In a significant announcement that will affect many businesses, Microsoft has officially outlined the end-of-support timeline for Dynamics GP. This widely used ERP solution, once a cornerstone for many organizations, will soon reach the end of its lifecycle, prompting users to begin planning for the future. If you're currently relying on Dynamics G...
In my last entry, I discussed downloading the latest Service Pack from CustomerSource. Since then, I have had people asking me, how to I access CustomerSource & what is it? So I thought I would provide a little more insight on your new best friend.
Like any best friend, CustomerSource is available 24/7 (although you have to bribe Microsoft by getting on a service plan). Loaded with tools & information, it can help you increase efficiency & productivity. How? Well, the many self-help resources such as Knowledge Base, technical documentation and access to online training are a good start. CustomerSource is also a one-stop resource for access to news & information to help you maintain your business management solution. Pay CustomerSource a visit at https://mbs.microsoft.com/customersource/
My favourite section for new users is E-Learning. Browse the hundreds of training programs available (did I mention they were free!). Become a Dynamics GP expert. Or try one your hand at one of the many other products training is provided for. Maybe it’ll help you solve that one problem that no one in the office can figure out. Then you’ll have even more friends!
Don’t miss out! Last week, Microsoft released Service Pack 4 for Dynamics GP 10.0. The latest Service Pack contains a long list of fixes, reaching almost every GP module. Updates in Service Pack 1, 2 and 3 are included in Service Pack 4. For GP 10.0 customers, Service Packs require the modified forms and reports to be updated using GP Utilities.
As always, services packs & patches can be downloaded from CustomerSource. CustomerSource also includes detailed instructions on installation & features, however, please test your system prior to implementation. Of importance to our Canadian customers, the latest tax patch should now be installed in order to account for changes in CPP & EI deduction maximums. If you missed the boat, please give us a call! WebSan is one of only a few Dynamics Partners in all of Canada certified in Payroll.
WebSan assisted Mercury E-Portal Solutions Inc. in certifying a Microsoft Dynamics GP standard interface to it's CSA Software Solution.
The US Court announced recently that all European Hosting Providers are obliged to hand over ALL their data to the US government. According to US Magistrates court judge James C. Francis, internet and cloud companies must turn over all information to US government agencies on demand, regardless of where the data is held.
This means that even if you use a European Provider to host your services, the law might still apply to your case if the provider's data centers are located in the USA.
After the NSA revelations and their surveillance activities, this announcement adds an an additional concern for those companies in the European Union that consider working with a US hosting provider or anyone in their country that utilizes US data centers.
The good news is that Canada is not affected by this announcement and you can securely choose a Canadian cloud hosting provider, without worrying about leaking your confidential information.
WebSan Solutions can help you by offering Dynamics GP Hosting Services through our Partner Program. Also, if you are a Microsoft Partner and only offer Dynamics GP on-premise, we can help you serve new clients efficiently. Plus, WebSan offers you peace of mind by hosting your data securely in our SAS70/SSAE16 certified data centre in Toronto, Canada.
Over the years, the Microsoft Dynamics community has grown and evolved into a worldwide system where end users and partners can network, collaborate, and share their knowledge of GP. There are a number of events that bring us together in person, and resources that bring us together online. Here are 5 great resources that you can turn to for help in the Dynamics GP community:
[https://dynamicsgpblogster.blogspot.ca/]
[https://community.dynamics.com/gp/f/32]
[https://www.gpug.com/home/welcome]
[https://dynamicsuser.net/gp/f/103]
Employees can work from home, the office or on the beach. Because of the IT cloud movement you no longer have to be confined to your desk. That doesn’t mean that less work gets done, it just means you have more of a flexible environment to work from. This can make you more efficient and manage your time better because you now have options. Generation Y is all about “multi-tasking” and being technology driven. So it’s only logical to have employees enter their time and expense via internet/remotely.
According to Forrester Research , as of 2011, about 34 million people work from their residence occasionally. Forrester Research also predicts that the number of people who work remotely will nearly double -- to approximately 63 million people -- by the year 2016.With that said, the modern day time and expense management needs to keep up with this growing movement.
A benefit from an employee’s perspective is being worry-free about forgetting to enter an expense or time worked. If you come home and realized you forgot to enter your time, you can now go on the internet and enter it right away. Being able to enter your time or expenses as they occur increases accuracy.
A benefit from an employer’s view is that work can get done regardless of where their employee is. It’s now easier to capture your employees’ time and expenses. No more paper!
In 2012, the Canadian government announced in their Economic Action Plan that they would phase out the penny due to the cost of producing the penny, relative to their face value. February 4, 2013, was the last day that the penny would be made. One thing to note is that this change does not affect cheques or electronic transactions (e.g. Interac). With this change in effect, it’s estimated that it will save taxpayers $11 million each year.
