MVP Frank Hamelly on Account Rollups and Organizing SmartLists

After a long writing hiatus, MVP Frank Hamelly on his gp2themax blog explains how to setup the often overlooked Accounts Rollup feature which he describes as “not as tasty as fruit rollups, but equally satisfying”.

Frank also explains how to use Microsoft Dynamics GP’s Navigation Pane to organize SmartLists for the end-users. His narrative is based on a requirement posed by the client at an actual project we both had the opportunity to work and collaborate on.

Please be sure to read Frank’s articles as you will find a lot of interesting things from his personal experience.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
Maximum Global Business, LLC
http://www.maximumglobalbusiness.com/

MVP Frank Hamelly on Account Rollups and Organizing SmartLists

After a long writing hiatus, MVP Frank Hamelly on his gp2themax blog explains how to setup the often overlooked Accounts Rollup feature which he describes as “not as tasty as fruit rollups, but equally satisfying”.

Frank also explains how to use Microsoft Dynamics GP’s Navigation Pane to organize SmartLists for the end-users. His narrative is based on a requirement posed by the client at an actual project we both had the opportunity to work and collaborate on.

Please be sure to read Frank’s articles as you will find a lot of interesting things from his personal experience.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
Maximum Global Business, LLC
http://www.maximumglobalbusiness.com/

The inner workings of Microsoft Dynamics GP on Microsoft SQL Server

Unless you have been working with Dynamics GP from the days of Ctree and Btrieve, it is quite difficult to comprehend why Dynamics GP seems to behave (as in act up) in certain ways on SQL Server — how would I say this… not quite like your other Windows applications that run on SQL Server.

To understand some of these behavioral issues, David Musgrave brings a two-part series on Understanding how Microsoft Dynamics GP works with Microsoft SQL Server — if it was my article I would have labeled it Dynamics GP technological idiosyncrasies, but then again, I did not write it.

• Part 1 of Understanding how Microsoft Dynamics GP works with Microsoft SQL Server
• Part 2 of Understanding how Microsoft Dynamics GP works with Microsoft SQL Server

Ever wonder why the cryptic table names and columns? A lot of it has to do with the origins of the application and the multiple operating systems and ISAM platforms supported back in the 80’s and 90’s. Know your Microsoft Dynamics GP history… in the early days, long before Microsoft SQL Server, Dynamics GP ran on the Mac OS platform and supported Ctree and Btrieve as file server platforms. I guess at the end of the day, the development team figured it would be a daunting effort to make those tables and columns names meaningful for SQL Server.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
Maximum Global Business, LLC
http://www.maximumglobalbusiness.com

The inner workings of Microsoft Dynamics GP on Microsoft SQL Server

Unless you have been working with Dynamics GP from the days of Ctree and Btrieve, it is quite difficult to comprehend why Dynamics GP seems to behave (as in act up) in certain ways on SQL Server — how would I say this… not quite like your other Windows applications that run on SQL Server.

To understand some of these behavioral issues, David Musgrave brings a two-part series on Understanding how Microsoft Dynamics GP works with Microsoft SQL Server — if it was my article I would have labeled it Dynamics GP technological idiosyncrasies, but then again, I did not write it.

• Part 1 of Understanding how Microsoft Dynamics GP works with Microsoft SQL Server
• Part 2 of Understanding how Microsoft Dynamics GP works with Microsoft SQL Server

Ever wonder why the cryptic table names and columns? A lot of it has to do with the origins of the application and the multiple operating systems and ISAM platforms supported back in the 80’s and 90’s. Know your Microsoft Dynamics GP history… in the early days, long before Microsoft SQL Server, Dynamics GP ran on the Mac OS platform and supported Ctree and Btrieve as file server platforms. I guess at the end of the day, the development team figured it would be a daunting effort to make those tables and columns names meaningful for SQL Server.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
Maximum Global Business, LLC
http://www.maximumglobalbusiness.com

The inner workings of Microsoft Dynamics GP on Microsoft SQL Server

Unless you have been working with Dynamics GP from the days of Ctree and Btrieve, it is quite difficult to comprehend why Dynamics GP seems to behave (as in act up) in certain ways on SQL Server — how would I say this… not quite like your other Windows applications that run on SQL Server.

To understand some of these behavioral issues, David Musgrave brings a two-part series on Understanding how Microsoft Dynamics GP works with Microsoft SQL Server — if it was my article I would have labeled it Dynamics GP technological idiosyncrasies, but then again, I did not write it.

