Custom programming for your Corporate ERP system might be something that requires homework and self-discovery on the available coding instruments and which one fits the best to your project.
Each Corporate ERP application is open through custom development tools, and Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly also known as Great Plains Dynamics) is not an exception. Let’s look at the custom programming tools for Dynamics GP with some reasonable details:
1. Great Plains Dexterity. This is legendary Great Plains Software IDE (Integrated Development Environment), specially created to be a shell for Great Plains Dynamics and make it neutral to such those old days technology challenges as Computer Operating System (Unix, Solaris, Microsoft Windows, Macintosh OS), plus to the Database Platform (earlier Great Plains was available on Ctree and Btrieve, later on Microsoft SQL Server 6.5) – Dexterity technically allows you to switch DB platform with minor software codes revision (as Dex itself is coded in C programming language, which is pretty close to computer assembler language, but at the same time is reasonably neutral to the computer processor and periphery). Also, in late 1970th and earlier 1980th computer platform was associated with diversified computer display graphics interfaces, where Dexterity, based on C language was also the warrant of the future compatibility. Now to the point – Dexterity allows you to customize or alter everything in Dynamics GP or Great Plains older versions user interface and the database side. Dexterity has its own scripting language Sanscript and it has Development Environment, where you can alter existing Dynamics GP forms and reports (cannot alter existing tables, you will need to create the new table and link it to the existing one), plus add new objects: tables, forms, reports
2. eConnect. This tool is rather for the integration, it was created specifically for Great Plains eCommerce customers to open GP objects to Shopping Cart (B2B and B2C ecommerce scenarios). This was back in 2003-2004, and later on eConnect was expanded to cover the majority of native Dynamics GP modules (initially SOP and Inventory Control, then POP, General Ledger, Payroll, Human Resources, Project Accounting, etc.). Please note that eConnect is not covering Great Plains Invoicing module (older and cheaper version, now it is recommended that you choose Sales Older Processing module instead). Now to the technology layer, econnect is in essence the set of SQL encrypted stored procedures and several stacks of programming calls built on this platform: web services, XML, integration Manager connectors, etc.
3. Extender. It is available in two flavors, one is directly from Microsoft Business Solutions (so called Standard) and the second one is from its original software developer eOne (here it is called Enterprise)
4. VBA and Modifier. This is another option, however it is a bit obsolete from the technology stand point, but very reliable and simple, especially when you have VBA developers in IT staff. VBA scripting is probably similar to Microsoft Visual Basic, but it is so simplified, that the coding itself could be handled to junior programmers
5. For the additional information, please feel free to call us 1-269-605-4904 or email us help@albaspectrum.com We serve you USA/Canada nationwide via remote support (web sessions and phone/skype conferences). Local service is available in Western Michigan, Chicagoland, Southern California (LA, Orange County, San Diego), Houston area of the state of Texas
Dexterity Customization for Dynamics GP Evaluation Level Paper
When you are developer it is always a good idea to read technical manuals. But if you was just assigned to the IT team to decide if Dexterity is the right tool to customize your ERP application then first you need something which is in style of ‘easy reading papers’ or FAQ
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