With the weather getting a little colder, we all know the Holidays are fast approaching.  It is around the Holidays that many, like myself, begin to travel to see loved ones.  This year in particular, I have a lot of travel lined up.  This got me thinking about how popular Dynamics is around the world.  So with that said, here are some quick facts about Dynamics GP's worldwide popularity …

• Dynamics is most popular in North America, the Middle East, Singapore, UK, Australia & Ireland.
• Dynamics GP, originally called Great Plains, was developed in Fargo, North Dakota by Great Plain Software.
• There are currently over 300 000 Dynamics customers around the world, spanning 41 languages

Adam MacIntosh is the Senior Project Manager with WebSan Solutions Inc., a professional services consulting firm specializing in helping companies get the most out of their ERP systems. You can contact Adam at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 416-499-1235 ext. 213.

In 1983, Quaker Oats purchased Gatorade, transforming it from a multi-million dollar business into a multi-billion dollar business.  Fast forward a decade & Quaker decided that another drink manufacturer was primed for the same growth.  This time, Quaker eyed a takeover of Snapple, a popular fruit beverage.  After paying a large ransom for the Snapple business, Quaker did not see the returns it had forecast.  The Snapple brand fizzled as Quaker resources were washed down the drain.  Eventually, the Snapple brand was sold at a $1.4 billion loss to Quaker.

What went right with Gatorade that went so wrong with Snapple?

The measurement tools that Quaker used to evaluate Gatorade were both accurate & appropriate.  However, in the decade that past, these same evaluation tools were not updated.  Quaker applied the same methods & metrics to the Snapple brand that they did to the Gatorade brand.  However, in the decade that had passed, these tools were no longer the most appropriate.

Evaluation mechanisms are constantly being updated.  What works today might leave you behind tomorrow.  Quaker found this out first hand.  If companies want to continue to thrive, they must be constantly tweaking & evaluating the tools they use to evaluate their business.

Microsoft Dynamics GP leverages ever evolving Microsoft technologies in order to provide the best reporting options possible.  Users can access reports in many different formats.  Business Alerts can send automated emails to any staf member when exception criteria are met or at specific intervals.  Emails can be configured to include attachments, including lists of applicable information.  Users can have similar automated Reminders open on their screens when specified criteria have been met.  This allows for fast & automated management by exception.

Last week I met with a new client, we began with our normal introductions, etc.  They were curious as to my expertise with the Dynamics product line.  After discussing the seven different certifications I personally have from Microsoft, the conversation quickly moved onto other topics.  However, this reminded me of the rigorous screening process Microsoft employs for its partner network.

Any partner wishing to sell Microsoft Dynamics GP must have employees certified in its core financial management system.  Further certifications are required in database management among others.  Recently all Microsoft Partners were asked to complete formal training & certification in Sure Step, the Microsoft Project Management System.  I am glad to say all WebSan staff that were tested passed with flying colours!

Congratulations Team WebSan!

The truth that most consultants won’t tell you is that the majority of technology projects fail.  The reasons for these failures can vary dramatically.  In order to minimizes & mitigates these varied risks, Microsoft has developed a proven methodology for Microsoft Dynamics implementations based on industry best practices.

This project management methodology is systematic & phase based as well as scalable to the size of projects.  It applies to project big & small, enterprise to standard, complex to standard upgrades.  Further, it encompasses all phases of any implementation.  This repeatable process helps consultants better meet customer expectations by properly managing organizational change.  Customer decision making is further streamlined through decision accelerators.  This leads to low-risk, successful implementations.

All Microsoft Dynamics Partners are required to have staff certified in Sure Step.

[caption id="attachment_421" align="aligncenter" width="404" caption="Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step"][/caption]

Tele-working or working from home is very common in today’s business world.  Staff at many companies have the ability to work from anywhere.  In fact, IBM has half its staff working from home, saving them valuable real estate, overhead & all that goes with having an office.  As a consultant, I am constantly traveling, but I am still able to stay in touch with the office through my Blackberry.  VPN’s allow many users to log into networks to access systems, emails, files, etc.

With cloud computing, the ability to work from anywhere is made even easier.  Through hosted Microsoft Dynamics GP, all staff need to access their ERP is an internet connection.  A CFO can easily review financial statements, in real time, from a Starbucks.  Imagine living out your days on a beach in the Caribbean, still able to complete necessary tasks.  With the invention of internet sticks that can plug into any USB, Operations Managers can carry a net-book or laptops with them & have the ability to complete sensitive tasks in an instant.  Sales staff no longer need a reserved desk at the office.  They can stay mobile, reaching more clients.  Even administrative staff could work remotely should the need arise as it did for many last summer with the G8 summit shutting down the core of Toronto.

