Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics GP Implementation and Support Business Portal and Dexterity

Below we provide highlights on Microsoft Dynamics GP technology and functionality

o Microsoft Dynamics GP Business Portal. This is common trend among ERP vendors, such as Oracle, Microsoft, SAP – to move their MRP interface to internet browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer. Compare with Microsoft CRM, for example – all CRM modules interfaces are in Explorer. Business Portal is Sharepoint application, which integrates with GP via eConnect (set of SQL stored procedures in its business logic core, imitating GP Microsoft Dexterity functionality and encapsulating GP objects). BP opens for you such web applications/GP modules as Requisition Management (former eRequisition), Order Management (former eOrder), Human Resources and Employee Self Service with employee time cards entry logic. If you deploy project accounting module, Business Portal opens for you project time logs (if you are familiar with PDK – this is web extension).

o BP Customization or Integration. At this point we can create new logic in BP, however if you expect to customize business logic of existing modules – this is in perspective. BP customization is in hands of Visual Studio.Net C# developer who is familiar with Rational XDE and Microsoft Dynamics GP business logic. As Business Portal doesn’t allow direct SQL data access – you should not expect similar data repair approach as you probably had for Microsoft Dynamics GP Dexterity custom extensions

o Microsoft Dexterity, former Great Plains Dexterity. Don’t worry, it is there – if you utilize heavy Dexterity modification logic, we can support and upgrade it for you if you have DYNAMICS.DIC or EXTRACT.DIC with dex sanscript not stripped out there. If you have Dex customization, we don’t recommend you to upgrade it inhouse as it requires professional dex software developer help, due to the nature of GP Dex customization architecture – Dex allows you to modify exsiting GP screens, such as SOP Entry form, when GP releases new version – this or other forms are typically enhanced and so, Dex old version alternate form custom logic should be redeployed.

Crystal Reports For Microsoft RMS – Overview For Developer / Report Designer

If you are software developer or database administrator – we would like to give you the clues on Crystal Report creation for Microsoft RMS

  1. Database: Microsoft SQL Server or MSDE – this means that you can deploy native SQL driver for connection or use ODBC for flexibility.
  2. Tables Structure – it is extremely self-explanatory: Customer, Transaction (invoices, returns, layaways and others), TransactionAmount, Cashier, Tender to give you examples
  3. Links – Usually master table has ID column and Transaction-related table links by [Entity] ID column: Transaction.CustomerID = Customer.ID to give the idea. This query will give you customer info of sales transaction: select b.FirstName, b.LastName, a. * From [Transaction] a join Customer b on a.CustomerID = b.ID. Please pay attention to the brackets around Transaction – transaction is reserved word in MS Transact SQL – the Microsoft blend of SQL92
  4. Hints on dataflow / synchronization – Microsoft RMS uses worksheets technology and all the data goes from stores to headquarters database through worksheets. Headquarters database does not create its own transactions – so be careful and do not try this type of data integration.
  5. SQL Views and Stored Procedures – yes – feel free to create them directly in RMS Headquarters database and deploy in your Crystal Report.
  6. Advanced Techniques – in MS SQL Enterprise Manager you can create Linked Server to all ODBC / OLEDB compliant databases: Ctree, PervasiveSQL / Btrieve, MS Access, ORACLE, DB2, Unidata, Navision (C / ODBC) and using OPENROWSET construction you can create geterogeneus view and stored proc – then you can have the data from multiple systems in your Crystal Report.

Happy designing and developing! if you want us to do the job or use our product – give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

Microsoft Windows Vista Keeps Restarting Problem – Here Is Your Solution

If you have Windows Vista installed on your computer, you might have experienced the common automatic restarting problem that runs in a loop in your PC. It might be caused by the latest updates you installed in your Windows Vista, a corrupted registry, a virus infection, or a system restore etc. Looking for a certified Microsoft tech support that resolves this issue online would be your first option and taking your PC to a local repair shop would be the last one. You might also think about fixing the problem on your own, provided that you were a computer geek. However, it is not possible for you to get hold of every solution at the same time the problem arises. Therefore, in order to help you out, we have brought you a step-by-step solution guide that would resolve all your queries in the friendliest manner.

