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Dynamics GP Keyboard Shortcuts

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

I don’t have anything against a mouse – a computer mouse that is – but sometimes I find I can be more efficient using the keyboard.  Over the years, you have probably gotten so familiar with some keyboard shortcuts that you find yourself even using the shortcut keys when you speak instead of the actual function it is used for – “Just Control+V that in the email.”

Sound like you?  If it does, you may find some of these Microsoft Dynamics GP Keyboard Shortcuts to be quite handy:

  • ALT+F:  Activates the File menu in a GP window
  • ALT+E:  Activates the Edit menu in a GP window
  • ALT+M:  Activates the Microsoft Dynamics GP menu on the main toolbar
  • ALT+R:  Activates the Reports menu on the main toolbar
  • ALT+A:  Activates the Transactions menu on the main toolbar
  • ALT+I:  Activates the Inquiry menu on the main toolbar
  • ALT+C:  Activates the Cards menu on the main toolbar
  • ALT+H:  Activates the Help menu
  • CTRL+L: Opens a Lookup Window

 By: Rahim Jiwani, Application Specialist, WebSan Solutions Inc.

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Posted in Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Uncategorized, WebSan Blog | No Comments »

A “Partner-Hosted” solution of Microsoft Dynamics GP vs. a “Microsoft Hosted/Azure” environment

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

Before I start telling you the advantages of a partner that hosts Microsoft Dynamics GP than just using a Microsoft Hosted/Azure environment, let me first explain the difference between them, so you can better understand what they mean.

A “Partner -Hosted” solution is either an independent software vendor (ISV), system integrator (IS) or a Value- Added Reseller (VAR) that offers hosted cloud solutions through a licensing partnership with Microsoft . A “Microsoft Hosted/Azure” environment is an internet cloud service hosted directly in Microsoft data centres.

The advantage of a “Partner-Hosted” solution is that you are actually working with people who not only have expertise in hosting software, but also possess a deep understanding of the Dynamics GP system. Some people find that it’s very important to build a trusting relationship before they do business; finding a Microsoft Dynamics partner who not only provides hosting solutions, but is Certified as well can reduce cost and provide for a better solution in the long run. When using Microsoft hosted/Azure environment there’s a fixed cost and little to no room for negotiation, if price is very important to a client then going with a partner would be a better solution. Companies that are in Canada might not like the idea of having their data hosted on an Azure environment because it’s US based. It’s important to many Canadian companies to keep their data in Canada.

In future blogs I will be taking more about a partner hosted solutions and how beneficial it can be to you.

By: Natalie Williams, Marketing Coordinator, WebSan Solutions Inc., a Canadian Certified Microsoft Partner

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Posted in Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics GP, WebSan Blog | No Comments »

Information about Microsoft Dynamics GP Email Integration

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

Sending an email should be easy to compose and to send, it also should be easy to reply and forward things to different people. Hotmail has one of the simplest ways of navigating and organization emails but the problem with that is no company uses Hotmail as their main choice in email. So say the email system that you’re using is giving you a hard time by not sending emails properly or sending all your emails to the junk folder, these problems can be annoying and make you seem unprofessional. I’m going to tell you about some really good advantages of email integration in Microsoft Dynamics GP.

  • Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 allows users to effortlessly email single documents, or many documents or if you want you it can email many emails from a list in the system. You have the option of choosing a document that you want to send to a specific customer or vendor and should retrieve it in an email.
  • With email integration you can send documents as HTML, PDF, DOCX, or DOCX.
  • You can customize messages for either each document and/or customer/vendor combinations.
  • You can also combine many documents and send it all at once in a single email.

So if you think that your company needs a new email system and perhaps a new online accounting software system, why not kill two birds with one stone?

