GPtip42day - How to place a watermark in a Report Writer document

Debi Carlton of D1 Technologies posted this solution on one of the GP forums recently -

1.  Insert the image in a Word document

2.  Use the Custom watermark option in format to create the watermark image

3.  Copy the image and paste in Paint

4.  Save the image as a .jpg file

5.  Insert the .jpg into the Report Writer document

Thanks Debi!  Great tip!

gptip42day - Resetting the GP system password

Note, this tip is for GP Administrators only.  Attempts by non-administrators to change the system password could compromise data security!

Occasionally, the GP system password is forgotten or lost.  This password is required to make changes at the system level, such as adding a new user, changing user security, etc.  Here's how to recover when this happens.

1.  In SQL Management Studio, run this script to remove the existing password -

           UPDATE DYNAMICS.SY02400
           SET PASSWORD = 0x0202020202020202020202020202020
 
2.  In GP, reset the system password.
 

Tools>Setup>System Password

 

* click image to enlarge

Now, store the password in a safe, accessible place!!

gptip42day - What printer should I use with GP?

I get this question on a fairly regular basis.  My response always is - what do you want to use the printer for?  Invariably, the use is printing checks, invoices, etc, etc, etc.  My recommendation is always - HP LaserJet.  You just can't go wrong with a LaserJet.  They work well with GP and supplies are readily available for them.

If you're printing MICR checks, a LaserJet with a standard toner cartridge works well in most cases.  The banking industry has moved away from requiring magnetic ink because character recognition software has improved so dramatically.  Even so, it would be best to check with your bank to determine if they require magnetic ink, just to be on the safe side.

gptip42day - Audit Trail Code

Need to reference the transaction(s) associated with a particular Audit Trail Code but can't seem to find a report that gives that to you?

Let's use Account Transactions in SmartList as an example.  Open the SmartList, then add this column - TRX Source.  There's your Audit Trail Code!

gptip42day - Account Lookup

Somewhere along the line in GP10, the prior behavior of account lookups (where you type in the first few digits of the account, click the lookup button and it takes you to the beginning of the range) went wacky such that the lookup takes you to the very beginning of the chart of accounts. 

If you're experiencing this, here's how to fix it.

1.  Open any window that has an account lookup in it.

2.  Type a few digits of an account

3.  Click on the looking glass

4.  Change the default lookup to 'by Account'

5.  Select an account

* click image to enlarge

The next time you use account lookup, it will take you to the beginning of the range based on the digits you enter.  You need do this only in one lookup window.  The change in lookups applies to all account lookups system-wide.

'The Closer'

Now's the time of year when many of us are reconciling our GL accounts to get ready for external auditors and closing the year.  I personally spend a lot of time with my clients helping them reconcile Cash, AR, AP, and Inventory.  Until now, it's been a matter of hunt & peck and a whole bunch of analysis to find the reconciling items.

The Closer (http://www.reporting-central.com/) changes all that.  Microsoft has taken a stab at providing a reconciliation tool (Reconcile to GL) that helps.  The Closer goes beyond that by providing a tool that not only tells you which transactions are responsible for the differences, it also recommends the fixes.  I've used it and it's easy to install and even easier to setup and use.

If you spend too much time beating your head against the wall trying to reconcile your accounts, I highly recommend having a look at The Closer.  It will save you time and money.

** Full disclosure - my company is a reseller for Reporting Central