Are you happy? I mean really happy… with your current Microsoft Dynamics Partner?

Every day we encounter Microsoft Dynamics GP and CRM customers who are considering changing partners. Usually the reason for the switch has nothing to do with the product, but rather the lack of support and trust in their relationship with their Microsoft Partner.

If your current partner doesn’t stack up, the grass may be greener on the other side. However, there are 3 key things you absolutely must consider before switching in order to get the results you expect moving forward.

1. Account Leadership

Consider the type of relationship and level of interaction you have with your partner’s dedicated account leadership. When you reach out to your partner for account or product support, do you speak to a familiar voice? Are you continuously left wondering who will be responsible for answering your questions? Being confident that your support and service requests will be answered promptly so business interruptions are kept minimal.

2. Continuity

With dedicated, trusted account leadership and support should come with a level of business continuity that is the norm. Microsoft Dynamics products are designed to bring people and systems together to help you run your business more efficiently.

If critical business functions executed through Dynamics products are not properly supported, your level of customer service, consistency, and recoverability could be in jeopardy. Not to mention the reputation of your business.

3. Expertise

Finding the right Dynamics Partner is just as important as implementing the right product. Consider a partner’s level of product and industry expertise. Are you confident that your partner’s consultants and support associates are immersed in the latest deep product knowledge? Do they come to the table with notable hands-on experience in your industry proven by offering you references from existing customers?

The right partner can be critical to your success both during project implementation and for years to come as your business evolves. If you’re searching for more when it comes to your current Microsoft Dynamics partner, let us know – we’d be happy to discuss our services, client feedback and experiences, as well as various levels of support that can help your business grow.

We recently announced that Endeavour Solutions will be featuring ongoing webinars showcasing add-in applications for Dynamics GP based on some of the challenges our customers have told us about. These apps benefit organizations either financially or will streamline processes within your existing GP system.Our second upcoming webinar introduces the number one selling GP add-on, Smart View from eOne. They will also demo the Smart List Builder. Many Dynamics GP licensees use the out of the box SmartList but Smart View takes the tool that most love and makes it even better. Smart View provides an alternate, fast, easy to use and more flexible interface to all existing SmartLists. This affordable solution is used by over 13,500 companies worldwide.

Learn How Smart View Expands SmartList’s Reporting Capabilities for GP

                 Steve Ewing of Endeavour Solutions along with Abbey Cooper and Nicole Albertson of eOne will co-host: Smart View, the Number One Selling App for GP on Tuesday, October 28th at 10:30am EST.

Faster, Simpler, More Filters, Totals and Grouping. SmartView reporting removes the headaches and hassles by joining forces with SmartList to remove any reporting limitations and get the data to those who need it in your organization. Highlights of Smart View include:

• See Screens/Lists Faster, Like 10x Faster  

• Send Smart View Lists to Non-GP Users

• Drag, Drop, and Customize All Columns. Simple!

• Unlimited Filters to Customize Lists Exactly As You Want

• Export, Copy and Paste Right Into Excel

Smart View lets you give SmartList access to all Non Microsoft Dynamics GP users, meaning your entire company is connected without the need for additional licenses.

To register and for more information, click here

SmartList Designer is a function available with the new version of GP 2013 R2. It is an alternate to the existing 3^rd party application ‘SmartList Builder’ from eOne. It is available at no extra cost with the initial install and offers the ability to create simple SmartLists without needing to purchase a 3^rd party application.

Below is a list of the major Pros and Cons comparing SmartList Designer to the 3^rd party application, SmartList Builder:

Pros

• Create and modify SmartLists without buying the 3^rd party SmartList Builder.
• Link multiple tables to view more information.
• New ‘preview’ function within the SmartList Designer window to preview the SmartList without having to exit out of the window.
  • SQL query preview is also available but is strictly read-only text.
• Allows queries from SQL views.

Cons

• No options for key Builder functions:
  • Excel Based Reporting
  • Building Go Tos
  • Drill Downs
• No formatting options for the cell values of the resulting SmartList.

*Except currency for the calculated field.

• Cannot reorder columns.
  • Columns are ordered in the order they are added.
• Cannot rename column names.
  • Columns are named with the field name in SQL.
• Cannot use additional data sources:
  • SQL Tables
  • SQL Scripts
  • SQL Objects
  • Extender Resources
  • SmartLists

All in all, SmartList Designer is a very useful tool for new GP installs to build simple SmartLists for newer users. It allows the flexibility for creating additional SmartLists, but shouldn’t be looked at as an alternative to SmartList Builder if complex SmartLists or reporting are required.

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

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

Workflow with Multiple First Steps

Workflow with Multiple Approval Paths – Parallel Workflow

Workflow with Converging – Branching Workflow

Workflow with Multiple Approvers in a Step

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

Workflow Maintenance

Email Notification Maintenance

Email Message Setup

Access Through GP

Responding to Email in Outlook

Workflow History

User Delegation

Workflow Calendar