Microsoft Dynamics GP has various customization options and tools, which should fit to your specific modification need. However as typical mid-market ERP it requires tools research prior to performing custom programming.
Let’s quickly review the tools:
1. eConnect. This is the most modern and really cool SDK. If you are Microsoft Visual Studio C# or VB.Net programmer and you are reasonably good with SQL stored procedures, you should invest your time in eConnect research. However there are some drawbacks in eConnect programming: it is rather for integrations, and it is difficult to modify GP screens with eConnect – use rather Modifier with VBA or Dexterity for that. Also, eConnect doesn’t post batches in GP – consider deploying Alba Spectrum Autoposting Server to extend eConnect with batch posting logic
2. Microsoft Dexterity. Former name was Great Plains Dexterity. This tool allows you to break through virtually any limits of other tools. Well, of course there is the learning curve – Dex is not rapid customization option, it requires long programming experience in order to produce professional and competitive Dexterity coding
3. VBA and Modifier. This tool is rather legacy, however it is and was very popular, as simple and really quick modifications could be automated with simple VBA scripting. If you plan to do database update, select and insert statements – you can deploy ADO technology in your VBA code
4. SQL direct scripting. If you are very advanced SQL programmer and DBA, then you probably like to disregard all the tools and try or rely on your experience in SQL stored procedures coding. Please, review GP SDK (install it from CD #2)
5. Integration Manager. IM module also opens modification possibilities, related to data translation, VBA coding. In GP version 10.0 IM you will find eConnect connectors, which are breaking through former IM performance limits
6. Third Party Add-Ons. At this time (June 2008), GP ISV products are written in Great Plains Dexterity and are distributed via Dex chunks technology. However there is the trend to adopt eConnect in the third party add-ons, related to eCommerce integration products
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
Planning Dynamics GP Customization in Large Corporation
If you are reading this page then chances are high that you were not able to find ISV add-on and need customization project. Let’s talk about planning, quality assurance and future event such as version updates.
Dynamics GP Invoice Logo Attributed to Specific Company or Crossing the Borders of Three SOP Forms
Initial Great Plains Dynamics architecture had three SOP Invoice forms: Long, Short and Blank. Modern GP is popular in scenarios where you have more than three companies under one business entity umbrella
