Being on outdated ERP software release might look like cutting expenses. However you should look at broader picture to understand pluses and minuses. In this small publication we would like to review historical versions and how they could be supported.
Let’s begin with minuses. This paper is not intended to be technical reference as it is rather overview for IT managers:
1. Versions 2005A and 2007A are no longer supported directly by SAP tech support. As we are writing these lines in February of 2012 SAP supports 8.8X releases. But for certified consultant familiar with 8.82 user training and functional consulting on version 2005A should be easy enough as user interface is similar except default color schema and icons
2. Minuses of being on the outdated release. Think about progress in computing technologies. Old version was intended to be compatible with its contemporary operating system, database platform and computer hardware. 2005A was released respectively seven years ago and it is not necessary certified to be compatible with modern Windows 2008 and Microsoft SQL Server 2008. It is probably reasonable to expect support old Windows 2003 and SQL 2000 for another five years. But we would rather recommend update strategy at least in mid-term perspective
3. Technical Support. Here we would recommend finding VAR specializing in old versions and running technical support call center and probably software development facility. It might be difficult to find somebody locally as local resellers are typically new software sales oriented and might not carry consultants familiar with your release. Prepare yourself to be ready to accept remote support option via web sessions and phones conferences. Support might be purchased as fixed number of cases per year as well as on hourly consulting base
4. Supporting Customizations and Integrations. SAP B1 is known as flexible and customizable small business ERP software. Popular is programming in Microsoft Visual Studio in C# and VB with so-called Software Development Kit where you can find code samples and objects reference. If you have such customization please be sure that you have access to its source code as any change requires project recompilation in Visual Studio
5. Popular questions about the way out. ‘Is it possible to update my system to current 8.82 or whatever is current release and patch level?’ Technically it is possible however the question is rather about your status with SAP. Do you have active annual support contract with SAP? If not then you would have to come through the process of reenrollment. ‘We would like to scale down (or up) and walk away from Business One. How do we export our documents and master records from the system?’ You can try several options. First would be Queries. Second option is to use SQL Management Studio and select statements directly from tables in company database. If you have another ODBC compliant preferred tool such as Excel or Microsoft Access then feel free to use it instead of SQL Query analyzer. Table structure could be reviewed in SDK or by marking View System Information in user interface. In the latter scenario field and table names are shown when you place cursor over the field and they are in the left lower corner of the user interface
6. Please call us 1-866-304-3265, 1-269-605-4904, help@efaru.com. We have local presence in Chicagoland, Southern California, Atlanta Georgia, South West Michigan, Houston and Dallas areas of Texas. We serve customers USA and Canada nationwide and internationally via web sessions and phone conferences (Skype is welcomed). We are working on Brazilian ERP consulting market in Sao Paulo since 2004
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
