Your Microsoft Dynamics GP Product Management & Marketing team:
Errol Schoenfish
Pam Misialek
Jay Manley
Jen Dorsey
Gerice Anderson
Darrin Hawley
While this blog is technically "owned" by the Microsoft Dynamics GP Product Management and Marketing team, it truly belongs to ALL of those who call themselves a part of the Microsoft Dynamics GP community!
Weekly, the Dynamics GP team will be posting a ‘Did you know?’ series. We’ll give tips, tricks, and general comments around features and functions that already exist in Microsoft Dynamics GP. This week we will focus on the HITB.
Our challenge to you is…how much do you really know about Dynamics GP?
The Historical Inventory Trial Balance (HITB) report shows your inventory value as of a specific date or date range and the value of the five different quantity types.
If you want to use this report, you will need to use the HITB reset tool for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0, Service Pack 2.
Not sure if you want to use this report? The report shows your inventory value as of a specific date or date range. You can use this report to tie your inventory balance to General Ledger based on a specific date. So, yes, you do want to use this report.
What does the IV Reset Tool do? In order to track historical inventory information a new table was added in Dynamics GP 10.0, Service Pack 2. The tool will populate this table and it will also find a starting point where the value of your Inventory and General Ledger are the same.
Before running the tool, there is important information you must understand. You will want to complete the process on a test company first and I would recommend engaging with your partner to work through this process.
Click Here to Learn What you Need to Know about the Tool
Well, that’s it for this week! Stay tuned next week where we will ask you again…Did you know?
Pam
We are excited to announce the availability of a new DemoMate demonstration file for the new Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 (BETA) Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 SP4.
Effortlessly demonstrate the updating of customer information within Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 and watch the customer information on the Customer Card within Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 automatically update with the changes entered within Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0. In addition, demonstrate additional changes to the same customer information with Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 and watch Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 also capture these changes. This demonstration is high-level example of a "round-trip" integration between two Microsoft Dynamics solutions.
PLEASE NOTE: There are step-by-step click instructions as well as speaker notes entered within this DemoMate demonstration file.
A HUGE Thank You to John Dooley (Dynamics GP PTS) for creating this DemoMate file!
In addition, the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 (Beta) Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 SP4 will be available in Calendar Q3 2009.
Download Link:
https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/marketing/marketingcollateral/demos/MDDemoMateDemonstrationGPCRM
Thanks,
Ben
Attention U.S. Microsoft Dynamics GP partners:
Many of you have known for years that Sage has been challenged to properly invest in updating its MAS 90 and MAS 200 product lines. This was perhaps acknowledged by Sage itself in May when Sage North America CTO Motasim Najeeb was reported as saying “some of our products have fallen behind the technology curve and need increased R&D investment” (source: Sage Challenge: Update Aging Products to Attract New Buyers, CRN, May 12, 2009).
Many customers have already realized the benefits of moving from Sage MAS 90 or MAS 200 to Microsoft Dynamics GP, but we know there are many more such customers out there. To help you evangelize the benefits of Microsoft Dynamics GP, we have created a number of new tools for you, available on PartnerSource at https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/sales/marketing/competitiveinformation/SageCompete.htm and including:
Take a look at these new tools today and use them to help even more Sage customers realize the value of Microsoft Dynamics GP!
Darrin
Weekly, the Dynamics GP team will be posting a ‘Did you know?’ series. We’ll give tips, tricks, and general comments around features and functions that already exist in Microsoft Dynamics GP. This week we will focus on Business Intelligence.
Some time ago, Errol posted a note about Getting More out of Excel Reports that focused on using a beta add-in on the 200+ Excel reports we shipped in Version 10.0 that helps you pick the right type of Chart to use for the data in your report. In case you are one of those customers who isn’t using these reports yet however, you probably should know how to deploy them!
You can deploy these one of two ways…to SharePoint (where you get a bunch of additional features!), or to a file-based network share (where you still get the live data in Excel, just without some of the bells & whistles offered by SharePoint).
Deploying the Excel Reports to SharePoint
Version 10.0 ships with the “Microsoft Office SharePoint Server Deployment Wizard” which you’ll find in your Start menu after installing the necessary Dynamics GP components. This wizard is great because it:
· is an easy to use wizard that eliminates the need for extensive IT resources · automates the data connection and Excel report deployment process · deploys reports for selected companies and registered modules only · creates a folder structure to organize connections and reports by company and series
· is an easy to use wizard that eliminates the need for extensive IT resources
· automates the data connection and Excel report deployment process
· deploys reports for selected companies and registered modules only
· creates a folder structure to organize connections and reports by company and series
Once in SharePoint, you can access these reports through your internet browser, or even hook up the Excel reports to your Outlook client so you have instant access to real-time GP data without ever leaving your inbox!
