But another very nice option when creating SSRS reports for use with Dynamics GP 2010 is the ability to add “drill-through” capabilities.  This means that we can create a General Ledger report that lists journal entries.  By itself the report gives  users the information they are looking for, but what if there is a question about a “funny-looking” journal entry.  Maybe the amounts looks too high or too low, or somehow out of place.

By adding “drill-through” functionality to the report we give the end user another level of control over what the report can provide.  By clicking on a “drill-through” enabled field on the report, we can open the Journal Entry window, with the questionable JE already pulled up.  This allows the user to seamlessly jump from the report, to the window inside Dynamics GP that holds the actual data!

Out of the box drill-through reporting in MS Dynamics GP 2010 provides:

• New Dynamics GP protocol handler allows drill thru from any external location that provides hyperlinks
• Ability to create a seamless link between external reports and data within the Microsoft Dynamics GP application
• Twenty-three drill back fields across multiple reports
• Additional detail reports are available to display information pertaining to data point selected in the metric
• Supports multiple drill fields on each detailed report
• Drill back fields can be added by Partners, ISV’s, and Customers to new or existing reports

Did you catch that last line?  “Drill back fields can be added by Partners, ISV’s, and Customer to new or existing reports.”  This means we will not have to stick with the “out of the box” reports that Microsoft provides with drill back fields and that we can add these fields as we see fit to completely new reports.  If you have additional questions or would like more information feel free to contact us at Intelligent Technologies, Inc.

by Intelligent Technologies, South Carolina Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Drill-through Reporting in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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SQL Reporting Services (SSRS) allows users to access their data anytime, anywhere, without consuming a full Dynamics GP/ERP user license.   It also allows report developers to leverage their Visual Studio skills in creating custom reports using Queries or Stored Procedures.  If you aren’t experienced with Visual Studio, SSRS allows the end user, with minimal training, the ability to author reports using the Office-Familiar Report Builder 3.0.

The delivery and publishing of these reports take report deployment to a new level.  Integration to SharePoint and Business Portal allow reports to be published to web-sites that can be accessed by non-ERP users.  Scheduled report execution is available in SSRS which gives Report managers the ability to create subscriptions to automate report execution in several formats (PDF, Excel, Word, XML) and e-mail to specific users automatically.  SQL Server Reporting Services implements a flexible, role-tailored security model to protect reports and reporting resources.

Many Dynamics GP clients do not realize that they already own this technology as it comes with SQL Server.  Once it is installed and configured, report packs can be deployed, and custom reports are ready for creation.

Interested in learning more? SBS Group, a New Jersey Dynamics GP Partner, hosted a 30-minute “What’s New in SQL Reporting Services” Webinar on June 23^rd. View the “What’s New in SQL Reporting Services” presentation or email info@sbsgroupusa.com for more information.  For over 24 years, SBS Group has implemented Microsoft Dynamics GP solutions and helped businesses with their ERP/Accounting and business process needs. Contact SBS Group here or call 732.476.5909.

By: SBS Group – New Jersey Microsoft Dynamics GP, CRM & SL Partner

Out with the OLD, in with the NEW…Dynamics GP Reporting! is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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1. Find answers and trends
Get the insight you need to run your business at peak performance by going beyond basic reporting to identify important trends in your business. You can easily analyze whether your products are priced competitively, how quickly products are moving, and your day to day operations, such as credit balance and vendor pricing.

2. Plan for success
Capitalize on trends and predict potential futures. Microsoft Dynamics GP helps you use information to create a variety of what-if scenarios that analyze the impact of alternative decisions using predictive modeling.

3. Improve agility
Implement new processes; monitor the results against statistical goals and adapt business strategies with Microsoft Dynamics GP. It gives you the flexibility and power to adapt and grow with confidence.

If you’re interested in learning more about how Microsoft Dynamics GP can improve your business intelligence, please contact us here at Computeration or download this Business Intelligence with Microsoft Dynamics GP Whitepaper.  Specializing in ways to enhance your company’s solutions with Microsoft Dynamics GP in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest, with clients around the world, Computeration makes your implementation successful by offering experienced project management, data integration, training, and consulting services.

