The Home page also includes a section called Connect.  This section is designed to keep a GP user “connected” to all of the various updates and information relating to Dynamics GP.  The Connect area displays a series of slides that allow you to view the most up-to-date information pertaining to the areas of Microsoft Dynamics GP that you work with every day!  You can read the most recent Microsoft Dynamics GP Forum posts and the most up-to-date Microsoft Dynamics GP Community blogs.  You can check out the latest CustomerSource News and most importantly review the upcoming payroll compliance updates, service pack and hotfix releases, and much more!! Connect is available to all users on the home page. CustomerSource access is based on your Business Ready Enhancement Plan.

Click Home in the Navigation Pane and check out the Connect area today!

 Dynamics GP wants the user experience to be as efficient and productive as possible, and the advanced features of the Dynamics Gp 2010 Home Page is an excellent example of that philosophy.

By TMC, your Southern California Dynamics GP Partner

Stay Connected Within Dynamics GP 2010 is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

No related posts.

Of course, for those Accounting and Finance professionals using Dynamics GP 2010 as their system of record, these three steps are quick and painless.

Three steps to go:

Begin by closing out 2011.  This process is straightforward and trouble free; just be sure to follow all of the steps, in the correct sequence.  For a detailed step-by-step process guide, click here.

Here is the summary:

–      US Payroll Close

–      Inventory Close

–      Receivables Close

–      Payables Close

–      Fixed Assets Close

–      General Ledger Close

Be patient, follow ALL of the steps, even for those modules you are not using.  It won’t add much time to the total process and your Dynamics GP system will be that much happier starting the New Year.

Prepping for Auditors

As you begin to prepare for the annual visit from the Auditors, Dynamics GP can make this process much smoother and more comfortable.  First, rest assured that no auditor will give you the stink eye for using Dynamics GP, which cannot be said for all of the various shrink-wrapped packages that are available.

Second, make use of the Reports Group function in Dynamics GP.  You know that the auditors will always want to see the same basic documents every year:  Trial Balance of the General Ledger, AP aging report, AR aging report, Inventory reports, etc.  With Dynamics GP, you can create a Report Group that includes all of these basic reports, and then print them for the auditors as a single exercise.

Third, use the Risk Management Suite to provide superior internal controls to protect the integrity of the data in Dynamics GP.  The Risk Management Suite consists of the Audit Trails module and the Electronic Signatures module.  Audit Trails allows you to monitor the critical data elements within your system, tracking the changes made to specific data fields and recording who made the change, date and time stamped, and preserves the former data value for reporting and auditing.  Electronic Signatures can be deployed to require a second approval to a change before it can be finalized and saved.

Finally, at Tax time, you can rest assured that Dynamics GP is ready to help you with your various tax filings and reportings.  From Sales and Use taxes, 1099 and W-2 filings, Amortization and Depreciation, property tax filings, and the back-up materials for income tax filings, Dynamics GP provides a smooth and efficient tool for meeting your needs.

If you don’t already have Dynamics GP, well, maybe next year?  Most Dynamics GP implementations can be completed in 3 – 4 months, so you have plenty of time to make the switch.

By TMC, Your Southern California Dynamics GP Partner

Happy New Year? With Dynamics GP, It Sure Is! is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Year End Close – Avoid This Gotcha in Microsoft Dynamics GP
2. The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year? The Right Software And The Right ERP Partner Can Help!
3. Microsoft Dynamics GP Makes Year-End Processing Simple

 4 reasons to conduct a BPR:

1. Identify and Manage Risks –The sooner that any and all potential risks to the project can be identified, the greater the chance of successfully mitigating them.  Once risks have been identified, they can be better managed.
2. Develop accurate estimates of effort –The BPR, by nature of its thoroughness and detail, will lead to a much more precise estimate of the final implementation costs.  (For precisely this reason, some of our larger clients will hire us to conduct the BPR before the actual project is kicked off).
3. Define scope of the implementation – By breaking down the various transactions and processes, the Statement of Work that follows can be very detailed as to what is and what is NOT in scope for this project.
4. Set realistic expectations – By working closely with these vital employees during the BPR, realistic expectations about the scope of the project plan, and the capabilities of the ERP system that will be deployed, can be set and maintained.

The goal of a Business Process Review is to follow and document the current processes used, within the client’s company, to handle the daily, periodic and ad-hoc activities of the business.  In a typical BPR, a consultant is assigned to both “shadow” the specific process being investigated (taking notes, screenshots and samples of the various forms and reports used in the process or produced by the process), and an interview of the employee(s) being shadowed (Why was that step taken?  Do you need anyone else’s approval to take that step or make that decision?).  During the interview stages, it is vital to conduct a multi-phased interview approach:

1. Interview Top to Bottom – follow the processes vertically
2. Interview Side to Side  - follow processes that span boundaries
3. Interview from Outside to Inside – follow all processes from start to finish, including customers and vendors.

