Microsoft has recently announced the features that will be included in the 2021 Year-End update to Dynamics GP, which will include the 2021 feature release as well. Dynamics GP continues to add yearly updates in terms of hotfixes, tax code-compliant updates, and other regulatory fixes. The following features are all based on customer requests, so users can look forward to improvement to these updates. Another advantage of this release is that new registration keys are not needed for this release.  

Microsoft Dynamics GP 18.4 Updates include:

Distribution

In October 2019, Microsoft introduced the Modern Lifecycle Policy for Microsoft Dynamics GP  before this update Dynamics GP was governed by the Fixed Lifecycle Policy which in comparison has fixed end dates for their support. The Modern Policy offers continuous support and servicing, including bug fixes, new features, and the latest tax updates. This highlights the fact that Dynamics GP is not going anywhere soon with the Lifecycle Roadmap showing dates well into 2028 and beyond.

Dynamics GP customers can stay current by choosing at least one of the three all-inclusive Dynamics GP updates, typically released in June, October, and December yearly . The October update normally provides new capabilities whereas the two other updates will typically consist of hotfixes, tax updates, and regulatory updates.

Microsoft Dynamics GP is a powerful on-premises application that has built a huge community over the last 30+ years of Partners and Customers that love the product. Microsoft intends to continue both enhancing and supporting the solution in the future. Upgrading your Dynamics GP system ensures that you have access to new features, in addition to a resolution to any system glitches. Upgrading regularly also provides you with tax compliance, improved security, and more predictable costs.  

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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:

• The Dynamics GP Blogster – Mariano Gomez (MVP) provides you with his insightful knowledge of Dynamics GP

[http://dynamicsgpblogster.blogspot.ca/]

• Community Dynamics – a forum used to ask questions about Dynamics GP and have them answered by GP professionals from all around the world

[https://community.dynamics.com/gp/f/32]

• Dynamics GP User Group – a communication channel for GP professionals to network and share their Dynamics GP knowledge

[https://www.gpug.com/home/welcome]

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With vacation season nearing, the last thing you want to worry about is the state of your company’s ERP system. Switch your focus to enjoying your downtime instead of thinking about a time consuming month end or gaining a competitive edge. A robust, simple, stand-alone ERP solution like Microsoft Dynamics GP allows you to kick back and relax on your vacation time.

Whether you need to manage your staff’s vacation pay by making changes to Payroll, schedule an advanced Distribution, or want access to Electronic Banking, Dynamics GP is a multi-functional system that’s cost effective, and easily caters to your growing business needs. On top of all that, the Human Resources module in Dynamics GP presents the Vacation Calendar option, which gives the user a calendar view that lists employees that have taken time off for each day.

WebSan Solutions’ hosted Dynamics GP offering gives you access and ownership of your data, and eliminates upkeep with software maintenance, upgrades, and back-ups. Compared to an on-premise offering, hosted Dynamics GP also gives you the option of faster deployment. Moreover, it’s one of the most notable accounting and ERP software solutions on the market today!

To learn more about Dynamics GP and to gain access to additional ERP resources, visit our hosted Dynamics GP page! 

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WebSan Solutions, the largest Canadian Cloud Dynamics partner, offers users the ability to access Dynamics GP on a tablet. Customers now have an alternative way to access and create accounting transactions, without having to log in through their desktop computers.

“We see this as a natural extension of our Cloud Dynamics offerings. No other partner has made the commitment that WebSan has to provide this much flexibility to our customers,” says Andrew King, Managing Director of WebSan Solutions.

As long as there’s an active Internet connection, users would be able to use all of the capabilities of Dynamics GP, which also includes exporting SmartLists to Microsoft Excel with ease. WebSan’s Cloud Dynamics GP solution  allows users to quickly and securely access Dynamics on-the-go using Android, iOS and Windows devices.

An element that makes Dynamics GP on a tablet even more valuable is the feature that lets users print and email documents (i.e. Invoices) on the fly.

