How to simulate TOP 100 PERCENT in SQL 2005/2008 - Steve Endow

This one's very good trick to Force SQL Server 2005 / 2008 to sort of use ORDER BY in Views.

Never knew this till Steve's article. Good one for all SQL Developers (also for Part Time ones).

VAIDY

How to tackle Chunk Upgrade with Modified Forms/Reports?

This post an extension of Sivakumar's post on How to Deploy Chunk Files.

Let's consider, we have a Custom Product chunk file which has been deployed already on a Customer's site. And we are suppose to deploy an update to that product. Now this particular Custom Product has been modified either the Forms or Reports or Both.

I am going to talk about two scenarios:

1. The developer who has developed this customization, maintains a version to each release.

2. The developer do not maintain the version for releases.

Let's first take the #2 scenario: The developer do not maintain a versioning for releases. Which is very difficult and time consuming when we deploy. How to deploy this chunk without harming the Forms AND / OR Reports Modifications? David just explained it to Siva, which is clearly explained in Siva's post.

Let's first take the #1 scenario: The developer maintains a versioning for each release. I would salute such developers. It's very rare to see developers maintaining a version for small customizations. If it's a Dex Customization, it MUST have a version, a proper version. Versioning Dex Customizations have got so many advantages. One such advantage is the one which I am going to explain below.

If we have a version for a chunk and we are trying to deploy an update (which will logically have a higher version than the one which was deployed earlier), then GP Utilities will take care of deploying this chunk and upgrading the Forms & Reports Modifications.

Steps are as follows:

1. Install the chunk on GP Site (copy the chunk on to GP Application Folder and launch GP). You won't be able to log on, if there is a Modified Form(s) for this product.
2. Close GP.
3. Launch GP Utilities.
4. Verify GP Dynamics Version and Company Databases Versions.
5. Then select the option "Update modified forms and reports" when this window is shown up:

6. Just make sure that you have backed up Dynamics.set file and Modified Forms Dictionary for that Customization chunk.

Important Note: You must copy the Previous version Modified Forms dictionary to another folder (remember, COPY and NOT Move). And follow the instructions shown in the subsequent wizard steps.

For more details, just refer to GP Utilities Help File (Click on that BLUE ? Button shown in the above screenshot and read the instructions).

Hope this helps.

Thanks so much, Sivakumar & David, for giving me a topic to share with our community.

Sivakumar's Article on How to Deploy Chunk Files - A Note To Remember.

VAIDY

Importance of PM Module in GP - Belinda

Belinda explains us what's more important in Payables Management (PM) as opposed to how it's been used generally.

VAIDY

Clients Hiring Project Manager For Implementation - Pitfalls

This one's very realistic, Mark. I must admit that I am more than convinced.

Implementation is much more than a Project Management and it certainly requires someone who do not compromise on anything for the Quality & Safety of Project Implementation.

It certainly depends. If a Client could hire a really successful PM for an Implementation, they get more out of that single right move. But they also have to make sure that, that single move should not lead them to more destructive results.

Read Mark's article here: Realistic Expectations: How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Outside Project Managers for Implementing Microsoft Dynamics GP

VAIDY

CRM GP Adapter Series - Versions & Improvements

Till now, Microsoft Dynamics Team has released 4 versions of this CRM GP Adapter:

1. CRM Adapter Base Version - GP 10 & CRM 4

Details of this release can be read by clicking the above link. There is a terrific list of FAQ and much needed information. As the title says, it's the base version and did what it was meant to. Read all CRM fields and make it available for GP integration and vice versa.

2. CRM Adapter FP1 - GP 10 & CRM 4

Tremendous improvement with this FP1. Below are the notable ones:

View Smartlists with SQL Tables

Have you ever wondered why your Smartlist, created using Smartlist Builder and a SQL Table / View (which is not part of any of GP or 3rd Party Products)?

This may be the issue:

The above screenshot shows Security Task form, where you have to select the option "View SmartLists with SQL Tables" for the users who wants access to this Smartlist.

This particular point is very much covered in Smartlist Manual, but I bet most of us would have overlooked this.

VAIDY

Item Qty Allocated, Oh But Actually Not...! - Issue & Fix

This took my life past 2 days and yesterday I was so relieved to have to fixed.

Issue: For a specific set of Inventory Items, Item Stock information was showing up incorrectly. The Qty Allocated is showing some units, but the user swore on everything in this world that it's not possible. Well he had a point to substantiate his argument. Upon drilling down from Qty Allocated in Item Qty/Site Maintenance (or Inquiry), nothing showed up.

Troubleshooting Steps:

CRM GP Adapter Series - Overview

The best thing that could happen for Dynamics GP is the CRM Integration tool. This leverages the GP Functionality and extends it to CRM (or vice versa may be). There are so many things that I could talk about this beautiful Integration Tool. Some of them are:

1. Free of cost (though it must be obtained thru' a Partner).
2. No extra software licenses.
3. eConnect as backbone.
4. Utilizes GP Web Services thoroughly.
5. Easy to use.

Upgrading 150+ Companies - Now that's A REAL UPGRADE

Mariano quotes us from Randal Mayer on How to Upgrade 150+ GP Companies.

I have never even imagined more than 15-20 companies, and this advise IS needed for all of us.

And this post also answers a major question: Is Dynamics GP really capable of handling loads and transactions? Now a customer having 150+ companies in Dynamics GP 9.0. And we have already got Dynamics GP 2010 with SQL Server 2008 R2.

That's a lesson to all who doubt GP's capability.

VAIDY

Home Page Metrics Error in GP2010 & Resolution - Janakiram MP

With GP 2010 going great guns and people have started implementing it everywhere, we are bound to have bits and pieces of issues here and there.

Janakiram MP explains one such error, Unable to connect to the Home Page Metrics URL, resolution given as well.

Those who are implementing GP 2010, please do read this.

VAIDY