The Data Connections (the files that store the database connection settings) can be deployed to a separate location from the actual Excel report files, which increases the security capabilities. Rather than sending around an Excel file containing database login information that any user could open, you can secure the Data Connections separately from the Excel file so only authorized users can actually pull data into the Excel report file.
Deploying the Excel Reports to a Network Share
Some customers are under the impression you MUST be using SharePoint to utilize these Excel Reports. NOT TRUE!! You can access the network share deployment in Dynamics GP by going to Tools | Setup | System | Reporting Tools Setup. This window helps you deploy the Data Connections and the Reports to the folders of your choice. This window ALSO allows you to hook the reports up into your GP Client so that the reports show up within Microsoft Dynamics GP under the Administration section from the left-hand nav bar. That way users both IN and OUT of Dynamics GP can easily access these valuable reports.
And last but certainly not least, perhaps the best thing about these reports…THEY ARE FREE! That’s right…if you own Dynamics GP 10.0, you own these Excel reports. No additional licenses required to access these reports (if you deploy them to Microsoft Office SharePoint Server, then you would need a SharePoint license to access the site of course).
That’s it for this week. Stay tuned next week for more tips & tricks in our Did you know? series of the week!
AndyW
I was presenting at a customer user group a couple weeks ago and asked the audience, ‘Does anyone know what Business Intelligence is?’ A few lonely souls raised their hand.
A few months ago, I did a similar event, and one strong willed woman in the front row mumbled, ‘Business Intelligence is a fancy word that Microsoft made up.’
Well, that got me to thinking, is BI a made up term? What does it really mean? And most importantly, why should anyone care?
Well, BI is not a made up term, to learn more about the history see the Wikipedia Link for Business Intelligence.
So, what does BI really mean? Looking back in the last ten years, many businesses had data in databases, but really wanted to get reports. In the most recent years, businesses are looking for more. They can get reports and information, but can they get:
Why should our Dynamics GP family care about BI? Because Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 has the functionality today to solve the scenarios above. Customers are solving these business problems today, and getting a huge value.
Fact Sheets that cover our solutions
Report List, SmartLists, and Office Excel in Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0
SQL Server Reporting Services in Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0
SmartList Builder in Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0
Analysis Cubes in Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0
Related Whitepapers
Business Intelligence for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0
Extending the Reach of Microsoft Dynamics GP with the Microsoft Office System Whitepaper
Weekly, the Dynamics GP team will be posting a ‘Did you know?’ series. We’ll give tips, tricks, and general comments around features and functions that already exist in Microsoft Dynamics GP. This week we will focus on financials.
Does SmartList’s work with Analytical Accounting?
Yes. You can use SmartLists to create customized inquiries to provide easier, faster access to information stored in Microsoft Dynamics GP .
To pick the SmartList folders you want to include go to Tools >> Setup >> Company >> Analytical Accounting >> Options. Click the SmartList Integration Butoon.
What features were added for Payables 1099 Enhancements in Dynamics GP 10.0?
Many companies need to issue 1099 forms to various vendors with the information categorized and printed in the appropriate boxes on the correct 1099 form.
What is the easiest way to reconcile from Account Receivable and Accounts Payable to General Ledger?
In Dynamics GP 10.0 we added a feature that significantly reduces the time spent reconciling sub-ledgers to the General Ledger (GL). The reconcile tool helps identify imbalances between the accounts payable and accounts receivable sub-ledgers and the general ledger.
The process will identify the following:
There are ISV products available that have reconcile functionality. I do recommend you look at them and compare to fit specific business needs.
If I need a budget to cross through multiple fiscal years, how can I do that in Dynamics GP?
Organizations typically in the Not for Profit and Public Sector have funds to associate expenses against the monies received. Funds are tied to some type of project that can span years. When the life of the fund crosses over fiscal years and organizations need to be able to budget based on the life cycle of the fund.
Happy Friday to Everyone!
My Convergence speaking cohort, fellow blogger, and overall Dynamics GP evangelist, Mark Polino, recently wrote a blog article about using the new navigation in Dynamics GP 10.0 with Area Pages.
I was first shocked that he took my feedback to heart and tried to embrace the new Area Pages. And, now happy that he felt it does reduce the number of clicks.
Read Mark Polino's Post when you have a chance.
For any of you who use Dynamics GP as a user, demoer, or consultant, I guarantee that you will be more productive if you use the new navigation in Dynamics GP 10. I suggest you take off the old navigation at the top and go cold turkey, after a very short time, you will be used it and on your way.