By Gloria Braunschweig with Computeration, an ID and Pacific Northwest Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner.

Gain a BI Advantage with Microsoft Dynamics GP is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.  You can have a table in Excel which can be refreshed to show the most current raw data from which you can then build a page of graphs and charts.  Another option is to build a Pivot Table Report (or the new cool feature of PowerPivot in the upcoming Excel 2010) linked directly to your data in Dynamics GP.  With one click you can have an up-to-the-minute Excel Report of your top 10 customers by sales dollars.

If you are looking for a Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner in Nebraska to help you begin utilizing the power of Excel and Microsoft Dynamics GP call Quadis Technologies at 866-712-4469.

By Quadis Technologies – Nebraska Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Know Excel? Then You Know How To Analyze Data In Microsoft Dynamics GP! is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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As a local Microsoft partner we are often asked to provide our clients with greater visibility into Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to better meet their business needs.  More importantly we have been asked:  “How can I go beyond basic reporting and have the information I need come right to me?”  With the release of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 the answer is right around the corner. 

Dynamics GP 2010, scheduled for release in May, goes way beyond basic reporting.  Its something that every business today needs!  An organization’s success depends on insight, from ad hoc queries into customer records to a detailed analysis of performance.  People need faster, easier access to information in ways that make sense for their particular jobs, allowing them to act smarter and more quickly to with relevant information.

So what has Microsoft done to provide greater insights into business analytics? 

GP 2010 has been enhanced to provide businesses with information that’s easily personalized, simple to access, and extended across the organization in every direction, giving your management team and end users access to information that is actionable and relevant to them.  Whether people are drilling down to specific data sources from KPIs, accessing real-time reports through a Web browser, or performing sophisticated analyses with new Excel reporting options, everyone can contribute more to the decisions that fuel better business performance.

 Dynamics GP 2010 will have more than 27 roles with personalized views of data from multiple sources within a single window or role-based dashboard.  People can take that information and create virtually any report they need and refresh that data at any time with a single click, using more than 220 Excel and Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services reports.

 With its easy and quick Office integration, building Excel reports and even predictive analyses that include data from multiple companies is a few clicks away.  Reports can be accessed and refreshed through the ERP system or a SharePoint portal, extending the depth and power of information across your organization.

This is all part of what Microsoft is calling the Role Tailored Experience.  And it’s yours in the May release of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010.

By Altico Advisors, Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner for Manufacturing and Distribution serving New Hampshire (NH)

Microsoft Dynamics Partner in New Hampshire

How Can I Go Beyond Basic Reporting? Dynamics GP 2010 Will Take You There is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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 But if you have some fairly advanced reporting needs including some complex grouping, sub-totaling, specific formatting and other “beyond-the-basics” needs, then you are really looking at two alternatives: Crystal Reports and SQL Reporting Services (SSRS).

Crystal Reports has been the king of the reporting hill for some time.  It offers the most powerful features of any report writer.  Having been an avid user of Crystal for many years (and a former Crystal Partner and Trainer), I feel it still represents the ultimate in reporting flexibility and power.

But Microsoft’s SQL Server Reporting Services has been gaining on Crystal Reports in many ways over the past few years.  It comes with the Microsoft SQL Server database so you do not have to pay any extra (unless you need extra SQL licenses for your report development users).  Being a Microsoft solution, it is the direction that Microsoft is heading for all its business application needs, as they have already incorporated it into the Dynamics GP product.  And that trend will continue to accelerate.  We are seeing much more interest and commitment to the SSRS reporting environment from many of our customers, across a variety of business applications.  And even this grizzled old Crystal guy has begun to like many of the aspects of the SSRS report designer tool.  We find that we are developing as many custom reports in SSRS as we do Crystal.

Although SSRS still trails Crystal from a technical capability comparison, I feel it is time for all companies and users with serious reporting needs to commit to learning SSRS.  Although its report design environment is actually Visual Studio which can be intimidating to some, it is not that difficult to learn.  An additional plus for SSRS is that as part of SQL Server you get a web-based Report Manager admin tool that can maintain report executions and delivery. 

