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!
Business Portal Executive Center
Why this feature is cool!
The Executive Center in Business Portal for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 has been completely updated to display new KPI’s and metrics based on SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) reports. We have created pages to organize the metrics for executives in the following areas:
· Company Overview
· Financials
· Sales
· Inventory
· Manufacturing
· Project
· Human Resources
These new KPI’s and metrics are displayed out of the box and work immediately with your live customer data. Each metric is drillable, meaning a user can click on the metric to display an additional detailed metric or report. Some metrics also include drill-back functionality that will open the Microsoft Dynamics GP client (when installed) or display similar data as it would appear in the client application.
What does it look like?
Company Overview page:
Registration Navigation Panes
Module: System
· Customers who purchase the Business Essentials or Advanced Management packages of Microsoft Dynamics GP receive the install to multiple modules. In prior versions, if a module was installed, the Navigation Pane was available regardless if the customer would use it or not.
· This feature allows administrators control over which Navigation Panes are available to users and which are not, removing unnecessary navigation buttons to users or companies not utilizing certain parts of the application.
The administrator can select which registered modules will be available for Navigation Pane activation.
Go to the Navigation Pane Options selection under the Navigation Pane expansion button:
E-mail – Attachment Options
Module: System Why this feature is cool!
The email feature for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 will provide the user with the option to either embed the document into the body of the e-mail or attach the document to the e-mail. If the user selects to attach the document to the email, they can choose from following file types: PDF, XPS, DOCX or HTML. Furthermore, if the user chooses to attach the document to the email, they will have the additional option of attaching multiple documents to one email, or sending each document in an individual email.
· Embed or Attach options can be defined per customer or vendor.
· Sending multiple attachments can be defined per customer or vendor.
· The file type attachment can be selected per customer or vendor, for each document type that they email.
· When sending as HTML, the report writer version of the report will be attached. The Microsoft Word forms feature is NOT required for this attachment type. Microsoft Word 2007 does NOT need to be installed.
· When sending as DOCX, the Microsoft Word form version of the report will be attached. Microsoft Word 2007 does NOT need to be installed.
· When sending as XPS, the Microsoft Word form version of the report will be attached. Microsoft Word 2007 DOES need to be installed on the client.
· When sending as PDF, the Microsoft Word form version of the report will be attached. Microsoft Word 2007 DOES need to be installed on the client. (Adobe writer does not need to be installed)
What does it look like? (Cards | Sales | Customer | E-mail button)
Hello Fans of Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 and Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0!
It is with great excitement, that we announce the availability of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Feature Pack 1 and Software Development Kit (SDK!)
Feature Pack 1 supports International English for organizations interested in integrating Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 and Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 in locales outside of the United States. The Feature Pack also provides support for custom objects and tables allowing organizations to expand their Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 and Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 integration beyond sales order processing. Enhancements to mapping management tools and to the already strong logging capabilities make it even easier to configure and manage the adapter.
In addition to built-in sales order processing integration and to point-and-click customizations, we are introducing the availability of an adapter software development kit. This SDK contains documentation, templates, and sample code to help third party developers and partners who want to extend the functionality of the Microsoft Dynamics Adapter.
The detailed highlights of Feature Pack 1 include:
1. International English Support
2. New Functionality:
Partners who have existing Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 customers can download the Feature Pack 1 and the SDK at the following location:
https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/deployment/resources/productreleases/MDGP10_CRMAdapter.htm (Downloads Section)
NOTE: Partners will have to obtain the Feature Pack and the SDK for existing customers (only available on PartnerSource.) Please remember for new customers, Partners STILL need to order the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 from the Microsoft Dynamics GP Price List even though it is free. Ordering the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 helps us keep track of who is registered for the Adapter.
NOTE: Existing Customers can just install the Microsoft Dynamics Adapter.msi over the top of their existing installation – NO NEED TO UNINSTALL OR UPGRADE. For new customers, the Microsoft Dynamics Adapter.msi already includes Feature Pack 1 so, just install the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0.
Thanks,
Ben
E-mail Module: System Why this feature is cool!
This feature allows users to quickly and easily e-mail single documents, batches of documents, and/or multiple documents from a list within the system. The user can select which documents they would like to send and also select which customers/vendors should receive their documents in e-mail. This feature also integrates to the Microsoft Word forms feature shipping in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 (coming in a later Feature of the Day update!). Therefore, the user can send the customized Microsoft Word forms that they have created to their customers and vendors.
