Category : Microsoft Dynamics GP

Changes to Workflow Types and Features Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains 2013 R2

With the recent launch of Dynamics GP 2013 R2 there are many new changes you may want to pay attention to that may benefit or impact your organization. Let’s have a look at the changes to Workflow Types and Features.

Dynamics GP 2013 R2 now has a new workflow system, utilizing a custom workflow engine based in the GP code. The workflow design experience is now in a GP window, replacing the prior GP Workflow system, and removing the dependency on SharePoint.

This system allows users to design workflows, such as approval paths, for documents in Dynamics GP.

Workflow Types

  • Purchase Order Approval
  • Purchase Requisition Approval
  • Payroll Timecard Approval
  • Project Timesheet Approval

Workflow Features

  • Workflow Maintenance
  • Email Notification
  • Access through GP & Responding to Email in Outlook
  • Workflow History
  • User Delegation
  • Workflow Calendar

workflow comparison

Common Scenarios (PO)

  • Simple Workflow
  • With Multiple First Steps
  • With Multiple Approval Paths – Parallel Workflow
  • With Converging Steps – Branching Workflow
  • With Multiple Approvers in a Step
  • An Approver is an Originator

 

Simple Workflow

simple workflow

 

Workflow with Multiple First Steps

Workflow with multiple first steps

 

Workflow with Multiple Approval Paths – Parallel Workflow

workflow with mulitple approval paths

 

Workflow with Converging – Branching Workflow

Workflow with Converging- Branching Workflow

Workflow with Multiple Approvers in a Step

  • Take the first response
  • Majority must approve
  • All must approve

Workflow with Multiple Approvers in a Step

 

Workflow Maintenance

workflow maintenance

 

Email Notification Maintenance

email notification maintenance

 

Email Message Setup

Email message set up

 

Access Through GP

Access through GP

Responding to Email in Outlook

Responding to email in outlook

 

Workflow History

Workflow History

 

User Delegation

user delegation

 

Workflow Calendar

Workflow Calendar

 

 

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Endeavour Solutions & ImageTag Presents – Life Hack More Value From Your Dynamics ERP Investment

Endeavour Solutions will be featuring ongoing webinars showcasing add-in applications for Dynamics GP. We have chosen to feature solutions to our clients based on the challenges they have told us about.
 
Our goal is to offer valuable content from vendors with apps we feel may benefit organizations either financially or will streamline your processes within existing GP systems.
 
Our first series introduces the Kwiktag Document Management system that ties scanned files/documents together electronically into GP, automating data entry and simplifying invoice approval processes removing paper, filing and email circulation.

Learn how Document Management Can Help You Gain Back Control

Document Management Webinar, co-hosted by ImageTag on Tuesday, September 23th at 1pm EST

On behalf of Endeavour Solutions, ImageTag Sr. Account Manager Craig Randall will share how you can significantly improve your staff’s productivity in Microsoft Dynamics GP, while reducing costs by:

  • Digitizing documents linked to transactions and invoices right into GP
  • Automating approval workflows saving time for busy managers   
  • Delivering self-service to employees, vendors and partners
  • No more drowning in paper or filing!

Craig will demonstrate how your organization can provide everyone with visibility to documents, data and decisions without sending added emails and making unnecessary phone calls. He’ll help you quantify the benefit of digitizing documents and automating processes down to the minute in a typical work day.

To register and for more information, click here.

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What’s All the Talk About Business Intelligence?

Business Intelligence, or “BI” as it’s commonly called, is a popular buzzword in the software industry.  But as technology has matured, today’s BI is more than just a buzzword … it’s an affordable necessity for small and medium-sized businesses.

 

In fact, you have a fantastic set of BI tools that are built right in to your Microsoft Dynamics GP software that can help slice and dice your way to better profitability.  First, let’s talk about what BI is exactly.

 

The Right Information at the Right Time

BI is an umbrella term that describes a variety of tools involved in the process of gathering & organizing data into graphical views and meaningful reports that enable quick and informed decisions. Put simply, BI delivers the right information in the right format to the right person at the right time.

