Microsoft Great Plains Upgrade ? version 8.0 overview for IT Director/Controller
This is short article, written in question/answer/FAQ style to give IT Director/Controller balanced top level information on Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains upgrade. If you have Microsoft Great Plains as main accounting and ERP system you need to know some technical details on Great Plains version upgrade and what is going on behind the scenes, which options do you have in case of Dexterity, VBA, SQL customizations, ctree/Pervasive migration to MS SQL/MSDE. As of right now it is reasonable to upgrade to Microsoft Great Plains 8.0 Is upgrade required? Not actually, but you have to consider these factors ?Technical Support discontinuation - the old version may not be supported - currently if you are on version 6.0 - support is already discontinued. You can not have Microsoft Business Solutions help you, but obviously you have MBS partners who can still help you. If you are on Ctree or Pervasive SQL, then your support expires December, 31 2004.
?Tax Updates/Magnetic media expiration - if you have US Payroll module and depend on it with W2 and other forms - you must stay with the version, which is supported and has tax updates. If you are on Ctree or Pervasive SQL - then you will not have tax updates for these platforms at the end of 2004 and your W2s maybe inaccurate. If you have a lot of employees - you may have issues with government.?Following the Technology and Microsoft rules - Microsoft wants you to be on the newest platform and provides you the best support when you follow this rule?If you do have heavy customization - we recommend you to skip one version, for example if you are on version 7.5 - do not upgrade to 8.0 and wait for the next version What is upgrade in the language of technology? Upgrade has server and client sides. ?Server side - upgrade converts tables from old format to the new one. In general words - Microsoft Business Solutions developers may change table structure, append additional fields to add new functionality, things like that.
Upgrade copies the table with changes to temporary table, then drops original table, recreates it with new structure and copies all the data from temp table to the newly created one. ?Workstation side - workstation is written in Great Plains Dexterity and has Dynamics.exe - engine and DYNAMICS.DIC - dictionary. These two plus all the additional files will be replaced with the new ones. Other dictionaries, such us REPORTS.DIC and FORMS.DIC should be also upgraded and upgrade will try to deal with them automatically. In some cases modified reports (in REPORTS.DIC) could not be upgraded and need to be recreated in the new version.
What is customization upgrade? You should consider different types of customizations: Dexterity, VBA/Modifier, SQL, ReportWriter, Crystal Reports?Dexterity Customization - being very short - Dexterity may have so called Custom Forms - these do not need upgrade - they should work as is. Then Dexterity may alter existing Great Plains forms (so-called Alternate Great Plains forms) - in this case Dexterity customization should be redone for these forms/screens. Plus additional consideration should be given to Dexterity triggers, shadow tables, etc. ?VBA/Modifier customization - Modifier allows you to modify existing Great Plains windows - it creates so called modified Great Plains windows, stored in FORMS.DIC. Usually modification is placing new buttons or fields, which in turn will be given VBA scripts (stored in DYNAMICS.VBA).
VBA scripts may call something nice, like Crystal Report, or have some data access logic. Usually the old version of DYNAMICS.VBA workds with the new version. You may need to rearrange buttons on the modified form.?SQL - you may have some stored procs for data integration, EDI or the like - if the addressed tables will be changed in the new version then you need to analyze your SQL code. The good news is - Microsoft Business Solution doesn't make a lot of changes since version 7.0, because Microsoft is now trying to merge the products it owns: Great Plains, Solomon, Navision and Axapta - and so has different priorities?ReportWriter - MBS doesn't change tables, but it keeps changing Dexterity formulas used in ReportWriter original reports - this is the problem in so-called Modified Reports upgrade - usually you have these reports modified: SOP Blank Invoice form, SOP Blank Picking ticket, etc. If report can not be upgraded - it should be redone in the new version with some exceptions.?Crystal Reports - the nice thing about Crystal Report - id doesn't need to be upgraded (if the fields in the tables exist in the new version - which is usually true statement)What is upgrade for third-party modules? Your Great Plains may have so-called third party modules: Mekorma, Kampdata, Horyzon, Wennsoft, Avalara, Truepay, Trinity, Intellisol to name a fewThird party modules may have their own utility for upgrade.
