When I discuss making some customizations to a client’s Microsoft Dynamics SL system, the usual response is “we don’t want to customize the system too much.” Often, there is the misconception that any customization means developing new code outside of Microsoft Dynamics. While some business needs will require custom code to be written, using the Dynamics SL Customization Manager actually leverages the system and is fully supported by Microsoft.The Customization Manager allows users to modify standard Microsoft Dynamics SL screens quickly and easily. Modification capabilities range from simple changes that the system administrator or user can make to complex customizations that are best performed by a programmer or consultant with … [Read more...] about Customization Manager in Dynamics SL – