Dynamics Gp In Global Distribution Implementation Notes

Dynamics Gp In Global Distribution Implementation Notes

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Microsoft Dynamics GP is good candidate to be implemented as Corporate ERP application for mid-size company, engaged in the wholesale industry and shipping its goods to the customers nationwide and internationally. One of the key success factors, in our opinion, is to integrate existing barcode scanning or RFID reading based Warehouse Management System with your new ERP or make proper selection of the WMS module be implemented in the phase two. Also, when you are extending your ERP or even MRP system, you may need some custom business logic to be introduced, and in the light of this fact, well review custom programming tools: Dexterity, eConnect, Modifier with VBA scripting, Web Services. Lets begin with Warehouse Management module options:

1.WMS. If you already have existing system in production, we recommend you to review the options to keep it in place and simply build integration between this system and Great Plains Sales Order Processing, Purchase Order Processing, Inventory control, and in the case, when you are happy with the inventory management directly in the WMS just to General Ledger in the Accounting system. Pretty decent integration could be created directly in Integration Manager module, which could either pick exported text files, or connect directly t the WMS database via ODBC connection. If you would like to implement brand new Warehouse module you will have to come through a lot of research and homework. In our opinion the two architecture level options to compare are external Warehouse management System and extensions for your ERP application. Both have pluses and minuses, we have numerous publications dedicated to the subject. External WMS probably is more positioned for larger company with more complex requirements to their warehouse operations

2.Enabling additional screens to barcode scanning and RFID tag reading. Standard Warehouse Management module does three functions: Sales Order Fulfillment, Purchase Receipt and Inventory Transaction in the form of quantity adjustment or transfer. If you need something outside of the standard set, there might be a chance that you would have to undergo custom coding project. In the most common scenario, when you would like to enable existing form, you tool would be either Microsoft Dexterity or Modifier with VBA. Dex is the architecture and it has full control over existing windows in the ERP, plus you can create new forms, tables, fields there. Possible caution about Dexterity it is semi-proprietary tool and we do not recommend you to launch customization project within your own IT department programming force- as learning curve might be not practical. Modifier with VBA is for small scale projects and Visual Basic for Applications is probably friendly to generic Microsoft programmer. If you feel that you have complete control over your in-house programmed warehouse application, you may consider eConnect SDK to push your documents directly to GP. In MS Visual Studio it is the natural way to include eConnect libraries, but even if you would like to call eConnect methods from Linux application there are computer platform neutral Web Services abstraction layer, in its background it calls eConnect methods

3.Global Logistics or crossing international borders. GP is available in English, Spanish and French Canadian user interface, plus from regional providers in Arabic, and if you believe that your foreign production or distribution facilities are ready to accept one of the suggested languages, you should still consider the restrictions of the targeted country legislation. The probing stone might be the idea to call Microsoft the in the international country and check with them if GP is localized locally and if they have a track of existing customers. If their answer is firm no we recommend you to look at Dynamics AX, formerly known as Axapta. Microsoft has AX as Supply Chain Management and Process Manufacturing solution for 38 plus countries and the number of languages supported in growing. AX is available in most of the Europe, including Russia, as well as in South East Asia in Chinese, Japanese and other popular languages

4.Accounting data consolidation technologies. This topic might be good to review, if you decided to implement another ERP platform for your international subsidiary. Lets assume that you went with something like Microsiga or SAP Business One in Brazil, with 1S Bukhgalteria in Russia and now you need to control it from GP in the USA based Headquarters. Consider overnight or scheduled GL transaction export into the text file and them importing it via Integration Manager into GL only shadow company. This approach allows you to deploy professional Financial reporting tool, such as FRx or Microsoft Management Reporter. The second recommendation is more budget oriented, when you are exporting SB1 GL trial balance report to Excel and consolidate it in FRx P&L

5.For additional information please call us: 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918 or email us: help@albaspectrum.com

About the Author:
Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum http://www.albaspectrum.com help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577. We serve Microsoft Dynamics GP since 1995 with specialization in Barcoding, Logistics, Warehouse Management. Local service in Chicago, West Michigan, Houston, San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, CA. We also support WMS customers USA, Canada nationwide and internationally



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