If you have Dynamics GP, formerly known as Great Plains Dynamics and eEnterprise implemented in your organization, the second phase is to think about precise business logic mapping and implementation through customizations and light modifications. This article will shed some light on Dynamics GP modification tools, including Extender, Microsoft Dexterity and eConnect. Dynamics GP is a Corporate ERP, designed for mid-market. GP programming is quite challenging, getting proficient with Dynamics GP Dexterity programming can take months, so try to be realistic with your expectations:

Extender: It is the shell coded in Microsoft Dexterity. You can modify Dynamics GP with Extender by building new windows, interfaced to major GP modules, such as Sales Order Processing Transactions. In the Extender version, available directly from Microsoft Business Solutions you do not have the option to attach Sanscript Dexterity scripts to the objects. If scripts are desirable, you may consider purchasing Extender Enterprise directly from eOne Solutions - original Extender Dynamics GP ISV partner in Australia. In Extender Enterprise with Dynamics GP Version 10.0 there is no way to debug your Sanscript code, so it should be verified and probably be debugged in Microsoft Dexterity.

Microsoft Dexterity (formerly known as Great Plains Dexterity): This tool was initial architecture for Great Plains Dynamics. GP Dexterity was coded as a shell in C++ programming language to decouple Dynamics from Database Platform and Operating System dependencies back in earlier 1990s. Dexterity is a classic software development tool for Dynamics GP and majority of the add-ons are coded in Dex. You can take maximum advantage of Dexterity if you are working for Dynamics GP Dexterity Source Code Partner and have access to Dynamics GP Source Code (Dynamics.Dic with original Sanscript codes in it, whereas Dynamics.dic included in customer purchased Dynamics GP CD comes with Sanscript codes stripped off). Dexterity can modify virtually all the Dynamics GP window without restrictions, plus you can build new tables, forms, windows, triggers. If you are Dexterity Sanscript programmer with ten or more years of experience - Dynamics GP customization is familiar land for you and you are unlimited in your abilities. If you do not have Dexterity developers with two years experience in staff, consider outsourcing Dynamics GP Dexterity programming project to Great Plains Technology Partner.

eConnect for Microsoft Dynamics GP: This tool and SDK was initially dedicated to Great Plains eCommerce software developers to open GP Accounting Back Office realm for ecommerce shopping cart integration. Typically ecommerce shopping cart is integrated into GP Sales Order Processing Invoice with Credit Card Payment in the form of Customer Deposit. eConnect was introduced for Great Plains Dynamics version 7.0, and later on was expanded to other GP modules: General Ledger, Purchase Order Processing, Inventory Control, Receivable Management, Payable Management, Payroll, Project accounting to name few examples. In our personal opinion, eConnect came to its maturity in Dynamics GP version 9.0, so we recommend you to upgrade your Microsoft Dynamics GP system to current version 10.0 or at least to 9.0. eConnect has to follow Dynamics GP architecture restrictions, this is why it is impossible to post ecommerce batches (or any GP batches in general) from eConnect application directly. If you need automatic batch posting directly from eConnect integration project, consider deploying Alba Spectrum Posting Server GP add-on.

Author: Andrew Karasev, Partner, Alba Spectrum [help@albaspectrum.com | 1-866-528-0577]
Serving ERP and MRP community since 1994, local service in Chicago, Houston, San Diego, Atlanta, Los Angeles.