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When organizing your business’ data and sorting through multiple categories and headings, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the time-consuming process. Structured Query Language (SQL) used in Microsoft Dynamics GP serves to retrieve information from databases through the use of basic statements and clauses. Here are some SQL features that can help you sort through data quickly in Microsoft Dynamics GP:

• Select clause – Allows you to pull and read data from the database. Often using the Select * format, this statement enables the user to select data from columns and tables such as a list of customers.
• Where clause – Used to filter your list based on a certain condition, such as to specify a customer’s country or location.
• Alias syntax – Enables the user to rename a database table or a column in a table. This function becomes especially useful when there are multiple tables in a query or when column names are long and not easily readable.
• Join clause – Helps to combine and add more columns in your data. The join clause is often used to combine fields from two tables by using values that are common to each. 
• Group by clause – Allows you to compress, consolidate and summarize data. This clause is used together with aggregate functions to group a result set into one or more columns.

To learn more about SQL queries and common functions in Microsoft Dynamics GP, register for our online course! 

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With the New Year fast approaching, your company has decided to adopt/upgrade to an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Congratulations! Making the decision to adopt/upgrade to an ERP system already puts you ahead of your competition.

An ERP system is a powerful tool that helps you efficiently analyze, interpret, and execute the core activities of each department of your business on a day-to-day basis. Companies who seek to adopt/upgrade to an ERP system do so in order to integrate the different programs they're using for different departments into one suite. An ERP system helps reduce costs because any previous delays or duplication of work is avoided. For example, a company may calculate their sales revenue using one type of software meanwhile using separate software to produce a financial report. An ERP system integrates the two actions whereby once the sales revenue is calculated, the ERP system uses the same information to produce a financial report. A benefit of having these separate processes integrated is that the same information flows from each department which results in less errors made, in addition to better business decisions made. Resources such as time and staff are reduced (not to mention the complexity) which boosts the company's bottom-line.

Other benefits and features of an ERP System include:
• Access to all the company's information across all departments in real-time
• Stronger customer relations through better access of customer information as part of your company's practices in customer relationship management (CRM)
• Improved controls at each stage of the supply chain
• Enhanced security with access to a single set of user settings to better protect your company's information
• Less training and implementation necessary because all staff are trained to use the same system

Consider the following when adopting/upgrading to an ERP system:

Here are some facts that you can share with your boss in order to convince him/her that GP is right for your company!

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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!

Everyone has turned to YouTube to gain information, insight and knowledge about everything and anything. Visit WebSan Solutions YouTube channel to watch helpful videos about GP modules. 

WebSan University is bringing knowledge to life by creating a series of interactive online courses through an easy-to-use intuitive system. Who said corporate training has to be boring? Empower your employees with online training!

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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. You can read the full article here.

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.

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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.

WebSan Solutions has launched the Project Accounting Webinar Series, aiming to take your skills to the next level, whether you are a total beginner or an advanced user in Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Why do you need Project Accounting?

By taking an ordered and logical approach to your project accounting and training methods, you will be able to cut financial costs to your overall business activity.

Also, through logical project accounting and fundamental organisation techniques, you will be able to quickly see a marked improvement in expenditure and customer satisfaction.

Each month our Project Accounting Webinar Series will cover one of the following topics:

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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.

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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:

• First, open the Bank Transaction Entry window by going to Transactions-Financial-Bank Transactions
• Then choose Void Transaction
• Type or select the checkbook ID for the particular transaction you want to void
• Select or type the transaction number to void and make sure the transaction has been distributed
• Select Void to void the transaction. Now the checkbook has been updated and the distributions have been posted to GL
• Exit from the Bank Transaction Entry window. Notice that the Bank Transaction Posting Journal has been printed. An asterisk (*) will indicate which Transactions have been voided since you opened the window

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 28^th, 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

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Cloud computing has become the rule and not the exception for applications in today’s business world. It is with no doubt the default IT platform and the reality is a lot of organizations use multiple cloud environments delivered within different platforms.

The challenge of managing these cloud environments in a consistent way has created the need for what is known as cloud brokerage. That is, a third-party, vendor-neutral business that serves as a single point of contact when working with multiple providers. Cloud service brokers help users benefit from best-in-class offerings from different providers, while keeping the back end simplified.

Another trend is to certify trustworthy cloud providers. Certified clouds will lead to better take up and wider use of different services with the assurance they bring. After the NSA revelations, there has been an increasing need for cloud security in the business world that can be reassured by cloud certifications. WebSan Solutions has already amplified the importance of security by maintaining its hosted Dynamics GP solution in its state-of-the-art Tier II SAS70/SSAE16 certified data centre located in Toronto, Canada.