 So I say it’s time to bite the bullet, take a deep breath, and dive into SSRS.  You might even like it! 

And if you are in the process of evaluating ERP solutions and taking a close look at Microsoft Dynamics GP, you should rest assured that you will have some very powerful reporting tools available.

In future posts I will talk a little more about the approach to take when designing a new report and some of the features to be aware of when creating an SSRS report within Dynamics GP.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have: Rick Feterick, Feterick & Associates, Inc  847-795-8200 x74 or rfeterick@feterick.com.

Submitted by Feterick & Associates, Inc –Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner in Indiana.

Crystal Reports vs SQL Server Reporting Services: Clash of the Microsoft Dynamics GP Reporting Titans is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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As we welcome a new financial reporting tool, it means we have to say good bye to an old friend.  Management Reporter is the designated replacement for FRx.  FRx has been the financial reporting tool for Dynamics GP (as well as many other ERP solutions) for some time.  Through its life it has provided an easy and very effective way to create and customize financial statements of almost any design.  So why the change?  Why take something that works and that we love and replace it with something new and different?  Well, although FRx is still highly functional, it relies on old technology.  Management Reporter utilizes both newer technology and an approach and design that more closely matches the needs of an ever-demanding market.  Like many advances in technology, it won’t be without its pain and its fits and starts.  It is likely that the initial release of Management Reporter for Dynamics GP will fall short of what FRx currently can do.  And I have heard that new purchasers of GP will only be given MR and will not have FRx as an option.  But it’s important to maintain the long term perspective.  Despite its potential initial gaps in capabilities, this solution will be the financial reporting platform for Dynamics going forward and will continue to be enhanced.  It’s a bit like turning in your 1984 gas-guzzler for something efficient and environmentally friendly.  While it may take some getting used to, it’s a very fair trade and promises a lot of benefits going forward.  And don’t worry too much; you’ll still be able to use FRx for a good, long time.    

We will soon be taking a deep dive into the solution.  Look for future blogs on the topic.  And as a Microsoft Learning Solutions Partner who regularly offers FRx training, we plan to get positioned to provide consulting and training to help ease the transition for new and existing GP customers.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have: Rick Feterick, Feterick & Associates, Inc  847-795-8200 x74 or rfeterick@feterick.com.

Submitted by Feterick & Associates, Inc – an Indiana Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner.

Don’t Take My FRx! I’m Still Using It. is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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SBS Group’s Dynamics GP consultants have worked with Great Plains for over 20 years and found numerous ways to retrieve and present the data.  This blog discusses two ways to showcase reports to non-Dynamics GP users.

The first involves a deployment wizard that with a few minor configuration changes, installs the primary Dynamics GP reports in Microsoft SQL Reporting Services to your GP companies.  These reports are deployed in an ‘as is’ status and can’t be modified.  The benefit to using this method is the speed in installation and the extension to non-Dynamics GP users.  The second method involves organizing the individual technical components (Report models, reports and stored procedures) that were used to develop and deploy the SQL Reporting Services reports.  By providing access to the source code, Microsoft has enabled partners, like SBS Group, to meet your business requirements.

The introduction of Microsoft SQL Reporting Services to Dynamics GP provides three important benefits:

1. Ability to modify existing Dynamics GP reports to meet your organizations needs beyond what you can modify using Report Writer;
2. Provide access to Great Plains reports through a web-based interface that does not require access to the application;
3. Leverage existing IT capabilities using industry standard tools such as Microsoft Visual Studio .NET, IIS, SQL Server and SQL Server Business Intelligence Design Studio.

As a Microsoft Gold Partner, SBS Group’s team can help you get the most out of your Dynamics GP (Great Plains) system.  Contact us today to schedule a meeting with one of our Microsoft Dynamics GP Consultants.

By: SBS Group – New Jersey Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Extending Reports in Microsoft Dynamics GP is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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