Microsoft recently released a ton of new financials, distribution, human resources & payroll and system enhancements in their recent October release of Microsoft Dynamics GP. One of the most anticipated features is being able to schedule check links. Users can now set up a schedule to run check links outside of regular business hours. Users will be able to run the processes without having to select the Check Links process manually.

This process uses Report Scheduler setup and functionality as long as Microsoft Dynamics GP is open, and you’re logged into the correct company. To learn more about this feature, click here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics-gp/whats-new/schedule-check-links

Dynamics GP continues to thrive, both for on-premise and cloud customers. Microsoft Dynamics GP is a mature solution with over 45,000 customers around the world, so it isn’t going away anytime soon. However, Dynamics GP isn’t immune from Microsoft’s consistent push towards the cloud.

So why move GP to the cloud?

Here are some reasons why GP customers move to the cloud:

•           They need to invest in new hardware to support new versions of GP
•           They are concerned about backups, recovery, security and 24/7 remote access
•           They are not current with Microsoft on your maintenance and want to add users/capabilities to the system
•           They are looking for better access to information/reporting (GP2018 required for Power BI)

So what can we expect in future releases of Dynamics GP?

First, Dynamics GP releases and development will continue from Microsoft. The current roadmap is projecting two additional version releases. This clearly indicates a commitment by Microsoft considering these are typically released every two years. Customers should expect various user community requested enhancements and fixes.

Picture This.

It’s a lovely Tuesday afternoon, and the sun is shining birds are singing as you are packing up your car to go to your first meeting. As a business owner, there is no such thing as a 9-5 schedule but today seems possible, you only have two meetings today and maybe even have time to make a pit stop to the office.

After your first meeting, you realized that you missed a call from the office and tried calling back, but there is no answer. Your first meeting took a little longer than normal, and you’re running a little behind schedule, so you check your email just to double check and no luck. Once you have finished with the second meeting you check again to see if there is anything and finally there is an email from one of your employees about a possible lead that wants to schedule up something today.

Now you are running behind schedule even more now cause the last meeting took longer than expected with a whole bunch of questions. Now, as you’re on route to your “final” meeting you try following up with this lead and no answer on the phone call and you send them a quick email right before you walk into your third meeting. The final meeting ends and as you check your email, you see that they had an opening for today but are booked until Friday and could book something then. You realize that you could be Missing Opportunities.

We are in the year 2018, the time of digital transformation and moving to the cloud; missing opportunities is not an option anymore. With the hectic life of a business owner, you need something that can help you and your company work in harmony and work more in sync. With Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales your team can add a lead into your system with little information and you can get a notification about the new lead.

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Part of what makes ERP software so popular within various industries is its ability to adapt alongside growing companies. Gone are the days where organizations were required to spend tens of thousands of dollars for system update fees. Instead, companies now have the freedom to grow freely, and no longer need to be tied down by software limitations. In this post, we discuss the three features of scalability in ERP software and how this benefits businesses:

Enhance customer account management:

As your company grows, so too will your list of clients and customers. Your systems must be able to handle this increase in customer information, ensuring you have the necessary space to add additional data entries and ensure that your systems continue to run smoothly under heavy workloads and across multiple applications within your system.

Cross-platform capabilities:

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With ERP software, redundant and repetitive tasks can be greatly reduced thereby improving overall organizational management and employee productivity. With Microsoft Dynamics GP, here are 3 ways that ERP software can help your company maximize its potential and improve overall efficiency: 

Payroll Management

With certain employees undertaking various roles within your company, it can be difficult to track their time and expenses. Employee Accounts and Splits organizes employee cost and expense distribution, allowing companies to manually control how an employee’s time and expenses will be divided based on department, position, pay code, or general ledger account.

Manage Employee Absences

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Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software offers the benefits of streamlined and integrated business processes, lower cost of operation, improved reporting capabilities, data security and increased productivity. With multiple benefits brought about by an efficient ERP system, the process of selecting the right system that can help support your organization’s needs can at times be daunting.

To help increase the odds of choosing the right ERP software, below is an ERP selection tip sheet that outlines key steps for selecting the right ERP software.

1. Know and prioritize your software requirements

• Start by identifying what challenges you want to solve and what your current system is unable to do for you. It’s best to divide the list into features that are must-haves and nice-to-haves. The more specific you can be about your software requirements, the better. As an article from Software Advice notes: “by knowing what you need, you’ll be in a better position to control the selection process, rather than let software vendors dictate your needs.”

2. Carefully evaluate your options before deciding on an ERP system

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Apart from selecting the right ERP software, one of the key components to identify before purchasing is the ERP software’s integration with a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and a Time and Expense system such as Moniroo.  

While a CRM system gives insight to help analyze different points of contact between the customer and the company, a time and expense system keeps track of how you utilize your resources and enables you to better leverage your employees’ time.

