Dynamics GP: User and Company ID on the Top plus Color Schema Change

Also, if you are outsourcing accounting functions for your member companies (membership services business for associations, payroll outsourcers) – you also have numerous companies implemented in Great Plains.  We have heard requests to implement the following changes.  First, place Company code on the top of the screen (typically it is seen in the left bottom corner and modern big monitors dis focus the user from seeing this corner).  If your accounting department people do not see the company on the top of the screen, there are chances to make transactions in the wrong company (especially when you have standardized GL Chart of Accounts implemented for all the companies).  If you are on the current version 2010/11.0 or 10.0 there is free of charge and simple tool to implement that change – Debugging Tools (thanks to David Musgrave, Australia based Microsoft Dynamics Evangelist).  Let’s review the options to install and deploy the features:

1. Debugging Tools should be downloaded from the Partner Source.  If you do not have active VAR for your Dynamics ERP, you should select one or feel free to call us for advice or download.  It was initially released for version 9.0, and since then it is available (as we are writing this paper in April 2011, DT releases could be downloaded for 10.0 and 2010/11.0)

2. Installation and Setup.  Install is simple and traditional for Dexterity customization, typically distributed via so-called chunk file.  Copy Debugger.cnk file into your GP folder in Program Files, log off Great Plains and launch it back, accept new code integration prompt and login with sa account (if you are not sure about SA password, have your IT manager or MS SQL DBA standing behind you to assist).  Setup – in Dynamics GP -> Tools select Support Debugging Tools, then click on Options on the top right and select Dex.ini Settings.  Here check mark Enable Debugger Advanced Mode Features (the prompt with GP system security will pop up, you should know this password to continue with settings), lick OK to accept settings .  Now you are ready to enable the feature.  Next step, keep Support Debugging Tools window open, click on Options and select Administrator Settings (again enter system password).  On the Administrator Settings form click on Company tab on the top.  In the Drop Down list next to Change Window Titles in Windows Start Bar select Add Company/User.  Apply changes, logoff GP (or simply switch the company and user ID – pick normal user id).  At this point you should see Company and USER ID [in square brackets] on the top as prefix to Microsoft Dynamics GP.  That’s not all, magic is just beginning to roll out…  Please keep reading

3. Color Schema for your company.  On your Accounting department meeting it is a good idea to communicate such features as color attributes, introduced and enforced for your numerous companies.  This policy should help your accountants to recognize the company (so they do not enter transaction in the company where those do not belong to).  Open Administrator Settings form, see Paragraph #2 for instructions, here click on Company tab and check Activate Company based Color Schemes, then feel free to apply your creativity and designer skills to select colors for Toolbar, Background and Heading colors

4. Some comments on Debugger Tools.  Advanced Settings enabling will add lines to your Dex.ini file, which is normally local to each user workstation.  This fact requires you to install Debugger.cnk file on every user computer, then you have to login as SA and enable Advanced Mode Features (and this change will be recorded in adding additional line to Dex.ini file for local computer, for Windows 7 64 bit it should be in C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Dynamics\GP2010\Data folder)

5. What to do if we are on earlier version: 8.0, 7.5, 7.0, 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.0 or if we are on Pervasive SQL 2000/Btrieve or Ctree (7.5 and earlier releases).  Debugging Tools might be not available, however we are happy to help you either with Dexterity custom programming or with upgrading your version to the recent one (in 2011 it will be 2010/11.0).  There is also alternative way to accomplish USER and Company ID placing on the top via Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for GP.  These tools are based on eConnect, which was introduced for Microsoft Great Plains version 7.0 and in our opinion came to its maturity at version 10.0

6. Luxury Customizations for Multinational Corporations.  If you think that Debugging Tools are too primitive and do not give your required flexibility (to reflect such features in color schema or on the top of Dynamics menu as Functional currency for your overseas subsidiary).   Or if you feel that your Corporate ERP system is trying to expand to the regions or countries, where GP is not localized as Corporate ERP (there is university professor level theory on the topic) – we need to talk to you to understand your concerns and requirements

7. Deploying FRx.  As it is well known Microsoft Business Solutions announced FRx support termination on Windows 64 bit platform (Operating System).  This would mean that if you just buy the user computer from Best Buy, CompUSA or Tiger Direct (where most of the models are equipped with Windows 7 64 bit or at least Vista 64 bit or in some exceptions with Windows XP SP 3 on Intel Atom 32 bit).  At this time, end of April 2011, we are working with Microsoft Dynamics GP Tech Support team to resolve known issues in switching from FRx to Microsoft Management Reporter.  If you are deploying FRx for GP 2010, consider applying SP12

8. If you feel that your concerns are not addressed or your question is not answered, please feel free to contact our office.  Support domestically in the USA, Canada, Mexico and internationally.  This option is possible via Web Sessions, Skype or Phone conferences and direct visits onsite (in the case of the large scale project).  Our consulting team speaks English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Filipino.  Feel free to call us 1-866-304-3265, 1-269-605-4904, or email help@efaru.com