Dynamics GP Tools that you may not know about . . .

Here's a list of tools available from your Microsoft Partner that are not a standard part of the Professional Services Tools Library toolset, along with the GP versions that they apply to.  Most, if not all, of these are installed by dropping a file into the GP folder on your application server and restarting GP.  Talk to your partner for more information.

 

 

Inventory Receiving Transactions - Why is my Receipt Split?

In some instances, GP will split a receipt of inventory into 2 receipt lines.  Why does this happen?  There is a great explanation of this in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2741489.

Book Review - Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Financial Management

I recently read Ian Grieve's book - Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Financial Management.  This was an interesting read in that it covers GP functionality that is rarely covered in any materials that I've seen previously.  When was the last time you saw any discussion about Analytical Accounting, Cash Flow Management, Purchase Order Commitments, or Encumbrance Management?  Plus, all these features have been part of GP for a number of years, so the book's applicability is not limited to just GP 2013.

 

 

 

Ian talks about each of these topics, plus more, then describes the setup and use of the features in detail.  One of my favorite features in GP is Cash Flow Management.  I'm not sure why so few customers use it but it provides a very quick snapshot of cash inflows and outflows in a calendar format - quick and simple!  The section on Encumbrance Management was interesting as well as I've never had occasion to implement or use that feature.

 

I highly recommend this book if you're looking for more information about any of these GP features.  Pick up a copy at PackT or the following booksellers:

 

 

New Article up at MSDynamicsWorld

Check this link out for my latest article (yes, it's been awhile) over at MSDynamicsWorld.  It covers my 13 Favorite New Features in GP 2013.  It's scary how long it took to get these features into GP.

 

Dynamics GP Single Sign-on (Almost)

As we know, GP uses multiple levels of security to protect the privacy of your financial data.  One of these levels is at the SQL database, which prevents a true single sign-on capability with Windows Active Directory.  However, we can simulate a near-single sign on experience by doing the following:

In the User Setup window, check the 'Enforce Password Policy' option.

Checking this box activates the 'Remember User and Password' checkbox on the initial GP sign in window as seen below.  Have the user check this box.

Finally, in the Company Login window, instruct the user to check the 'Remember this company' checkbox.

 

Now, when the user logins to GP, it will take them directly into the last company they were logged into.  If they need to login to a different company, they can click on the company name in the lower left corner of the UI and select a different company in the Company Login window.

Until next post . . .

Dynamics GP Reports Pack

As a veteran GP consultant and an even longer-time GP user, I've always been disappointed in the standard reports that come out of the box with GP.  Although the packaged SSRS reports have helped somewhat, even those reports require some tweaking and supplementing to make them cover the broad range of reporting needs that a company has.

 

I think GP's standard financial reports are pretty solid, but when it comes to operations reporting, not so much.  I would like to conduct an informal survey of GP users to determine:

 

1. Do you agree with my opinion of GP Reporting?

2. If you could have all your reporting wishes granted by the GP Genie, what would that list include?

Please leave a comment and tell me what you think and thanks in advance for your valuable feedback!

Shout Out for Rockton Software

I continue to be impressed with Rockton Software - both their products and their people.  A project I'm currently working on needed the SmartFill product to search and filter on Customer Items in Sales Transaction Entry, based on the Customer ID in the Sales Order.  Pam at Rockton developed a little customization for me in no time and provided instruction on how to install and configure it.

 

Thanks Pam for awesome customer service!!

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GP 2013 Cookbook

Just finished my first read of the GP 2013 Cookbook and have to say - well done Ian and Mark!  As usual, the content and quality of the material presented is just outstanding.  The writers have taken the original GP 2010 Cookbook, which is excellent in its own right, added GP 2013 new features to it, and offer an excellent resource of tips and tricks that every GP user should have on their bookshelf or in their e-reader.

*click image to enlarge

Regardless what GP version you're using, this book should be required reading.  It offers golden nuggets that apply GP 2010/2013, and many versions previous.

Great job Mssrs. Grieve and Polino.

