Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics GP Texas – ERP implementation notes

Microsoft Dynamics GP should be considered as flexible MRP platform, ready to be modified to fit mid-size company business processes. It has rich set of modules, supported by Microsoft as well as so-called third party modules, supported and developed by Microsoft ISV partners. In this small article we will not be discussing third party modules, instead we will try to give you highlights on the customization technology – when out of the box or available on the market products needs to be tailored. Also we will try to specify some typical cases for Texas industries
• Oil & Gas. Especially in Houston and along the Gulf of Mexico. One of the business features is high intensity of production fixed assets utilization - offshore platform, drill, wellheads are typically utilized 24x7 and at the same time they require regular maintenance, which in turn is expensive service. In Dynamics GP you will need custom extensions to Fixed Assets module. From logistics – you need to be in compliance with string regulation and high safety standards. Capacity Recourse planning should be reflected, however it is not “classical” manufacturing, so more likely you will not need Manufacturing and standard CRP modules themselves
• Dallas Startups. When we are talking about new businesses, or startups – their business model is often unique (because it is really innovative) and standard MRP system simply doesn’t fit to its operations, when we are talking about ERP functionality beyond Financials modules: GL, AR, AP. In some cases Microsoft Dynamics GP could be considered as the core or back end of CRM, eCommerce or other type of Business Management System. In this case we are talking about integration. In other cases, standard GP functionality might be uniquely extended to automate unique startup business processes.
• Sea Shipping. Logistics & Warehouse management, cargo tracking businesses typically have legacy system, which was and still is in use for decades – often sitting in UNIX: IBM DBII, Oracle, Sybase, etc. This would be good GP integration scenario – typically this is eConnect or SQL cross-platform or heterogeneous distributed queries routines. Special reporting needs, such as Bill of Lading in our opinion is not as complex as it is sometimes referred – ReportWriter, Crystal Report or MS SQL Server Reporting Services could do the job.
• Customization Technologies. eConnect (with XML Web Service interfaces) fits Visual Studio Developer, Microsoft Dexterity (former Great Plains Dexterity) is more fundamental tools (GP architecture historically was based on GPS Dexterity) – it requires profound GP structure knowledge and probably several years of GP software development, SQL Stored Pros require some familiarity with Microsoft Dexterity database modeling.
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About The Author
Andrew Karasev is Microsoft Dynamics GP consultant at Alba Spectrum Group ( www.albaspectrum.com ), Microsoft Dynamics GP Great Plains partner service clients in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Waco, Tyler, Wichita Falls, Plano, San Angelo, Mesquite, Lubbock, Laredo, Irving, Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, El Paso, Corpus Christi, Beaumont, Amarillo, Abilene, USA Nationwide from our Houston, TX and Chicago, IL offices and central customer support call center. Downstate Texas we serve with short visits onsite if required and following remote support.