When creating a user interface, you always want it to feel smooth and fast as you can, and any time that the user is left waiting on the system decreases the appearance of how fast your system is. Delays on web applications can be caused from things such as processing lots of data, to constantly requesting new data from the server. It’s the latter case that I’m going to look at today and show a method that can reduce the amount of times you request data from the server.

For a working example, say we have a registration screen that is asking for the user’s country and province/state that they live in. Both fields could be simple text boxes, but it’s a little bit nicer if you provide combo boxes that give the user a list of options to choose from.

You probably want the list of provinces/states that you show to be dynamic based upon what country they select. So your province/state combo box will likely have an event listener that looks like this:

Above is a simple listener that listens for when the combo box expands (when the user opens the combo box to view the choices), and when it does that, it gets what the country combo box is set to, sets it as a parameter, and then retrieves the list of provinces/states from the server based on the selected country.

So if they select a country, and then open the combo box for the province/state, it will load up the list properly. The problem is that if they open the combo box for the province/state again, it will request the list from the server again, even if the country selection hasn’t changed.

Project Accounting connects project activities with company financials and provides extensive reporting capabilities. Watch the following video to learn about invoicing, posting costs from Purchasing as well as timesheets and revenue recognition:

WebSan Solutions offers an online (SaaS) hosted-enterprise business software solution, leveraging the vast capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics GP. If you are interested in GP Project Accounting, please contact us for more information.

Doriana Kote, Marketing Assistant, WebSan Solutions Inc., a Channel Elite Awards Finalist for 2013

Have you ever wanted to share a report between several different people or companies, but wanted the report to only display data for that specific person or company?  This can be tricky with a multi company or multi person database.  However there is an easy way to do this, and it's not coping and pasting the report for each company/user.

There are 2 steps to do this.

The first step is easy.  When creating the SRS report, create a person or company parameter, just a normal text field parameter.  This will be the parameter be used to set which specific person/company the report will be for.  It would probably be a good idea to use a different naming convention for this parameter, to specify that it as a default parameter, like default_user.  Then finish creating the report and onto the next step!

The second step is to change your code where you set/send the report parameters to the SSRSPHP library.  All you have to do is check if the parameter name is equal to one of the default parameters and hide the parameter from the user when setting the parameter.  Then when the report is being submitted, all you have to do is set the parameter before sending it to the SSRSPHP library to retrieve the report.

Now the user won't be able to change or even see the parameter.  This is pretty good, but if we want to add more default parameters this isn't a very elegant solution.  Instead we can put all the default parameters into an array and check if the default parameter exists in the array.  This way in order to add more parameters, all we have to do is change an array.

AI will play a crucial role in inventory planning and sales and operations planning (S&OP) by leveraging its capabilities to analyze vast amounts of data, make accurate predictions, and optimize decision-making processes. Here are some specific ways in which AI can contribute to these areas: 1. Demand Forecasting: AI algorithms can analyze hist...

Microsoft Dynamics GP is a powerful accounting system with enhanced report design capabilities that will certainly improve your decision making processes. Microsoft Office and Microsoft Dynamics GP offer what is known as Office Data Connection (ODC), a method to integrate both systems and allow users to view Dynamics GP data in an Excel worksheet. This means, you can view your Microsoft Dynamics GP data in your MS Excel and have it refreshable at any time.

Not only are there more than 200 out of the box Excel reports included in the core system but also users can design and customize Excel reports to meet the individual needs of their businesses. These reports retrieve data from the Dynamics GP SQL database, thus offering real time reporting.

Furthermore, you do not have to be a user in Microsoft Dynamics GP to have the ability to view the Excel reports that come with the system. By using Windows Authentication and setting appropriate permissions for security, anyone in your company will be able to see these reports.

Finally, the default Excel Reports in Dynamics GP are created from the existing SmartList favourites. They are basically Excel files that can be tailored to the user’s needs and provide you with the familiar look and environment of Microsoft Office Excel. In addition, if you need extra customized Excel reports for your business, you can use the Excel Report Builder that comes with the SmartList Builder, though you will have to get a separate license for it.

If you want to learn more about Excel Reporting in Dynamics GP, join our free webinar on February 19, at 11 am EST and find out how to create powerful and easy to read reports.