Get your copy at PACKT or at Amazon.

MVP for Another Year

I was notified earlier this month that I have been awarded the MVP designation for a 6th year in a row.  I am humbled to hold a spot amongst some very esteemed MVPs who have been re-awarded this month including Mariano Gomez and Jivtesh Singh.  Congratulations fellow MVPs!

An error occurred while initializing or loading an AddIn . . .

I received this error after a new install of GP2013 on my laptop.  Not having yet installed any of the AddIns, it was a bit confusing.  I reviewed the Windows log and it referred to a Communicator conflict.  Jonathan Fear of Microsoft helped me with the tip to resolve - delete the Microsoft.Dynamics.GP.Rtc.dll that resides in the GP2013 folder.  I'm guessing there was a conflict with the latest version of Windows Live Messenger/Skype because I had installed GP2013 prior to converting Live Messenger to Skype and didn't encounter this error.

* Click image to enlarge

Thanks for the help Jonathan!

Book Review - Building Dashboards with GP 2013 and Excel 2013

Well, our friend Mark Polino has hit another one out of the ball park with his latest release - Building Dashboards with Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 and Excel 2013, affectionately known as BDaMDGP13aE13 :)

Yes the book's title is a mouthful but my, oh my, the content of the book is a library full.  If there's anything you want or need to know about leveraging the BI capabilities that GP 2013 and Excel 2013 bring to the table, you need this book.

 

From creating refreshable Excel reports to drilling back to source data in GP to utilizing PowerPivot, this book has it all.

 

I've just completed my first read of this awesome reference and am applying my new-found knowledge already. 

 

I highly recommend Mark's new book to anyone who has a desire to create and publish extremely powerful, interactive BI tools for GP 2013.

 

Way to go Mark and thanks for sharing your expertise!

You can purchase the book directly from Packt http://www.packtpub.com/building-dashboards-with-microsoft-dynamics-gp-2013-and-excel-2013/book or on Amazon.

How to add those pesky images to Report Writer

I was struggling getting an image to paste into Report Writer recently.  My good friend and colleague David Duncan offered this advice, which works like a charm.

1.     Open Picture Definition window in Report Writer and type in new name of image

2.     Open image in Paint application

3.     Use Select to select entire border around the image

4.     Right click inside the selected area and select Copy

5.     Return to Picture Definition.  Tab from the Picture Name field to the Picture field (border will be selected). Click CTRL+V to paste the image.

Ahhh, the vagaries of Report Writer . . .

Thanks David!

Convergence 2013 is here

With the sun setting over the city of New Orleans last night, we wrapped up our first day here, which was filled with getting out and about, seeing the sights on a perfect, sun-filled, 80 degree day.  The real fun starts tomorrow with the kickoff of the GPUG-hosted GP Partner Connection events and then some partying later in the evening to celebrate St. Patty's day. 

Green beer for all!

Convergence 2013 Just One Week Away!!

I sure am hoping I'll see all my friends and colleagues in The Big Easy this year.  It promises to be a fun and fabulous time for anyone with a desire to learn, network and partay!

This year, in addition to a number of sessions that I'll be presenting or participating in, I have the honor of helping to man the I.B.I.S. booth with many of my co-workers, including the ever-entertaining Mark Polino and two lovely members of the fairer sex, Ms. Abby Moore and Ms. Sandra Dodge, who can tell you all you ever wanted to know about Dynamics GP Project Accounting, and more!

Visit us in Booth #2522 and learn about I.B.I.S.' DynamicsCare services and our exclusive Advanced Distribution Software built on Dynamics AX.  We'll have lots of great give-aways, including a drawing for a cutting-edge technology prize that includes the word Surface in it.

See you there!

Convergence Sessions

Convergence 2013 in 'Nawlins is fast approaching.  Here's a preview of the sessions I'll be involved in or presenting . . .

This session will repeat at 4:00 PM on Thursday, March 21st.

This session will repeat at 5:30 PM on Thursday, March 21st.

Hope to see you all there!