Before we jump in to see the various solutions for this problem, we need to understand what can cause this problem. Below are some of the common reasons for Windows Vista Restarting issue:

Windows Updates – One of the common problems, the Windows updates automatically update the PC by installing latest security and software features so that it remains secured and runs faster and smoothly. However, sometimes such updates may cause problems if these are not installed properly or give error messages after installation etc.

FBISM.EXE – It is an executable Windows file found in OpenVMS, Symbian, DOS, and Microsoft Windows systems etc. Though, it is not a known virus, Trojan, or spyware among other malicious programs but it may bring several error messages including ‘Blue Screen of Death’; lead to system crash; corrupt Windows registry; or invite security troubles to your PC.

Virus Infection – The most common problem; a virus, Trojan, malware, or spyware etc. can make your Windows Vista restart over and over again without giving you a change to log onto your computer.

System Restore – A system restore may prompt your PC to restart again and again.

Corrupted Registry – A corrupted registry leads to error messages in your PC and stop it from functioning well and starting repeatedly.

Solutions

Below are some of the popular and easy-to-perform methods that should resolve ‘Windows Vista keeps restarting’ problem: For FBISM.EXE:

  • Ensure the PC is all connected and powered on
  • Ensure the PC is all up and running, click on ‘Start’, and then click on ‘Run’
  • When a small ‘Run’ window appears, type ‘msconfig’ and hit ‘Enter’
  • When a window pop ups, click on the ‘Start Up’ tab
  • Select the FBISM.EXE file and uncheck the box
  • Click on ‘Apply’ and close the window
  • Then restart the PC

For Corrupted Registry:

  • Ensure the PC is all connected and powered on
  • Ensure the PC is all booted up
  • Ensure the internet connection is active and running
  • Download the registry repair software from a website
  • Run the software and it’ll fix all the problems related to corrupted registry

For System Restore:

  • Ensure your PC is all connected, powered on, and booted up
  • Remove all the CDs, DVDs, or floppy disks from the PC
  • Restart your computer in ‘Safe Mode’
  • When restarted, press and hold the ‘F8’ key on the keyboard while the PC is restarting or rebooting. Then, press ‘F8’ key before the Microsoft Windows logo appears. When the Windows logo flashes on the screen, wait until the Windows log on prompt appears. When the prompt appears, shutdown the PC and restart again.
  • Restart the PC and start Windows normally if you want to exit the ‘Safe Mode’.

For Virus Infection:

  • Ensure your PC is all connected, powered on, and booted up
  • Run your antivirus scan on the PC; and if there is no antivirus installed on your PC, then get one installed.
  • Your antivirus will automatically detect and remove all the virus or spyware among other malicious programs
  • And if there is a problem removing viruses, then contact a Microsoft-certified professional to help you out.

So, that was the most comprehensive way to resolve this kind of problem. However, it may seem cumbersome, lengthy, and time consuming to you. Therefore, we recommend you to take help of Microsoft-certified professional so as to save your time and money. Why only Microsoft-certified professionals? Because, the product belongs to Microsoft and only a Microsoft-certified expert can get you the solution of your problem and the ultimate relief of not doing rounds of a local repair shop.

Enabling Informed Decision Making With Microsoft Dynamics Navision

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is the most sought after ERP (Enterprise resource planning) software in the market today. An ERP software integrates information from many business segments, both internal and external, into a single all-inclusive solution. A good ERP system helps an enterprise to stay on top of the deck, by delivering relevant corporate information related to vendors, previous orders, sales volume etc. all from a single point of access. This not only helps in making well-informed decisions, during a phase of rapid product development, but also lays down a solid foundation for continuous dynamic analysis; subsequently unfolding new growth strategies.

The Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP system, caters to small and medium size organizations and assists in the functioning of various business processes including sales and marketing, customer relationship management, finance, analytics and reporting, human resource management and many other core modules. Its simple interface and quick implementation, connects people and processes, to deliver a comprehensive solution.

