Intellisense in Dexterity - An Awesome Feature - Vote For It

Mariano talks about Dexterity & Intellisense and why it would benefit us. Read that article and vote for it here: Vote For Dex & Intellisense.

VAIDY

Crystal Reports for Visual Studio 2010 (64 Bit) - Don't Rush Till Nov'10

While Microsoft has released Visual Studio 2010, which is terrific compared to earlier versions, Crystal Reports got it's Free Edition for VS2010 as well. But now it's a separate download from SAP Business Objects site.

That's not the intention of this post at all. I wanted to caution all Consultants/Developers who are planning to develop applications on VS2010 platform along with Crystal Reports.

Read this post before you plan for 64 Bit Crystal Reports based Apps using VS2010: Update on the CR for VS 2010 Release

I would recommend the following specs for such Apps:

1. Visual Studio 2008

2. Crystal Reports Basic for VS2008 (Including SP1)

3. Crystal Reports .NET Redistributable Runtime 64 Bit

For GP Consultants, we have a product already from Flex-Solutions, GP Report Viewer, which does exactly what we require.

I got a Trial Fully Functional license from Flex-Solutions and running short of time for my evaluation. I am still going on with my evaluation on all aspects which I currently require, as and when I get some time.

So far, such a great product and excellent work by Flex-Solutions team. I would recommend to anyone who need hassle-free Crystal Reports substitute for GP Documents.

VAIDY

GP Blogs for Useful SQL Views

We are now having three blogs helping us out in SQL Views for varied needs.

1. Victoria Yudin's Blog
2. Mark Polino's Blog
3. Ron's Blog - Real Life Dynamics User

To my best knowledge, the above are the active blog till now and continue to enrich us with more SQLs.

Do follow these blogs without fail.

VAIDY

Smartlist Builder View Returning Nothing - David Musgrave

David explains why Smartlist Builder View may not return records and on which scenario.

Check out his post here: SmartList Builder based on SQL View not returning Data.

VAIDY

How to simulate TOP 100 PERCENT in SQL 2005/2008 - Steve Endow

This one's very good trick to Force SQL Server 2005 / 2008 to sort of use ORDER BY in Views.

Never knew this till Steve's article. Good one for all SQL Developers (also for Part Time ones).

VAIDY

How to tackle Chunk Upgrade with Modified Forms/Reports?

This post an extension of Sivakumar's post on How to Deploy Chunk Files.

Let's consider, we have a Custom Product chunk file which has been deployed already on a Customer's site. And we are suppose to deploy an update to that product. Now this particular Custom Product has been modified either the Forms or Reports or Both.

I am going to talk about two scenarios:

1. The developer who has developed this customization, maintains a version to each release.

2. The developer do not maintain the version for releases.

Let's first take the #2 scenario: The developer do not maintain a versioning for releases. Which is very difficult and time consuming when we deploy. How to deploy this chunk without harming the Forms AND / OR Reports Modifications? David just explained it to Siva, which is clearly explained in Siva's post.

Let's first take the #1 scenario: The developer maintains a versioning for each release. I would salute such developers. It's very rare to see developers maintaining a version for small customizations. If it's a Dex Customization, it MUST have a version, a proper version. Versioning Dex Customizations have got so many advantages. One such advantage is the one which I am going to explain below.

If we have a version for a chunk and we are trying to deploy an update (which will logically have a higher version than the one which was deployed earlier), then GP Utilities will take care of deploying this chunk and upgrading the Forms & Reports Modifications.

Steps are as follows:

1. Install the chunk on GP Site (copy the chunk on to GP Application Folder and launch GP). You won't be able to log on, if there is a Modified Form(s) for this product.
2. Close GP.
3. Launch GP Utilities.
4. Verify GP Dynamics Version and Company Databases Versions.
5. Then select the option "Update modified forms and reports" when this window is shown up:

6. Just make sure that you have backed up Dynamics.set file and Modified Forms Dictionary for that Customization chunk.

Important Note: You must copy the Previous version Modified Forms dictionary to another folder (remember, COPY and NOT Move). And follow the instructions shown in the subsequent wizard steps.