Please try this and tell me you experiences!
For those Dynamics GP Partners out there, there is a new version of the Support Debugging Tool available today that you should go download IMMEDIATELY! If you are thinking to yourself, “What is the %#!@ is the Support Debugging Tool?”, then you REALLY should go download this immediately! This tool was created by David Musgrave as a way to help Partners better support, troubleshoot, and develop Microsoft Dynamics GP. I would go on about specific features and updates included in this new release, but I couldn’t do it justice the way David already has over on the Developing for Dynamics GP blog. Perhaps the best feature of this tool however is that it is FREE to all Dynamics GP Partners!
Earlier in my time here at Microsoft I actually worked in support for over 5 years, and I can tell you that this tool would have been a major help to have. Not only does it help support/debug Dynamics GP, but it also has a bunch of what I consider “bells & whistles” included to help tweak the application to your liking. Kudos to David and team for another great release of a great tool!
The focus of this blog was, is, and will continue to be all about Microsoft Dynamics GP. However, on a Friday afternoon, and on a (mostly) sunny day here in Fargo, I thought it would be fun to blog a bit about a few of the other exciting things going on at Microsoft lately.
Just Bing It! The one topic generating the most buzz around here lately has to be the launch of www.bing.com. Tabbed as “ better way to search”, I honestly have to admit I really like the new search engine. You could call me a “bing-on” I guess (sorry for the lame Star Trek reference, but I couldn’t resist). I’ve found search results to contain more than just information, but also knowledge. Relevant links, suggested categories, site previews, and some cool video/image functionality are just a few things I find helpful. Try it out if you haven’t already…I think you’ll like what you find! Oh, and for some fun new ads they are rolling out to promote bing, check this out.
Coming soon…Windows 7! We announced this week that our next major operating system, Windows 7, will be available for purchase on October 22nd, 2009. I’ve actually been using the Win7 RC for a few weeks now, and I already have come up with MORE reasons to move from Vista to Win7 than I ever could for moving from XP to Vista. The new task bar is intuitive, the improvements to managing multiple monitors is a HUGE time saver for me, and some of the little “bells & whistles” they’ve included make using a PC fun again. If you are interested in giving Windows 7 RC a try for yourself, download it here.
Not even the Jetsons had this! Yesterday I checked out the latest video from the Xbox team on “Project Natal,” and have to say I was blown away. Be prepared for the video to take some time to load, however the wait does give you the perfect opportunity to grab a drink and some popcorn so you can fully enjoy an amazing demonstration of some next-gen technology coming from Microsoft! I fully admit that the Nintendo® Wii and it’s motion sensitive controller have added a new dimension to gaming that I really enjoy…but this Project Natal stuff is on an entirely different level!
That’s it for now…enjoy your weekend!
They are new, they are fun, and they are available now! The new SmartList Builder for Dynamics GP 10.0 Templates on CustomerSource and PartnerSource.
A Few Key Highlights:
- There are over 100 templates to choose from.
- Setup to publish to SmartList under the Additional SmartLists
- Very similar if not exactly like the default favorites in SmartList.
- Very similar to the Data Connections that already exist with Dynamics 10.0 SP2, but are using GP tables.
- Find them on the Reports Library page under the SmartList Templates link or here.
Support policy for modifications to SmartList Builder and Excel Report Builder in Microsoft Dynamics GP(KB 921625)
A big thank you to a few of our GP friends, Nicole Albertson, David Bader, Kelly Youells, and eOne Solutions for their help.
Attention all Microsoft Dynamics GP Partners…
Are you a Business Owner, or do you work in Sales, Pre-sales, Marketing and you didn’t get a chance to attend THE most popular Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner event of the year? Not to worry! After exceeding the maximum registration in the majority of cities visited across the United States and Canada (twelve in all), the Microsoft Dynamics GP Product Management and Marketing teams have recorded the Get More! Sales Seminar into a 4 part webinar series for you to view on demand!
https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/newsevents/events/webseminars/GPGetMore
One of the highest rated series of events this year, over 250 Microsoft Dynamics GP Partners resoundingly stated they would recommend this seminar to others. Here are just a few quotes from your fellow Microsoft Dynamic GP Partners who attended one of the live events…
“Definitely one of the more valuable Microsoft sessions I’ve attended.” “The information you provided was invaluable.” “Best Microsoft session I have attended.” “Very relevant to current market focus.” “My head is spinning – a lot to do. Thanks!”
So set aside some time now to view these important Webinars!