5 Support Debugging Tool features you should be using today: Decisions Fall 2011

The Decisions Fall 2011 virtual conference is around the corner, with Dynamics GP Day scheduled for Tuesday, December 6 2011. Please register to participate in the conference. This is a unique, virtual conference experience. No, it’s not a boring webinar and surely not the kind of place where you will be ran over by tons of people walking up in hallways and down escalators trying to get to a session room. You can do this from the comfort of your office, sofa, or even your tricked out basement office. There’s no excuse – that I can think of anyways – for not participating.

This time around, I will be presenting a topic around – what else! – the Support Debugging Tool: “5 Support Debugging Tool features you should be using today with Microsoft Dynamics GP”. What can I say, I love long session titles.

This session is strictly an end-user oriented presentation whose sole objective is to demistify the complexities of the Standard Mode options in the Support Debugging Tool. That’s right! No complex scripts, no Dexterity triggers, no XML mambo jambo… just plain simple talk on what’s available for YOU the everyday mortal who works with Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Want the advanced stuff? Meet David and I at Microsoft Convergence 2012 in Houston (more on this in another post).

The session will feature 5 simple demoes that will, once and for all, convince you of installing the tool in your environment.

I will also be a panelist at the Microsoft Dynamics GP MVP Roundtable with my compadres, Frank Hamelly, Jivtesh Singh, and Mark Polino. You get to ask us anything Microsoft Dynamics GP and have some fun in the process. Register now!

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

Codename GP "12" Preliminary Features Series – Wrap Up

Over the past few days I have presented some of the product enhancements being considered and developed for codename GP “12”. Those enhancements are based on 4 core pillars: Simplicity, Productivity, Product Depth, and Innovation.

As we approach the Microsoft Convergence 2012 event, I am sure more of these will be revealed.

As is customary, you can find links to all previously published articles:

Codename GP “12” Preliminary Features Series – 1 of 4
Codename GP “12” Preliminary Features Series – 2 of 4
Codename GP “12” Preliminary Features Series – 3 of 4
Codename GP “12” Preliminary Features Series – 4 of 4

I encourage you to continue following the Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP blog by the Microsoft Dynamics GP Product Management Team. They are the premier (and official) source for information on all things codename GP “12” and if you have been to the site, you will know that closer to the product release date, you will get a “Feature of the Day” post showcasing new functionality.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

Codename GP "12" Preliminary Features Series – 4 of 4

Codename GP “12” Preliminary Features – Part 4 

This is article is part 4 of 4 from the series Codename GP “12” Preliminary Features. Some images and content reproduced with express permission from Microsoft Business Solutions, a division of Microsoft Corporation.

DISCLAIMER: These features are subject to change.

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In part 3 of the series, we discussed the different enhancements geared towards building up the Microsoft Dynamics GP product depth: enhancements to the GL year-end process, ability to generate Fixed Assets historical reports, and tolerance handling in the purchasing receipt process, are just among the few that stand out.

Of course, the Innovation pillar is mostly dominated by the release of the Web Client, but I will have to add some of the other features that got cataloged in the Product Depth pillar as true product innovations, even though the technologies supporting these innovations has been around for quite sometime.

Product Depth? More like Innovation

If the dynamic conversion of all Dexterity based forms is not an innovation, then I don’t know what else qualifies. Take a look at my previous articles on the subject:

Microsoft Dynamics GP “12” Web Client Architecture – Part 2
Microsoft Dynamics GP “12” Web Client Architecture – Part 3

For the complete series on the Web Client, please take a look at my series:

Microsoft Dynamics GP “12” Web Client Architecture Series

To learn more about the Multitenant Services capabilities coming to GP “12”, please take a look at my article:

Microsoft Dynamics GP “12” Multitenant Service Architecture

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

Codename GP "12" Preliminary Features Series – 3 of 4

Codename GP “12” Preliminary Features – Part 3 

This is article is part 3 of 4 from the series Codename GP “12” Preliminary Features. Some images and content reproduced with express permission from Microsoft Business Solutions, a division of Microsoft Corporation.

DISCLAIMER: These features are subject to change.

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If you were taken by the Simplicity and Productivity features, then you will be more impressed with the this new list of features aimed at enhancing the Microsoft Dynamics GP product depth.