· Documents Supported: Sales Quote, Sales Order, Sales Fulfillment Order, Sales Invoice, Receivables Invoice, Receivables Return, Receivables Debit Memo, Receivables Credit Memo, Receivables Finance Charges, Receivables Warranty, Receivables Service/Repair, Standard Purchase Order, Blanket Purchase Order, Drop Ship Purchase Order, Drop Ship Blanket Purchase Order, Vendor Remittances
· Documents can be sent as either an HTML, XPS, PDF, or DOCX attachment
· Documents can be embedded into the body of the e-mail.
· Customized messages can be created for each document and customer/vendor combination.
· Multiple documents can be combined and sent in a single e-mail.
· Documents can be sent to a To, CC or BCC address.
· Can direct replies to a specific individual or address.
Setup (Microsoft Dynamics GP | Tools | Setup | Company | E-mail Settings):
E-mail Detail Entry (the E-mail Detail Entry expansion off of Customer ID):
E-mailing from a List (Send in E-Mail button)
Remember User and Company
· Allows the user the ability to login without typing a User ID and password, reducing the time needed to log into the system
· Allows the user the ability to save their most frequently used company, reducing the time needed to log into the system
· With both User and Company saved, the user can launch Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 and get to their role-based home page with ONE CLICK and no user interaction!
A checkbox is has been added to both the User and Company login screen to enable this functionality. The security administrator can also determine on a system-wide basis if Remember User is enabled or not (under Microsoft Dynamics GP | Tools | Setup | System | System Preferences).
As you can probably tell from the activity on our blog and those around the GP community, things are definitely heating up and getting busy as we prepare for the big launch of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 at Convergence 2010 Atlanta in April! To help build even more excitement (and a bit of training-readiness), we’re excited to launch the Feature of the Day program. The Feature of the Day consists of a daily update that will provide you with an overview of some of the great new features set to release with Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010.
Each Feature of the Day provides details around the a feature, why it is "cool," and how you can access the new functionality. We’ll do our best to post these every day, but from time to time you may just have to skip a day or two and get multiple features on the same day. :) I should note that this won’t just be about the BIG features of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 (although there will be plenty of those!), as even the “little things count” when it comes to improving our users productivity and delivering software that works the way they want it to. So without further ado, our first Feature of the Day is…
Advanced Lookup Default Views
Lookups: Customer, Item, Employee, Vendor, Salesperson
This feature adds additional filters for Advanced Lookups and allows users to save different lookup views as defaults, which will enable quicker access to information and less time searching.
· Added view to filter inactive records
· User are able to filter on any SmartList Favorite
· Users are able to save different views as defaults, including SmartList Favorites
(click the View drop-down box on lookup windows)
Hope you enjoy the Feature of the Day program! Have a great weekend everyone…
PS: View ALL of the current Feature of the Day posts by following this link...http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/tags/Feature+of+the+Day/default.aspx
AndyW
That’s right, only 3 1/2 days after we released our beta code for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 we have our first customer running it in a full production environment. Hats off to our development team for incredible quality on this Beta release. Here’s a little blurb on our first live TAP customer.
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Errol
This week we had a pricing and licensing web seminar for partners. We had 273 who attended, but that’s small compared to the changes we are making.
Every person in a partner organization needs to understand the changes we are making. This important because since the changes effect every customer, we are not doing customer direct communications other than CustomerSource and the normal newsletters. Partners need to educate their customers and guide them on what is the best thing for them.
The recording the web seminar is below. Please make sure that you spread the word that every person tied to Microsoft Dynamics GP watches this.
Pricing and Licensing Recording
Thank you,
Pam Misialek and the entire Product Management Team (Errol, Ben, Andy and Jen)
I was speaking with one of our great Dynamics GP Partners today and mentioned the word “PowerPivot” on the call as though I assumed he (and everyone else in the Microsoft community) knew what I was talking about. I shouldn’t have been surprised to find out he hadn’t heard of this yet, as now that I look back through our blog posts and communications to our Customers and Partners, we haven’t done a great job of telling everyone about THE NEXT BIG THING when it comes to Microsoft Office 2010 (at least for you spreadsheet junkies out there). That next big thing is PowerPivot for Excel 2010, or what many inside of Microsoft affectionately refer to as “Pivot Tables on Steroids!”