You just need to know that your third-party is ready for the new Great Plains version - if not - you just wait and stay on the old version. What is migration from Ctree/Pervasive.SQL 2000 to MS SQL/MSDE? MBS has migration tool. You need first to install Great Plains on SQL Server with exactly the same account/segments structure and then install migration tool (it is Dexterity chunk) on your ctree/Pervasive workstation - then, when you integrate the chunk - you will map it to target SQL-based Great Plains Company, select all system and company tables, click the button and it will move all your tables one-by-one. In the case when your Great Plains ctree/Pervasive has third parties - you need to check if the vendor has migration tool - otherwise you have to do manual move, use SQL Linked server to your legacy data Do I need consultant? It is probably good idea to have consultant to do the upgrade. We strongly recommend you to use consultant in the following cases?You have Dexterity customization?You are doing migration from Pervasive/Ctree to Microsoft SQL Server/MSDE, especially when you have third-parties without migration tools?You have a lot or ReportWriter Modified Great Plains Reports?You have old version of Great Plains: Dynamics or eEnterprise 6.0 or prior - in this case you can not appeal to Microsoft Technical Support - it is discontinued ?Your Great Plains has more than 20 users and you have to have upgrade done over the weekend - if it fails - you have business problems?You don't have support - in this case you have to select your Microsoft Business Solutions Partner and pay for the annual support/enhancement plan - you will get new registration key and will be ready for the upgrade
Good luck with upgrade and if you have issues or concerns ? we are here to help! If you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com.
1Cellnet breaks Telco's monopoly on overpriced calls
(ContentDesk) February 9 2004--1CellNet has developed a state-of-the-art telecommunications platform, which utilises a combination of SMS, Fibre Optic and Satellite technologies. This is known as Text Link Cellular or TLC. Using TLC, from your cell phone, you can connect to anybody, anywhere in the world with a cell phone or landline phone! By simply sending a special TLC message to our Platform we will connect you to your party with the clearest and most interference-free call you can possibly imagine. This amazing technology is unique to 1CellNet and doesn't have any competition anywhere in the world!For expatriates living in far away places that don't have access to cheap calls this new service is a boon. They can now contact family and friends at home in their country of origin affordably from their cell phones.Lai Fai Sunghttp://www.1cellnet.com/VoIPhttp://www.1cellnet-1team.comFoundation...
1Cellnet breaks Telco's monopoly on overpriced calls
Party > 1Cellnet breaks Telco's monopoly on overpriced calls
Author of "Mistress-Keeping in Japan — Then & Now" (Boy? Lafayette De Mente) Explains How to Party With the "Natives"
Tokyo, Japan (ContentDesk) January 29, 2006 -- Until the last couple of decades the Japanese had the reputation of being workaholics not given to letting their hair down and having a good time. The Japanese were indeed hard workers, but the impression that they didnt go in for parties and other forms of entertainment was way off the mark, says author Boy? Lafayette De Mente in his book "Mistress-Keeping in Japan."???? De Mente debunks the idea that historically the Japanese were not into good time activities, especially the sensual kind. He notes that one of the earliest anecdotes in Japans creation myth is about a party held by one of the gods that became so boisterous he was kicked out of the pantheon as punishment. ???? But this particular god didnt give up partying, and apparently passed on his predilections for a good time to the human progeny of the gods. In any event, De Mente goes on, entertainment of various kinds has been a significant part of Japanese culture since ancient...
Author of "Mistress-Keeping in Japan — Then & Now" (Boy? Lafayette De Mente) Explains How to Party With the "Natives"
Party > Author of "Mistress-Keeping in Japan — Then & Now" (Boy? Lafayette De Mente) Explains How to Party With the "Natives"
Author of "Mistress-Keeping in Japan — Then & Now" (Boy? Lafayette De Mente) Explains How to Party With the "Natives"
Tokyo, Japan (ContentDesk) January 29, 2006 -- Until the last couple of decades the Japanese had the reputation of being workaholics not given to letting their hair down and having a good time. The Japanese were indeed hard workers, but the impression that they didnt go in for parties and other forms of entertainment was way off the mark, says author Boy? Lafayette De Mente in his book "Mistress-Keeping in Japan."???? De Mente debunks the idea that historically the Japanese were not into good time activities, especially the sensual kind. He notes that one of the earliest anecdotes in Japans creation myth is about a party held by one of the gods that became so boisterous he was kicked out of the pantheon as punishment. ???? But this particular god didnt give up partying, and apparently passed on his predilections for a good time to the human progeny of the gods. In any event, De Mente goes on, entertainment of various kinds has been a significant part of Japanese culture since ancient...
Author of "Mistress-Keeping in Japan — Then & Now" (Boy? Lafayette De Mente) Explains How to Party With the "Natives"
Party > Author of "Mistress-Keeping in Japan — Then & Now" (Boy? Lafayette De Mente) Explains How to Party With the "Natives"
Help create a better future for you and your family, financially AND environmentally
(ContentDesk) June 13, 2004 -- When we think of fundraising for good causes most of us think about attending garden parties, Church bazaars or simply standing on a corner shaking a tin can. The local mobilisation of volunteers is a wonderful and time-honoured way of funding good causes. Permaworld Foundation is building on these traditional forms of fund-raising by utilising modern technology and effectively inviting the world to ?join the garden party' and help make a positive contribution to the health of our planet. Permaworld Foundation members are promoting sustainable living by helping to plant trees and save the rain forest. They are saving dolphins and whales as well as protecting the oceans they live in.