Below, we outline the top benefits of integrating your ERP software with a CRM and time and expense system.

1. Data synchronization

An integrated solution eliminates the duplication of data entry and streamlines order and customer data processing.  Data that can move seamlessly between systems include product and customer information, sales orders, inventory levels and shipping updates.

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One of the most notable features of the new release of Microsoft Dynamics GP is an improved version of the web client. The web client allows users to access some of the system’s capabilities on-the-go, and gives IT professionals the deployment option of providing users with a URL to log into the system. Below, we list the most significant improvements and how GP is now easier to use than ever before.

1. Integrated search functionality

Apart from finding the window or the report that you need, the integrated search functionality will bring up a list of all the open windows and reports that are relevant to your search term and criteria. With this feature, users no longer need to remember where a specific window is. By typing the window name into the search field, the web client will immediately hyperlink to it.

2. Support for a variety of web browsers and mobile devices

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The Microsoft Dynamics GP 2016 release date is set for early spring. Here is some information that has already been released on the new features:

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2016 HTML5 Interface

This eliminates the need for the Silverlight interface for the GP 2016 Dynamics Web Client.  The HTML5 web client is expected to improve performance and navigation in the Cloud. 

The new interface is expected to cover the entire product in its initial rollout.

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This article was originally published from https://winthropdc.wordpress.com/2016/03/09/sba-is-not-as-asynchronous-as-you-might-think/

Service Based Architecture (SBA) was released with Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015, it covers technologies to make Dynamics GP more accessible to external applications by allowing Dexterity global procedures to be exposed as Web Services. It also allows Dexterity code to directly access and use .Net objects via the .Net Interop.

SBA opens up an entire new world of development opportunities.

As you might have noticed, in the last few days I have posted articles relating to Web Services using Service Based Architecture and the Batch Posting Service Toolkit (BPST).

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Businesses today continue to rapidly change in their needs, particularly, for what an Enterprise Resource Software (ERP) can do to help support their operations and finances. Postmodern ERP, as defined by Gartner is a technology strategy that links and integrates administrative and operational business capabilities with the benefits of vendor-delivered integration to promote flexibility and agility.  

Software Advice, an advisory firm that helps buyers research and choose ERP software, conducted research and sought expert advice to look into the concept of Postmodern ERP and how it affects businesses, with findings compiled in this article.

A comprehensive postmodern ERP strategy aims to use the best applications possible in each business area while still ensuring that the different areas adequately integrate with each other when necessary.

The study is quick to note that “a postmodern ERP system will likely be comprised of applications from two or more vendors, and may include multiple deployment models.” This strategy can benefit businesses by ensuring your company is using the applications which are best suited for each job function. Moreover, should specific applications need to be changed, there would be no need to customize or upgrade the whole system.

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This blog is part 1 of 2 where we will walk through a step-by-step of how to complete the prep for Year-End closings for companies using Calendar Year-end. There are four modules that come into effect during the year end process.

1. Inventory (INV)
2. Receivables Management (RM)
3. Payables Management (PM)
4. Finance

Year-ends can get very tricky however, there are no financial impacts for three of the modules listed above- RM, PM and INV as they only provide statistical figures and reset the statistical counters. Therefore, in the case of any errors, you are able to complete a database refresh to go back. The module that has statistical updates and financial impact is the Financial module, this is the module you must be most careful with prior to completing.

Prior to beginning the process ensure these steps are taken:

• Complete a backup
• All users should be out of the system
• Batches should be closed and completed (Best Practice)
• Close Fiscal Periods (GP >>Tools >>Setup >>Company >>Fiscal Periods)
• Print Control Reports (AR and AP Trial Balance, Current Inventory Report, Reconcile (Chequebook, Inventory, AP and AR subledgers to GL) (GP >>Tools >>Routines >>Financials >>Reconcile)

Once all the steps above are completed you are ready to begin Year-end Closing. Since the Financial module has the highest impact it must be closed last. For best practices, close in the following order INV, RM, PM and Financials.

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Contemplating the security of your company’s data or server backups may make you want to just keep your head in the clouds. When deciding between going hosted or on-premise for your ERP system, there is much to be considered. However, going hosted offers some crucial benefits that cannot be overlooked. Here are the top three reasons why switching to a hosted ERP system is worth the effort:

1. Security

Going hosted means that you no longer need to worry about the state and security of your data. Your hosting provider’s data center can ensure that data is consistently backed up. You can go about your day knowing that you’ll always have access to your data when you need it.

2. Technical Know-How

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When investing in an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, cost is always one of the first considerations that comes to mind. According to a study conducted by Software Advice, which helps buyers connect with software vendors, a number of factors come into play which influence the final price of an ERP system.

Number of Users and Customization Requirements

The study points out that larger businesses would typically have more users who need access to the system, requiring more applications and functionality, calling for a higher-priced system.