On Microsoft’s Community Dynamics website, I came across a blog Angela Melhus wrote which is called “Phasing out the Penny in Canada”. For a B2B business, this might not be much of a worry because they would normally deal with cheques and EFT payments. But for some B2C business that have a store and accept cash that might be a problem.
In Angela’s blog, she gives you a step by step process to phase out the penny in your Dynamics GP system. Her instructions are very clear and she provides screenshots of the whole process. By the end of the last step, you should have written off of the penny.
Angel Melhus blog post:
It is essential to promptly prepare your Bank Reconciliation and reconcile the transactions of your bank statement to the transactions in your General Ledger. In this way, you will match your cash balance in the bank with your company’s financial records. Bank reconciliation usually occurs at the end of the month; however some smaller companies might perform it daily.
What happens though if you want to edit or delete a transaction that has already been entered and posted in Bank Reconciliation? You should use the Bank Transaction Entry window to void the transaction. The following steps will show you how to void a bank transaction:
If you want to learn more about Bank Reconciliation, join WebSan University, WebSan’s comprehensive e - Training solution for Microsoft Dynamics GP. This month’s course on November 28th, focuses on Bank Reconciliation in Microsoft Dynamics GP. Videos, tests and a lot more of interactive documentation will help you understand and apply procedures easily in the convenience of your own time and place.
Doriana Kote, Marketing Assistant, WebSan Solutions Inc., a Channel Elite Awards Winner for 2013
WebSan Solutions leverages an online learning environment to offer a comprehensive online training solution for Microsoft Dynamics GP. We created a catalogue of Dynamics GP courses in our Learning Management System (LMS) with rich content, including multimedia such as videos, documents, presentations and embedded video conferencing. Also, we developed a variety of learning activities with tests that assess and reinforce what trainees have learned.
Our e - Training solution puts emphasis on usability and aims at offering a solid learning experience with the minimum possible hassle. Using a set of e-learning tools, users can understand and apply procedures easily at the convenience of their own time and place. Plus, our system is mobile friendly and you can easily work on your course 24/7 using your tablet or smartphone device.
Throughout each course, users can ask their instructor questions any time directly through the learning management system. At the same time, instructors will be able to have a clear overview of their progress with detailed reports and manage their individual needs accordingly.
With a variety of courses for both beginners and advanced users, we can help you build fundamental knowledge in Microsoft Dynamics GP. From General Ledger and Accounts Payable to Project Accounting and Purchase Order Processing, you will find the right training to fit your needs. What is more, you have the option to setup your company’s unique course catalogue customized to your business in a secure and encrypted channel for all data communication.
All in all, WebSan Solutions aims at delivering Dynamics GP training programs that combine simplicity and efficiency.
WebSan Support plans are available for purchase online using PayPal and all major credit cards. Enable your team to get the cost-effective support it needs. Get started now!
Adam MacIntosh is a Senior Account & Project Manager with WebSan Solutions Inc, a Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner and 2013 Canadian Channel Elite Awards Finalist. Adam can be reached at
Want to learn more about Dynamics GP, enroll in one of our WebSan University courses. Course are instructor lead, contain certification tests & all students receive a certification of completion.
Our next course in August 29th from 1 - 5 pm.
Adam MacIntosh is a Senior Account & Project Manager with WebSan Solutions Inc, a Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner and 2013 Canadian Channel Elite Awards Finalist. Adam can be reached at
I get this question all the time from prospective Clients who are currently using Simply Accounting or Quickbooks: “We are growing significantly and need a more robust system, but I’m afraid of the complexity of a new system and the costs. How do I know when is the right time to make a move?”
I’ll address this in two parts :
Dynamics GP is a robust financial management solution. Note that I did not use the term “Accounting system” because it is so much more than that. Dynamics GP has over 700 reports that come with the system, let alone the reports that you can customize on your own with tools such as Smartlist Builder or Report Writer.
Moving from Simply Accounting (or Quickbooks) can be done quite easily and without much time or expense. For example, to implement 5 users on Dynamics GP and convert your information from the legacy accounting software can take as little as a month and cost less than $30,000. If you choose to implement Dynamics GP hosted solutions, a single user can cost as little as $250/month.
The approach to convert Quickbooks or Simply Accounting to Dynamics GP is done using a refined project methodology and the results are reliable and repeatable. This makes your transition to Dynamics GP as painless as possible.
1. Dynamics GP Will Help Employees Work Better, Faster, and Smarter!
Dynamics GP gives employees a role tailored experience relevant to specific jobs in a company. This will enable you to properly allocate resources in your company. The system is organized by module and each module is organized by Transactions, Inquires, Setup processes, Cards, Routines, Report, and Utilities. This intuitive experience will keep your employees organized so they can work more efficiently. View our Dynamics GP Quick Overview.
2. Dynamics GP Drives Your Business and Supports Your Business Growth!
Dynamics GP offers many capabilities! Whether your company has 10 employees or 500 employees. You can use the modules that you need and as your business grows you can utilize more of GP's features. GP is capable of meeting your highest financial demands without foregoing performance!