Incrementing an integer in SQL is easy; all you have to do is + 1 to the value. However, incrementing a number that has padded zeros is a little trickier, since it is probably a string value and not a number. Luckily with some type conversions, it becomes just as easy as incrementing an integer.

First thing you want to do is to get the length of the string, so you know how many padded zeros to add. You can do this by using the LEN function:

1. SELECT @Length = LEN(RTRIM(LTRIM(@Num)))

It is also a good idea to trim the value just in case there are extra spaces.

Next we can increment the number.  Now we can't just do a + 1 to the value since it’s a string and doing a + 1 to a string would just concatenate the 1 to the end of the string.  So let’s convert the string to an integer:

Remember when you had to record your time on a spreadsheet? Then your boss had to approve it and send it to HR in order for you to get paid? Spreadsheets are still an important way to track information; however, tracking your time and expenses on a spreadsheet can become time-consuming and leaves room for more inaccuracy. WebSan Solutions has developed an add-on to eliminate spreadsheets in order to create efficiency within your organization.

The benefits of our system include:

• Seamless integration with Dynamics GP database
• Handle Canadian VAT (value added tax) and US taxes seamlessly
• Track days off, holiday and vacation time
• Internal reporting for timesheet status, expense reports, and history
• Supports attaching receipts and documents to expense and timesheets
• No need to use PDK to approve timesheets, ONE complete integrated solution
• Full browser interoperability, so you can use your favorite browser and not just IE.

We fully integrate with Microsoft Dynamics GP, there are no firewall issues and our solution is 90% easier to setup and use! To find our more information about our Time and Expense Management System, contact us today!

Natalie Williams, Marketing Coordinator, WebSan Solutions Inc.

There is much heated debate about CRM systems in the marketplace. Many companies have invested thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars into a new CRM system that the sales reps won't touch with a 10-foot pole.

The funny irony is that all companies have customers and all companies have some way of keeping information in a spreadsheet or accounting system of who their customers are and some characteristics of that customer. So why is it so difficult for companies to make the quantum leap forward to formalize their CRM processes?

What companies need to keep in mind when looking to formalize their CRM practices with an investment in technology is that the technology should facilitate their sales process and improve key sales metrics like:

• suspect to lead close ratios
• sales revenue per rep
• more effective use of marketing $

We specialize in both Salesforce.com and MS Dynamics CRM. Both are very capable systems, but what makes the difference is how the system is implemented and how it is inculcated into the organization to maximize adoption of the new system.

Contact us if you're thinking about an investment in CRM and we can help!

There's a lot of debate out there on forums regarding hosted ERP solutions.

Obviously, much success has been had with Software as a Service (SaaS) in the CRM (Customer Relationship Management) space, but CRM really isn't "mission critical." If a company chooses to outsource mission critical applications, such as shipping software, WMS, or manufacturing software, then what will happen if the company loses their internet connection?

There are many pros to going with a fully hosted solution over an on-premise solution. They include, but are not limited to:

• The initial cost for the ERP solution is usually significantly less than an on-premise solution.
• Total cost of ownership (TCO) over time can still be less than on-premise, depending on the outsource provider and their capabilities
• The initial implementation time line can also be accelerated by hosting because much of the underlying configuration infrastructure can be shared, therefore consulting time is minimized
• Internal IT support staff is not required for a hosted solution
• The hosting provider takes care of system updates, patches, regression testing, etc.

The one advantage on-premise solutions have over hosted is that they are indeed, on the premises of the client. They don't go down unless your business does, and then, you've got bigger fish to fry.

That being said, if you could combine the benefits of on-premise with the benefits of hosted, in a hybrid solution, then you would have the best of both worlds.