Customizations can increase the price as some businesses have more specialized processes, and in turn, need specific customizations that will support these.

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Implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software and projects are no easy tasks. With many moving parts and personnel involved in the mix, the process becomes all the more daunting. To help avoid common pitfalls and offer some considerations, Software Advice, a trusted resource and advisory firm for ERP software buyers, recently conducted an analysis of 22 failed implementation projects and looked into the most common reasons for failure in this e-book.

The e-book notes that ERP implementation failure can often be attributed when one or more of the following key goals are not met:

• On-time implementation
• On- or under-budget implementation costs
• Minimal disruption to business operations
• Improved organizational efficiency
• Reduced operating costs
• Increased sales or revenue

One main takeaway from these is that “ERP implementation rarely fails because of the software itself,” as only 18 percent of the failures included in the study were due to buggy software.

To avoid implementation failure, it’s best if the organization take the time to do due diligence and fully research the ERP system, have personnel, particularly consultants completely understand the client’s needs and have a trusted vendor give you a realistic view of the system’s capabilities.

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When evaluating an ERP software and choosing a partner that will provide implementation, it’s important to consider how well both can support your organization’s needs. Along with our ERP Assessment, which measures how well an organization is optimizing their ERP software, WebSan’s ERP Whitepaper is a valuable resource that will give insight into ways an organization can benefit from a new ERP system.

The “27 Powerful Questions to Ask ERP Providers Whitepaper” addresses a variety of topics, including possible business opportunities, security and risk, implementation, training and support and scalability. The different sections of the ERP Whitepaper aim to provide information that will give an overview of the ERP software, data ownership, additional resources, tech support, and system updates.  

Download our free ERP Whitepaper and learn how you can improve efficiency and make better business decisions with the right ERP software. When you download our free ERP Whitepaper, you can take our free ERP Assessment and gain access to our Microsoft Dynamics GP and CRM demos! 

Click here to download our free ERP Whitepaper!

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Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 R2 was released in the beginning of June. Set to target small to mid-sized businesses, the release brought in new functionality that was unavailable in previous releases. Here are some notable features that the release offers:

1. Ability to Display Debits Before Credits

Under the account transaction reporting options, the debit column is now displayed before the credit column by default.  This new feature applies to SmartLists, Excel reports, database tables and views where the reports are based on.

2. Email Capability on All Sales Order Document Formats

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Purchasing ERP software is a major investment for any organization as it is one of the most important technologies used to manage business functions and processes.  For an organization to determine if they are optimizing their ERP software’s capabilities, taking an ERP Assessment will prove to be extremely useful.

An ERP Assessment is used to evaluate the capabilities of an organization’s current ERP system. A valuable ERP Assessment will help determine whether an organization’s team is equipped with the tools and information it needs to function effectively and find out whether or not the organization’s ERP system is meeting the business’s needs.

An ERP Assessment will look into different aspects of the organization, such as system integration, quality of received data, use of Microsoft Excel, budget, and dependence on paper forms and templates.

Understanding how an organization utilizes their ERP system will provide insight into possible opportunities, potential risks, and areas that require improvement.

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To run a successful business, it is important to create cohesion among your data. Microsoft Dynamics GP allows you to do just that by providing flexible, easy-to-use business management functionality that can help efficiently manage your data and business system. Here are the top 3 reasons why you should consider purchasing Microsoft Dynamics GP: 

1.Simplicity and Adaptability

Dynamics GP can easily integrate with other Microsoft productivity tools such as Microsoft Office, giving your business the ability to boost productivity and gain quick access to valuable information. Dynamics GP’s adaptable features help support your business’ needs by offering capabilities that can be used through email, instant messaging, voice and in the cloud.

2.Efficiency

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An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system helps integrate processes which are essential to a business, including accounting, inventory, order management, human resources, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Today, an increasing number of both big and small to mid-sized organizations use ERP software to help streamline processes and information across the organization and integrate these functions into a single, complete system.

Software Advice, a trusted resource and advisory firm for software buyers recently conducted a study that analyzed the purchasing behaviour and implementation concerns of 250 prospective ERP software buyers. The study reveals that 54 percent of current ERP users are dissatisfied with their systems’ integration capabilities—this is one of the main reasons why many are seeking out a new ERP system.

ERP Implementation and Support

The study notes that 24 percent of buyers want to replace their current ERP software due to a lack of technical support. Forrest Burnson, the study’s main researcher, says, "It's critical for firms to carefully assess how capable they are in selecting and implementing a new ERP system. All too often there is a disconnect between a firm's expectations and what the vendor will actually provide in terms of implementation services and continued support. As ERP systems are significant investments, it is wise for prospective buyers to seek the help of a third party consulting firm if they're unable to do all of the due diligence in-house to ensure that the selection and implementation processes go smoothly.”