By: Natalie Williams, Marketing Coordinator, WebSan Solutions Inc., a Canadian Certified Microsoft Dynamics Partner

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Posted in Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics GP, WebSan Blog | No Comments »

SSRS Reports in Dynamics GP

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

For some of the more technical Microsoft Dynamics GP users, you may want a little more control and customization when reporting on your GP data.  SmartLists provide a fairly quick and dynamic option to custom reporting, but they may not be visually satisfying.  On the other hand, integrating BI360 with GP will allow you create very clean and organized reports in an Excel-like environment, but won’t give you that rudimentary control that your technical mind may crave.  If you’re looking for some sort of middle ground between these two options, take a look at SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) for Dynamics GP.

The key to creating effective SSRS reports is having a good knowledge of SQL – or at the very least, a fairly strong knowledge of databases.  This is what scares away some users, but for those that have this type of background, SSRS Reports could be your salvation in the pursuit of both visually appealing and fully customizable reports.

While SSRS Reports can be easily viewed within Dynamics GP, they are created in Microsoft Report Builder – a separate software program that is offered for free by Microsoft.  Using Report Builder allows you to take a custom SQL query that you have created (either from scratch or by using Report Builder’s intuitive Query Designer) and turn it into an appealing report.  With the ability to easily create tables, charts, and even visual scales/gauges, you can turn a simple list of data into a work of art!

If you have SSRS Reports deployed in your GP environment, you can view them by going into any series and selecting the “Reporting Services Reports” item in the Navigation Pane.

SSRS Reports in Dynamics GP

SSRS Reports in Dynamics GP

By: Rahim Jiwani, Application Specialist, WebSan Solutions Inc.

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Posted in Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics GP, WebSan Blog | No Comments »

Dynamics GP Around the World

Friday, December 9th, 2011

With the weather getting a little colder, we all know the Holidays are fast approaching.  It is around the Holidays that many, like myself, begin to travel to see loved ones.  This year in particular, I have a lot of travel lined up.  This got me thinking about how popular Dynamics is around the world.  So with that said, here are some quick facts about Dynamics GP’s worldwide popularity …

  • Dynamics is most popular in North America, the Middle East, Singapore, UK, Australia & Ireland.
  • Dynamics GP, originally called Great Plains, was developed in Fargo, North Dakota by Great Plain Software.
  • There are currently over 300 000 Dynamics customers around the world, spanning 41 languages

Globe

Adam MacIntosh is the Senior Project Manager with WebSan Solutions Inc., a professional services consulting firm specializing in helping companies get the most out of their ERP systems. You can contact Adam at Adam.MacIntosh@WebSan.com or at 416-499-1235 ext. 213.

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Posted in Microsoft Dynamics GP | No Comments »

Shortcuts to Customize Your Microsoft Dynamics GP Home Page

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

If you are a frequent user of Microsoft Dynamics GP, chances are you use a select few windows much more often than others.  If this is the case, you may find it helpful to have shortcuts to these key windows directly on your home page.  These shortcuts can be added in several different ways:

  1. Quick Links – Arguably the most popular method is to add the window to the Quick Links pane of your home page.  To do this, hover over the Quick Links pane, select the pencil icon that appears in the top right corner of the pane, and click the Add button to add new links.  Don’t forget to refresh your home page if the new link does not appear right away.
  2. Navigation Pane – To add a shortcut to your navigation pane, open the window that you want to link to, select File, and select Add to Shortcuts.  A link to that window will now be added to your navigation pane when you are on your home page.
  3. Toolbar – To view the toolbar for a particular series, right-click the blue menu bar at the top of the Dynamics GP screen and select the desired series so that a checkmark appears next to it.  To customize which icons are on the toolbar, right-click the blue menu bar again, select Customize…, choose the appropriate series from the drop-down menu, and click Add to add a new icon to the toolbar.

Shortcuts to Customize Your Microsoft Dynamics GP Screen

By: Rahim Jiwani, Application Specialist, WebSan Solutions Inc.

