CRM GP Adapter Series - Integration Models

This post intends to brief the list of Integration Models that are available and what's the preferable sequence in which we have to integrate the First Time records.

The Integration Models available are:

1. Account (CRM) to Customer (GP)
2. Customer (GP) to Account (CRM)
3. Flat Fee (GP) to Product (CRM)
4. Kit (GP) to Product (CRM)
5. Miscellaneous Charges (GP) to Product (CRM)
6. Order (CRM) to Sales Order (GP)
7. Price Level (GP) to Price List (CRM)
8. Sales Invoice (GP) to Invoice (CRM)
9. Sales Item (GP) to Product (CRM
10. Sales Order (GP) to Order (CRM)
11. Salesperson (GP) to ERP System User (CRM)
12. Service (GP) to Product (CRM)
13. UofM Schedule (GP) to Unit Group (CRM)

Alright, that's one long list, not so long though. Now we must understand what's the scope of this integration and once we install this integration model, what's the impact on CRM.

The following will be completely disabled in CRM once we install and configure this Adapter:

"Congrats" Extended to All MVPs

Extending my sincere wishes to all MVPs. Check out Leslie's article to know about people who got their MVP awarded and also with a brief comment.

I am sure this is inspirational to everyone out there and get our best out and share it with our Community.

VAIDY

Is Horizontal Accounting Software Dead? - Analyzes Austin Merritt (Software Advise)

Yes to some extent. But certainly not Dead. Austin Merritt, VP Software Advise, explains it very clearly and the comments that he has received for his post expresses mixed feelings.

In my experience, clients want a Software that always fit their exact requirements. Compromise in their requirements is the sin they would least commit. They can't be blamed for that. One would always start looking at an Accounting Software from their specific business requirements. Once they are convinced that this ERP fits their process, they start looking at the suppliments this product is going to offer them.

Most of the time, Customer Relationship comes first to their mind. Once we are happy with internal processes and the way we do our business, next comes a question: In spite of having best product to sell and also a vision, why we do not see Customers conversion and sales not going up? That's when we start looking at a product which will give us clear picture (Past, Present & Future). CRM comes into picture.

Now once we visualise an ERP & CRM for our requirements, we start thinking of keeping these two working in tandem. Once we are clear with that, we start thinking about how to present the entire data inside these two systems meaningfully to arrive at Decisions. Business Intelligence comes into picture. How to collaborate all these things and keep it in one single place? Sharepoint comes into picture.

Clearly, we want an Overall System, that keeps our business safely and soundly and tell us what & how we need to go in future.

Vertical Software is always NOT the solution. We have to think beyond our processes. We have to start thinking something futuristic to keep us in a better position when we overshoot our current requirements. While we do have a core Business Area, we do would like to venture in something added to that. And at that time, we would require a system which handles new business requirements without giving nightmares and/or loses in implementing one.

My option in this case, would be, a Horizontal Accounting Software, with required Customizations to leverage each modules of that ERP to cater for varied in-depth requirements.

VAIDY

Job Graphs - A Very Good Pointer

From MSDynamicsWorld site article, I got to see this Job Graphs for Dynamics GP.

I just felt WOW. This particular site is a very good pointer, though need not be accurate and 100% perfect.

Have a look at it and I am sure you all will be contented.

VAIDY

Congrats Mariano - For a Successful Hat Trick in MVP

Let's all join to Congratulate Mariano of becoming MVP for the 3rd time in a row. That's a Successful Hat Trick...!!!

And of course, we expect more from you...!!!

VAIDY

Search KB, Newsgroups & GP Blogosphere - Make it a Habit

Today morning, I downloaded Dynamics GP Downloads file from Mark's Skydrive account (Thanks Mark, for that). And I was quite surprised to see the CapsLock Reminder VBA post by Patrick Roth, dated way back in 2009. And I did write my own code in early March this year, completely not aware of Patrick's.

I would have certainly saved 1 hour, had I checked the KB, Newgroups & Blogs (need not be in the same order).

David & Mariano often insists on this point, and I would also like to insist more on that in the wake of my own experience(s).

It's nice to write our own code and get some kind of "accomplished" satisfaction, but if you are running out of time and need something at the earliest, the best place without doubt is our GP Blogosphere.

A Small Tip: Having these Important Sites as Favorites in our Browser(s) is not a bad idea at all.

VAIDY

Intellisense in Dexterity - An Awesome Feature - Vote For It

Mariano talks about Dexterity & Intellisense and why it would benefit us. Read that article and vote for it here: Vote For Dex & Intellisense.

VAIDY

Crystal Reports for Visual Studio 2010 (64 Bit) - Don't Rush Till Nov'10

While Microsoft has released Visual Studio 2010, which is terrific compared to earlier versions, Crystal Reports got it's Free Edition for VS2010 as well. But now it's a separate download from SAP Business Objects site.

That's not the intention of this post at all. I wanted to caution all Consultants/Developers who are planning to develop applications on VS2010 platform along with Crystal Reports.

Read this post before you plan for 64 Bit Crystal Reports based Apps using VS2010: Update on the CR for VS 2010 Release

I would recommend the following specs for such Apps:

1. Visual Studio 2008

2. Crystal Reports Basic for VS2008 (Including SP1)

3. Crystal Reports .NET Redistributable Runtime 64 Bit

For GP Consultants, we have a product already from Flex-Solutions, GP Report Viewer, which does exactly what we require.

I got a Trial Fully Functional license from Flex-Solutions and running short of time for my evaluation. I am still going on with my evaluation on all aspects which I currently require, as and when I get some time.

So far, such a great product and excellent work by Flex-Solutions team. I would recommend to anyone who need hassle-free Crystal Reports substitute for GP Documents.

VAIDY

GP Blogs for Useful SQL Views

We are now having three blogs helping us out in SQL Views for varied needs.

1. Victoria Yudin's Blog
2. Mark Polino's Blog
3. Ron's Blog - Real Life Dynamics User

To my best knowledge, the above are the active blog till now and continue to enrich us with more SQLs.

Do follow these blogs without fail.

VAIDY

Smartlist Builder View Returning Nothing - David Musgrave

David explains why Smartlist Builder View may not return records and on which scenario.

Check out his post here: SmartList Builder based on SQL View not returning Data.

VAIDY