I’m sure you’ve often wished it was possible to try this type of software before you buy. Good news, Microsoft has released a series of Dynamics GP demo videos that allow you to do just that. These demonstrations walk you through several steps while you click on the screen as if you were actually using the software. For example, the demo entitled “Manage your business” covers a few sample scenarios that many executives encounter including:

• Observing trends in key metrics
• Delegating tasks
• Preparing for a meeting

You’ll notice that thanks to the company overview dashboard and the ease with which Dynamics GP 2010 integrates with other Microsoft products, many common tasks are made much simpler with this system.

 If you are interested in learning how Microsoft Dynamics GP can help improve the way your business manages its financial data, contact us today. We’re happy to help!

Intelligent Technologies, Inc. is a North Carolina Microsoft Dynamics Partner

Want to Try Financial Management Software Before You Buy? With Microsoft Dynamics GP Demo Videos You Can! is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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Many people will tell you that the job of a business application implementation consultant is to provide the technical answers – the “how to” that you need to accomplish the task that you have in mind.  And that is true, but…that is not always the right thing to do for the customer.

At InterDyn – Artis, we believe that sometimes the greatest value that a consultant can bring is a fresh perspective.  As your business environment changes, the amount of data you need to enter into your ERP software system increases, and your customers’ requirements change, it can be very easy to think in terms of continuing the same processes…just in a more complicated form. 

Over the years, our consultants have had many requests such as these:

1. I need these reports that MS Dynamics GP does not offer….
2. I need the invoice to print on a triplicate form on a dot matrix printer.
3. I need to make a one-sided entry to adjust the balance in one account.
4. I need to create a completely new company database and keep the master data in synch with my existing company.

I need this report…often a real need.  When the request is for several variations of the same report, however, it is time to take a step back and ask “Why do you need these reports?” and “Who will be using them?”  Digging into the problem that really needs to be solved can save the client a lot of time and money. At a minimum, doing so allows you to choose the best reporting option.  Sometimes the better answer is to use Analysis Cubes or Excel Report Builder rather than to build several variations of the same report.   

I need the invoice to print on a triplicate form on a dot matrix printer.  OK, so this example is a little dated.  It is relevant, however.  It is the consultant’s responsibility to propose alternatives when there is readily available technology that will save the client time and money.  For example, this request was so that two copies of an order and one copy of the picking ticket would print on separate colors and be easily identifiable in the warehouse.  Our consultant set up Named Printers in MS Dynamics GP to print 2 copies of the order from one tray of a laser printer and one copy of the picking ticket from another tray – each loaded with the correct color of paper.  Much less expensive and more reliable than multi-part forms…but achieving the desired result.

I need to make a one-sided entry to adjust the balance in one account.  Any time you need to work around the controls in your ERP system, you need to stop and ask “Why?”  This kind of request is almost always the tip of the iceberg and as such represents an opportunity to address data or procedural problems that the client may be facing.  Never allow your client to take on that type of liability without first understanding the underlying problem and determining what alternatives exist.

I need to create a completely new company database and keep the master data in synch with my existing company.  Perhaps…or perhaps a third party product or customization would allow you to keep one company database while applying the controls you need.  Understand the reason for a separate company before undertaking the programming or reporting that would be needed to keep everything in synch between the two.  Make sure that your client understands his options. 

This blog was written by Lisa Suggs. With her 14 years of experience as a Microsoft Certified Consultant at InterDyn Artis, Lisa knows the capabilities of MS Dynamics GP, Management Reporter (replacing FRx Reporter), and MS Forecaster among others.  She also has had the advantage of seeing how numerous companies operate so she has a good idea of what works well and what doesn’t.  There may be better alternatives that you haven’t considered.  In the end, it is your decision…but your consultant needs to ensure that you are making one that is well-informed.

InterDyn Artis, established in 1989, is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner dedicated to the implementation, training and support of the Microsoft Dynamics line of products including Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains), Microsoft Dynamics CRM, SharePoint, and Business Intelligence.

by InterDyn Artis, North Carolina Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

When is the Last Time an ERP Software Consultant Told You No – For Your Own Good? is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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A project plan for an ERP upgrade should look like a condensed version of an ERP implementation plan, since the essential steps are the same. In most cases, though, the duration and resources required will be reduced. Regardless of how narrow the scope is for an upgrade project, it always needs a formal project plan and a project team. The project should have a strict structure in place and management oversight with specific milestone dates, metrics, and change management. Companies that take a casual approach to upgrades or simply dump the project in the lap of the IT department will increase the risk of business disruption and jeopardize the expected benefits.