By interviewing across boundaries and spans of control, a fuller and more detailed picture of the environment the company’s processes are conducted within will begin to emerge.

3 Benefits to a BPR

1. Reduce Risks – The BPR, along with a Fit-Gap Analysis and the Project Plan, should clearly lay out the path needed to ensure a successful implementation.
2. Smoother Implementation – The BPR serves to broaden the base of support and enthusiasm for the new ERP system, by involving the company’s key personnel early in the project.
3. Increase customer/ End-user satisfaction – Since the end-users have a realistic expectation of the new system, their satisfaction with it (and their adoption of it) will be much higher.

A detailed BPR will reduce the risks, help manage the budget, and produce a successful implementation of the new system.  A thorough BPR can help you achieve all three goals!

 By TMC, your Southern California Dynamics GP partner

3 Keys to a Successful Business Process Review is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Keys to a Successful Business Process Review
2. Periodic Business Process Review – Just How Efficient Are Your Current Processes?
3. 4 Keys To Successful Training on Your New Dynamics ERP System

The Business Process Review, completed earlier in the project, will now provide the key steps in training your end-users on your new processes.  Employees will be much better at relating their training to their own environment, rather than using a standard “training company” and training materials.  The key here is to make training as realistic as possible, to provide the maximum effect.

 TMC follows a dedicated training model that encompasses 4 key steps:

1. Train on real processes – Leverage the Business Process Review.  The processes identified in that document are the basis for conducting business at your company, ensure that training covers all of those processes. 
2. Train on real data – Don’t rely on the sample company for training purposes, that is not its purpose.  Build a training company, populated with your own data, so that the training experience is more meaningful.  Your staff will feel more comfortable with the new system if they can see their own items, their own customers and vendors. 
3. Train in real time – Use a dedicated training environment.  This can be a workspace that is assigned to the project, or suitable rooms can be found at off-site locations.  Enforce a “no cell phone or blackberry” policy during training.  No distractions or interruptions. 
4. Train hands-on – Most people learn and retain far more by being immersed in the experience.  Get their hands on the mouse and the keyboard, practice doing what they will be expected to do once the system is live.

“I see and I forget

I hear and I remember

I do and I understand”

-       Confucius

By TMC, your Southern California Dynamics GP Partner

4 Keys To Successful Training on Your New Dynamics ERP System is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. 3 Keys to a Successful Business Process Review
2. Keys to a Successful Business Process Review
3. Microsoft Certified Training – Required for Successful Dynamics ERP Implementations

 For many people, it may seem that “The Cloud” is something very new, but the idea of delivering software as a service has been around for some time now.  If you have a Hotmail account, belong to Linked In or have a Facebook page, you have been using “The Cloud” for many years.

 With the recent introduction of Office 365, Microsoft’s cloud-based business productivity suite, we are seeing a further move towards the cloud.  With Office 365, new updates, enhancements, and additional features cam be rolled out to end-users as soon as they are ready to go, without having to wait to incorporate these new features into the next release of Microsoft Office.  Indeed, the very notion of a “version” of the software, and the attendant activity around its release, goes away altogether.  Simply subscribe to the Office 365 platform, and you will always be using the latest and greatest version of the software, and you will never have to upgrade your system again.

 I think basic software services like email accounts are a natural for “The Cloud”, and I suspect that business productivity packages like Microsoft Dynamics CRM will continue to make inroads compared to the traditional on-premise versions.

 However, I am still not convinced that ERP systems need to be in “The Cloud”.  Certainly there are advantages to being in the cloud, but there are substantial risks as well.

 Benefits

Reduce Capital Expenditures.  Say goodbye to the upfront costs of a new ERP system, just sign your users up for a monthly subscription.  Know your future costs with certainty, but be prepared to expense a not-insignificant amount every month that you own the system.

No more upgrades.  With the service provider responsible for maintain both the physical infrastructure and the software environment, upgrades can occur over an extended period of time, with the newest features and functionality being delivered as soon as they have passed quality control.

Reduce internal IT costs.  With the service provider taking responsibility, the internal IT team can be re-purposed from supporting the ERP system to more productive tasks, like working on Business Intelligence, eCommerce and other value-add activities.

Scalability.  With a Cloud-based approach, companies can easily add and remove user subscriptions as needed, providing greater flexibility than traditional on-premise user-licensing.

