If you are mid-size chain of retail stores with centralized goods delivery, Microsoft Dynamics GP or how this Corporate ERP application was known several years ago – Great Plains Dynamics might be good fit for your organization.
We would like to review Great Plains technology layers and features,
such as integration with POS and Retail applications (such as Microsoft RMS, Counterpoint, etc.), centralized distribution via Warehouse Management System (opening Great Plains Distribution logic for Barcode scanners), order placements via B2B ecommerce or EDI (Electronic Document Interchange) channels, opening your eCommerce B2C web outlet:
1. Microsoft Dynamics GP Technology highlights. When you are selecting ERP application for mid-market business, it is important to have reliable, powerful, and open for integration, reporting database platform. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (or earlier versions 2005 and even 2000) should be considered as matured and reliable (especially with such technologies as MS SQL Server Cluster, Recovery from Tape of File backup up to precise moment of time). MS SQL Server DB platform has also such trivial but important for the continuation of the operations feature as large pool of trained and certified MSDBA professionals. In addition to mentioned advantages, MS SQL Server is also the DB platform for such popular POS and Retail applications, as Counterpoint and Microsoft RMS. Microsoft Dynamics GP is programmed in so-called Microsoft Dexterity (former Great Plains Dexterity, which is specially designed shell to resolve your dependency from day-to-day technology trends and fluctuations), where you can modify virtually any GP form, and alter all the pieces or business logic, plus create new forms, tables, procedures, triggers, etc. eConnect opens Dynamics GP for eCommerce programmer (or software developer, who needs its programming project to read, create, update or delete GP master records and transactions). If you think that you are not really in the software development shoes, GP has such tools as Integration Manager (to integrate text files, or more challenging records via Advanced ODBC with events open for VBA scripting), Extender (where you create new GP forms in wizard driven manner), Modifier (where you intuitively modify existing Great Plains forms by placing new buttons, or changing position of the existing objects). Dynamics GP reporting is possible in Great Plains Report Writer (to modify typically reports of GP user interface – SOP Blank Invoice form for example – typically placing your company logo, changing positions of the fields, changing fonts, things like that)
2. Dynamics GP and POS applications integration. The simplest one to be integrated with Great Plains is Microsoft RMS. MS RMS is geared toward mid-market retailers, where you have full control of each store in Store Operations with POS application handling each Cash Register (Items barcode labels scanning, POS displays). If you have multiple stores, MS RMS has Headquarters module, consolidating all the stores into one database with MS RMS HQ user interface. If you are already committed to another POS platform, such as Counterpoint, for example, it should have integration options (or in the case of Counterpoint it has out of the box integration tool, which you could modify). If you have custom Point of Sale application, we have scripts to send transactions to Dynamics GP Sales Order Processing module, feel free to contact us for details
3. Centralized Merchandise Replenishment or Warehouse Management System with Barcodeing. If you plan to control inventory restocking from your Headquarters, central or regional warehouses, Dynamics GP Distribution modules (Inventory Control, Purchase Order Processing, Sales Order Processing) have WMS extensions, available from Alba Spectrum. Warehouse Management System allows you to reorder merchandise from your suppliers (WMS restocking) and then send inventory items directly to your stores based on estimated sales figures (WMS merchandise transfers). Plus from your central location you can Pick and Pack the Customer Order if the order was received via B2B/B2C eCommerce or EDI channels
4. Opening eCommerce Retail Outlet. We recommend you to get advantages of very efficient and relatively budget oriented e-commerce shopping cart platforms, such as Magento (if you prefer PHP and Linux) or ASP .Net Storefront (if you feel that you would rather stay in the Microsoft mainstream). We have ecommerce add-on, allowing you to integrate your existing ecommerce web application with Dynamics GP SOP module in wizard driven manner (our goal is to have ecommerce retail customers, where you can do integration setup in the matter of several hours)
5. Retail Dynamics GP and EDI. Electronic Document Interchange is in its transformation phase from old standards, such as precisely formatted text file to XML and other standards. If you are reordering your merchandise from Nationwide suppliers via EDI or if you are selling stocks to your stores please feel free to discuss with us your best options
6. How to get further help, web session or local presentation? Please, feel free to call Alba Spectrum 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, or email us help@albaspectrum.com We are geared to provide Nationwide support (USA and Canada) as well as Worldwide international support via web sessions and phone conferences. If you have Corporate policy requiring local presence, we are available in Southwest Michigan: St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo, Holland, South Haven, Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Ludington, Grand Haven. Our Headquarters is in downtown Chicago with consultants available in Northern Illinois Chicagoland. We are also committed to California dream with strong presence in Southern California: Los Angeles, San Diego, Irvine, Orange County