It is also vital that your company develops a strategy for how often the software and underlying technology will be updated so that the entire organization can plan and budget for the inevitable costs and disruptions. Because upgrades are periodic events, it is important to create a repeatable process as well as a set of tools and skills to ensure the projects can be executed efficiently while minimizing any risk to the organization.

The bottom line is that the key to minimizing the pain of ERP upgrades is to have both a long-term ERP lifecycle strategy and a comprehensive tactical plan for the actual upgrade project. InterDyn Artis, established in 1989, is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner dedicated to the implementation, training and support of the Microsoft Dynamics line of products including Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains), Microsoft Dynamics CRM, SharePoint, and Business Intelligence.

By InterDyn Artis, a North Carolina Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Reduce the Pain of ERP Upgrades With Better Planning is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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Sustainable growth within the distribution industry has to come from a strategic approach, using available technology to thrive worldwide. Here are 4 building blocks to focus on:

1. Improve customer service
   There are many ways distributors can cost-effectively deepen their local customer relationships. For example, you can create an online catalog tool that it adapts for each customer based on purchase history and that provides real-time inventory and order status. This self-service product information and ordering tool enables salespeople to spend their time resolving higher level customer matters, routing lower level issues directly to inside sales support, and prospecting new opportunities.
2. Manage business complexity
   The right technology can integrate distributor operations across multiple locations and free up your employees to address emerging business demands. Information-sharing tools, even commonly implemented technologies such as e-mail, can significantly increase visibility and communication across the company, helping distributors stay ahead of competitors by being faster and more responsive to changing market conditions.
3. Attract high-value employees
   As technologies help tighten the supply chain, talent will increasingly be the critical differentiator for distributors. You can bet your competitors are actively recruiting and training the next generation of employees.
4. Improve process, productivity and profitability
   Many distribution functions involve repetitive, low value-adding activities, such as transaction processing, fulfillment, and warehouse and logistics management. Distributors that find ways to free employees from those tasks to focus on high value-adding activities, such as solving customer problems, deepening vendor/customer relationships, and learning new product solutions, see significant increase in profitability. Great distributors work constantly on process improvement in every part of the business. They have key performance indicators (KPIs) in place that they use internally and share with customers to help benchmark their value and differentiate them from competitors.

How does your company measure up in each of these four areas? InterDyn Artis, established in 1989, is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner dedicated to the implementation, training and support of the Microsoft Dynamics line of products including Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains), Microsoft Dynamics CRM, SharePoint, and Business Intelligence.

By InterDyn Artis, a North Carolina Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Mid-Market ERP-Distribution Buyer’s Guide is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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1. Migrate company data and report building blocks from FRx to Management Reporter.
2. Validate report building blocks following the migration.

Migrate Company Data

Migrated data will replace any existing data in the Management Reporter database. During migration, the data listed below is copied from FRx to the Management Reporter database:

• Reports (or “catalogs”)
• Rows
• Columns
• Trees
• Font styles
• Companies

During the migration, data is converted from the segment based system of FRx to the dimension based system of Management Reporter. Once the data has been migrated, the wizard will guide you through a series of prompts to map FRx segments to Management Reporter dimensions.

Building Block Validation

Typically, the migration of data and the validation of report building blocks are performed as consecutive activities. During the validation process, each report building block is evaluated to ensure that it meets the formatting requirements for Management Reporter. If the building block fails the validation routine, appropriate error messages will be displayed to guide you in preparing the building block for use in Management Reporter.

You have the option to migrate the data and report building blocks without performing the validation routine within the migration wizard. In this scenario, you must open and save each building block in Management Reporter. If the building block fails the validation routine, appropriate error messages will be displayed to guide you in preparing the building block for use in Management Reporter. Any building blocks that have not been validated will be identified by an exclamation mark over the building block icon.

InterDyn Artis is holding a Management Reporter Workshop in Charlotte, NC on August 27^th, 2010 that will cover the differences between Management Report and FRx as well as additional features now available to existing Microsoft Dynamics GP customers.

InterDyn Artis, established in 1989, is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner dedicated to the implementation, training and support of the Microsoft Dynamics line of products including Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains), Microsoft Dynamics CRM, SharePoint, and Business Intelligence.