Risks

Data security.  Without a doubt, this is the area of greatest concern to any company considering a move to the Cloud for the ERP system.  “Who can access my data” and “How do I know that my data is secure?”  Any legitimate cloud provider will need to have a compelling solution to these questions.

Owning data vs. owning a system.  “What happens to my data when I choose to terminate the subscription?”  When a company chooses to upgrade their on-premise system with another on-premise system, the old system can be ‘archived’, retaining the ability to access the old system for data analysis and inquiry purposes.  With a cloud-based system, terminating the subscription will generally allow the company to retain a database full of data and transactions, but without the underlying ERP system, access that data in a meaningful way can be very challenging.

Regulatory environment.  For those companies that are regulated (think of financial services, healthcare industry, human resources), there may be limitations and restrictions as to whether this data can be stored in the cloud, and if so, what safeguards and protections can be put in place to ensure compliance.

Hybrid ERP environments

In an informal poll of CFO’s and Controllers, we found mixed reactions to the idea of moving ERP systems to the Cloud.  While some are willing to embrace a cloud-based ERP system, others saw some significant hurdles.  Most respondents saw great value in moving portions of the ERP system to a cloud-based environment, such as creating and Editing Sales Orders and providing reporting and inquiry tools.  Few, however, such a great need to be able to create and post reversing journal entries and other more mundane accounting entries over the web.  Surely, that adjusting JE can be posted tomorrow morning from the office.

I think that many companies will continue a slow and gradual move the Cloud.  Many systems, such as email, CRM and other business productivity systems are natural candidates for a cloud solution.  I remain unconvinced about the rapid adoption of cloud-based ERP systems.

 By TMC, your Southern California Dynamics GP partner.

ERP and “the Cloud” is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. What is Public Cloud vs. Private Cloud for ERP Software?
2. Considering Moving Your ERP Solution to the Cloud? What CFOs Should Ask Their CIOs Before Leveraging the Cloud
3. Cloud ERP Trends for Small and Mid-Size Businesses

A typical integration scenario would be as follows:

In this scenario, the restaurant’s various POS terminals (which can either be multiple registers in a single location, or multiple locations each with their own BOH system) are linked to the BOH system.  At pre-determined intervals (which could be one per night for example), the BOH system prepares a data extract of the new data received by the BOH from the POS system since the last data extract was completed.  This data extract is typically in the form of a .csv file or similar.

Once the BOH system has completed its data extract, and has saved the .csv file to a specified network location, Microsoft Dynamics GP’s integration tools can begin the process of moving the BOH data into GP for processing and reporting.

Dynamics GP Integration Suite

The Integration Suite for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 offers two tools for integrating data into the system:  Integration Manager and eConnect.

Integration Manager is designed to move data into Dynamics GP from an external source.  This is done in a batch mode, where the batch consists of multiple transactions of a single type.  This could be done at the General Ledger level, creating balanced Journal Entries to be posted in GP, or it can be done to some of the sub-ledgers in GP, creating unposted transactions in GP that can be reviewed and posted by a GP user.

eConnect is designed to move data into and out of Dynamics GP.  eConnect can work in either a batch-mode, processing transactions either “on-demand” or on a schedule, or eConnect can work in a “real-time” mode, processing transactions from the external source as soon as they are presented to eConnect.  (Real-time is commonly used in eCommerce environments, while batch-mode is frequently used in restaurant integrations).  Econnect can also wortk with multiple types of external data, including .csv, .xml, and others.

Restaurant Integrations

When integrating a restaurant BOH system and Dynamics GP, data can be exchanged at various levels.  A typical restaurant integration might include the following types of transactions:

• General Ledger – Direct integration to a GL Journal Entry.
• Accounts Payable – for payables due to the restaurant’s vendors.
• Inventory – linked to Purchasing, inventory valuations in GP can be adjusted from the BOH data.
• Purchasing – requests for equipment and fixtures might originate in the BOH and then be submitted to GP for processing.
• Accounts Receivable – Balances due from corporate events or other “on-account” activities can be submitted to GP for collections and cash applications
• Payroll – time sheet information form the POS can be transferred to GP’s payroll module for processing in GP.

Integration Manager compared to eConnect:

by Technology Management Concepts, Southern California Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Integrating External Data into Dynamics GP 2010 is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Rave Reviews For Microsoft SharePoint 2010 And Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 External Lists
2. 3 Ways To Import Data Into Microsoft Dynamics GP – Integration Manager, eConnect & Web Services
3. Integrating Information Systems to Your ERP: Advantage Dynamics GP

4 reasons to conduct a BPR:

1.    Identify and Manage Risks –The sooner that any and all potential risks to the project can be identified, the greater the chance of successfully mitigating them.  Once risks have been identified, they can be better managed.

