Corporate ERP system selection often requires high level of key management commitment, including the case, when you are thinking about Great Plains Dynamics GP.
Dynamics GP is reasonably generic accounting,
ERP and MRP platform, open to customizations, modifications, workflows, reporting, integration via such tools as Great Plains Dexterity, eConnect, Modifier with VBA, Integration Manager, Extender, Crystal Reports, SSRS, Dynamics GP SDK, MS Visual Studio Libraries, FRx. Version 2010 is just released in May of 2010, so this summer we expect high volume of version upgrade activities. In this publication we will give you some ideas about Great Plains functionality, Barcoding , WMS and SCM extensions:
1. Generic Dynamics GP implementations. Here you are coming through Sales cycle, where your prospective Dynamics GP partner maps your business processes into Great Plains functionality, advising you to pick either Dynamics GP Business Ready Business Essential route or Advanced Management. Next step is test data conversion, initial user training and pilot month of running parallel your old Accounting system and Dynamics GP. Then if you are happy with the results, you convert your pilot Dynamics GP ERP into production system, otherwise you repeat Data Migration step and go into production with some issues corrections, discovered in the pilot period. If your Dynamics GP Reseller discovered the needs for customizations, you probably want to move these alterations into phase two of the implementation, as well as FRx, Crystal or Report Writer custom reporting
2. Some concerns about data conversion. We know the cases, where data conversion from your legacy ERP to Dynamics GP failed and customer went into limbo. Typically this happens when you are trying to force your Great Plains VAR to convert unrealistic amount of info: transactions history, especially in such modules as Sales Order Processing, General Ledger, Purchase Order Processing, Manufacturing, Inventory Control. Our recommendation is to try simple approach and keep legacy accounting application for history lookup and bring to Dynamics GP initial GL, AP, AR balances and master records: GL Accounts, Customers, Vendors, Addresses
3. Integrations with Microsoft CRM. CRM has good chunk of functionality to cover Sales and Service department needs, where you get CRM user licenses cheaper, comparing to Dynamics GP user license cost
4. Barcoding, Warehouse Management and Supply Chain Management. There are several ways to decide on Barcode partner selection. The first approach is External Warehouse Management System, linked with your ERP application via connectors. There are plenty of WMS vendors out there on the marketplace for External WMS with integration options. The second approach would be WMS, working out of Dynamics GP company database directly, creating SOP, POP, Inventory transfer and adjustment transactions. We are favoring the second approach and we are offering your Alba Spectrum WMS and eCommerce extensions to Dynamics GP
5. Dynamics GP Recovery or getting second opinion. Great Plains is mid-market Corporate ERP application and you need to do your homework in selecting your Dynamics GP Implementation Partner. You may judge by requesting Dynamics GP VAR list of references, or by finding out if your prospected Dynamics GP reseller has Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status or not
6. How to request further help? Please call us 1-866-528-0577, or email us help@albaspectrum.com In Michigan we serve you from St. Joseph/ Benton Harbor location. One of our key consultants and technical writers, Andrew Karasev relocated to Saint Joseph , Michigan in earlier 2010 and since then we have established local service for Southern MI customers, located in Kalamazoo, Holland, South Haven, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Ludington
