Cal-Tex Goes Live on GP 2013

Not to toot my own horn - well, maybe a little - but guess who the lead consultant was on this 'on time, on budget' project? Couldn't have done it though, without my extremely knowledgeable and trusty IBIS colleague, Kalyn Kelly and the Cal-Tex team.  Thanks all!

** Click on the image to read the article **

 

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Reporting - Second Edition

I had the pleasure of reviewing David & Chris's first edition of this book a couple years ago and now the even greater pleasure of reviewing the second edition.  I have to say that the knowledge David and Chris possess, not just about GP Reporting, but the Dynamics GP product and ERP systems in general, is just mind-boggling.  That base of knowledge they possess shines through in this update to their first edition.

 

Having worked directly with both these gentlemen, I can honestly say that there are very few people in the world who have such comprehensive knowledge about GP and the ability to share that knowledge via the written word.

 

This Second Edition incorporates all the knowledge shared in the first edition but is further updated to include all the reporting enhancements rolled out with GP 2013 and SQL 2012, which are considerable.

 

 

The book not only covers all the reporting options available in GP 2013 and previous GP versions but also provides a framework for developing a cohesive reporting strategy for your organization.

 

From SmartList to Report Writer, from Excel Report Builder to Management Reporter, Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Reporting, Second Edition provides an overview of all of the report types, plus technical instruction on how to use and get the most of each of the report development tools. 

Whether you're a GP report developer or a GP user who's curious about the myriad reporting options now provided in the application, this book needs to be in your library.  I highly recommend it. 

 

Pick up your copy from Packt or one of these other book retailers:

 

 

Review of Victoria Yudin's 'Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Implementation'

Having just reviewed Victoria Yudin's new book this week I can say 'wow - what a treasure trove of information'.  You can tell from the very beginning that the book was written by someone who knows implementing GP cold.  A person could literally sit down with SQL Server and GP install media in one hand, this book in the other and install GP in an afternoon with the confidence that it has been installed properly.  But much, much further than that, the book lays out step-by-step instructions on putting together a GP implementation team, project plan, infrastructure, SQL Server and GP configuration, data migration, user training etc., etc.  Every base is covered, along with tips, tricks and traps.

 

If you're even considering implementing or re-implementing any version of Dynamics GP, this publication is a must have.  You can get it at Packt or any one of the booksellers below in print, ebook, or both.

 

 

 

Another great addition to your GP toolkit.  Way to go Victoria!

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!