2.    Develop accurate estimates of effort –The BPR, by nature of its thoroughness and detail, will lead to a much more precise estimate of the final implementation costs.  (For precisely this reason, some of our larger clients will hire us to conduct the BPR before the actual project is kicked off).

3.    Define scope of the implementation – By breaking down the various transactions and processes, the Statement of Work that follows can be very detailed as to what is and what is NOT in scope for this project.

4.    Set realistic expectations – By working closely with  vital employees during the BPR, realistic expectations about the scope of the project plan, and the capabilities of the ERP system that will be deployed, can be set and maintained.

The goal of a Business Process Review is to follow and document the current processes used within the client’s company to handle the daily, periodic, and ad-hoc activities of the business.  In a typical BPR, a consultant is assigned to both “shadow” the specific process being investigated (taking notes, screenshots, and samples of the various forms and reports used in the process or produced by the process), and an interview of the employee(s) being shadowed (Why was that step taken?  Do you need anyone else’s approval to take that step or make that decision?).  During the interview stages, it is vital to conduct a multi-phased interview approach:

1.    Interview Top to Bottom – follow the processes vertically

2.    Interview Side to Side  - follow processes that span boundaries

3.    Interview from Outside to Inside – follow all processes from start to finish, including customers and vendors.

By interviewing across boundaries and spans of control, a fuller and more detailed picture of the environment the company’s processes are conducted within will begin to emerge.

3 Benefits to a BPR

1.    Reduce Risks – The BPR, along with a Fit-Gap Analysis and the Project Plan, should clearly lay out the path needed to ensure a successful implementation.

2.    Smoother Implementation – The BPR serves to broaden the base of support and enthusiasm for the new ERP system, by involving the company’s key personnel early in the project.

3.    Increase customer/ End-user satisfaction – Since the end-users have a realistic expectation of the new system, their satisfaction with it (and their adoption of it) will be much higher.

A detailed BPR will reduce the risks, help manage the budget, and produce a successful implementation of the new system.  A thorough BPR can help you achieve all three goals!

By TMC, your Southern California Dynamics GP partner

Keys to a Successful Business Process Review is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. 3 Keys to a Successful Business Process Review
2. 4 Keys To Successful Training on Your New Dynamics ERP System
3. Periodic Business Process Review – Just How Efficient Are Your Current Processes?

Payment Services adds credit and debit card processing directly from within Dynamics GP.  Process payments and deposits from both the Sales Order Processing transaction Entry screen and the Cash Receipts entry screen of Receivables Management.  Payment Services works with the major card providers:  VISA, MasterCard, Discover Card and American Express, as well as PayPal.  Payment Services will also extend to your online presence such as a web store.

Payment Services is available for FREE, although to use this new service, your system must be up to date on service packs.  This means Service Pack 5 for Dynamics GP 10.0 or Service Pack 1 for Dynamics GP 2010.

“Your staff will use existing data-entry screens, the IT department won’t have to install or integrate new software, and you’ll watch your business grow as you give customers payment options they already use in any of the places they want to use them—phone, online, or in-person.”

Payment Service for Dynamics GP offers seamless integration, right out of the box.  This provides a familiar interface for your users, and will allow you to reduce your overall costs of processing orders.

Payment Services is fully PCI compliant and utilizes PCI (Payment Card Industry) standards.

Payment Services is available to Dynamics Customers with an active Business Ready Enhancement Plan, and is offered to users of Dynamics GP Standard, Professional, Business Essentials and Advanced Management.

Commerce Services provides Item Catalog functions along with the integration to Dynamics GP, using the same connector tool used to connect Dynamics CRM to Dynamics GP.  Designed to facilitate support for a business to consumer web-site, Commerce Services will allow you to extend your sales reach across multiple online channels.

“With Commerce Services for Microsoft Dynamics ERP, you can expand your sales pipeline across multiple channels, enabling online merchandising. You can leverage connection points where you can offer goods for sale through storefronts, online auction sites, and marketplaces. With easy-to-use tools you can add, remove or modify catalogs, you can target specific online channels and create new sales catalogs on demand.”

Reduce your time to market for new products, by simplifying the steps needed to create and manage your product catalogs.  Produce different catalogs and use them for different sales channels, all based on the Master Catalog held in Dynamics GP.

Services are available to Microsoft Dynamics customers with an active Microsoft Dynamics Business Ready Enhancement Plan and using Dynamics GP Advanced Management only.

