Business & Technology Synergy

Microsoft Dynamics GP version 10.0 was released in Summer 2007 and now there is the season of GP software upgrades from earlier versions: 9.0, 8.0, 7.5, 7.0, 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.0 and GPA for DOS migration to Dynamics GP. If you are on non Microsoft SQL Server version, such as Pervasive SQL 2000/Btrieve or Ctree/Faircom – you need one additional step – Migration to Microsoft SQL Server GP version. Nationwide remote support is possible due to the availability of such technologies as web sessions (gotomeetings and others), VPN connections and Remote Desktop Connections. In this small article we would like to share with you GP support techniques:
 

Web Sessions. This technology allows remote support engineer and your GP user see the same screen and transfer keyboard and mouse control to each other as needed plus be in phone conference either via phone conferencing or such technologies as skype. VOIP allows GP support engineers to call US customers from such traditional offshore support locations as India or Philippines
 

GP Project Management and Specking out. The remote support practice shows that PM should be done locally in USA to provide industry knowledge and English language proficiency. Project Managers who serve you have at least 7 years of local US Great Plains Dynamics implementation experience. The offshore technology scenarios at this time require US based consultants as lead project managers and estimators
 

Ongoing Support. Remote support technology allows you to save on ongoing GP support. Such issues as batch posting crash, where consultant needs to recover SY00500 and SY00800 tables, for example. Also for earlier GP version, such as prior to 9.0 hanging user kicking out is also support scenario – you have to either kick out user from GP system interface or use delete activity where userid = ‘john’ script. We are giving you typical simple scenarios just for picturing the support needs, in real world data fixing is more complex
Software Sales. If you are thinking about GP upgrade and you are currently not in GP annual enhancement program, you should give us a call on how to be reenrolled – this will allow you to get new GP version reg key
 

Also please review remote support options below:

As you probably heard, in September 2005 Microsoft strategically renamed its ERP applications: Microsoft Great Plains into Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Navision into Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Axapta into Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft CRM into Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft Solomon into Microsoft Dynamics SL. As so-called Project Green is rolling out – you should expect more logic to be transferred into Microsoft Business Portal, and into Microsoft Outlook (currently Microsoft CRM has outlook client and Microsoft Small Business Accounting allows you to generate invoices in Outlook directly, plus promote contacts from Outlook to SBA).
 

As we see and expect new high-tech and business systems market trends – remote and offshore support will be taking substantial market share in 2006-2010. Microsoft event plans to have special partnership models for BPO (Business Processes Outsourcing) partners, who will enter your AP/AR documents into the system and prepare reporting for you.
In this small article we’ll consider the alternatives and directions of Microsoft Great Plains offshore remote support:
 

• Technical Feasibility. As we are watching the parade of remote internet-based technologies: Terminal Services, Citrix, Web Sessions, Skype, PCAnywhere, Vonage/VOIP (with US based phone numbers, physically located offshore), we think that this is just a matter of time (let’s give it five years – up to 2010) when consultant driving to the client physical location/office will go to history
• Time Zones. Well – yes – you are right. Other countries are located in different time zones, especially Great Plains gurus in Philippines (remember Match Data Great Plains Project Accounting?). Philippines and India are almost 12 hours away from USA. However South America is about at the same time belt – Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico – these are probably smaller clusters of offshore & BPO companies, but the advantage of time zone is obvious
• Pure Offshore vs. Local Consulting. Again – the choice is yours – in our opinion pure offshore is not the best option – offshore consultants and developers should be also experienced in serving clients face-to-face, this means – they should have local consulting practice in their local countries.
• Dexterity, VBA, Web Services. Here we are coming down to IT people – in our opinion the best offshore project is Microsoft Dexterity (or Great Plain Dexterity) software development
• Lovely Islands. If you are in Bermuda, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Palau, Fiji, Tahiti – you are probably underserved and have to overpay to consultants flying from Miami, Manila, Paris, Chicago, NY, LA. The same should be told about USA/Canada rural communities
• ERP Historical Trend. Well, if you stake on Microsoft Business Solutions – you still might have legacy of products: IBM Lotus Notes Domino, Oracle Financials/Applications/E-Business Suite, SAP, PeopleSoft, JDEdwards, Accpac, Siebel, SalesLogix. You might need integration, data conversion, customization and heterogeneous reporting. Again – in our opinion you should consider budget offshore solution for these developers-time consuming projects
• Brazil – rising star of offshore software development. Usually offshore development is attributed to India – in our opinion Brazil has equal or better chances – in Brazil we have Microsoft Navision, CRM and Axapta clientele. From Brazil we can serve you Portuguese (mainland Portugal) and Spanish (Spain-Madrid-Barcelona-Malaga-Bilbao, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Chili, Argentina, Costa Rica, Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Panama, Beliz)
• BPO. Currently we offer these services from India. We have investments in our Indian subsidiary and it is strategic for BPO market
 

ALBA Partners:

GP Business Portal

Great Plains Accounting for DOS & Windows

Microsoft CRM

SAP Business One

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