Microsoft Great Plains – Implementing ERP system for mid-size business

In this small article we would like to concentrate on GP software implementation scenarios, including installation, customization, data conversion, user training, custom reporting, integration with legacy system and EDI:

1. Installation – technical overview.  GP installation creates DYNAMICS and company databases on MS SQL Server 2005 or 2000.  Client workstation side is Microsoft Dexterity application with Dynamics.dic, where application business logic is stored.  We are not talking here about integration tom Microsoft Office stack of products, especially MS Outlook
2. Integration Manager and eConnect..  eConnect should be considered as background technology to enable integration, especially new type of integration scenarios.  IM helps you in initial data conversion, where you need to transfer open AR and AP to your newly implemented ERP system – Microsoft Dynamics GP.  Regarding
3. eCommerce and batches Autoposting.  eConnect, being set of encrypted stored procedures, does wonderful job in bringing work transactions in Sales Order Processing module, which is typical target for eCommerce websites, however automatic batch posting is outside of eConnect scope – you will need Albaspectrum Dexterity posting server to do automatic posting for your e-commerce application
4. Dexterity Software Development.  If you need GP business processes advancing, modification and tuning, you should review GP customization tools.  Great Plains Dexterity is GP Integrated Development Environment with Sanscript programming language.  Dexterity programmers are typically rare resources on the job market, and it is recommended to appeal to Microsoft Business Solutions ERP development partners to do Dex customization job
5. GP Reporting.  In our opinion, you can deploy various tools for GP, especially if you will follow the rules of separating report result set generation in MS SQL Server stored procedures – if you do so, Crystal Reports, Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, and even Microsoft Excel will do wonderful report design job
6. Initial Data Conversion.  As our experience indicates, the best approach is to enter GL beginning balances and avoid historical RM, PM, SOP, and POP data conversion, please consider the scenario, when you have old ERP system for data inquiry and lookup
7. GP remote vs. local support.  If you work for nationwide public corporation, then you should seek local support for your headquarters or the most important branch.  If your ERP system is already implemented, then remote support might be budget saving option