• Part 1 of Understanding how Microsoft Dynamics GP works with Microsoft SQL Server
• Part 2 of Understanding how Microsoft Dynamics GP works with Microsoft SQL Server

Ever wonder why the cryptic table names and columns? A lot of it has to do with the origins of the application and the multiple operating systems and ISAM platforms supported back in the 80’s and 90’s. Know your Microsoft Dynamics GP history… in the early days, long before Microsoft SQL Server, Dynamics GP ran on the Mac OS platform and supported Ctree and Btrieve as file server platforms. I guess at the end of the day, the development team figured it would be a daunting effort to make those tables and columns names meaningful for SQL Server.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
Maximum Global Business, LLC
http://www.maximumglobalbusiness.com

Moving data between Microsoft Dynamics GP companies

I recently came across a question as to how to move data across Dynamics GP companies. It then became almost an instant challenge to find all the possible answers to this question and while I don’t claim to have them all, I will point out as many methods (and resources) I could think of. If you have used other methods I would certainly value your input to this post.

So here we go:

Method 1. SQL Server Backup/Restore.
This method assumes you will be creating an exact copy of the production data for either test purposes or as a simple fall back method for recovery purposes. See KB article 871973 for more information on how to create a mirrored copy of your GP data.

Method 2. Support Debugging Tool
You can use Support Debugging Tool’s XML Export and XML Import features to select specific tables to transfer. If transfering master tables, KB article 872709 lists the tables you will need to select for the transfer.

Method 3. Integration Manager
Integration Manager is still one of the best methods to transfer data between companies, especially at the end of an implementation, when you need to import master records and beginning balances into a production company that were previously recorded in a test company. Integration Manager can be found on your Microsoft Dynamics GP installation CDs. The following are links to the latest Integration Manager updates:

Microsoft Dynamics GP v9 – Click here
Microsoft Dynamics GP v10 – Click here

Method 4. SnapShot for Microsoft Dynamics GP
Written by David Musgrave, SnapShot works by copying the contents of selected tables to Ctree files in a separate folder, thus creating a SnapShot of the data. This separate folder can then be copied to a target system and the data inserted back into the actual tables. For more information on SnapShot and to download the product, visit the Developing for Dynamics GP website here.

Method 5. Company Setup Automated Solution
If the purpose is to transfer only setup information, then you will want to try the automated solution offered by Microsoft. The automated solution can be found here (CustomerSource/PartnerSource access required). For more information on Automated Solutions check out my previous article here.

Method 6. Table Import
Table Import is the forgotten tool. As many new and more robust tools are developed, this tool seems to drop to the bottom of the memory lane. Don’t forget that Table Import can bring data into specific GP tables that are not supported by the tools. Click here for more information about Table Import.

Hope you find these methods useful and contribute to the article with other methods you have used.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
Maximum Global Business, LLC
http://www.maximumglobalbusiness.com

Microsoft SQL Server versions and editions

The purpose of this article is to describe how to identify your current Microsoft SQL Server version number and the corresponding product or service pack level. It also describes how to identify the specific edition of SQL Server you are using in your environment.

How to determine which version of SQL Server 2008 is running

To determine which version of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 is running, connect to SQL Server 2008 by using SQL Server Management Studio, and then run the following Transact-SQL statement.

SELECT SERVERPROPERTY('productversion'), SERVERPROPERTY ('productlevel'), SERVERPROPERTY ('edition')

The following results are returned:
The product version (for example, 10.0.1600.22)
The product level (for example, RTM)
The edition (for example, Enterprise)
For example, the results resemble the following.

10.0.1600.22 RTM Enterprise Edition

The following table lists the product version and file version (Sqlservr.exe) numbers for SQL Server 2008:

                               Product Version      File Version (SQLSERVR.EXE)

RTM                            10.0.1600.22         2007.100.1600.0SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 10.0.2531.0          2007.100.2531.0

How to determine which version of SQL Server 2005 is running

To determine which version of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 is running, connect to SQL Server 2005 by using SQL Server Management Studio, and then run the following Transact-SQL statement.

SELECT SERVERPROPERTY('productversion'), SERVERPROPERTY ('productlevel'), SERVERPROPERTY ('edition')

The following results are returned:
The product version (for example, 9.00.1399.06)
The product level (for example, RTM)
The edition (for example, Enterprise Edition)

For example, the results resemble the following.

9.00.1399.06 RTM Enterprise Edition

The following table lists the product version and file version (Sqlservr.exe) numbers for SQL Server 2005:

                                       Product Version      File Version (SQLSERVR.EXE)

RTM                                    9.00.1399            2005.90.1399SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1         9.00.2047            2005.90.2047SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2         9.00.3042            2005.90.3042SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3         9.00.4035            2005.90.4035

How to determine which version of SQL Server 2000 is running

To determine which version of SQL Server 2000 is running, connect to SQL Server 2000 by using Query Analyzer, and then run the following code.

