subject: Dynamics Gp Great Plains Old Version Support And Upgrade [print this page] All Great Plains Software accounting and ERP packages could be supported and redeployed on new Microsoft Windows server or workstation. The list includes Dynamics GP 9.0, 8.0, 7.5, Great Plains Dynamics on Pervasive SQL 2000/Btrieve 7.5, 7.0, 6.0, 5.50, 5.0 and earlier and Great Plains Accounting for DOS Windows or Mac 9.5, 9.2 and earlier. Support is not available directly from Microsoft but it is available through partner channel. Lets review popular requests and then talk about future version update options:
1.GPS Dynamics and eEnterprise cases. Here we often hear something like batch posting recovery and ghost user removal. Batch recovery was later one automated in Utilities. If you are on Pervasive then have all the users log off and rename Activity.* files in System directory on your server. If you are on eEnterprise (MS SQL Server databases) then in query analyzed run delete activity where userid=John. Here of course replace John with your user name. Often we hear request to move old Great Plains to new Windows 2008 Server. It is possible to redeploy Dynamics on 32 bit version of Windows where you can install Pervasive SQL 2000. If you are on archaic eEnterprise please check which Windows version is compatible with SQL 2000 or 7.0
2.GPA DOS 9.5 and earlier questions. Typical requests are about data export for conversion into non-Microsoft ERP. Work is typically done in Pervasive Control Center. Instead of export wizard consider SQL Select statements with fewer number of fields. Here you will need DDF files to create ODBC connection. Second popular request is moving GPS from Novel or Windows NT to Windows 2008 or XP. GPA is Btrieve application and target computer should have 32 bit operating system version. Data repair here might be pretty challenging. Technique is combination of rebuild utility with replacing file in production company with the one from demo company
3.Microsoft Dynamics GP 8.0, 9.0, 10.0 and 2010. Here requests are about Dexterity customizations, Crystal Reports and SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services), US Payroll (Social Security mismatch and work around). As these versions are hosted in Microsoft SQL Server data repair is reasonably simple and described on Partner Source knowledge base
4.How consulting work is done? Typically it is done via remote support. If you are familiar with such tools as Gootometing, GotomyPC, WebEx, Remote Desktop Connection and VPN then you know the way
5.The future. In our opinion the best option is to update to current version of GP. We are writing this paper in July of 2012 and currently we have release 2010 R3. You can migrate even from archaic Great Plains Accounting DOS all the way to 2010. Does it have a cost? Yes it does. But if you decide to switch to another platform (SAP B1, QuickBooks, Sage Peachtree, etc.) you will face hidden cost which is in data conversion project. There are nuances as upgrade requires you to be reenrolled into Annual Enhancement Contract. You should pick consulting company to broke on your behalf with Microsoft on this reenrollment
6.Upgrade project mechanics. If you are on the version released five or more years ago then please expect several steps. If you are on non-MS SQL Server database then expect migration step as well
7.For additional information please call us: 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918 or email us: help@albaspectrum.com
