Released on = August 18, 2007, 1:04 pm

Press Release Author = Alba Spectrum Group

Industry = Computers

Press Release Summary = Great Plains, as it was formerly known, became part of
Microsoft Dynamics family of ERP products in September 2005 together with Navision,
Solomon, Axapta and MS CRM. Interesting enough - the association of Dynamics with
former name of Great Plains Software Dynamics - this MRP was predecessor of
Microsoft Great Plains. Nowadays ERP implementation has several phases

Press Release Body = Alba Spectrum Group http://www.albaspectrum.com
help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918

Great Plains, as it was formerly known, became part of Microsoft Dynamics family of
ERP products in September 2005 together with Navision, Solomon, Axapta and MS CRM.
Interesting enough - the association of Dynamics with former name of Great Plains
Software Dynamics - this MRP was predecessor of Microsoft Great Plains. Nowadays
ERP implementation has several phases. Let's briefly review them one-by-one:
1. Business Processes mapping. First question is selection of the next ERP. If
Microsoft Dynamics GP fits to your current business processes and has good room for
future improvement either with GP standard set of modules or with GP third party
extensions, or even custom programming, modification, integration and reporting. If
these questions are answered to the favor of GP capabilities, let's go to the next
phase. Typically BP mapping is done by MBS partner in your area, who will be your
official VAR of records with Microsoft
2. License purchasing. Microsoft Business Solutions sells GP licenses via certified
GP partner network. You can either call Microsoft directly or select your local,
regional or global GP partner, based on your organization market positioning and
size. It is important to say, that in US GP customers are required to be in good
standing with so-called annual enhancement program, which usually is from 16 to 25%
of GP list price. The lower end will give you free new version reg key and CDs, the
high end will give you unlimited number of cases with Microsoft Business Solutions
technical support
3. Data Conversion and "massage". Typical scenario is the one, where you switch
from legacy accounting system to GP. Data migration has several levels of
complexity, the easier way you choose - the better. The simplest way to convert
your legacy ERP data is master records migration and GL beginning balances entry.
Master records are typically referred as General Ledger accounts, customers,
vendors, employees, etc. If you think that you need historical transactions to be
migrated - think about the migration cost, as it is not an easy routine. GP
developers will need to analyze your legacy database, export your historical ERP
data in chosen modules, massage it and then deploy either GP Integration Manager or
direct SQL scripting to bring data to newly installed and configured Great Plains
4. User Training. It is typically done in parallel with data conversion. ERP user
training is typically performed by your MBS partner and it is usually customized to
your business processes
5. Going live. Good and recommended scenario is when you maintain one month two ERP
in parallel - legacy and new GP
6. Ongoing support. As it typically happens, you will discover new horizons and
needs: reporting, new ideas on custom programming, data integration with your other
databases and ERP components to name a few

Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum Group http://www.albaspectrum.com
help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, serving client in Chicago
metro: Naperville, Downers Grove, Wheaton, Romeoville, Aurora, Plainfield, Joliet,
Morris, Seneca, Marseilles, Ottawa, LaSalle, Oswego, Montgomery, Lisle, Bolingbrook,
Winchester, Hinsdale, Willow Brook. Darien, Westmont. Lemont, Des Plaines, Villa
Park, Plano, Channahon.




Web Site = http://www.albaspectrum.com

Contact Details = Alba Spectrum Group http://www.albaspectrum.com
help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918