For more details, just refer to GP Utilities Help File (Click on that BLUE ? Button shown in the above screenshot and read the instructions).

Hope this helps.

Thanks so much, Sivakumar & David, for giving me a topic to share with our community.

Sivakumar's Article on How to Deploy Chunk Files - A Note To Remember.

VAIDY

Importance of PM Module in GP - Belinda

Belinda explains us what's more important in Payables Management (PM) as opposed to how it's been used generally.

VAIDY

Clients Hiring Project Manager For Implementation - Pitfalls

This one's very realistic, Mark. I must admit that I am more than convinced.

Implementation is much more than a Project Management and it certainly requires someone who do not compromise on anything for the Quality & Safety of Project Implementation.

It certainly depends. If a Client could hire a really successful PM for an Implementation, they get more out of that single right move. But they also have to make sure that, that single move should not lead them to more destructive results.

Read Mark's article here: Realistic Expectations: How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Outside Project Managers for Implementing Microsoft Dynamics GP

VAIDY

CRM GP Adapter Series - Versions & Improvements

Till now, Microsoft Dynamics Team has released 4 versions of this CRM GP Adapter:

1. CRM Adapter Base Version - GP 10 & CRM 4

Details of this release can be read by clicking the above link. There is a terrific list of FAQ and much needed information. As the title says, it's the base version and did what it was meant to. Read all CRM fields and make it available for GP integration and vice versa.

2. CRM Adapter FP1 - GP 10 & CRM 4

Tremendous improvement with this FP1. Below are the notable ones:

View Smartlists with SQL Tables

Have you ever wondered why your Smartlist, created using Smartlist Builder and a SQL Table / View (which is not part of any of GP or 3rd Party Products)?

This may be the issue:

The above screenshot shows Security Task form, where you have to select the option "View SmartLists with SQL Tables" for the users who wants access to this Smartlist.

This particular point is very much covered in Smartlist Manual, but I bet most of us would have overlooked this.

VAIDY

Item Qty Allocated, Oh But Actually Not...! - Issue & Fix

This took my life past 2 days and yesterday I was so relieved to have to fixed.

Issue: For a specific set of Inventory Items, Item Stock information was showing up incorrectly. The Qty Allocated is showing some units, but the user swore on everything in this world that it's not possible. Well he had a point to substantiate his argument. Upon drilling down from Qty Allocated in Item Qty/Site Maintenance (or Inquiry), nothing showed up.

Troubleshooting Steps:

CRM GP Adapter Series - Overview

The best thing that could happen for Dynamics GP is the CRM Integration tool. This leverages the GP Functionality and extends it to CRM (or vice versa may be). There are so many things that I could talk about this beautiful Integration Tool. Some of them are:

1. Free of cost (though it must be obtained thru' a Partner).
2. No extra software licenses.
3. eConnect as backbone.
4. Utilizes GP Web Services thoroughly.
5. Easy to use.

Upgrading 150+ Companies - Now that's A REAL UPGRADE

Mariano quotes us from Randal Mayer on How to Upgrade 150+ GP Companies.

I have never even imagined more than 15-20 companies, and this advise IS needed for all of us.

And this post also answers a major question: Is Dynamics GP really capable of handling loads and transactions? Now a customer having 150+ companies in Dynamics GP 9.0. And we have already got Dynamics GP 2010 with SQL Server 2008 R2.

That's a lesson to all who doubt GP's capability.

VAIDY

Home Page Metrics Error in GP2010 & Resolution - Janakiram MP

With GP 2010 going great guns and people have started implementing it everywhere, we are bound to have bits and pieces of issues here and there.

Janakiram MP explains one such error, Unable to connect to the Home Page Metrics URL, resolution given as well.

Those who are implementing GP 2010, please do read this.

VAIDY

Void OR Return? - Belinda's Advise

Belinda advises on what needs to be done when we want to reverse a wrong SOP Invoice. Read it here: Void an Invoice or enter a Return.

Now, let me add to that advise. As she has pointed out, if you have posted an SOP Invoice and if it involves an Inventory Item, it's a thumb rule that we must pass a Return.