Product Depth features

Receivables Management Enhancements

As of the current release, it has always been necessary to enter and apply multicurrency cash receipts as a two-step process. MC Apply in Cash Receipts will now allow you to take a cash receipt entered in originating currency and apply it against an invoice all in the same transaction entry process.

Payables Management

Void of Check Return Applied Credits (return/credit memo) to reusable state – For example, if you have an invoice ($100) with a payment of $50 and a credit memo for $50, both applied to the invoice, you will be able to void the check and have the credit memo become available to either use against the same invoice or apply it to another document – the credit memo returns to an unapplied state. If the original payment was made by credit card, the invoice created for the credit card vendor will also be voided automatically.
Fixed Assets Enhancements

The Fixed Assets module has seen considerable improvements. New also is the Fixed Assets Historical Depreciation Reports. If you have tried to run a historical report, it was not possible and the system would retrieve all the previous depreciation information. Now you can select a specific depreciation date for your report.

System Enhancements

Document Attach. Are you tired of trying to fight your way with the Dexterity OLE Notes Container? First I should clarify, the OLE Notes Container will remain an integral part of Microsoft Dynamics GP. After all, there are a number of you using out there. However, now you will have a more powerful tool in Document Attach.

Document Attach

General Ledger Enhancements

GL Year End Close Options. This feature will provide an option to clear out balance for unit accounts.  Currently, unit account balances automatically carry over from the previous year. The year-end process now features a progress bar that will indicate how far you are into the process when executing it. GP “12” will also provide an option to NOT delete budget account with balances.

I hope you are enjoying some of these preliminary features. My next article will discuss some of the product innovations and what you can expect from a technology perspective..

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

Codename GP "12" Preliminary Features Series – 2 of 4

Codename GP “12” Preliminary Features – Part 2 

This is article is part 2 of 4 from the series Codename GP “12” Preliminary Features. Some images and content reproduced with express permission from Microsoft Business Solutions, a division of Microsoft Corporation.

DISCLAIMER: These features are subject to change.

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Yesterday, in Part 1 of the Series we saw some of the new features in the Simplicity pillar: Select printer at Print Time, improvements in the Fixed Assets calendar setup process, reprinting of check remittances, and the ability to print SSRS reports directly from within Microsoft Dynamics GP, in what seems to be a race to replace Report Writer reports.

Today, we will take a look at some of the features in the Productivity pillar, whose aim is to “enhance productivity from application configuration to frequently performed tasks”.

Productivity Features

System Enhancements

Among the features being worked, the Named System Database and Multi-tenant Applications are two of the most important features aimed to change Microsoft Dynamics GP architecture. I have covered these two features extensively in my Microsoft Dynamics Communities column articles:

Microsoft Dynamics GP “12” Named System Database Architecture
Microsoft Dynamics GP “12” Multitenant Service Architecture

Bank Reconciliation Enhancements

In the Bank Reconciliation front, you can expect the new Sub Ledger Reconcile BR to GL feature. If you are worried about your checkbook balance and GL cash account not matching, this new option will present you with reason for the out of balance conditions: a batch not posted, a voided GL entry, etc. This new feature also looks at the Receivables and Payables module.

By adding the checkbook ID as a field, you can compare the checkbook balance to the Cash Account in GL. This new reconcile tool will attempt to match records on transaction source, date, and amount and will report matched transactions, unmatched transactions, and potentially matched transactions, with the capability to drill back to the document and/or journal entry.

You can then save the output file and date when the reconciliation was performed so you don’t need to run the reconcile again. This option has been retrofitted to the other reconciliation processes.

Fixed Assets Enhancements

Yesterday I talked about the Fixed Assets Calendar Setup enhancements. You can expect other enhancements in the Fixed Assets GL Posting process – you will now be able to create batches of fixed assets transaction. As with every other batch in the system, you will now be able to review what is going to post to GL before it is posted, via an edit list.

You can build the batch, insert restrictions – today, you are only able to enter a date range and Fixed Assets pulls everything – such as dates, transaction type (depreciation, transfer, retire, addition) review the batch, make changes, and post. You can post in detail vs. post in summary – the only option available today. Going forward, each distribution line in Fixed Assets will have an equivalent distribution line in GL.

