P.O.'s in GP 2010. This functionality allows users to roll down the Promised Date and/or the Promised Ship Date to each line in the P.O.
Duplicate Journal Entry Numbers
Vaidy points us to a newsgroup discussion describing the circumstances when a duplicate journal entry number can be created. Can you come up with all the scenarios?
Facebook Poll Results: You care about emailing things from GP 2010
I've closed the latest Facebook poll and the number one feature you are looking forward to in GP 2010 is the ability to email forms and reports direct from Dynamics GP. That feature won by large margin. Printing forms to Word narrowly beat improved KPI's and Dashboards for second place.
Investing in Dynamics GP Users
My new article on Investing in Dynamics GP Users is up at MSDynamicsWorld. Feel free to print this and stick it under your boss' nose. You're welcome.
Weekly Dynamic: Picking Instructions
When using Advanced Picking in Dynamics GP, users have the option to assign picking instructions to customers, addresses and items. For example, if some items require a forklift for picking, that instruction could be setup as a picking instruction and then assigned to a specific set of items. These picking instructions will print on any sales docs used for picking as long as Print Picking Instructions was checked.
There are three key parts to picking instructions:
1) Setting up the instruction. This is set in Purchasing|Cards|Picking Instructions
3) Make sure that Print Picking Instructions is selected when printing picking tickets.
Picking Instructions provide a great option for improving picking by increasing picking efficiency.
11 February 2010
GP 2010 Beta: Right Click Functionality
I'm digging into the GP 2010 beta. The addition of right click functionality is great. I'd love the option to expand it by say, adding the ability to start a macro from a right click menu, but I'm happy with what's there now. I think the biggest benefit is not going to be cut/copy/paste. It's going to be insert and delete row. That menu selection has always been a bit obscure and users tend to hit the big delete button by mistake and wipe out a whole transaction when they just want to delete a line.
I think that moving this functionality to the point where it is used is a big step in the right direction.
I think that moving this functionality to the point where it is used is a big step in the right direction.
Multi-Currency ISO Code in Dynamics GP
Steve Endow looks at the ISO Code in the Currency Setup window in his latest post at Dynamics GP Land.
SQL View for AR with GL Distributions
Victoria Yudin has a new post up with a SQL view that shows all posted receivables transactions and the related GL distributions.
Dynamics GP 2010: Drill Through
New in GP 2010 is the ability to link back to a GP transaction from an external report. More info at Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP.
Weekly Review: Long Account Number Pitfalls
I've gotten questions from people over the years about long account
numbers/lots of segments, so I thought I would put together a short
list of the pitfalls of very large account numbers.
The longest GL account number I've worked with in GP is 27 digits, 8
segments. This is different from the account framework which may be
large to accomodate changes but most companies have a much smaller
chart of accounts.
When you have an account number of that size, some of the pitfalls in GP are:
1) You have to activate horizontal scroll bars in User Preferences and
you end up scrolling left an right to see the entire account.
2) Many of GP's default reports aren't setup for accounts of that size
and you'll need to modify posting reports for all modules and GL
related reports.
3) You'll do a lot of resizing in Smartlists just to fit what you want on the screen.
4) You shouldn't see too many performance issues in GP but you may see
serious slowdowns in FRx. This is especially true when using trees or
reports with heavy account detail. Enterprise Reporting deals with
large accounts and large datasets better, but the features are not
identical between the two products.
5) Users will do a lot more searching on segments other than account
number. Make sure you've got the other segments setup to be searchable
in the account framework.
numbers/lots of segments, so I thought I would put together a short
list of the pitfalls of very large account numbers.
The longest GL account number I've worked with in GP is 27 digits, 8
segments. This is different from the account framework which may be
large to accomodate changes but most companies have a much smaller
chart of accounts.
When you have an account number of that size, some of the pitfalls in GP are:
1) You have to activate horizontal scroll bars in User Preferences and
you end up scrolling left an right to see the entire account.
2) Many of GP's default reports aren't setup for accounts of that size
and you'll need to modify posting reports for all modules and GL
related reports.
3) You'll do a lot of resizing in Smartlists just to fit what you want on the screen.
4) You shouldn't see too many performance issues in GP but you may see
serious slowdowns in FRx. This is especially true when using trees or
reports with heavy account detail. Enterprise Reporting deals with
large accounts and large datasets better, but the features are not
identical between the two products.
5) Users will do a lot more searching on segments other than account
number. Make sure you've got the other segments setup to be searchable
in the account framework.
10 February 2010
Removing Extender Data Revisited
David Musgrave revisits his previous post on removing extender data and adds some additional information and options.
Dynamics GP 2010: Sales Forecasting Enhancements
The feature of the day yesterday at Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP covered Sales Forecasting Enhancements coming in GP 2010.
Publishing Salesperson Specific Data - GP & SSRS
Michael Johnson has a new article up at MSDynamicsWorld.com where he takes a look at the right way to get salesperson specific data from Dynamics GP out to the appropriate salesperson. It's nice to see Michael writing for MSDynamicsWorld. Keep up the good work!
Customer Lookup Enhancement
Vaidy has coverage of GP 2010's ability to exclude inactive customers from lookups. This seems to be theme running through GP 2010 as most data types that can be inactivated (customers, vendors, items, etc.) now allow exclusion of inactive items in the lookups.
GP 2010 Service Call Enhancements
Vaidy Mohan has a new post up looking at Service Call enhancements in Dynamics GP 2010. I know some of the folks who worked on this and they are pretty proud of the enhancements in GP 2010.
09 February 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