Look for a solution that offers to have your mission critical applications on site, like:

Professional services organizations (PSO's)– management consulting, marketing agencies, law firms, legal and financial firms – are some of the most difficult businesses to manage. This ever-changing industry relies heavily on the skills and services their people provide. Clients base their decision on the knowledge, expertise and advice given to them and as a result, it makes it hard for a PSO to sell and quantify their product. Accounting for invoices, tracking hours for each resource, overseeing projects and managing client relations can be a little overwhelming and for a budding PSO, challenges can become even more complex. Using a robust software solution such as WebSan’s Microsoft Dynamics GP solution for professional services can relieve companies in this industry from their financial and project management challenges by:

• Shortening deployment times with the use of tools which install the system within minutes, set up core functionality, and quickly transfer and update data.
• Providing more visibility in projects and their status – increasing customer satisfaction by improving collaboration with clients and employees.
• Connecting and streamlining business processes - billing, tracking hours, or invoicing.
• Optimizing efficiency and communication with customizable add-ons and solutions.

To learn more about the robust capabilities and comprehensive tools of Microsoft Dynamics GP, visit our website or contact us for a demo.

By: Mabelle Gonzales, Marketing Coordinator at WebSan Solutions Inc, a Canadian Certified Microsoft Dynamics Partner.

Microsoft is offering significant discounts to customers who migrate from Intuit Quickbooks, Exact (Macola) and Sage (all editions) to Dynamics GP.

Contact us for more details!

Today companies struggle with a volume of information that has the force of a tidal wave. You can either float or sink into that wave, depending on whether or not you can leverage the exponential growth of business data.

The current thinking around big data though, tends to be built around a very simplistic model. According to that, you acquire large amounts of data in lots of formats from various sources. Then apply some business intelligence into that mix and get your solution. However, this data has to make sense and be as simple as possible.

The world is changing…companies are looking more and more towards “the cloud” for their computing needs. It started with CRM systems, which some organizations consider “not business critical”, but now the cloud has encompassed full-blown Enterprise software and Microsoft Dynamics GP is no different.

So what is driving this trend towards Hosted solutions? Is it cost? Is it efficiency, or is it just a passing fad?

Aberdeen (c) reports recently released a study that highlighted the fact that the number of small to medium companies looking towards hosted solutions has increased substantially since 2009.

What’s driving organizations into the Cloud?

What I’ve found with my Clients and interactions with “soon to be” Clients is that cost is not the biggest driver pushing people into the Cloud. It’s strategy and focus. In other words, some organizations realize that their expertise does not lie with maintaining servers and upgrading system patches. They reserve those efforts for others while they remain laser-focused on growing their business effectively and efficiently. They let others worry about keeping their systems up to date and working properly…as they should.

When a company can find a “best of breed” accounting system like MS Dynamics GP available in the Cloud as a Hosted solution, then the decision is relatively simple. Microsoft has ingeniously developed a business model whereby their VARs (Value Added Resellers) can now offer Dynamics GP as a Hosted system. It’s quite competitively priced against other Cloud ERP systems (eg: NetSuite). Since Microsoft is still heavily investing R&D $’s in the future of MS Dynamics GP, the competition is going to struggle to keep up.

Outlined below is a list of features that are planned to be released from April 2023 through September 2023 for Dynamics 365 Sales. Copilot Effortlessly elevate your sales pitch using Copilot email assistance Revenue Intelligence Manage opportunities more effectively using the new pipeline view Improve forecast accuracy with yearly and weekly forec...

As 2013 comes to a close, we are all considering our New Year’s Resolutions to make 2014 the best year ever. This is a great opportunity to consider last minute adjustments for fine-tuning your business. Remember to follow all the recommended year-end procedures so that all associated systems are ready for the challenges of the New Year.

• Reconcile all your books - Prepare your Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss Statement, Statement of Cash Flows and Statement of Retained Earnings.
• Complete the posting procedures and the closing procedures for all relevant modules.
• Post the final adjusting entries in General Ledger.
• Make a backup.
• Print any year-end financial statements that are required.
• Set up a new fiscal year.
• Close the fiscal year.

Another thing to verify as part of the year-end closing process is the company’s backup procedures. Many organizations have poor or non-existent backup procedures. If there is a hardware failure, the organization may not have a secure offsite copy of its business data to ensure things can pick back up quickly. WebSan provides top cloud security with our Hosted Dynamics GP solution, maintained in our state-of-the-art SAS 70 certified data centre located in Toronto

If you want to learn more about year-end procedures in Microsoft Dynamics GP, join our webinar on Thursday, December 19^th, at 11:00 am EST and learn how to successfully close your books.

We help you make it a success every year!