SELECT SERVERPROPERTY('productversion'), SERVERPROPERTY ('productlevel'), SERVERPROPERTY ('edition')

The following results are returned:

The product version (for example, 8.00.534)
The product level (for example, “RTM” or “SP2″)
The edition (for example, “Standard Edition”).

For example, the results resemble the following:

8.00.534 SP2 Standard Edition

The following table lists the product version and file version (Sqlservr.exe) numbers for SQL Server 2000:

                                       Product Version      File Version (SQLSERVR.EXE)

RTM                                    8.00.194             2000.80.194.0SQL Server 2000 SP1                    8.00.384             2000.80.384.0   SQL Server 2000 SP2                    8.00.534             2000.80.534.0SQL Server 2000 SP3                    8.00.760             2000.80.760.0SQL Server 2000 SP3a                   8.00.760             2000.80.760.0SQL Server 2000 SP4                    8.00.2039            2000.8.00.2039

For releases of SQL Server prior to SQL Server 2000, check Microsoft Support KB article 31185. Keep in mind also there were a number of Cumulative Updates for each version, which are not listed above. For a detail list of Cumulative Updates version information check SQL Team’s article on SQL Server Versions.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
Maximum Global Business, LLC
http://www.maximumglobalbusiness.com/

Securing VBA projects

It seems that nowadays we can add security to pretty much every aspect of the Microsoft Dynamics GP application, but when it comes to VBA projects things are not too clear for many developers and Dynamics GP systems administrators.

Follow these simple steps to secure your VBA project.

1. Open the Visual Basic Editor. Go to Microsoft Dynamics GP > Tools > Customize > Visual Basic Editor, or press ALT+F11 from your keyboard.

2. Open the project’s Properties window. Right-click on the project within Project Explorer and select the project Properties option. You can also access the project Properties window by highlighting the project and using the Tools menu.

3. Click on the Protection tab, then click on the Lock project for viewing checkmark.

4. Enter a password to prevent unauthorized access, then confirm the password entered.

5. Press Ok to apply the settings.

6. Save your VBA project and exit Dynamics GP. When you access the application next time and attempt to access your VBA project you will be prompted to enter a password to display it’s content.

If you have multiple projects, you will need to apply security individually to each by following the above outlined steps. Hopefully you will use the same password across to make things easier

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
Maximum Global Business, LLC
http://www.maximumglobalbusiness.com

Securing VBA projects

It seems that nowadays we can add security to pretty much every aspect of the Microsoft Dynamics GP application, but when it comes to VBA projects things are not too clear for many developers and Dynamics GP systems administrators.

Follow these simple steps to secure your VBA project.

1. Open the Visual Basic Editor. Go to Microsoft Dynamics GP > Tools > Customize > Visual Basic Editor, or press ALT+F11 from your keyboard.

2. Open the project’s Properties window. Right-click on the project within Project Explorer and select the project Properties option. You can also access the project Properties window by highlighting the project and using the Tools menu.

3. Click on the Protection tab, then click on the Lock project for viewing checkmark.

4. Enter a password to prevent unauthorized access, then confirm the password entered.

5. Press Ok to apply the settings.

6. Save your VBA project and exit Dynamics GP. When you access the application next time and attempt to access your VBA project you will be prompted to enter a password to display it’s content.

If you have multiple projects, you will need to apply security individually to each by following the above outlined steps. Hopefully you will use the same password across to make things easier

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
Maximum Global Business, LLC
http://www.maximumglobalbusiness.com

Securing VBA projects

It seems that nowadays we can add security to pretty much every aspect of the Microsoft Dynamics GP application, but when it comes to VBA projects things are not too clear for many developers and Dynamics GP systems administrators.

Follow these simple steps to secure your VBA project.

1. Open the Visual Basic Editor. Go to Microsoft Dynamics GP > Tools > Customize > Visual Basic Editor, or press ALT+F11 from your keyboard.

2. Open the project’s Properties window. Right-click on the project within Project Explorer and select the project Properties option. You can also access the project Properties window by highlighting the project and using the Tools menu.

3. Click on the Protection tab, then click on the Lock project for viewing checkmark.

4. Enter a password to prevent unauthorized access, then confirm the password entered.

5. Press Ok to apply the settings.

6. Save your VBA project and exit Dynamics GP. When you access the application next time and attempt to access your VBA project you will be prompted to enter a password to display it’s content.

If you have multiple projects, you will need to apply security individually to each by following the above outlined steps. Hopefully you will use the same password across to make things easier

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
Maximum Global Business, LLC
http://www.maximumglobalbusiness.com