And, their efforts are starting to make a real impact around the world! Since joining Permaworld I have made lots of new friends worldwide as well as learning a lot about people and our earth. I know my contribution makes a big difference as well as providing a little...
Help create a better future for you and your family, financially AND environmentally
Party > Help create a better future for you and your family, financially AND environmentally
Structured Settlements
A structured settlement is an arrangement with the insurance company that involves periodic payments obtained as a substitute for release of liability.
As indicated, structured settlements are often obtained as a result of lawsuits and are an excellent alternative for lump sum settlements. Structured settlements are usually to be paid from the gross income to the injured party or as workers compensation settlement by the company against which the case has been filed.
Structured settlements are often not very helpful when there is a need for immediate cash, but a part or whole of them can be sold in case of a monetary emergency. People often wish to exchange these for a lump sum that would be readily available during an emergency.
Even with such drawbacks, structured settlements are still popular because the procedure usually benefits both the parties involved in an accident or an injury.
Structured settlements are best suited for cases...
Party > Structured Settlements
Cannon Mountain: Real Value Deals
New this year is the Zoomer Club Card, which offers frequent skiers/riders real savings. For just $10, visitors to Cannon Mountain can purchase the card, which entitles them to a free lift ticket after the purchase of 10 tickets. Also included in the Zoomer package are discounts at the ski shop, rentals, and other special deals. Cannon Mountain also offers a discount to members of the U.S. Military and Reserves.
A current, valid military ID allows participants to ski/ride at the reduced teen rate. This rate also applies to college students, who qualify for the discount when they show a current college ID. New Hampshire residents can purchase a lift ticket for just $15 every Wednesday (except December 29 and February 23). A valid New Hampshire driver's license will be needed for the discount. "Our goal is to add to the fun at Cannon Mountain by offering affordable skiing and riding," says Amy Bassett, the mountain's Marketing Director.
"It's just one more way to show that...
Cannon Mountain: Real Value Deals
Party > Cannon Mountain: Real Value Deals
Why Didn?t I Think of That?
California surfer Michael Marrin is starting to see the green with his patented invention. Now partygoers don't have to worry about misplacing their cup and spreading germs? all they have to do is use Etch-IT Party Cups!
Etch-it party cups are instant, fun and pen-less. To use, simply peel the cover then etch your name or cool design. Viola! Every cup becomes an individual master piece & the user will never lose their drink again. The specially formulated "magic wax" coating on every etch-it party cup name tag is guaranteed not to smear or stain like when writing on cups with marking pens.
With Etch-it Party Cups Partiers will liven up an event by etching pictures or catchy slogans such as "Hi. I'm single." "Take Me Home" etc. Party Host report they save money and have less to clean up because of fewer abandoned drinks. Marrin's innovation hit the retail shelves of party, liquor and internet stores around 24 months ago. Over 3 million cups have been sold to date.
Why Didn?t I Think of That?
Party > Why Didn?t I Think of That?
Microsoft Great Plains Upgrade ? version 8.0 overview for IT Director/Controller
How to Protect Yourself Against the Hidden Cost of Shipping to Trade Shows
Trade Shows are lots of work, but they can generate lots of new business for their participants. In addition to the expense of staffing your booth, food, lodging, display, travel, etc. you need to consider how will you transport your equipment to and from the event. This sounds like a simple task, but few freight carriers deliver to trade shows. Why don't many carriers ship to trade shows? Anytime you have lots of businesses shipping to the same destination on the same day there will be problems....
Microsoft Great Plains Upgrade ? version 8.0 overview for IT Director/Controller
Party > How to Protect Yourself Against the Hidden Cost of Shipping to Trade Shows
Anglers Radio Bass Fishing Shows Now Sponsored by The Fishing Guides Homepage
Lindenwold New Jersey (ContentDesk) January 12, 2006 -- This is the main studio for Anglers Radio now sponsored for 2006 by The Fishing Guides Homepage.Anglers Radio has been a leader in innovative programming for the last year, and now with the Fishing Guides Homepage as one of the major sponsors it will be better than ever in 2006. This weeks guests are Alvin Shaw and Joel Richardson, both excellant anglers doing well on the FLW tour with extensive knowledge of Kerr Lake and other tournament...
Microsoft Great Plains Upgrade ? version 8.0 overview for IT Director/Controller
Party > Anglers Radio Bass Fishing Shows Now Sponsored by The Fishing Guides Homepage
Microsoft Great Plains Upgrade ? version 8.0 overview for IT Director/Controller Party
Microsoft Great Plains Upgrade ? version 8.0 overview for IT Director/Controller Party
glasses Microsoft Great Plains Upgrade ? version 8.0 overview for IT Director/Controller