subject: Dynamics Gp Upgrade All The Way From Dos Version 8.2 [print this page] We would like to share the case study where customer was on Great Plains DOS version 8.2. Lets make general comments and then go to details. There is migration utility which can move data from GPA 9.5 to GP 8.0. But apparently you have to first convert your Great Plains to 9.5. There is conversion diskette 8.X to 9.5. You must have it prior to update. Second point is in incompatibility of 8.0 with 64 bit computing (there are tricks to install it but we would rather recommend 32 bit Windows7 or earlier). Lets now come down to details:
1.On your GPA bearing computer you might not have floppy drive. It should be fine just to copy the content of the diskette to your C drive root. When we tried Convert command from GPS directory it produced error. This is why we change the first line of convert.bat file to echo on. Error was caused by Tracking.exe file in GpcodeSy directory. We simply renamed it. Then the way to migrate to 9.5 was open
2.Take a look at Version 8.x to Version 9.5 Conversion Guide which is available on installation CD. We followed the procedure but gut error message that Cusmas file was not fount (customer master). We tried several times but got the same negative results. By the way if one of the modules produces error then system module conversion is cancelled. This is why you need to convert only single system module to open the way to move data to GP 8.0
3.At this point we are on 9.5 with some doubts about customers. But this could be only tested in moving to 8.0. We installed SQL Server 2000 (no service packs applied) on Windows7 32 bit. Then we installed Pervasive SQL 2000 Single User Workstation service pack 2. Then we installed Dynamics and Company databases on SQL 2000. Migration itself took more than four hours where progress bar stopped showing progress on the first minute. We simply gave it time and were lucky
4.Checking results. We recommend you to print our Trial Balance reports in GL, AP and AR and compare those we what you got in DOS Accounting. Also check customers in Smart List or directly in Query Analyzer (RM00101 table). We were lucky and customers were in (not sure if you could get the same lucky results as each case has unique dataset)
5.Known issues. As GL account categories are not required in GPA each account got Cash category. As you may know categories are used in Advanced Financials to categorize accounts in such statements as Balance Sheet, P&L and Statement of Cash Flow. If you deploy reporting in Microsoft Management Reporter or FRx then dont worry
6.Moving to GP 2010. It is one step. But you have to apply latest known service pack to 8.0 first (SP4) as well as 10 SP3 (or whatever is available now). And then you are ready to the last step to 2010
7.Please do not expect that this is it. You have to review your customized reports such as Invoice with graphical logo. The work should be done in Report Writer module
8.For additional information, please feel free to call us 1-866-528-0577 or 1-630-961-5918 (this number works for international customers) or email us help@albaspectrum.com We serve you USA/Canada nationwide via remote support (web sessions and phone/Skype conferences). Local service is available in Western Michigan, Chicagoland, Southern California (LA, Orange County and San Diego) and Houston area of the state of Texas