The Dynamics NAV ERP system is a valuable addition, towards building an efficient organization architecture. Here are some factors that make it an industry leader amongst other ERP solutions:

  • Simple and user-friendly interface : Dynamics NAV offers a familiar navigation experience just like any other Microsoft programs. This means a minimal learning curve and easy adaptability to meet specific business needs.
  • Open source : Unlike other Microsoft products, Dynamics NAV stands out for being an open source system. This is a key differentiator as its flexibility suits the brisk nature of a modern enterprise. As organizations evolve, modifying the source code to meet custom requirements is possible through an open source code platform.
  • Easy integration with other Microsoft tools : Combining the Dynamics NAV architecture with Microsoft Office suite, Share Point and the Dynamics CRM package is easy. It offers more processing capabilities under the flagship software and reduces operational time for various tasks considerably.
  • On-premises or hosted : Many small and medium businesses have their servers in the office building itself and outsourcing their maintenance, installation etc. is common these days. Though many ERP software are restricted to either a third- party host or an on-premises operation, Microsoft NAV gives users the freedom for both.
  • Add-on customization : At a certain point, there might be a need for extra features, to execute highly specialized business operations. Add-ons designed by independent software vendors and certified by Microsoft neatly fill in these gaps. The NAV system offers an extensive list of add-ons created for specific verticals such as leasing, construction, life sciences and automation services.

Additionally, the Dynamics NAV ERP system is rich in offering manufacturing and supply capacity planning and forecasting. Forecasting and automation of key business processes such as creation of invoice receipts and purchase orders results in efficient use of resources and time. In a competitive business environment, deriving accurate information easily, aids better decision-making and a fluid workflow. An ERP system such as Microsoft NAV serves as an active operational backbone, seamlessly integrating information from multiple channels to facilitate well-informed decision-making.

How to Setup POP or IMAP Email Account in Microsoft Outlook

The article intends to describe the procedure of setting up a POP or IMAP email account in Microsoft Outlook. The instructions are simple and correct to the date, and have been designed for normal to advanced users. It is still recommended that you follow the instructions carefully to avoid stumbling upon common Microsoft Outlook problems.

Want to set up a POP3 or IMAP email account in Microsoft Outlook but don’t know how? If yes, then the article is for you. Microsoft Outlook is the most popular email client as it has been designed to work with most of the internet email server types like POP, IMAP, HTTP, Microsoft Exchange, or other 3rd party servers to send or receive emails. You are required to setup your email account if you want to use any of these server types. Sounds difficult? It is not actually. This step by step guide will help you setup your email account without even the help of an expert Microsoft tech support.

Instructions:

Launch Outlook, click on the File tab, click on Info, select Account Settings, and then again choose Account Settings from the drop down list. When the Account Settings window opens up, click on the E-mail tab, select New, click on Email Account, and then click on the Next button.

Click to choose the box next to Manually configure server settings or additional server types and then click on the Next button. In the next dialog box, select Internet E-Mail and then click on Next. In the Internet E-mail Settings window, enter your name and email address under the User Information, select Account Type POP3/IMAP etc. from the drop down menu, and enter incoming and outgoing mail server information in the respective fields.

Under the Logon Information heading, enter your user name (your email address here) and the password in the respective fields.

Click on the box ‘Remember password’ in order to make the Outlook remember your password whenever you login. Contact your ISP (internet service provider for the incoming and outgoing mail server information.

Click on the More Settings button and then click on the Next button. Click on the Outgoing Server tab, select My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication, and also select Use same settings as my incoming mail server. Click on the OK button to come back to the Internet Email Settings window.

Click on the Test Account Settings button to test your email settings. Click on Close when test settings return a successful message, click on Next, and then click on the Finish button. You have successfully setup your email account using the desired server type. Start sending or receiving emails.

Additional Tips:

The abovementioned procedure is intended for Microsoft Outlook 2010, the latest version of Outlook. However, the procedure for setting up any email account in Outlook remains the same or changes slightly.