Other enhancements in Fixed assets will entail Mass Depreciation Reversal. This one is much needed as, if you have depreciated 1,000 assets through the end of the year by mistake, you would have to manually back out each of the 1,000 assets. In GP “12”, you will be able to perform a mass reversal of the depreciation – all assets at once.

EFT Enhancements

EFT Payables and Receivables will see the introduction of the Bank Administration Institute (BAI). The process will use the current Configurator to setup an EFT file based on BAI standards.

Distribution Enhancements

Purchasing Receivings will now see Tolerance Levels handling for quantities being received. If you setup a tolerance level, any quantities not received within the tolerance limits will automatically be cancelled on the Purchase Order. You will have the option to setup whether you want to do this automatically or prompted.

SOP and POP Drop Ship for Serial/Lots items – GP “12” will allow you to track serial/lot numbers from vendors. Users will have the ability to enter the serial numbers for any product being drop-shipped, unlike current released versions of GP. If you have a SOP invoice linked to a PO then the Serial/Lot will come across onto the SOP invoice.

As you can see, there are tons of enhancements in all of the above modules. GP “12” is geared towards solving some of the complexities in business processes that were a bit neglected in current releases.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

Codename GP "12" Preliminary Features Series – 1 of 4

Codename GP “12” Preliminary Features – Part 1 

This is article is part 1 of 4 from the series Codename GP “12” Preliminary Features. Some images and content reproduced with express permission from Microsoft Business Solutions, a division of Microsoft Corporation.

DISCLAIMER: These features are subject to change.

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I am only repeating what I have heard so please don’t shoot the messenger. With GP “12” to be released “sometimes next year” – and yes, December 31, 2012 is still within that time frame – there may still be features on the following list that may not make the cut. However, it was fairly clear that the boys and girls on the Microsoft Dynamics GP development team in Fargo are working their rears off to get the feature list to a state where they feel pretty comfortable, meeting the demands on the shopping list.

Straight out of GPUG Summit’s closing session, comes some of the top features being worked on, based on the traditional 4 pillar goals:

4 Core Design Pillars

Each pillar allows the engineering team to showcase a list of features that will support the objectives behind pillar.

Simplicity

The PM Reprint Check Remittance, for instance, will allow users to re-print the check remittance without having to generate the check.

Improvements have also been considered for the FA Calendar Setup feature. In this case, the Fixed Assets calendar does not have to match the fiscal calendar. You can now have multiple calendars, for example, having an asset depreciate on a fiscal year for tax purposes, if tax year and fiscal year are different, and depreciate calendar year for financial reporting purposes.
  
The Journal Entry History Inquiry will see enhancements too. In today’s world, the existing window only looks at the open tables. The plan for GP “12” is to have it look at both open and/or history.

In the reporting area, you will be delighted to know that you will now be able to choose a printer at print time. This feature was only 20 years in the making, but it’s finally here! Hey, I remember like if it was yesterday, when Windows True Type fonts became a standard part of Report Writer reports. Before that, we only had 4 fonts to play with. Challenge: name the 4 fonts available prior to the introduction of True Type fonts.

SSRS Simplicity

In addition to the printer at print time, one of the most awaited features is the ability to print SSRS reports from right within Microsoft Dynamics GP, this is, you will no longer need to wait for the Internet Explorer browser to load Report Server to display the report and will rather see the report from within GP as if you were looking at a Report Writer report in the report layout window… ah, and before I forget, Report Writer will eventually be phased out as the predominant options to render reports.

I don’t know how this plays with all that Word Template functionality released fairly recently, but I am sure a lot of you will jump on one feet in happiness knowing that you no longer will need to suffer through the tortuous process of customizing a report. My instinct tells me, that Report Writer will mainly subsists as a data delivery mechanism for XML files needed for your beloved Word Templates. If history and memory serve me well, Microsoft rarely gets rid of a working function within its products, except it becomes as annoying as the Office Paperclip Assistant. Now that I come to think, Report Writer is got to be up there for a lot of you.

I will continue tomorrow with the Productivity pillar.
Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

Microsoft Dynamics GP Roadmap Update – Welcome codename GP "15"

Exciting times to be in the Microsoft Dynamics GP world! Web Client on the horizon, cloud computing in the not so distant future, tons of enhancements in codename GP “12”. Now that I come to think about it, kind of make GP 2010 sound a bit obsolete, but wait? GP 2010 just got a refresh a few months ago. Oh, well!

