Integrating Microsoft Dynamics GP Project Accounting

Microsoft Great Plains ERP implementation as general trend in MRP system is becoming the subject for tighter integration with other corporate computer systems: CRM, Custom Databases, Point of Sales, etc.  Let’s take a look at typical Project Accounting module integration scenarios.  We will follow GP architecture guidelines and will be feeding in so-called Master records: Contracts, Projects, Customers, Employees and so-called work transaction tables: Timesheets, Employee Expenses.  We discourage you to insert records into so-called Open and Historical tables, as GP posting logic is complicated and it depends heavily on the GP settings: Customer Classes, Posting Accounts, PA Module Settings to name a few.
•    Timesheets.  This is the most popular table for integration.  Let’s assume that you are placement agency and you have your customer contracts and projects in Great Plains Project Accounting – but they originate in your industry CRM system, where you track your temps skills, certifications, experience, working records as well as your customers with their placement requests.  GP Project Accounting is integrated directly with your GL and you have Project budgeting, cost categories, billing schedules in it as well – this allows you to bill your customers in PA Billing.  Timesheets in the entry point in Project Accounting and you feed timesheet records from your CRM
•    Contracts & Projects.  These master records are in the following tables: PA01101 and PA01201.  Consider feeding records into these tables, as you may have new projects in your CRM since the last integration run.  Please, also check Contract/Project related tables – Billing schedules, Project Account Segments, Segments Overrides.
•    Integration Technology.  You should use SQL stored procedures to insert records into Projects, Contracts, Timesheets, Employee Expenses tables.  GP Integration Managers capabilities are limited, you should check the IM options for your GP version: 6.0, 7.5, 8.0, 9.0 or 10.0
•    Microsoft Dexterity Posting Server.  Alba Spectrum offers Autoposting server, utilizing GP Dexterity source code engine to post automatically GP batches. 


About The Author
Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum Group, www.albaspectrum.com help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, serving GP customers in their modifications upgrade, integration, reporting USA/Canada nationwide: Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Detroit, Milwaukee, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, New York, Seattle, Provo, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Orlando, Minneapolis, Austin, San Diego.  Local service is available in Houston/Dallas: Richmond, Katy, Sugar Land, Galveston, in Chicago: Naperville, Warrenville, Aurora, Plainfield, Niles, Schaumburg, Addison, Itasca, Joliet, Romeoville, Morris, Ottawa, LaSalle, De Kalb, Montgomery, Oswego