It is must to enter all the information such as email address, password, name, server information correctly. Failing of which may result into error messages or issues like unable to connect to the server, not able to send or receive emails among others.

Microsoft Access – Refresh Or Requery?

When using Microsoft Access, many novice developers have difficulty understanding the difference between Me.Refresh and Me.Requery. So, let’s take a look at the differences between the two.

Here’s the short version:

Both Refresh and Requery save any changes made to the current record, however…

Me.Requery pulls all new data from the underlying table or query, including new additions and deletions;

Me.Refresh only updates the records in the current form, but will not show new or deleted records.

Here’s the long version:

Me.Requery forces the entire recordset (underlying data) for the form to reload. This means ALL of the records in your current form will reload. Your current position will be lost, so if you’re sitting on record 10 of 100, you’ll find yourself back on the first record. Me.Requery is essentially the same as closing and reopening the form. Any new records added by other concurrent users will be available. Likewise any records that have been deleted will disappear. Requery essentially “re-runs the query” that pulled the data into the form in the first place. You can also use requery to update the data in a list box or combo box.

Me.Refresh saves the current record that you’re working on. It will also retrieve any changes (but not additions or deletions) to any records shown in the current form. Any calculations on the form (unbound fields) are recalculated. Refresh does NOT reload the recordset. You do not lose your position in the form (you stay on the current record). Any new records added by other users will not be shown.

If you want to open another form or, especially, a report that contains the data on the current form, you need to issue a Me.Refresh command. I do this in my tutorial when we create the invoice based on the current order. You need a Me.Refresh to save the data to the table so that it will print correctly. You couldn’t use Requery because it will put you back on record 1 of the recordset, which might not be what you want.

There are also two other commands that get confused with refresh and requery a lot: Repaint and Recalc.

The Me.Repaint command simply redraws the current form and all of its controls on the screen. This is especially useful when you’re running a form with timers and long event loops and you want to force something on the screen (perhaps a counter) to update as the event is running, so the user doesn’t just sit there looking at nothing happening. Repaint doesn’t effect data.

The Me.Recalc command forces all of the calculated controls on the form to be reevaluated. For example, if you’re just showing Items * UnitCost in a text box, and it’s not updating, you could use Me.Recalc to force it to update. I’ve never honestly HAD to use Recalc before. Access is pretty good about recalculating automatically.

In my tutorials, I cover the Refresh command in a lot of different places. I start by showing you the Refresh macro command in Access 204. We then see it as a VB command in Access 302. I cover Requery in Access 206, 306 and 307. As of right now, I haven’t had to use Repaint or Recalc in any of my tutorials. Again, they’re very uncommon, but they’re available if you need them.

Mainstays of Microsoft CRM and SharePoint Hosting

Microsoft Customer Relationship Management- Seamless and Efficient

Microsoft Customer relationship management is a comprehensive CRM system designed to help businesses transform their modus operandi in an all new way. By deploying Microsoft CRM, you can seamlessly and efficiently manage your sales, marketing and service delivery like never before.

5 Salient Features Of Microsoft Customer Relationship Management-

Deployment Flexibility-

MS CRM gives you the flexibility with deployment. You can choose to deploy it either as a cloud service or in house.

Real Time Insight-

It offers real time business intelligence by virtue of CRM dashboards and charts. Whether it’s sales history, purchase patterns or sales forecasts, it’s all at your disposal.

Access On The Go-

Excellent cross browser compatibility and free CRM apps help your staff members access vital data- anywhere, anytime.

Data Centralization-

Data centralization is another mainstay of MS CRM. It enables you centralize all your data in a single interface and integrate with other processes such as survey tools, email marketing, accounting, analytics to name a few.

Lowered Processing Costs-

On account of enhanced process efficiency due to email automation, lead scoring, call scripting etc, processing costs get reduced a big time.

WHY MICROSOFT SharePoint HOSTING?

Microsoft SharePoint Hosting barely needs an introduction. On account of the amazing features combined with impeccable security, it’s inarguably the best enterprise solution available.