By TMC, your Southern California Dynamics GP Partner

Microsoft Dynamics GP Announces 2 New Cloud Based Services! is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Announcing New Microsoft Dynamics GP Online Services
2. Online Payment Services in Microsoft Dynamics GP
3. Built-In Payment Services – Just Another Great Feature of Microsoft Dynamics GP

For many GP customers, the release of the first Service Pack for the newest version of the product is the signal that it is time to upgrade.  With the release of SP1 for GP 2010, we expect to see lots of our clients upgrading to GP 2010 from their existing GP 9.0 installations.  Given the economic uncertainty over the last few years, many clients had chosen to skip the upgrade from GP 9.0 to GP 10.  Now that mainstream support will be ending for GP 9.0 early next year, many of these customers will choose to upgrade directly to GP 2010.

As GP 9.0 moves out of the Mainstream Support phase and into the Extended Support phase, Microsoft will continue to offer paid support on the final Service Pack version of GP 9.0, and security updates at no additional expense.   However, at this time mainstream development and enhancements will end.  Naturally, Hot Fixes for identified bugs will continue to be offered during the Extended Support phase.

Customers who are current on a maintenance plan can continue to access the following benefits through CustomerSource, including:

• Previously released Upgrades, Updates, Service Packs, Fixes and Regulatory/Tax Updates
• Self-Help Support through KnowledgeBase articles and online content
• Unlimited Online Training
• CustomerSource Community and Tools

While Microsoft will officially end their support for Dynamics GP 9.0 in January, 2011, TMC will continue to offer on-going support and consulting for our clients, regardless of which version of Dynamics GP they are using.  While we would strongly encourage all of our Dynamics GP customers to maintain a current service plan, and to upgrade to a supported version of the Dynamics GP family of products, we understand that, for some, upgrading at this time is simply not an option.

By TMC your Southern California GP Partner

Announcing Service Pack 1 for Dynamics GP 2010 is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Announcing New Microsoft Dynamics GP Online Services
2. Be Prepared: Upgrade Now to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010
3. Top 4 Features to Shout About in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010

Microsoft has announced a new program for their loyal Dynamics GP customers!

Announcing:  Re-enrollment Award for Microsoft Dynamics GP customers

Renew your Dynamics service plan and receive up to 20% off your next qualifying license purchase, add new users, purchase new modules or transition to Business Ready Licensing. 

Your discount is based on the tenure of your account, and the number of consecutive years of being current on your Microsoft Dynamics Enhancement Plan.

Discounts are based on consecutive years of Microsoft Dynamics Service plan enrollment.  If your service plan has lapsed, the discount will be based on your most recent re-enrollment date.  Mention Promo code: NA-H1-11-01 to Pat Quimby when you call to discuss your licensing needs.

Terms and Conditions:

1. Offer good only to Microsoft Dynamics ERP customers who are first-party recipients of this notification in the US and Canada.
2. Offer starts on July 5, 2010 and is valid through each customer’s Microsoft Dynamics service plan renewal date or June 30, 2011, whichever is earlier.
3. Offer is also extended to customers with service plan renewal dates between June 25, 2011 and July 4, 2011 if the service plan is renewed on or before June 24, 2011.
4. Discount can be applied to qualifying license purchase at the time of renewal through TMC.
5. Discounts are based on consecutive years of Microsoft Dynamics Service plan enrollment.  If your service plan has lapsed, your discount will be based on your most recent re-enrollment date. For example, if a customer has a tenure of 10 years but has been current on a plan for only 2 consecutive years, then they will be eligible for a 15% discount.
6. Qualifying license purchase includes Microsoft Dynamics ERP purchase of additional users, additional modules and license model transition to Business Ready Licensing.
7. A minimum purchase of $2,500 is required, and the maximum discount on a purchase cannot exceed $5000.
8. Offer available only through participating resellers – reseller prices may vary.
9. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.
10. Offer valid to each customer at the time of renewal. Eligibility is restricted to customers current on a service plan. Offer value is in U.S. dollars, before taxes.
11. Offer is non-transferable and not redeemable for cash.
12. License purchases and applicable discounts are based on standard list price.
13. Limit one discount per customer.

Exclusions:

1. SQL Runtime Edition and Database licenses.
2. Business Lite Users.
3. Third Party (e.g., ISV) software and functionality.

 By TMC, your Southern California Dynamics GP partner.

Microsoft and Dynamics GP reward their customer’s loyalty! is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Are You Missing the Opportunity to Improve Customer Loyalty Through Performance Management?
2. Spring into Savings with Dynamics GP Promotions!
3. SAP’s “Tough” Choice Shines a New Light on the Importance of Customer Service