Return does the following:

1. Returns Inventory Items to our Stock.
2. Returns Serial / Lot Numbers for the respective Item as well.
3. Reduces also the Customer Receivables.
4. Passes a reverse GL.

So your Inventory is correct, Receivables is correct & is your GL.

VAIDY

SmartConnect 2010 Hotfix - Crucial

There is a SmartConnect 2010 Hotfix available now, which is crucial for 64 Bit Installations specifically.

More details here: SmartConnect 2010 Hotfix.

VAIDY

VBA - Adding Extender Windows to GL Transaction Entry Lines : David Musgrave

This is another code wonder from David Musgrave.

A Hybrid approach (VBA & Dex) which solved a GP - Extender issue. Read it here: VBA - Adding Extender Windows to GL Transaction Entry Lines.

A Must Read for GP Developers.

VAIDY

GP, ODBC DSN & 64 Bit Systems

This post is long pending, since I had worked on the topic around 2 months back.

According to GP Installation Instruction, To set up an ODBC data source, enter the name you assigned to the SQL Server when you installed Microsoft SQL Server. A data source name called Dynamics GP also is created using SQL Native Client. If you don’t want to set up an ODBC data source, mark the Do not create a data source option.

It's very handy (and recommended too) to create the ODBC DSN thru' GP Installation, when we install GP on a 64 Bit System. We all know that GP is a 32 Bit Application. When we install GP on 64 Bit System, it gets installed with 32 Bit Compatibility.

Typically, on a 64 Bit System there are two ODBC Data Source Maintenance wizards available. One is for 64 Bit and other for 32 Bit. What you open from Control Panel -> Administrative Tools (or Start -> Run -> ODBCAD32.exe), is nothing but default 64 Bit ODBC DSN Maintenance wizard.

Microsoft Dynamics GP & CRM - A Gradual Progress

I am currently working on a realtime GP & CRM 2-Way Integration.

Needless to say, I have learned a lot and would like to share what I have learned. And moving forward, you would be seeing a mix of articles which talks about both Dynamics GP (my life) and Dynamics CRM (my interest).

As a first step, I will be posting my first CRM article about CRM - GP Adapter's Picklist Configuration utility in a couple of days.

I hope you all would be interested.

VAIDY

Management Reporter Features - Explained by Sandeep Walia

There are many articles across the Blogosphere on Management Reporter for MS Dynamics ERPs.

This one's pretty good in terms of explaining the basics of MR. And also the points which would make Customers migrate to MR from FRx.

Read the article, Management Reporter For Dynamics ERP – An Analysis, on ERP Software Blog.

UPDATE (19JUN2010): The above link to the original article on ERP Software Blog, seems to be broken and not working.

VAIDY

Niraj's First Birth Anniversary...!

KINDLY NOTE: This post is PERSONAL and nothing to do with Dynamics GP...


Time moves on... Moves on very fast...

Our beloved NIRAJ, Son of Shan & Uma, completes his first year in this world. :-) Yup tomorrow is his first Birth Anniversary...

Let's all join to wish him a Happy Birthday & Blissful Life...!!!

VAIDY

Avoiding Sign-Off Hell - Mark Polino

I had seen this not long ago. And this article by Mark Polino should have come a bit earlier.

Read it: Avoiding Sign-Off Hell.

MUST READ for all Partners / Consultants.

VAIDY

Why Extender Information does not get transferred?

I have been getting this query on WHY EXTENDER INFORMATION ON A SOP QUOTATION DOES NOT GET TRANSFERRED TO THE CORRESPONDING ORDER?

Well, there is obviously no logical reason behind it. Given the fact that SOP User Defined values are getting transferred from Quote to Order to Invoice, we expect the same thing from Extender Information also. Point substantiated.

Deploying GP SSRS Reports - maxRequestLength Error & Resolution

I was deploying GP SSRS Reports on SQL Server 2008 64 Bit and was facing the following error message:

There was an exception running the extensions specified in the config file. ---> Maximum request length exceeded.

Googled it and here the resolution: http://www.developmentnow.com/g/115_2006_4_0_0_735861/Request-Length-Exceeded.htm

I hope this would be a useful tip for people out there deploying SSRS for GP.

VAIDY