By Judy Van Der Linden with InterDyn Artis, a North Carolina Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Are you Ready for Management Reporter to Replace FRx? is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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When meeting with prospects about a new ERP solution, one common top critical business requirement we hear is “Ease of Getting Data Out”.  There are a variety of tools to address this common requirement when using Microsoft Dynamics GP as your ERP solution.  Here are some examples:

1. Excel Reporter
2. Smartlist
3. Smartlist Builder
4. SQL Reporting Services
5. Analysis Cubes
6. MS Query
7. FRx
8. GP Report Writer
9. Enterprise Reporting
10. Crystal Reports
11. Custom Dexterity
12. Others . . .

How do you choose a reporting tool?  InterDyn – Artis consults with clients on this topic from the outset of an implementation to ensure success.  Our goal is to deploy a reporting solution that can be leveraged for future reporting needs and supported by the client.  Consideration of the client’s skill set and technical knowledge play a significant role in selecting the correct reporting tool.  The two key “must have” elements when choosing a reporting solution are:

1. A basic understanding of the Microsoft Dynamics GP table structure.
2. A good working knowledge of the reporting tool software of choice.

Want to learn more about getting data out of Microsoft Dynamics GP?

Contact InterDyn – Artis by calling us at 704-321-3881.  Visit our website www.interdynartis.com or download a reporting tools manual here to get you started learning about tools you can use to start getting your data out!

Getting Data Out of Microsoft Dynamics GP is Easier Than You Think! is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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Below is a highlight of Microsoft Dynamics GP reporting tools recently discussed at a Microsoft Dynamics Reporting Tools Workshop hosted by InterDyn Artis. The workshop was held for the Microsoft Dynamics GP community at the Microsoft office in Charlotte, NC.  Each attendee received a complimentary in-depth manual of these reporting tools. 
Download the complimentary Microsoft Dynamics GP Reporting Tools manual

• FRx report designer links directly to Microsoft Dynamics GP General Ledger. You would use this report design tools for GL level reports, including consolidated reports, working over FRx reporting tree. Also it works with GL budgets as well as has an option to consolidate your GP companies with virtual companies, which are exported into Excel worksheet – FRx has Excel linking mechanism.
• Smartlist Builder/Excel Reporter - Used to create Smartlist other than those out-of-the-box with GP. Smartlist can be built to combine companies, pull third party data, and pull data from other databases. Excel Reporter was added to Smartlist Builder with the version 10 Feature Pack for Dynamics GP. Excel Reporter is used to create refreshable Excel reports similar to Smartlist exports except that the data may be refreshed in Excel.
• Smartlist with Export Options – Used for ad-hoc queries in Great Plains. Queries can be saved as Smartlist favorites to be used again. The user enters restrictions and changes the columns displayed. This can be used to export query results to Excel and as a shortcut to data in GP. Reports are not formatted unless Export Options is used to run macros to format the Excel file. Create Smartlist favorites and export them to Excel. Record macros that manipulate and format the data. These macros are saved with the smartlist export so that you can execute them each time you export the smartlist to Excel.
• Excel (MS Office) – A powerful reporting tool that integrates with SQL data, FRx, Smartlist, Analysis Cubes, and SQL Reporting Services. Pivot tables allow users to summarize and “slice and dice” a set of data in many ways.
  • Excel Pivot Tables - One of the most powerful data analysis tools available in Excel. Learn the basics of how to use a pivot table in relevant examples such as departmental distributions for AP aging.
• Analysis Cubes - Used to allow users who are not familiar with database structures to write reports. The cubes store a fraction of the data in the ERP system to allow users to dig into data. Excel is the primary delivery method, but there are sophisticated OLAP viewers available. Dynamics GP has 2 cubes available:o
  • Financial – GL, AR, AP, Bank Rec
  • Distribution – SOP, POP, Inventory
• Out of the Box SQL Reporting Services Reports – You can give non-GP users access to the most commonly requested reports, such as trial balances, aging reports, sales summaries, and stock status reports. Manage security on the SQL server and allow the users who need these reports to run them in internet explorer – without ever logging into GP.
• SQL Reporting Services Report Builder (SRS)- SRS has report models that make it straightforward to design simple reports that can then be published for use outside of GP.

To learn more about Microsoft Dynamics GP Reporting Tools contact InterDyn Artis today.

by Interdyn Artis – North Carolina Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Take the Mystery Out of Reporting with Microsoft Dynamics GP Reporting Tools is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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