 

Without the tools that BI offers, it can be difficult to harness the volumes of data in your Microsoft Dynamics GP system in a timely fashion.  The resulting “information overload” can delay important business decisions.  The ultimate objective of BI is to improve the relevance, timeliness and quality of useful information.

Business Intelligence

No “Techie” Required

One of the most important aspects of BI tools is that they enable non-technical users (like managers and executives) to create charts, graphs, and meaningful reports that interpret large volumes of data without the need for a technical degree.  Too often key decision makers are forced to wait weeks or even months while the data they need is extracted and compiled by the IT department in a report that arrives well “after the fact.”

 

It’s Not Just for “The Suits”

One of the nice things about BI is that it works great as both a strategic and operational tool.  Strategically, managers and owners can analyze trends, gross profit margins, and other key performance indicators. Operationally, departmental personnel can streamline procedures.  Consider the example of a collections department that goes through a series of tasks, reports, call logs, customer notes, and possibly information in external spreadsheets to determine which customers are overdue.

 

Contact us today to learn more about Business Intelligence Reporting for Microsoft Dynamics GP or to schedule an online demo.

 

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How to Import Data Into Front End GP with Mail Merge

Mail Merge Macro with Non-Scrolling Detail Window

(Mail Merge with scrolling detail is seen on the second part of this blog)

  1. Begin with Template (Excel Document)
  • See example file: Step 1 PriceList_DetailMaintenance.xlsx
  1. Record one iteration of the Steps to create a record within the applicable module
  • See example file: Step 2 Item Price Detail Maintenance.mac

 

KARI1Hint: Do a Save as on this file and call it something indicating it is the Final version.

       3. Copy and Paste the Macro body into a word document

See example file: Step 3 MAC_Word Document for Merge.docx

When pasting in the data this message will pop…click on No

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4. The word document will open with the recorded Macro data
5. Click on Mailings
6. Select Start Mail Merge
7. Select Letters

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8. Click on Select Recipients
9. Browse to the location on your network where you stored the file and select
10. Throughout the recorded macro you will see the points where input was required this is evident by the words “Type To”

kari4

11. Highlight the typed text i.e 841200 being careful to not highlight the single quotes around the text
12. In the header click on Insert Merge Field
13. Select the column name in the excel document that relates to this set of data e.g. Item Number
14. Once you have selected to insert all the relevant column data from the spreadsheet, it is best to preview the result.
15. You should expect to see the appropriate column name replace the actual typed information originally typed.

 

kari5

16. Select Finish and Merge and Edit Individual Letters

Kari6

 

17. Select to Merge ALL when the option box appears
18. Click OK
19. MS Word will run the Merge Routine
20. Once complete Save As <xxxxx.mac> and Select the format as .txt
21. Select OK at the file conversion to text window

kari722. Allow time for the conversion and then close the merged document and you will be prompted to save the original Word Document. Save As <xxxxxWORKING.docx.
23. Open the .txt document and Select All then Copy
24. Paste the data into the Document you created in step 2.
25. Save and Close the final version and you are ready to launch the window in Dynamics GP that you wish to populate
26. Ensure that you place the cursor in the window at the exact same place that you began your macro with.
27. Select Tools > Macro > Play

kariplaygraphic

28. Select the Macro to Play that you created in step 2

lastimage

Hint: Do Not minimize the window…this will interrupt the Macro and it will stop running.

 

Mail Merge Macro with Scrolling Detail Window

  1. Begin with Template (Excel Document)
  • See example file: Step 1 Price List Maintenance.xlsx
  1. Record a complete iteration of the Steps to create as many lines that will fit into the detail window and stop recording at one line past the scroll. Ensure that your Recording captures up to the point of completing the line and advancing to the next line to continue typing.
  • See example file: Step 2 Price Sheet Maintenance.mac  

 

kari21

Hint: Do a Save as on this file and call it something indicating it is the Final version.

 

3. Open the Recorded Macro using notepad.
4. Take note that there are fields indicating the line No. Also note that after the 8th record (in my example) the 9th line actually still says 8.
Note: In a scrolling window Dynamics GP does not recognize the subsequent lines once the window advances beyond the scroll.

5. Ensure that you add a column into the spreadsheet to accommodate populating the line sequences. Once you have 8 then repeat 8 until the end of the document.