You get rid of the long strings of email conversations by using discussion boards and also the hassle of maintenance and housing. Gone are the days when you had no option other than maintaining in house data servers. Microsoft SharePoint hosting allows you to maintain your server on high tech data centers. You get all the tools required to remotely manage your data without leaving your carbon footprint. Apart from optimum utilization of resources, full control and flawless administrative capability MS SharePoint has a lot to offer you. Below are some more reasons for opting MS SharePoint hosting.

1. Enhance Productivity

2. Flexible and Customizable

3. Increased Efficiency

4. Lowered Maintenance Costs

5. Access On The Go

The SharePoint hosting company will provide all the technical support so that you can run your business without any problems. If you are looking to start your own SharePoint hosting company, you are definitely making the right choice. It is the fastest growing product from Microsoft, with over 1000 million licenses sold. Over 17,000 companies have already adopted this system and many more are considering it.

What is the difference between Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office 365?

Because of the development of the cloud in recent years, where we can now access information remotely with a Wi-Fi connection and run our businesses on the move, products like Microsoft Office have developed to meet current demand. You can now opt to use Microsoft Office or Microsoft Office 365, but is there any real difference between the two?

The traditional MS Office is provided by one download and gives you access to the latest version of the software, usually for a price of around £ 100 plus (more if you go for the full business package). With MS Office 365, the software is provided by a subscription service where you pay for the number of users on a monthly basis, accessing your documents and tools such as Word and Excel through the cloud.

The Pros and Cons of Microsoft Office

You can get all the usual tools for Microsoft Office and for the most part there will appear to be no difference between this provision and the MS Office 365 package. You own the software outright and can use it on as many machines as the license permits. The problem is that when you want to update to a newer version you will need to download and pay for the package, along with licenses, again.

The Pros and Cons of Microsoft Office 365

There's a great deal to be said for the subscription service that Microsoft Office 365 offers. You can download it onto a number of devices, as you would for Microsoft Office, but that's just the start of the benefits.

  • First of all, it provides a cheaper outlay than with MS Office, with monthly subscriptions available from £ 3.10 per user per month.
  • You get more for your money with Microsoft Microsoft Office 365 with additional features and capabilities that can make a real difference to your business.
  • You can download it to a variety of devices including your smartphone which means that you are less dependent on your office pc and can work more effectively on the move.
  • In addition, you get all the updates needed automatically and can stay current with the new versions and also receive support 24/7.

The downside for Microsoft Office 365 is that there is little chance for customization but that shouldn't be a problem for most businesses. There is also the issue of security – the service is connected to the cloud which means you might assume the threat level to be higher. However, as you would expect, Microsoft have heavily invested in robust security systems.

Which is best for your Business?

A large number of SMEs and other businesses will see the benefits of moving to a platform such as Microsoft Office 365 , not least because of the cost benefits. The issue that many businesses will have is how 365 integrates with their other software and how flexible it is likely to be. The notion of being able to access important things like documents and emails practically anywhere in the world where there is a Wi-Fi connection is also highly desirable in today's fast paced commercial world.

Working through a good cloud service that includes a hosted email service that is highly secure means there are now no barriers to doing business. You can perform a host of tasks from web seminars, instant messaging and sharing documents between teams.

Bring in the right IT Consultancy

It's not just a question of signing up for Microsoft Office 365. If you want your business to be entirely secure and benefit from a host of web-enabled tools, you need to choose the right IT consultancy who can advise on what your business needs and what features will benefit you most.

Combat Flight Simulators – Microsoft

A combat flight simulator is a type of video game that simulates the operations of a military aircraft. They are different from normal flight simulators because these video games are used for military training, so they are more complex. Also, they often include shooting at enemies. Here are some simulators from Microsoft.

CFS WWII Europe Series (1998)

This is the first combat flight simulator that the Microsoft Game Studios created, and it was released on November 1, 1998. The setting of this video game is in the European Theater of WWII. It requires a minimum of Windows 95 to run. At the time, it had very good graphics, which preceded 2000. In this game, the ground was not very detailed, but it was programmed in open architecture, so it is possible to add extra software without breaking copyright laws.

