Supporting Dynamics GP in Large Organization
Supporting Dynamics GP in Large Organization
Microsoft Dynamics GP sometimes is also referred by its historical name Great Plains Dynamics or eEnterprise. Modern Dynamics GP, having strong DB platform behind it Microsoft SQL Server (with possible clustering options) is often found as Corporate ERP application in mid-size publicly traded corporations as well as non-for-profit organizations. We would like to mention that software licenses for GP are probably lower in cost, comparing to upper mid-market MRP, ERP, HR and Accounting systems, such as Oracle eBusiness Suite or even Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly known and sometimes still referred as Axapta). This makes Great Plains very attractive from the implementation and support budget side, especially when you see the majority of the required ERP functionality covered in native Dynamics GP modules, then good portion of missing functionality is covered in GP ISV add-ons, and finally small or moderate missing logic could be reasonably cost efficiently done via custom programming in Great Plains Dexterity, eConnect, MS Visual Studio SDK for GP, Crystal Report (or SSRS, if you prefer) and possibly directly in SQL stored procedures. Based on our experience we would like to share good practice examples, when implementing, customizing and supporting Dynamics GP:
1. When Implementation is done and you are now in production cycle with GP. Here you typically want to do phase two adding various integrations between your legacy applications (might be EDI, eCommerce, simple in-house programmed manufacturing, consolidated reporting for all the branches and subsidiaries), or decide to launch customization programming project. These scenarios are pretty common. Our recommendation is the following when you have to "unfreeze" your Corporate ERP system and come through the chain of modifications, consider upgrading your annual Dynamics GP maintenance contract with Microsoft Business Solutions, purchase the plan where you have unlimited number of technical support cases per year, and even consider a bit more expensive plan, where MBS assigns you leading technical consultant, who will know your project and key people and will coordinate Dynamics GP technical support
2. Customization Project planning. We strongly recommend review the idea of the paragraph above, as for large organization the cost of purchasing unlimited tech support plan might be insignificant, or tolerable. Now, you have to pick the right Dynamics GP Technology Partner for the customization implementation. The people, who implemented your Dynamics GP originally might be CPA or Software Sales oriented and not really interested in technology consulting (again, we already mentioned the tools: Dexterity, eConnect, Extender, Modifier with VBA, Report Writer, direct SQL scripting). It is generally not a good idea to change horses, when you are crossing the ford, but down the road it might be a good decision to make. Dynamics GP custom programming typically requires Dexterity, where the majority of Dynamics GP ISV products are programmed. Try to find your next Dynamics GP consulting firm, where they are enrolled in so-called Dynamics GP Source Code Program. Only the firms with large number of Dexterity software developer in staff could allow this program, and if they have it likely you are dealing with the company, which carries Dynamics GP Software Development Factory
3. Customization Project Anatomy. When you are launching custom development project for Dynamics GP (or another Corporate ERP platform), there are success and failure factors to consider. First of all consider establishing test environment, where you current Great Plains company database is loaded into the test company for programming purposes and quality assurance. Dynamics GP has also learning company TWO, where there is some sample master records and transactions, and Dexterity developer could test its code against TWO, but we believe that test environment with the copy of your production company is a way more efficient and will save you a lot of consulting hours. Secondly, unique customization doesn't have the luxury of technical issues knowledge base, meaning that you have to establish good relations with your Dynamics GP Dexterity programming team
4. Consolidated Reporting and its design. This project might be too challenging for your internal IT department, as reports design requires either FRx or Microsoft Management Reporting (introduced for Dynamics GP 2010 as an alternative to FRx Financial Reporting) skills. It is perfect situation, when all your subsidiaries are implemented in Dynamics GP, but it is not always and even typically the case, especially when your corporation has presence in such regions as China, Brazil, Russia, East Europe, where recent versions of Great Plains Dynamics are not localized. First option to consider in our opinion is to integrate all your foreign subsidiary GL transactions into the matching company database on your Dynamics GP SQL Server in the Headquarters (Integration Manager is probably the tool of choice). Via Integration Manager GL transaction integration you can move foreign subsidiary daily, weekly or monthly activities from such internationally localized mid or small market ERP systems, as SAP Business One, Navision, Axapta. Then the next step is on the FRx consultant list of to-dos. Second option would be FRx Tree, where you are consolidating Dynamics GP GL from your companies, where Great Plains is implemented as Accounting and with GL trial balance export to Excel from non GP compliant subsidiaries and branches
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