 

kari22

6. Copy and Paste the Macro body into a word document See example file: Step 3 MAC_Word Document for Merge.docx When pasting in the data this message will pop…click on No

kari23

7. The word document will open with the recorded Macro data
8. Click on Mailings
9. Select Start Mail Merge
10. Select Letters

kari24

11. Click on Select Recipients
12. Browse to the location on your network where you stored the file and select
13. Throughout the recorded macro you will see the points where input was required this is evident by the words “Type To”

kari25

14. Highlight the typed text i.e 841200 being careful to not highlight the single quotes around the text
15. In the header click on Insert Merge Field
16. Select the column name in the excel document that relates to this set of data e.g. Item Number
17. Once you have selected to insert all the relevant column data from the spreadsheet, it is best to preview the result.
18. You should expect to see the appropriate column name replace the actual typed information originally typed.

 

kari26
19. Select Finish and Merge and Edit Individual Letters

kari27

20. Select to Merge ALL when the option box appears
21. Click OK
22. MS Word will run the Merge Routine
23. Once complete Save As <xxxxx.mac> and Select the format as .txt
24. Select OK at the file conversion to text window

kari29

25. Allow time for the conversion and then close the merged document and you will be prompted to save the original Word Document. Save As <xxxxxWORKING.docx.
26. Open the .txt document and Select All then Copy
27. Paste the data into the Document you created in step 2.
28. Save and Close the final version and you are ready to launch the window in Dynamics GP that you wish to populate
29. Ensure that you place the cursor in the window at the exact same place that you began your macro with.
30. Select Tools > Macro > Play

kari30

31. Select the Macro to Play that you created in step 2

kari31

Hint: Do Not minimize the window…this will interrupt the Macro and it will stop running.

 

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TOP 8 REASONS TO UPGRADE TO DYNAMICS GP 2013

TOP 8 REASONS TO UPGRADE TO VERSION Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013whatsnewinDynamicsGP2013 2

Upgrading an ERP system is often looked at as time-consuming and disruptive to operations. So it’s no wonder that many customers choose to update their ERP system only when there’s a compelling reason. Every once in a while there comes a new release that’s worth upgrading to, and that’s never been more true than with the 2013 version of Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Here are the top 8 reasons you should consider a move on up to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013.

 

1. Plays Well With Others

Dynamics GP is now more easy to use than ever. Improved interoperability between other familiar Microsoft products – such as Office or SharePoint – drives productivity and gives your employees faster access to the information they need to get the job done.

2. The Power of Choice

With the innovative Web Client, your employees can work from a coffee shop, home, or even on the road using a PC, tablet, or the mobile device of their choice. Access the information you need anywhere, anytime, and any way you choose.

3. 150+ Feature Enhancements

Building upon its powerful foundation, GP 2013 added over 150 new feature and capability enhancementsto help you streamline all your business processes and get a handle on costs. Optimize purchasing productivity, inventory tracking, speed up shipping and so much more.

4. Better Insight, Better Decisions

Business Intelligencethat’s tailored to you. The new web-based Business Analyzer delivers role-specific data so that you can delegate tasks, anticipate opportunities, and make more informed business decisions.

5. There’s a Template for That

Easily create any report with out-of-the-box SQL Reporting Services, Excel reports, and dozens of new Word templates– including templates for professional invoices, purchase orders, statements and more.

6. Test Out the Cloud

With many deployment options to choose from – on-premise, hosted, or a combination of both – you can mix and match cloud servicesto fit your business and budget. Add new services as your company grows, or move it entirely to the cloud. GP 2013 is designed to sustain your business momentum.

7. Easy Updates

Version 2013 integrates with other Microsoft Services to lower IT costs and free up resourcesby providing centralized maintenance, security and administration. What’s more, you’ll never have to worry about individual desktop upgrades which are handled automatically.

8. Never Fall Behind

The Business Ready Enhancement Plan(BREP) keeps you up-to-date with the latest and most advanced release of your software.

Get All the Details! Download a free copy of the “What’s New” Guide for Microsoft Dynamics GP Version 2013, or contact us to discuss an upgrade.

 

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