Finally, cloud - based applications are gradually gaining ground against on-premise software. Taking into account there is a Google or IOS application for almost everything in today's business world, people can work on one device, either it is a desktop, tablet or mobile and then stop and pick up right where they left off on a different device in another location.

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Users should keep in mind that all banking transactions need to be processed through a Chequebook ID in order to display in that bank subledger & that one should NEVER post a general journal entry to a bank GL account.  When we look at the Bank Transaction window, there is only a single Chequebook ID to allocate the transaction to.  This is the account to which this transaction will apply.  You will see in the lower portion of this window, you must explicitly state the other half of the GL portion of this entry.  This should NOT be a bank GL account as a general journal entry to that bank GL will not affect that bank’s subledger.

A transfer of funds from one account to another should be completed through the Bank Transfer Entry window where possible.  You will see on this window that there are two Chequebook IDs that must be identified.  Thus, this transaction will affect two separate bank subledgers.  One can only use this window wherein one of the account currencies is the functional currency (this is due to how GP treats the entries and is a restriction of the system).  When you need to enter these types of transactions, you will have to enter TWO separate bank transactions. One will be an Increase Adjustment to the ‘to’ account, the other a Decrease Adjustment to the ‘from’ account while using a clearing account to flow the funds through.

You can probably guess that GP Sales Order Processing is used to enter, print and post sales orders. But did you know that you can also enter quotes, invoices, back orders and returns individually or in batches?

Are you aware that Sales Order Processing in Dynamics GP allows you to transfer sales documents from one type to another? For example, when goods or services are delivered to a customer, you can transfer the order to an invoice. The price the customer will pay and your cost will be calculated automatically.

Here are a couple of points you need to keep in mind, before transferring a document:

• Make sure there are actual quantities to transfer to an order, invoice, or back order
• Verify that the appropriate transfer options are marked for the type ID in sales setup
• Enter a batch ID for the document
• Approve the document, if required

For more information about Sales Order Processing in Dynamics GP, join our webinar on November 14 and learn how to cut lead times and speed up your transactions.

Doriana Kote, Marketing Assistant, WebSan Solutions Inc., a Channel Elite Awards Winner for 2013

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If you find yourself always starting from scratch when creating custom VBA forms in Dynamics GP even though you've created other similar forms in the past, here's a little trick to save yourself some time:

1. Find a similar VBA form that you have already created and export that form to a package file using the Customization Maintenance window.

2. Browse to where you saved the package file and open the file in a text editor (such as Notepad).

3. Here you can do 2 key things that you can't do directly in Dynamics GP's VBE window.  The first thing you can do is change the name of the form by simply doing a Find & Replace and changing the existing form name to the new name you want to use.  The second thing you can do is change the Product ID.  You'll notice that when you create a form in a standard Dynamics GP module, you can't use it in Project Accounting (or other add-on modules).  By changing the Product ID at the top of the package file, you can make the form available in a different module.  So if you originally created the form for the Customer Maintenance window (Product ID 0), simply change the Product ID to 258 to now make it available in Project Accounting.

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It's a Friday afternoon, 3pm, going into a long weekend. You are already going to hit traffic heading up to the cottage if you leave now, however it won't be as bad as in a couple of hours. You just finished a modified SOP Blank Invoice Form and would like to import it into your client's production environment. As you click the import button in Customization Maintenance, your heart starts to race as you cross your fingers and pray that the REPORTS.DIC file is not locked by any users....and you get the "Unable to open customizations dictionary" message. The afternoon sun will have to wait until tomorrow.

When importing customized reports through Customization Maintenance, users accessing the reporting dictionary will need to log out of Dynamics GP to have the report import successfully. This can be a pain and a scheduling nightmare for users and yourself alike. "There has to be a better way!" Well, luckily, there is. If you have access to the REPORTS.DIC file found in the "Microsoft Dynamics/GP/Data" directory, then you can import the modified report straight from this dictionary file using Report Writer (this is assuming that you developed the report in a test environment and would now like to push it through to production). To do this, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Copy the REPORTS.DIC file from your test environment to a local or network shared drive that is accessible from the production server.

Step 2: Log into the production environment with 'POWERUSER' access and launch Report Writer (Microsoft Dynamics GP menu >> Tools> Customize >> Report Writer).

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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 there life-cycle in Dynamics GP, they will maintain the supporting documents attached to them, making audits a breeze.

[caption id="attachment_1510" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Attaching Documents[/caption]