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Posted in Microsoft Dynamics GP, WebSan Blog | No Comments »

5 tips for maintaining Microsoft Dynamics GP

Friday, November 11th, 2011

You finally have Microsoft Dynamics GP and now you are ready to explore the wonderful world of online accounting software which is good and all but while you’re having lots of fun using the different applications it provides, don’t forget that you have to maintain it! Here are five tips to help you maintain Microsoft Dynamics GP.

1. SQL Backup

Make sure you create SQL backups of every database on your server. It’s recommended that you performed full backups or you have the option of full backups with transactions log backups, but it’s ultimately your choice. You also need to back up Dynamics databases, Company (s) databases and Model database.

2. File Backup

SQL aren’t that only backups that you have to do, don’t forget the other multiple files that need backing up to. For example any folder that ends in dic, set or config and all the other folders including sub-folders. The <DATA> folder is included in the backup process as well as Dex.Ini that is located in the <DATA> folder for example OLEPath, OLEPathHR, Word Macro File etc.; I have one more suggestion, backup any files in the manuals of any add-on products.

3. Schedule your backups

Schedule backups for SQL and Files as needed. But remember the more backups you have the more chances that if information were to get lost it would be low. You should have automatic scheduling for backups. This is to ensure that backups are completed, don’t believe me? Check the transaction log because it keeps record of backups done.

4. Monitor your backup jobs

Keep track of the backups that are being done, even if you have write it down in your calendar. It’s just to make sure everything is going smoothly. A really good thing about Microsoft Dynamics GP is that you can program your SQL server to notify you if the backup fails.

5. Test your backups

Even though you can automatically schedule backups, once in a while test your backups just to make sure everything is getting backed up. A good way to test a SQL backup is to restore the backup to another server.

By: Natalie Williams, Marketing Coordinator, Websan Solutions Inc., a Canadian Certified Microsoft Dynamics Partner

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Posted in Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics GP, WebSan Blog | No Comments »

5 Reasons to upgrade to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

Each time I write a blog about Microsoft Dynamics GP I become more familiar with the features and benefits that they offer. After reading information about it, I was asking myself “If I already have financial accounting software, why would I switch?” So that’s why I’m writing this blog for those who asked the same question as me. There are about 50 reasons why you should upgrade, but I’m only listing five. These are five reasons to upgrade to Microsoft Dynamics GP:

1. Better Analytics Option:

With Microsoft Dynamics GP you would have the option of targeting your onlookers with specific data with access to about 100 Microsoft SQL server reporting services.

2. Quick Access to insight you need:

Your employees can customize their KPI’s and dashboards. It would now be easier to work with the information you need based on your position.

3. Integration with Excel:

Create analysis by using report builder. You can use lots of data sources to build from more than 200 Microsoft Excel reports.

4. Increase Relationships:

Enhance your relationship with clients and vendors by using instant messaging that Dynamics GP 2010 offers you with you also can hold live meetings with video and audio.

5. Track data with mini applications:

Create business applications without the annoyance of writing new codes and there’s no hassle of looking for information spread throughout multiple sources.

By: Natalie Williams, Marketing Coordinator, WebSan Solutions Inc., a Canadian Certified Microsoft Dynamics Partner

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Posted in Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics GP, WebSan Blog | No Comments »

Evaluation Tools

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

In 1983, Quaker Oats purchased Gatorade, transforming it from a multi-million dollar business into a multi-billion dollar business.  Fast forward a decade & Quaker decided that another drink manufacturer was primed for the same growth.  This time, Quaker eyed a takeover of Snapple, a popular fruit beverage.  After paying a large ransom for the Snapple business, Quaker did not see the returns it had forecast.  The Snapple brand fizzled as Quaker resources were washed down the drain.  Eventually, the Snapple brand was sold at a $1.4 billion loss to Quaker.

What went right with Gatorade that went so wrong with Snapple?

The measurement tools that Quaker used to evaluate Gatorade were both accurate & appropriate.  However, in the decade that past, these same evaluation tools were not updated.  Quaker applied the same methods & metrics to the Snapple brand that they did to the Gatorade brand.  However, in the decade that had passed, these tools were no longer the most appropriate.

