| Microsoft Dynamics GP ERP implementation | | | | fields setup there. One of the most important |
| process is similar to other mid-market accounting | | | | setup decisions is Posting Accounts setup - this is |
| and MRP products: GP partner selection and sales | | | | done on the company setup level |
| cycle, business processes mapping, customization | | | | 4. User Training. First of all - you should be aware |
| design if required, reports. Then you go to the | | | | that Microsoft is in the process of synchronizing |
| actions: Microsoft Dynamics GP software licenses | | | | its ERP applications user interface with the one in |
| purchase, GP installation, initial data conversion and | | | | Microsoft Office and Microsoft Outlook - meaning |
| beginning balances, business specific users training. | | | | that if your users are very good and intuitive with |
| If your company is large business, you may | | | | Microsoft Office products, they should be ready |
| consider switching GP for one or several business | | | | to do GP discovery. Saying this, we have to |
| entities as a pilot project with the plan to turn all | | | | admit that GP user training is needed, as MS |
| your departments and units to Microsoft Great | | | | Office interface unification, leading to users |
| Plains in the short future. We will not be covering | | | | intuition is just the top level |
| business processes mapping scenarios in this small | | | | 5. Frequently Asked Questions. Software Licenses |
| article and will try to give you technical side of the | | | | - you can purchase these from MBS partners |
| implementation | | | | only. To get new user licenses or modules - you |
| 1. Great Plains Installation. You should plan for | | | | will need to be enrolled in Microsoft Dynamics GP |
| appropriate Server hardware, SQL Server 2005 | | | | annual enhancement program. Migration from old |
| installation (including planning for data and log files | | | | versions: 5.5, 6.0, 7.0, 7.5 - if you are on Pervasive |
| separation on different drives). Then you go | | | | SQL or Ctree, then you need migration tool, |
| ahead with GP server installation - we certainly | | | | please contact your MBS partner. Version upgrade |
| understand and confirm, that GP Utilities installation | | | | - current version is 10.0 and one-step migration |
| Wizard is very intuitive, however, GP is not small | | | | path exists for 8.0 SP5 and 9.0 SP2 |
| business accounting application, so it is powerful | | | | 6. Reporting. You can consider industry tools, such |
| and at the same time sensitive to options chosen. | | | | as Crystal Reports, Microsoft SQL Server |
| This is why we strongly recommend you to invite | | | | Reporting Services (SRS), MS Excel, or even |
| GP consultant to do installation and overall | | | | Microsoft Access Reports, if you are comfortable |
| implementation job | | | | with Access. Very important reporting hint - |
| 2. Data Migration. The best approach is to leave | | | | consider creating report logic in MS SQL Server |
| old ERP data in your old system and make fresh | | | | stored procedure or view and not expect the |
| start in Microsoft Dynamics GP. If this is not | | | | magic from reporting tool Wizard. |
| possible, then consider migrating Chart of | | | | 7. Beyond the generic implementation. |
| Accounts, Customers, Vendors, Employees, and | | | | Customization - please review eConnect, |
| entering beginning GL balances (this last step | | | | Microsoft Dexterity, GP SDK, SQL Stored |
| manually). This recommended data migration | | | | Procedures, Modifier with VBA. Integration - |
| should be done via GP Integration Manager, as it | | | | please start with Integration Manager, then think |
| validates Great Plains Dynamics business logic and | | | | about eConnect programming, SQL direct |
| doesn't allow data inconsistency. | | | | scripting. EDI or Electronic Document Interchange |
| 3. GP Modules Setup. Each module: General | | | | - this is popular SQL scripting routine, it is often |
| Ledger, Inventory Control, Sales Order | | | | resolved via XML feed. If you represent lager |
| Processing, Receivables Management, Payables | | | | corporate entity and need major integration |
| Management, Payroll and others requires opening | | | | project, we will be happy to help you. |
| setup screen and coming through the required | | | | |