This simulator includes many upgrades, such as a world flight mode, hundreds of aircraft to choose from, and much more. It can even be played online if you have an internet connection. Now, this game is out of print, but it can still be downloaded online. Currently, there is still an online multiplayer community for this game. It can be set up to play using your direct IP address.

Simulator 2: WWII Pacific Theatre (2000)

The next combat flight simulator Microsoft made was released in 2000. The setting of this video game is in the Pacific Theater of WWII, and it is loosely based on historic WWII battles. It was very popular at the time, and it requires a minimum of Windows 95 to run. This game was also programmed in open architecture, so many third parties created their own software to add on without breaking copyright laws.

This simulator includes seven kinds of fighter aircraft that the player can fly, some from the United States and some Japanese. It also includes eleven non-flyable aircraft, also from the United States and Japan. These eleven aircraft can be used as enemies or helpers to the flyable ones. The flyable aircraft can be launch rockets, bombs, or be fighter aircraft. In this game, the player can change the weather, but the scenery stays the same. There are also some moving objects that the player can target and destroy.

Simulator 3: Battle for Europe (2002)

The final simulator that Microsoft developed came out in 2002. It requires a minimum of Windows 98 to play. This is an updated version of the first combat flight simulator. It still takes place in the European Theater of WWII, but it includes more options. There is a campaign mode, and based on how well the player does, the player controls how long and who wins in the war. This means that it is possible for the Germans to win against England, or the Allies to win before D-day.

This simulator is in a much more complex format than its predecessor. This makes additional software for it much harder to make. However, there are still add-ons and expansion packs currently being made. It also has improved graphics and sounds. Some expansion kits can add extra nationalities, a Mediterranean Theater, new planes, the Tunisian Campaign, or the Korean War. However, this one is still criticized because one player cannot affect the campaign much.

Microsoft Game Studios created some of the most popular combat flight simulators. They made a total of three, each one adding extra content and complexity, and each taking place in European or Pacific Theater of World War II.

Support For Microsoft And its Benefits

Microsoft is the biggest PC manufacturer of the world today, and its list of additional PC hardware components add to its sales and bracket of being the frontrunner among the rest. Price competitiveness and utilization of latest advancements in technology are some other characteristics that add to its popularity and delivery of quality services. Products manufactured by Microsoft are today sold in all the countries around the world that are manufactured for both home and business users.

The company today offers several products and services as a result of a number of acquisitions that it made since it was started in the year 1975. Besides computers and hardware, the company today offers Hotmail email service, Microsoft Office Suite that also includes MS Outlook email client, Mobile OS, Server Software, System Administration tools, Video Games, and more.

Microsoft’s products and services are known to be quality-based in every aspect and these have also been what have helped the company keep the top slot. Just like its products, Support for Microsoft is another unique service that is offered by Microsoft. At times you could experience an issue with any of such products or services delivered by this company, and at that time you could rely on such support services to get your issue resolved.

Microsoft support services can be availed today through a number of channels. For instance, if you have recently purchased a product or service that is being covered by a warranty, you could call up Microsoft’s customer support number to get the issue resolved. If it is not covered by warranty, or has run out of it, you could choose to either purchase one to get live support services, or you could make use of online “Self Help” sections on Microsoft’s website to resolve the issue on your own.

Using such “Self Help” articles is always a recommended medium, since these not only help you with the resolution, but also educate you about how you could solve it in future should you come across any such issue again. You could also consult some technician living around you if you are not able to solve it by yourself. He would charge you with a fee, but having your issue resolved will not let you regret your decision.

If you want someone to help you out over the phone, you could turn to an independent support company that employs several experts who are well-versed with all kinds of technical issues, and after identifying the cause of your issue would start working on fixing it right away by taking remote login access to your computer after seeking your permission to do so. They also charge you a fee, but that is usually low, and would never let you feel the burden of spending much.

You could consult some online reviews to find the most compatible support plan for you, which also lies well within your budget.

Freelance Web Designer | WordPress Developer | Hong Kong