Evaluation mechanisms are constantly being updated.  What works today might leave you behind tomorrow.  Quaker found this out first hand.  If companies want to continue to thrive, they must be constantly tweaking & evaluating the tools they use to evaluate their business.

Microsoft Dynamics GP leverages ever evolving Microsoft technologies in order to provide the best reporting options possible.  Users can access reports in many different formats.  Business Alerts can send automated emails to any staf member when exception criteria are met or at specific intervals.  Emails can be configured to include attachments, including lists of applicable information.  Users can have similar automated Reminders open on their screens when specified criteria have been met.  This allows for fast & automated management by exception.

To Do lists & Check List force users to complete tasks periodically in a structured way.  Meaning, no longer are workflows undocumented or dependent on a single employee.  If an employee leaves the organization, those same tasks must still be completed.

Standard reporting is available in paper format as would be expected.  Users can further use inquiries to research linked transactions if auditing information.  The same information can be exported to Excel or Word at the click of a button through a Smartlist.  These can all have filters applied to them to restrict the information that is displayed.  However, where Dynamics GP takes things a step further is SRS Reporting.  Smartlists can live on the server in the form of an Excel Report.  These can contain, charts, graphs, lists or whatever one’s heart desires.  These reports are linked to the server & the Dynamics GP database through Excel, meaning information is constantly changing on them automatically as data is entered into Dynamics.  And the best feature is that those who wish to view these reports do no require a Dynamics GP user license as they are not actually logging into GP.  The same premise applies to SRS (or SQL Reporting Services) Reports.  These are built through regular SQL statements & can include filters, etc, just like any SQL query would have.  Data can be displayed in many different formats & again, do not require a license to view.

The evaluation tools offered by Microsoft are beyond comparison & constantly evolving.  those utilizing Dynamics GP are always in the know & won’t be left behind.

Pie Chart

Adam MacIntosh is the Senior Project Manager with WebSan Solutions Inc., a professional services consulting firm specializing in helping companies get the most out of their ERP systems. You can contact Adam at Adam.MacIntosh@WebSan.com or at 416-499-1235 ext. 213.


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Posted in Business Intelligence, Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics GP | No Comments »

Nonprofit hospitals are flat lining, but Microsoft Dynamics GP can save them!

Monday, November 7th, 2011

The healthcare industry is a very costly industry to be in. With the number of patients increasing and the government not providing enough money for funding and support, hospitals are forced to cut down on their budgets and lay off valuable staff members. Charity run hospitals need to have an efficient accounting system in order to manage the cash flow from donations and fundraisers. Which brings me to my main point, Microsoft Dynamics GP is the one stop accounting system that would help charity run hospitals change the way they record, track and access information.

Microsoft Dynamics GP is aiding non-profit hospitals by saving them money and providing the proper resources to manage their finances. The finance modules that Dynamics GP has that will benefit this industry are:

General Ledger: This is where you manage most of your finances and get vital financial information to improve the way you do business. It also improves your decision making and simplifies your accounting to produce better accuracy by copying, voiding, deleting or correcting the general ledger.

Accounts Payable: It helps you make better decisions regarding your payables and manage your vendors better. It also provides convenient saving automations for example; it makes check runs much faster because you can pay your vendors all at once instead of manually paying each vendor.

Accounts Receivable: Helps you monitor and maintain invoices, receipts and analyze customer activity resulting in good management in sales made on accounts. It helps reduce admin cost by enhancing productivity.

Cash Flow Management: View forecast predictions and manage inflows and outflows in order to improve cash flows.

Analytical Accounting: Analyze the financial data and keep track of transactions.

Fixed Assets: A reporting tool to help you manage the company’s assets with little work.

By: Natalie Williams, Marketing Coordinator, Websan Solutions Inc., a Canadian Certified Microsoft Dynamics Partner

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Posted in Dynamics GP, WebSan Blog | No Comments »

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