Dynamics GP Transfer from One Server to Another, Plus Great Plains Select and Accounting for DOS

Let’s review various situations and migration scenarios, including recent version Dynamics GP 2010 as well as older versions: 10.0, 9.0, 8.0, 7.5, 7.5 and earlier, including Great Plains Select on Pervasive SQL Server 2000/Btrieve or Ctree and even Great Plains Accounting on DOS or Windows:
1. Great Plains Dynamics, eEnterprise and Microsoft Dynamics GP on Microsoft SQL Server 2008, 2005, 2000, 7.0 or 6.5.  You have to have new server computer prepared with Microsoft SQL Server installed of the version, compatible with your respected Great Plains application.  For example, if you are on Dynamics GP version 8.0, your options would be SQL 2000 or 2005 (for MS SQL 2005, you have to have Dynamics GP required Service Pack applied).  If you are on older version, generally MS SQL Server 2000 should be OK (for GP 8.0, 7.5, 7.0, 6.0, 5.5, 5.0 and for earlier versions, we recommend you to stick to the SQL versions you are currently on).  Please, also note, that for Microsoft SQL Server 2000 it is recommended to deploy it on Windows Server 32 bit (you may try to experiment it on Windows 64 bit, but, there might be incompatibility areas).  Normally you do backup of Dynamics and all your company databases, then restore them on the new SQL Server, and transfer security either via DTS or run recommended scripts for Dynamics GP user security transfer, available from your Dynamics GP VAR or directly from Customer Source.  If your old server has limited hard drive space resources, or simply crashed, you can try to move just SQL database files (log files are not really required) and mount them on the new server (typically better flexibility if you are using SQL books online and system stored procedures, versus SQL Enterprise Manager wizards)
2. Dynamics GP or Great Plains Select on Pervasive SQL Server.  Here file transfer is simple, as you should find Dynamics folder with Btrieve files (System folder has systems files, analog of Dynamics database) and each company folder has subfolders by modules: GL, AP, Payroll, AR, etc.  More challenging part of the procedure is to install Pervasive SQL Server 2000 (we recommend it with Service Pack 3 or 4) and then change default settings in Control Center as required (you can find recommended Pervasive SQL Settings for Dynamics GP on Customer Source, or simply call your Dynamics GP Partner for details).  If you are purchasing new server and operating system for Great Plains on Pervasive SQL 2000 redeployment, please, note that you may install it on Windows Server 2003, or even 2007 (including Small Business Server), but it should be 32 bit version (you will not be able to install Pervasive SQL 2000, the version you officially own) on Windows 64
3. Great Plains Accounting for DOS, Windows (version 9.5, 9.2, 9.1 or earlier).  GPA was available on Btrieve and if you move it to new server (or in single user version on Windows workstation).  If you are moving GPA in multiuser version, we recommend you to redeploy it on Pervasive SQL Server 2000 with the settings, similar to Great Plains Select on Pervasive SQL (settings could be found on Partner Source or Customer Source).  Please, be sure, that your new Windows server is 32 bit version.  If you have to maintain Great Plains Accounting for DOS or Windows for possible future audit only, then we recommend you to deploy it on Windows XP Workstation (we saw the situations, when Win XP with multiple applications installed and powerful antiviruses blocked GPA for Windows from being launched, however GPA for DOS was still workable).  The described recommendations should work including the case, when you are walking away from Novell, Windows NT 4.0 or earlier
4. Great Plains Accounting DOS, Windows, Macintosh, Great Plains Select on Pervasive SQL 2000 or Ctree.  Support for these archaic versions is recommended via remote web sessions, phone conferences.  You can try to find local support, but due to local number of active GPA customers, local support might be of poor quality or in learning curve
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