If you keep up with my blog, you probably have seen my previous articles on the GP roadmap. For your benefit however, here are the links:

The Evolution of the Microsoft Dynamics GP Roadmap
Microsoft Dynamics GP Roadmap Update
Microsoft Dynamics GP roadmap

Now, I unveil for you the new roadmap which includes codename GP “15”

Roadmap as of November 2011 (GPUG Summit)

This roadmap update was unveiled at the GPUG Summit 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Note that codename GP “15” includes a Rapid Time-to-Value focus for the middle market, which probably means you will see some improvements in the implementation and deployment cycles of the product, a carry over topic from codename GP “14”. One has to imagine that given the changes in the core product architecture, deployment would become a focus going into the future.

As usual, if anything new comes up I will let you know about it – as long as I am not bound by my NDA.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

Navigation List Builder not redeploying changes to a previously saved list

During the Drill-Down Builder and Navigation List Builder training session (for class materials, click here) I held at GPUG Academy Training Day 1 in Las Vegas, prior to the GPUG Summit, I found that Navigation List Builder had an issue redeploying changes done to a previously created and saved navigation list. In reality, this issue came up days before when I was preparing the class, but I really did not give it much thought and attributed the problem to an ‘environmental’ issue on my machine. The Microsoft Dynamics GP version is 2010 R2 (11.00.1752).

One of my students saved his navigation list to the wrong series and deployed the list. All things worked, except the navigation list was showing up under the Financial bar, instead of the Sales bar where it should have been saved to initially.

Navigation List Builder – list saved to the wrong series

Upon realizing the miscategorization of the list, the student returned to Navigation List Builder to make the proper adjustments and set the navigation list appear under the Sales bar. Easy feat, right? Sure was! After saving the changes to the navigation list, the typical deployment window flashed.

The student then proceeded to click on the Sales navigation bar and did not see the navigation list he had created. He then clicked on the Financial navigation bar and nothing showed up. In essence, the list was gone.

Returning to Navigation List Builder, we could retrieve the List ID we created. However, after adding a few new columns and saving to redeploy, we were not able to see the list on the Sales navigation bar. Finally, after a few trial with no success, we decided to delete the navigation list and recreated with the same name, this time, saving to the Sales navigation bar (as originally intended). This time, the new list displayed just fine.

There are a few more things we did not test, so consider this a limited scenario. Other things that could be tested include saving a navigation list to the correct bar, then return and add some changes after the initial deployment, though I suspect this problem would have manifested itself in the support archives pretty quick.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

GPUG Summit 2011 Las Vegas: Materials now available

If you attended any of my training classes or sessions, you will be glad to know that the training and presentation materials are now available from the Learning Resources page on this site. Please feel free to download.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

GPUG Summit 2011 Las Vegas: Wrap Up

This was my first GPUG Summit (and my first GPPC as well) and I have to say I was utterly surprised by the level of organization, the training topics, the quality of the sessions (over 140!), and the spirit of the attendees. Frankly, except for the share number of people who attend Convergence, this event felt like any top class conference I have had the opportunity to participate in.

As is customary, this post will provide a summary of (most) links where you can find information on GPUG Summit 2011 Las Vegas, just in case you were not able to attend the event or missed any of the previous posts. So let’s get started:

The Dynamics GP Blogster

GPUG Summit 2011: Getting there
GPUG Summit: Academy Training Day 1
GPUG Summit: Academy Training Day 2
GPUG Summit: Day 1
GPUG Summit: Day 2
GPUG Summit: Day 3

The DynamicsGP Blogster on Facebook

The Dynamics GP Blogster

The Dynamics GP Blogster on Twitter

@dgpblogster
#GPSUMMIT
#GPUG

DynamicAccounting (Mark Polino)

@DynAccNet
GPUG Summit Recap Part 1

GP2TheMax (Frank Hamelly)

Things Learned at GPUG Summit 2011

Finally, if you attended the Summit you will by now realize that the most important thing you can do for yourself after these events is begin expanding your professional network. It helps to know people who know people, who know people and will facilitate getting around those difficult business issues you may be facing.

Next destination… Microsoft Convergence Houston 2012 at GPUG DayONE 2012 See you soon!

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/