WebSan Solutions is a Microsoft Partner offering Hosted Dynamics GP

Adam MacIntosh, Senior Project Manager

Cloud computing is the latest & greatest innovation in the technology industry & for good reason.  I previously discussed how cloud computing takes the worry out of disaster recovery.  Another way cloud computer helps take strain off executive shoulders is that it helps your company avoid service disruptions often associated with service updates.  Imagine never worrying about having to upgrade your software.  Imagine it was just done for you, with no downtime, disruptions or worry.  That is what the cloud offers.  At WebSan, we offer hosted Microsoft Dynamics GP for a number of client, taking care of necessary service packs, system updates & necessary maintenance that comes along with owning an ERP system.  By taking advantage of Saas Dynamics GP (or software as a service), customers can stay focused on their core competencies.  Hosted solutions allow clients to scale up or down as the market dictates without & overhead burden often associated with on-premise solutions.  Lastly, they don’t have to worry about having a full-time IT resource to help with issues where one might not be required.

WebSan is a Microsoft Partner offering hosted Dynamics GP to clients big & small.

Adam MacIntosh, Senior Project Manager

Disaster recovery is often neglected until an actual disaster occurs.  A number of people assume it will never happen to them.  We don’t drive cars without insurance, so why compute without a disaster recovery plan?

Well enter the cloud with hosted Microsoft Dynamics GP …

Access to files & reports when you want them.  Take the worry out of disaster recovery.  Accessing your ERP over the net has never been more secure, convenient or faster.  When you enter the cloud with WebSan, we ensure the highest level of disaster recovery.  We have redundancy upon redundancy to protect your data.  From protection against power failures to floods to fire.

Never worry again about a service disruption.

Adam MacIntosh, Senior Project Manager

It’s that time of the year when many employee are taking time off to spend time with family.  Whatever holiday you celebrate, this is definitely the time of the year for family.  With employees out of the office, companies must track the amount of time taken by each employee.

Microsoft Dynamics GP has a number of vacation tracking options:

1. The Human Resources module has a Vacation Calendar option.  This presents a calendar view, with a listing of employees that have taken time off for each day.
2. The Canadian Payroll module makes Vacation Accruals every pay period.  Each employee has a vacation rate attached to them. With each pay cycle, automated accruals are made to each employee record to track the amount of vacation earned.  When vacation is taken, it comes out of this same pool of time earned.  Further, all the appropriate entries are made to the General Ledger with each transaction.

Adam MacIntosh is a Senior Project Manager at WebSan Solutions Inc with numerous Human Resources & Canadian Payroll implementations completed.

Service calls can now be escalated to additional managerial levels. The Service Type Escalation window has been modified to include a new Manager Level field.  When a call is escalated, an e-mail to the technician's manager is sent.  This can now be sent to two additional levels of management directly above the technician's manager. One can specify the number of levels to e-mail, including:

• The manager of the technician on the service call
• The manager's manager
• The manager of the manager's manager

The Service Call Escalation window also now supports multiple technicians for each call.

Adam MacIntosh is the Senior Implementation Lead with WebSan Solutions Inc., a professional services consulting firm specializing in helping companies get the most out of their ERP systems and Supply Chains. You can contact Adam at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 416-499-1235 ext. 213.

Users of US Payroll in Dynamics GP will love the new integration points from other modules within Dynamics GP.

One such integration point is with the Field Services module.  Direct & indirect labour postings that create Payroll transactions can be made in Service Call Management & Depot Management.  This integration allows for Payroll to captures the cost from the employee's pay code into the labor record in Field Service.

A Post to Payroll check box has been added to the Work Type Maintenance & Depot Station Maintenance windows that when selected, enters the value from the window's corresponding Pay Code field, representing an hourly pay code.

Field Services now allow the use of non-inventoried items.  Service Calls or POs can be entered for non-inventoried items representing labour, expenses or misc charges.  Preventative Maintenance events can even include non-inventoried items.  Contract Administration, Returns Management & Depot Management all now allow the use of non-inventoried items.

Adam MacIntosh is the Senior Implementation Lead with WebSan Solutions Inc., a professional services consulting firm specializing in helping companies get the most out of their ERP systems and Supply Chains. You can contact Adam at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 416-499-1235 ext. 213.

The Service Management module now allows for processing of Kit Items.  When a kit item is entered in the Service Parts window, the kit's components are added automatically to the Service Line table; although, they can be deleted if necessary.  Note: the quantity ordered cannot be partially allocated.  Through the Service Management module, POs can now be created for kit component items on a service call.

Kits can also be entered in Returns Management, Preventative Maintenance, on Contract Lines, or on the Parts line for Depot Management Work Orders.

