Released on: November 4, 2007, 12:49 pm

Press Release Author: Alba Spectrum Group

Industry: Computers

Press Release Summary: Current version of Microsoft Dynamics GP, 10.0 is available
on Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and 2000. If you are on older version, we'll also give
you advise on where to find information.

Press Release Body: Current version of Microsoft Dynamics GP, 10.0 is available on
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and 2000. If you are on older version, we'll also give
you advise on where to find information. We'll begin with Microsoft Great Plains
architecture and technology inside:
1. Application Dictionary. Core dictionary is DYNAMICS.DIC, the dictionaries and
their products are listed in Dynamics.set file. These dictionaries are interpreted
by Dex.exe application. GP proprietary architecture is Microsoft Dexterity: Dex
forms, reports, fields, string and other objects as well as Dex sanscript scripts
are stored in the Dex dictionary. Often we have this question asked - what is
DEX_ROW_ID. The answer - this is unique identifier, required by Great Plains
Dexterity internal logic
2. Connection to SQL Server. GP talks to MS SQL Server databases via ODBC
connection. If you are on Windows 64 bit platform, at this time you will have to
deploy 32 bit ODBC DSN
3. SQL Server Databases. DYNAMICS is system database, which stored users and
security, company definitions plus currencies and system-wide multicurrency settings
among other system things. Company database stores settings, master records, work,
open and historical transactions for one legal entity - company. You may install
unlimited number of companies at this time. SQL objects: tables, stored procedures
and so-called atomic stored procedures (their names begin with zdp_). GP doesn't
use SQL referential integrity, "integrity" is programmed on business logic level
4. Installation process. First GP installing copies GP user application with or
without SQL objects (SQL objects are required to load Dynamics and company database
if you are doing fresh install or initiate upgrade process if this is your purpose).
You can do GP workstation initial installation on the server - this will allow you
to load GP server side faster, but this is not required - you can install first
workstation on Vista or XP machine and load server side remotely. When you install
first GP workstation, Great Plains Utilities applications starts automatically to
begin Server installation process
5. Additional GP products: Project Accounting, Fixed Assets, Manufacturing,
Collection Management are good examples - each of these products has its own
Dexterity dictionary file - you can recognize its name by reviewing Dynamics.set
file
6. Additional GP workstations install. For end users you do not install SQL
objects, plus GP Utilities synchronize Dynamics dictionary with GP database settings
(GL account format)
7. Customization install. If somebody did Great Plains Dexterity customizing for
you, they typically provide you with so-called Dexterity chunk file, this file you
copy into GP workstation folder and when you launch Great Plains next time, this
chunk file will be integrated (.cnk file will be transformed into Dex dictionary
file and its record will be added to Dynamics.set file)
8. Integration Manager installation. IM is currently under the process of being
rewritten in eConnect (integration tool, which is written in SQL encrypted stored
procedures with various interfaces to be exposed to BizTalk, Web Services, ADO.Net,
etc), so if you will decide to install eConnect connector, you will need to specify
your domain user account for eConnect security
9. Great Plains Software old versions installation notes. If you have Great Plains
Dynamics 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 7.0 or 7.5, these versions were available on Btrieve, later
on purchased by Pervasive Software and renamed into Pervasive SQL 2000 and
Ctree/Faircom. Pervasive/Btrieve Client-Server version requires altering for
Pervasive SQL Server settings, so if you just need single user GP workstation for
transactions lookup only, we recommend you to follow single user workstation
installation instructions. Both Ctree and Btrieve versions have Location
Translation technology, please give us a call on location translation as it is no
longer supported by Microsoft Tech support and is not trivial in its consideration
10. Great Plains Accounting for DOS, MS Windows and Mac. This dinosaur support was
terminated in around 2001, however there is migration path to Microsoft Dynamics GP,
plus you should get discount on GP modules purchase. It is not practical to try GPA
migration to GP on your own, we recommend you to have Great Plains technical
consultant to do the migration job.

If you like us to help you with GP upgrade, integration, software licenses,
reporting, please give us a call

Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum Group, http://www.albaspectrum.com
help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, serving customers USA/Canada
nationwide: Illinois, California, New York, Quebec, Ontario, Colorado, Utah,
Wisconsin, Florida, Texas. Local service is available in Houston & Dallas:
Richmond, Sugar Land, Katy, Rosenberg, Missouri City, Pearland, Friendswood,
Meadows, Mission Bend, Jersey Village, Fort Worth; serving GP customers in Chicago,
IL: Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Wheaton, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Lyons, Niles,
Downers Grove, Lisle, West Chicago, Barrington, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village,
Lombard, Morris, Ottawa, Marseilles, Seneca, Oswego, Plainfield, Darien, Winchester,
Hinsdale




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