Doriana Kote, Marketing Assistant, WebSan Solutions Inc., a Channel Elite Awards Winner for 2013

WebSan Solutions is featured again in the Globe and Mail Challenge Revisited column, where experts provide advice to help small and medium – sized companies overcome key issues. This time WebSan, is showcasing the challenge of clients failing to stick to their testing and training schedules.

Andrew King, Managing Director of WebSan Solutions Inc., explains how he had a problem that was spiralling out of control. “How do I manage a positive client relationship while enforcing my contractual terms?” he wondered last spring.

Check out the full article here: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-growth/the-challenge/what-happens-when-customers-are-naughty-not-nice/article16003601/

Doriana Kote, Marketing Assistant, WebSan Solutions Inc., a Channel Elite Awards Winner for 2013

Almost every single company I speak with today asks me about our hosting services for Dynamics GP. I think it's due to a few factors :

- The economy is forcing many companies to lean out costs in non-core areas. Maintaining IT equipment, backups, and  service pack upgrades are not exactly value-add for many organizations. Hosting your ERP system in the "Cloud" alleviates those responsibilities to a third party that you can hold accountable.

- Internet access is becoming more and more reliable every day. Every single prospective Client asks me about disaster recovery plans. The fact of the matter is that our ability to recover from a disaster is probably far better than any Client we have. One simple alternative a laptop with a battery and an internet stick from a mobile phone supplier. The odds are that our hosted system will be up...Clients just need a way to get onto the internet.

- The environment and sustainability is becoming more important every day. Did you know that subscribing to an ERP system, rather than installing it on your local server actually saves energy? All of our Clients' systems are shared on virtualized servers, thereby reducing electricity and the carbon footprint of the entire solution.

So there are some key benefits of looking to the "Cloud" for your ERP needs. If you think it's for you, don't hesitate to give us a ring.

On July 19th WebSan held a SmartList Builder Webinar. We discussed how to link tables and calculate fields, create defaults for more user-friendly environment and create summary SmartLists. To be kept up to date with our latest webinars, send us a message or e-mail us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You can view the recorded webinar and other Microsoft Dynamics GP training videos at our YouTube Channel.

I’ve heard people say that Software as a service (SaaS) is the “best thing since life’s bread” and I’ve also heard others claim that it’s just the newest thing and it will pass.

The best analysis I’ve seen on the subject came from an associate of mine, Pat Gray, in his blog on “Cloud Computing for Mere Mortals”.

His analogy was that determining whether SaaS is right for your company is the same as making a “make/buy” decision when procuring product for a company. You have to take a look at the ENTIRE picture (cost, strategy, capabilities…) to determine the right course of action.

For instance, if I’m selling coffee, then I need to look at the costs of procuring it from the various sources out there, or is it more economical for me to purchase a coffee plantation in South America and make my own beans? If I’m not really in the business of managing coffee growers directly, then why don’t I focus on what I’m good at, the marketing and sale of coffee, rather than the actual manufacturing of it?

Dynamics GP vs. Hosted Dynamics GP

This is the same analysis I need to do when evaluating whether to purchase Dynamics GP or subscribe to Hosted (SaaS) Dynamics GP:

Did you know you can receive up to $100K in government funding through IRAP Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program(DTAPP)?

DTAPP is a component of the Government of Canada’s overall strategy to boost the productivity of small and medium – sized enterprises (SMEs) and improve Canada’s digital economy. The contribution acts a cost sharing mechanism and will be applicable to the expenses associated with the analysis, implementation and customization of new software or the direct labor and consulting components of implementing new digital technologies. If your proposal is accepted by the program, the government will also provide up to 80% of the payroll costs and 75% of the applicable sub-contractors fees for a project up to $100k contribution.

To be eligible for DTAPP services or funding, your firm must:

• have 500 employees or less
• be incorporated, for-profit and operate in Canada
• be growth oriented
• demonstrate plans to carry out a project designed to adopt digital technologies

WebSan Solutions Inc. will work with you and your company to find the best small-medium enterprise solution that will help your business grow and become more efficient. If you are considering implementing a new ERP project, contact us to learn more about the IRAP DTAPP funding opportunity.

Doriana Kote, Marketing Assistant, WebSan Solutions Inc.