Dynamics GP Demo Version Download and Deployment Notes

If you are evaluating candidates for future Corporate ERP system, we would like to share with you the way to download Dynamics GP, install it for evaluation period of 90 days and review the functionality. This application was in the past also known as Great Plains Dynamics, eEnterprise, please do note that its predecessor - Great Plains Accounting for DOS, Windows and Mac had different code base and its logic differs, so you may need some training to begin intuitively recognize new screens in Dynamics GP, if you are planning GPA to Dynamics GP upgrade path:

1. Download current version Dynamics GP 10.0 CDs from MSDN subscription website. As GP is recommended as mid-market Corporate ERP, if you are doing evaluation, please check with your IT department if your organization has MSDN subscription. If you do not have MSDN subscription, please email us or give us a call, we will send you instructions

2. Install Dynamics GP evaluation version. We recommend you to install evaluation on Windows XP or Vista workstation, where you preliminary install Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition. In order to install on Vista, please disable User Account Control. If you are installing on XP Pro Service Pack 3 with Microsoft Office 2007 loaded, there are known issues. Please, read about DexSkipDotNetCheck.mst and skipdotnetcheck.ms methods. You will need to download these files, give as a call or email. When you have GP installation in progress, please do not enter registration key - this will put you in evaluation mode for 90 days automatically

3. Evaluation recommendations. When you run Dynamics GP Utilities, please select number of Segments 3 or more and first, second and third segment respectively 3 characters or more, 4 characters or more and 2 characters or more. If you choose these settings, you should be able to install Fabrikam Lesson Company (TWO database in MS SQL Server). In Fabrikam you could see most of the GP modules, you can even load Manufacturing, Field Services, Fixed Assets, Human Resources, Project Accounting sample data. Plus major Dynamics GP ISV Partners Add-ons have sample data loading utility for evaluation. Plus you can download and install such integration tools as eConnect SDK, in case if you have ecommerce integration needs and would like your programmers to try it as well

4. What you cannot do in evaluation version. You cannot install and try FRx Financial Reporting, Integration Manager. However for most of these technologies, you can use Microsoft Business Solutions demo presentations, just make internet search and you should be able to find web demos or movies from Microsoft associated sites or from Dynamics GP Partners

5. If you are migrating away from Small Business Accounting applications, such as QuickBooks, PeachTree, or if you are downgrading from full features Corporate ERP, such as Oracle eBusiness Suite, Epicor, PeopleSoft, you will likely need data conversion phase. If your legacy accounting doesnt have migration tool to Microsoft Dynamics GP, please try to figure out data export options, in this case you can use Dynamics GP Integration Manager for Data Migration and Conversion

6. Upgrade from Archaic Great Plains versions: 7.5, 7.0, 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.0, also from Great Plains for Pervasive SQL or Ctree (version 7.5 and lower), Great Plains Accounting for DOS, Windows and Macintosh: 9.5, 9.2, 9.1 or earlier. If this is your plan - please note that you have to be current in Dynamics GP annual enhancement program to have access to recent GP version 10.0 (we are writing these lines in October 2009, if this time is too historical, check with Microsoft which version of Dynamics GP is current at the time). If you are not current in the program, then you may expect some discounts in reenrollment or software licenses repurchase

7. If you are looking for Dynamics GP implementation for multinational corporation. Please, note, that GP is localized in English speaking countries: USA, Canada, UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, South East Asia, plus in Spanish Speaking Latin America, Caribbean, in French it is available in Quebec in Canada. GP doesnt support Unicode (this is limitation for Hieroglyph based languages: Chinese, Japanese, Korean). Great Plains has support from local Dynamics GP Partner in Poland. It is also technically possible to translate some GP screens to Russian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Brazilian Portuguese and other ASCII compliant languages of East Europe and the World, however we do not recommend this approach, as Corporate ERP localization typically goes beyond screen translations and includes local tax legislation compliance. In the case if GP is not localized for proposed country, we recommend you to consider Dynamics AX Axapta first (especially if you are committed to Microsoft Business Solutions and Microsoft Windows platform) and then SAP Business One does wonderful job and both of these (AX and SB1) are localized for larger number of countries and support Unicode. Axapta is good option is your overseas subsidiary is upper mid-size or large organization. SAP B1 in its turn is good fit if your international branch is smaller

8. How to get help? Please, feel free to call us: 1-866-528-0577, outside of USA: 1-630-961-5918 or email us help@albaspectrum.com We are very technical and real Dynamics GP Dexterity, SAP Business One SDK programming gurus. We have Great Plains Software Development Factory and could support unlimited Dynamics GP Customization and Programming needs. Plus we speak English, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and not only as native speaking sales folks, but as real technical consultants. If you prefer skype: albaspectrum

Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum , help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577 http://www.albaspectrum.com Serving ERP and MRP community since 1994, local service in Chicago, Houston, San Diego, Atlanta, Los Angeles. Information portal: http://www.pegasplanet.com We serve you USA and Canada nationwide from our Dynamics GP and SAP Business One call center: California, Illinois, New York, Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Ontario, Quebec, Washington, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Oregon, New York, New England. International clients welcome from Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, South Africa, UK, Brazil, Caribbean, Russia, Central America: Honduras, Costa Rica, San Salvador, Panama, Nicaragua, Guatemala