3. You Can Get Great Plains Up and Running in No Time!
Following with the theme from my last blog, I will continue my discussion on correcting posted transactions. Both Receivables & Payables documents can have certain information edited after they have been posted. Documents can have the following four fields edited after they have been posted:
To access these screens, select Edit Transaction Information under either Sales or Purchasing Transactions windows. Select the appropriate vendor or customer document to edit & make the necessary changes. This tool is handy for those that base collections, payment or other information on these details. Just ensure only the appropriate parties have access to modify this data.
FRx is the standard financial reporting tool utilized by most Microsoft Dynamics GP users for financial reporting. FRx links directly into the general ledger to allow the creation of endless types of reports. These report are then viewed in the FRx DrillDown Viewer. Users I have spoken to in the past have expressed that they are more comfortable viewing reports in Excel.
To take your FRx financial report & export to excel:
1 - Generate the report
2 - In the DrillDown Viewer, select File > Export > Worksheet File > Formatted Excel
3 - Save the report to its desired location
This quick & easy trick should save you time & energy in attempting to convert your reports.
Our clients will often have the need to attach supporting documentation to transactions within Dynamics GP. These might be for odd / correcting entries, entries required by auditors, or large dollar value entries. Further, it is good practice to attach supporting documentation for transactions if possible.
To attach supporting documentation to a transaction within GP, select the yellow paper icon beside the transaction number within the entry window for that transaction. This icon is also available within master data setup widows & essentially every other window within GP. Once within this window, select the paperclip icon at the bottom of the window (Note: Your system admin may have to enable this functionality to have this icon appear). This will open a new OLE Container window wherein one can select Edit > Insert New Object. From here, the process is as simple as selecting the file & clicking Attach within the note window.
WebSan has found this feature very helpful to our clients whenever they need to track down the supporting documentation for a transaction. As transactions move throughout their life-cycle in Dynamics GP, they will maintain the supporting documents attached to them, making audits a breeze.
Adam MacIntosh is a Senior Account & Project Manager with WebSan Solutions Inc, a Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner and 2013 Canadian Channel Elite Awards Winner. Adam can be reached at
The release of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 R2 is very feature rich. Of all the features, there are a few that really stand out and that you should know about.
We’ve compiled a list of the top three enhancements of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 R2 based on feedback we’ve receive from our clients. Their willingness to help us enhance our services makes this a more complete solution for small and medium-sized businesses, putting you in a better position to enhance your organization successfully.
SQL Server Reporting Services - Create report packages with predefined settings so that your employees can use the work independently.
Word Templates - Amped up even more templates, the ready to use Word forms now include orders, invoices and returns.
Smart List Builder - Publish multiple Excel reports at once. You can use the new Bulk Deploy Excel Reports window and select multiple Excel reports to publish at once, rather than publishing them individually.
With the May Long Weekend just a couple days away, many friends and coworkers are taking time-off to be with family. WebSan has recently release a new Time-Off Request module to our TEX (Time & Expense) Management System for Dynamics GP.
The Time-Off Request module is a new optional add-on allowing staff to request paid or unpaid leave for vacation, jury duty, etc. Non-working days (typically weekends), holidays (i.e. Christmas, Easter) & time-off reasons are configurable by company. Employees can then send requests to their manager for approval which automatically integrates into their time sheet submission. A company-wide calendar is maintain for viewing & enhanced time-off reporting is now available with this added functionality.
For more information about WebSan's TEX Portal or Dynamics GP services, please contact Adam via
Adam MacIntosh is a Senior Project & Account Manager with WebSan Solutions Inc. A Microsoft Dynamics Silver Partner and a CDN top 100 solution provider for 2012.
Preparing monthly tax returns are often dreaded as the thought of pulling backup, reconciling transactions, and preparing reports is time consuming and takes a lot of effort. Microsoft Dynamics GP has a Value-Added Tax (VAT) Daybook tool that will prepare the detailed and summarized reports needed for tax filings.
VAT is the taxes on goods and services used throughout various countries. A VAT Report will produce a summarized tax report that can be used to remit taxes. It will summarize the total taxes charged on sales and total taxes paid to vendors. It will also produce a finalized tax return form used to remit.
Traditionally, users use the general ledger and/or trial balances to remit taxes. However, with the VAT Daybook, it can now automatically produce the report without manual updates/manipulations to prepare a tax return report.
The advantage of using a VAT daybook is that it will capture any transactions posted to prior periods that were not remitted in the tax return. It will eliminate reporting errors when a user reports using the general ledger.
This function also allows a user to review the tax return before submitting. The draft and finalized reports are easy to follow and for readers that need to review before submitting, the reports generated have a systematic flow and a reader does not need to flip back and forth between pages to find a trail of where figures are coming from.