Go to http://www.powerpivot.com/videos.aspx and scroll through the videos to check out the powerful capabilities this tool has. Here are my two favorite videos that many Dynamics GP customers should love! (btw, when they say “Gemini” in some of the videos…this is PowerPivot. Gemini was the code name!):
You can actually download PowerPivot for Excel in Beta format today, but it does require the Microsoft Office 2010 beta be installed. The tool will be free for users to download and use on their own computers. If you want to share a PowerPivot workbook with multiple users or departments, then you can send that up to Office SharePoint Server with just a few clicks!
Pretty powerful stuff…be sure to check it out!
A several city roadshow one day training in the US is coming in March. This will give you great information on SmartList Builder, Excel Report Builder and Extender. You should using these products in your demos and your consultants should understand how they work.
Please take a look and try to have your people attend this seminar. I guarantee that it will help you close deals faster and easier.
Microsoft Dynamics GP Extender and Builders Workshop March 2010 in Multiple Cities Extender is way more than Extra fields! This offering will dig deep and give you the tools to get into more sales opportunities and close opportunities faster and easier with adding Extender and the Builders into your demos. Learn how to build mini applications in a demo – and then use this to differentiate your solutions from that of other ERP resellers.
This session will also explore why you should NEVER demo Microsoft Dynamics GP without showing Excel Report Builder and Navigation List Builder. Learn why customers ‘fall off their chair’ when they see how easy it is to access GP data. This will be an intense session so come prepared to learn.
Hello Fans of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010!
A new Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 Beta Technical Demonstration Toolkit\Virtual Machine\VPC will be provided in February for partners, including multiple virtual machines to accommodate the new technical requirements associated with the introduction of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2010 (which will be 64-Bit only.) This means you will want to make sure you and your partners are prepared to demonstrate the full feature list of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 for existing and prospective customers!
With this exciting new release, there will be a NEED to upgrade your demonstration hardware (i.e. laptops - if you have not already done so) to 64-Bit hardware (NOTE: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2010 will only run on 64 - Bit hardware.)
Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V will be the platform utilized in order to demonstrate the FULL feature list of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010.
For a LIMITED demonstration environment, we will provide a Microsoft Virtual PC based demonstration image that will function in a 32 - bit environment.
Here are some suggestions regarding hardware specifications to run the Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 Technical Demonstration Toolkit\Virtual Machines:
1. 64-Bit Chipset (BIOS support for virtualization)
2. Processor: Dual Core (Current Class Hardware)
3. eSATA Port
4. Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V
5. 8 GB of RAM
6. 300 GB HD Minimum - 7200 RPM Drive (Optional second drive in the laptop for shared spindles)
7. Optional: external eSATA 7,200/10,000 RPM Drive or Solid State Drive (SSD)
*Within the next two weeks, we will also be providing an “expectations” document so you and your partners will have a full understanding of what we, as a Product Management team, will be providing from an overall technical demonstration toolkit\virtual machines\VPC for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010.
*Starting tomorrow, there will be a similar announcement on the Microsoft Dynamics GP Page of PartnerSource.
Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 US Roadshow is coming fast. In 18 cities across the US in February and March, please find one you can attend.
This one day event is focused on sales and pre-sales technical people and will help you better position, sell, and demo the product.
Registration Link
Pam
We have a full set of web seminars planned starting in January to help get partners up to speed on Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010, so they can make sure they are ready and their customers are too!
For this exciting launch, we have a centralized learning page that has all of the training planned. It will be updated on a regular basis when additional trainings get schedules and organized by role, to make easy for you to know what you should attend.
Partner Learning Center Dynamics GP 2010 Learning Page
Everyone should attend the following first introduction to Dynamics GP 2010. Please make sure that you spread the word to others in your organization. It will contain demos of the product an much more.
Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010: The New Way to Do Business February 10, 2010, at 12:00 P.M. PST Come to this session to learn the key messaging pillars for Microsoft Dynamics GP and the release themes for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010. This is a research based session that delivers the "What" and the "Why" of Microsoft Dynamics GP that will allow you to win over the competition.
If you are business owner, executive, or leader in your organization, you should plan to attend this web seminar. Please invite your leaders to his web seminar.
Investing in Your People to Deliver on Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 February 18, 2010, at 12:00 P.M. PST As a result of attending this session, Sales and Consulting leaders will understand the key technology investment areas for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010. This will allow you to map training investments for your team to maximize on the opportunity.