Adam MacIntosh is the Senior Implementation Lead with WebSan Solutions Inc., a professional services consulting firm specializing in helping companies get the most out of their ERP systems and Supply Chains. You can contact Adam at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 416-4991235 ext. 213.

The Item Resource Planning, Site Resource Planning & MRP Order Detail windows have all been updated to incorporate a ‘Move Out’ fence.  The new logic allows for rules that determine if & when to suggest moving or canceling a purchase order or manufacturing order.  A Move Out is suggested when an item’s Projected Available Balance will be greater than the item’s Order UP To Level.

As GP calculates an item's Projected Available Balance for a specific time period, MRP will include supply order moves & cancel suggestions that impact the quantities occurring in that time period.

Adam MacIntosh is the Senior Implementation Lead with WebSan Solutions Inc., a professional services consulting firm specializing in helping companies get the most out of their ERP systems and Supply Chains. You can contact Adam at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 416-499-1235 ext. 213.

In previous versions, users would be able to view the module's Navigation Pane regardless of whether it was used or not.

In GP 2010, Administrators control which Navigation Panes are available to users and which are not.  Unnecessary navigation buttons can be limited at the user or at the company company level.

Again, join WebSan in our upcoming GP 2010 Webinar!

PS ... For Analytical Accounting users, user security can now be assigned on-the-fly!  No more setting up segments & then waiting for approval to use them.

System Administrators will find setting up new users in GP 2010 much quicker.  User Security setting can now be copied from the security of another user.

In order to help reduce the likelihood of incorrectly assigning permissions, Administrators can filter security windows in order to view only the selected:

• Operations assigned to tasks
• Tasks assigned to roles
• Roles assigned to users

Adam MacIntosh is the Senior Implementation Lead with WebSan Solutions Inc., a professional services consulting firm specializing in helping companies get the most out of their ERP systems and Supply Chains. You can contact Adam at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 416-499-1235 ext. 213.

Cash receipts may now be entered as a negative currency value within GP 2010.  This will subsequently decrease the deposit amount of the cash receipt by the value entered in the Amount field.  Furthermore, the posted receipt will show up as a deposit with a negative amount.

The negative cash receipt can be applied similar to any regular cash receipt, except the outstanding amount of the invoice will increase, instead of decrease.  Users experiencing returns, bad debt or miscellaneous fee issues will undoubtedly love this new feature.

Adam MacIntosh is the Senior Implementation Lead with WebSan Solutions Inc., a professional services consulting firm specializing in helping companies get the most out of their ERP systems and Supply Chains. You can contact Adam at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 416-499-1235 ext. 213.

When making payments in GP 2010, users will be given additional restriction possibilities in Select Checks window.  New restrictions can be place on the following fields:

• Vendor IDs
• Vendor names
• Class IDs
• payment priorities
• voucher numbers
• document numbers
• due date\discount date cutoffs
• document currency

Adam MacIntosh is the Senior Implementation Lead with WebSan Solutions Inc., a professional services consulting firm specializing in helping companies get the most out of their ERP systems and Supply Chains. You can contact Adam at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 416-499-1235 ext. 213.

GP 2010 will bring additional reporting printing capabilities.  Users can now take advantage of Word report templates as an alternative to using the native Report Writer.  Out-of-the-box there will be 22 templates available for use with endless possibilities on user customized reports.

GP 2010 will also feature added capabilities with Excel reports & pivot tables ... hum

Adam MacIntosh is the Senior Implementation Lead with WebSan Solutions Inc., a professional services consulting firm specializing in helping companies get the most out of their ERP systems and Supply Chains. You can contact Adam at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 416-499-1235 ext. 213.

GP 2010 is coming soon!  Over the next while we will be previewing some of the new features.

Also, join us during our upcoming webinar featuring the top 10 new features.

[caption id="attachment_254" align="aligncenter" width="748" caption="HST Tool-Kit"][/caption]

Did you know Directors of corporations can be held personally liable for un-remitted HST!?!

Be ready for the new HST!  Contact WebSan now to take advantage of our HST Cut-Over Tool-Kit.

Over our many years of experience with Microsoft Dynamics GP, we have developed a proven implementation methodology for companies both large & small.  Get the job done right the first time!  Let us help you with HST upgrades:

• Update company-wide sales & purchasing tax options
• Set tax settings for specific grouping of customers or vendors
• Ensure appropriate sales items are taxable or not

Adam MacIntosh is the Senior Implementation Lead with WebSan Solutions Inc., a professional services consulting firm specializing in helping companies get the most out of their ERP systems and Supply Chains. You can contact Adam at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 416-499-1235 ext. 213.