Microsoft Dynamics GP, formerly this Corporate ERP platform for mid-size business was known as Great Plains Software Dynamics, eEnterprise and Dynamics C/S+, has large number of installations in United States, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Spanish Speaking Latin America and Caribbean
It is part of Microsoft Dynamics family, where you also see Dynamics AX (former Axapta), NAV (former Navision), SL (Solomon), CRM and RMS (Retail Management System). This family might be extended by Microsoft Business Solutions, so please check on current info, as we are writing these lines in September 2009. Dynamics GP is good as generic ERP and MRP platform, as it can automate virtually all types of business processes, however it is especially good choice for non-profit organizations (Grant Management, based on Analytical Accounting), Mid-size and large Discrete Manufacturing (please, note that for so-called Process Manufacturing, such as meat processing facilities, you should consider Dynamics AX Axapta), Light Assembly, Freight Forwarding (where you deploy Customer Vendor consolidation for Agent Settlement Report), mid-size Retailers (especially with Microsoft RMS integration to Great Plains), mid-size eCommerce stores (where you integrate ecommerce transactions via GP Integration Manager in batch mode or program simple integration in eConnect in real time), reasonably complex Warehouse management and logistics (with Barcoding integration, shipping and receiving, picking and packing), Advertisers and Publishers, who needs strong Collection department. And these business niches are our unoffical opinion, different Dynamics GP Resellers might have expertise in more business profiles. It is definitely good idea to request Dynamics GP demo with the consideration of your requirements and business processes from your Microsoft Dynamics GP proposed Partner, we will try to cover reasonable number of typical questions for your homework in this small publication:
1. Software Licensing. Dynamics GP is sold in Business Ready format, where you purchase either Business Essentials (when you need less functionality and narrow set of modules), or Advanced Management (where more functionality is desired, typically for larger organization) user licenses. Both licenses include reasonable set of modules and then the rest of the modules are available for separate purchase (maybe in the future, when you have pilot implementation completed). Dynamics GP requires (certainly you have the choice here as well) current status in Annual Enhancement program, which should be extended every year and it is around 18% of Software Price. Being in this program allows you to get access to new version registration keys and have discounted technical support from Microsoft Dynamics GP directly
2. Implementation Phases. They are likely to be similar for various Corporate ERP products. You have these steps: Sales Cycle, Pilot Installation, Data conversion, your business processes oriented user training, customizations and integrations with legacy systems if required (including EDI, ecommerce, POS, Retail Transactions, Barcode scanners, etc.), reports tailoring and modification (such as required Invoice with company logo, AP Check form, Inventory Items Barcode Label printing, etc.). When Pilot phase is successful you need to do production and final data migration and going live with emergency level support period if something goes wrong you need urgent help to secure uninterrupted business processes. For smaller organizations these steps might be narrowed, and skipped to fit your budget. We recommend you to get your Software License cost and use it as Implementation cost estimation - enable at least 50% of the Software license cost budget for consulting in implementation
3. Dynamics GP Technology Stack review. User Workstations (formerly referred as Fat client) is programmed in Great Plains Dexterity (if you need seamless integration for custom logic, this would be the first tool to consider for GP customization programming). Database Platform is Microsoft SQL Server (2008, 2005 or 2000 for current GP version 10.0). Reporting could be done in ReportWriter (invoice with Logo are the most typical), SSRS, Crystal Reports, FRx (financial reporting - BS, P&L, Statement of Cash Flow). Integration is open if you purchase Dynamics GP Integration Manager module, plus you can program integration in eConnect (if you have internal programmer, who are comfortable with C# or VB.Net development with some SQL and XML experience). Plus, there are additional possibilities: Extender, Modifier with VBA scripts, Web Services for Dynamics GP, Integration with Sharepoint, Microsoft Outlook. Plus, Dynamics has Business Portal, where you have discounted licensing schema for such functionalities as Electronic Document Delivery (to email you Sales Invoices to selected customers automatically as an idea, plus a way more other deliveries), Order Management (for B2B ecommerce), Purchasing management (for internal Purchase Orders and complex approval hierarchy and cycle), Human Resource Employee Self Service (this module allows you to be compliant on check stub exposure to your employees regulation, if stubs are available through the web, you do not have to pay for paper mail postage)
4. International Environment. Please, note that Dynamics GP Dexterity doesn't support Unicode characters, or hieroglyphs: such alphabets as Chinese, Japanese, Korean. Plus it is only localized (user interface translation plus local tax and reporting compliance) for English Speaking Countries, French speaking Quebec, and Spanish Latin America. If your international subsidiary is located in such regions and countries as Brazil, Russia, China, Continental Europe, Kazakhstan, Central Asia - we recommend you to consider SAP Business One as it localized for these countries or even local ERP application, assuming that it support reasonable transaction export into text files to be consolidated via Dynamics GP Integration Manager
5. 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
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