Take care,
Dynamics GP Friends,
It is my great pleasure to announce that the Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 (code named “11”) has released to Beta. This release is the largest release in Dynamics GP history and our development team has put in a lot of hard work and dedication into making this release a success. Several customers are part of our Beta Program with many of them going live, a huge commitment to our combined success.
Take Care,
Partner and ISV Beta Information
Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010
Microsoft Dynamics GP continues to build on a heritage of innovative product releases strengthening its leadership position in the mid-market, specifically within the very important geographies of North America and other English speaking countries. The upcoming release of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 extends the reach of insight, productivity, and collaboration across the entire business, helping ensure that people—and the different ways they work—are your most powerful asset.
Microsoft Dynamics GP is the new way to do business.
Thanks everyone. Let’s keep the excitement going!
On January 1st, we announced a number of significant changes effective May 1, 2010. With the changes being made, there are several sales opportunities partners can take advantage of now before the changes take effect.
Please make sure that your partners are aware of the changes and challenge them to review the changes with their customer base. These changes will affect all existing customers, therefore we will not be sending customer specific notifications via direct mail. We have announced the change on CustomerSource and will include the information in Newsletters. It is the partners responsibility to educate their customers.
The changes make a huge window of the opportunity for partners to sell both to their existing customer base as well as prospects. It can be a huge revenue driver in the coming months.
PartnerSource Announcement
CustomerSource Announcement
Partner Web Seminar
If you have any questions, please direct them to the mbsgp@microsoft.com and we’ll respond.
In the past I’ve blogged a few times about various case studies that highlight how our Customers have benefited from implementing Microsoft Dynamics GP. Today I wanted to take a slightly different approach and talk about a new case study that focuses on how a Partner has benefited from using the Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step methodology, in this case our Microsoft Dynamics Partner “BMA Software.” You can read the full case study here, so I’ll just pull out a few key points that resonated with me.
BMA Software has taken a deep industry focus on wholesale durable-goods distributors, and wanted a way to help improve their implementation processes with the goal of delivering more satisfied customers and faster deployments. They turned to the Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step methodology, incorporated their own industry-focused processes into the methodology, and have found some amazing benefits along the way.
I blogged about a month ago when the latest release of Sure Step hit the street. If you are a Microsoft Dynamics Partner who hasn’t checked out Sure Step yet, I highly encourage you to do so. The benefits BMA Software has realized could be yours!
On January 1, 2010, Microsoft and I.B.I.S., Inc. have agreed to discontinue their OEM relationship in regards to Field Service Anywhere (FSA) for Microsoft Dynamics GP.
You may ask, “What is Field Service Anywhere?” FSA is the mobile application for technicians using Microsoft Dynamics™ GP Field Service Management. The FSA application is designed to use with the Field Service Management Solution Series within Microsoft Dynamics GP. FSA allows technicians in the field to interact with Field Service while using a Windows Mobile Phone or a Pocket PC. Fields and functionality on the mobile device are scaled down, but still allow field personnel to do their jobs efficiently.
If you have questions regarding this announcement, or if you would like additional information, please visit the following sites on ParnterSource or CustomerSource:
PartnerSource Announcement:
https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/newsevents/news/fsaoem.htm?printpage=false
CustomerSource Announcement:
https://mbs.microsoft.com/customersource/newsevents/news/generalnews/fsaoem.htm?p=57
https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/newsevents/news/SP4BEToolkit
Are you looking for a Business Essentials version of the Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Technical Demonstration Toolkit? We are excited to announce the release of the Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 SP4 and FRx 6.7 SP10 Business Essentials Technical Demonstration Toolkit! This Technical Demonstration Toolkit/VPC contains: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 SP1, Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 SP4, Extender, Microsoft FRx 6.7 SP10 and Microsoft Office 2007 SP1.
There is one extender demonstration script for each company (scripts are the same - just different companies) released for this technical demonstration toolkit. All of the other Microsoft Dynamics® GP 10.0 demonstration scripts have not been tested.
Key Features Installed:
New Sample Data Company - Contoso Entertainment Systems. Contoso Entertainment Systems is an electronics company. We are in the process of creating new sample data in addition to Fabrikam, Inc. This company only has core GL, AR, AP, IV SOP and POP data. In the coming months, we will continue to build out this new dataset. Check it out!
SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services) - We have deployed the Microsoft Dynamics GP Standard SSRS Reports for both Contoso Entertainment Systems and Fabrikam, Inc. If you click on Internet Explorer, your Homepage is set to the Microsoft SSRS Reports page. Here is the link:
http://gp-wkgp-01/Reports/Pages/Folder.aspx We have also created a Favorite for this URL.
Advanced Human Resources and Payroll - Advanced HR, Advanced Payroll, PTO Manager and Core Payroll Extensions. Position Control (Features for State and Local Governments, Special Districts and K12) has also been installed.
Professional Services Tools Library
Extender
i. Windows and Detail Windows
a. We will look at building additional windows linked to existing GP windows. We will also take a look at “context sensitive” windows render only when certain data is entered into the main GP screen. We will go on to look at some workflow examples where data can be entered into the same Extender window by two different users and from different places in GP.
i. The specific windows and functions covered are listed here:
1. Going Green: Windows attached to employees and payables to track corporate carbon emissions
2. Context Sensitive Sign/Install: Using these items in SOP will pop the related window in Extender
3. Promotion Codes: add promotion codes to every sales order in GP
4. Subcontractors: Tack the subcontractors you are going to use for delivering a sale
5. GL Description to Short: See how to use Extender
6. Shipping detail Tracking: Use this window in SOP, order fulfillment and historical enquiries. *Please reference the Demonstration Scripts associated with the Extender on the Technical Demonstration Toolkit Download page for additional instructions and information.
ii. Mini-Applications
a. This section will look at ways to link multiple screens together and create custom menus which form mini applications. With the right preparation up front these functions will win you many more GP sales than you ever dreamed possible.
i. Application
1. Contacts
2. Software Management
3. Rentals
4. Professor and Class Management *Please reference the Demonstration Scripts associated with the Extender on the Technical Demonstration Toolkit Download page for additional instructions and information.
SmartList Builder
Excel Report Builder –We have created some Excel Reports Based off of Extender Objects. We have also created some of the Standard Excel Report Builder Reports.) IMPORTANT: All of these reports are located on the Excel Reports Folder – on the Desktop. (They are located at the root of the folder.)
Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Excel Reports have been deployed for both Fabrikam, Inc. and Contoso Entertainment Systems. The Excel Reports are stored on the Desktop in a folder called: Excel Reports. This is the same Reports as the Excel Report Builder. However, these standard reports have been placed in the TWO and CES Folders.
Audit Trails – We have created an audit trail for the GL00100 Table. Whenever a user creates a new GL account….etc. there will be an audit trail resulting from this module.
Electronic Signatures – Installed, but not configured.
Rapid Configuration Tools
Microsoft SQL Server 2008/Microsoft Excel 2007 SQL Data Mining Add-in.
Thanks!
We currently have over 600!! partners signed up for our upcoming Microsoft Dynamics GP “11” Launch Webinar on January 13. Are you signed up? This is THEE event to attend to hear all about what will happen with the GP “11” Launch. To find out more view this video . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caaKXQWIwhM
With 2010 now upon us (Happy New Year by the way!), what better way to kick off your year than with a fantastic offer to upgrade your business management software from one of these legacy systems to one of the best-in-class mid-market solutions available today…Microsoft Dynamics GP! If your business is still using Small Business Financials (SBF), Great Plains Accounting (GPA), Real World, or Microsoft Office Accounting, you can get 75% off your license costs if you purchase Dynamics GP before June 25th, 2010!
I do not typically blog about the quarterly pricing promotions we run for our existing customers and prospects, but this offer is so good that I would hate for our legacy customers to pass it up. These types of offers honestly do not come around very often, so I would encourage all of you SBF/Real World/GPA/Office Accounting customers to strongly consider making the Smart Move to Microsoft Dynamics GP! Contact your local Microsoft Dynamics Partner today to get more information about this great deal, or leave a comment with your contact information on our blog if you don’t have a Partner and want to know more.
If you are a Dynamics GP Partner and know of existing customers out there using one of these legacy applications, you can go here for more details:
SBF, GPA, and Real-World details: https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/sales/promotions/fy10h2_welcomeerpoffer.htm?printpage=false
Microsoft Office Accounting details: https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/sales/promotions/h110_erplicenseoffer.htm?printpage=false
Cheers to a successful and happy 2010 everyone!