| Microsoft Dynamics GP ERP version upgrade | | | | Report Writer in turn is Dexterity-written |
| should be planned, it is not recommended to | | | | module and it comes back to one of the first |
| do it impulsively. In order to facilitate | | | | GP versions: 3.2 and 4.0, so this is not a |
| your homework we would like to give your | | | | surprise that you may encounter multiple |
| highlights in technical and functional | | | | surprises and restrictions |
| compatibility areas | | | | |
| | | | 5. FRx. This is financial reporting tool, |
| 1. Microsoft Dexterity core. Great Plains is | | | | which has connection to GP General Ledger and |
| Dexterity application, which has new | | | | GL account summaries. FRx upgrade is |
| technologies, incorporated in Dexterity and | | | | typically straightforward, in some cases you |
| serving as additions (and in some cases as | | | | have to know "known issues", you should be |
| replacements) to Dex: eConnect, Sharepoint | | | | familiar with sysdata folder, FRX date and |
| (with approval cycles), Microsoft Office | | | | time table in Dynamics database. If you got |
| stack integration, plus integrations with | | | | FRx upgrade deadlock, please try to relax and |
| Microsoft CRM, RMS and other MS business | | | | search Microsoft Business Solutions technical |
| applications. The message here is to check | | | | knowledge database at partner or customer |
| if you have custom Dexterity logic - this is | | | | source |
| first step to analyze and address in version | | | | |
| upgrade | | | | 6. Upgrade Paths. How upgrade works behind |
| | | | the scenes? Dexterity utilities looks in |
| 2. Great Plains Dex modifications upgrade | | | | Dynamics database which legacy version you |
| scenarios. Dexterity was designed as GP | | | | are on and then if it has upgrade algorithm |
| Dynamics IDE and programming language, and | | | | from your version it launches the update |
| one of its fundamental features is | | | | process. You should know probably all |
| upgradeability. However this should be given | | | | historical GP versions: 3.2, 4.0, 5.0, 5.5, |
| to the hands of professional Dexterity | | | | 6.0, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 9.0 and current 10.0 |
| programmers. In the best case scenario, you | | | | (October 2007). FRx versions: 4.0, 5.0, 6.5 |
| should have DYNAMICS.DIC dictionary with your | | | | |
| customization source code (in the case of Dex | | | | 7. GPA upgrade and migration. If you are on |
| it is sanscript codes). Dexterity | | | | old Great Plains Accounting for DOS or MS |
| modification upgrade has further specifics, | | | | Windows, you need to undergo migration to |
| required to be taken to consideration in | | | | Microsoft Dynamics GP path. Migration tool |
| upgrade, this is outside of the scope here. | | | | is available if you contact your MBS partner |
| | | | |
| 3. Third Party modules. Great Plains is the | | | | 8. Pervasive SQL 2000/Btrieve and Ctree |
| platform, open to Microsoft Business | | | | Faircom Great Plains Dynamics upgrade. If |
| Solutions ISV, who extends GP business logic. | | | | you are on Pervasive or Ctree, then it is |
| Typically these extensions are written in | | | | version 7.5 or earlier. Microsoft terminated |
| Dexterity and distributed as Dexterity chink. | | | | these legacy platforms support in December |
| The examples of popular ISV names for Great | | | | 2004. MRP software industry deploys annual |
| Plains: Mekorma, Avalara, Intellisol (late | | | | support fee mechanism to finance accounting |
| 1990th), Albaspectrum, and others. If you | | | | software development expenses. In order to |
| deploy third party GP extension module, you | | | | get new version registration key, you should |
| should check if third party tool is available | | | | be enrolled and current in GP annual |
| for the new version, where you plan to | | | | enhancement program. If you are current, |
| upgrade | | | | then you should contact your GP VAR of record |
| | | | to arrange migration from Great Plains |
| 4. Reporting. Well, you may have various | | | | Dynamics on Pervasive or Ctree to Microsoft |
| blends of reporting tools: Crystal Reports, | | | | Dynamics GP on MS SQL Server 2000 or 2005 |
| SRS, MS Access, but in our opinion GP | | | | |
| ReportWriter reports should be analyzed in | | | | 9. No answer. |
| the most careful manner in GP version update. | | | | |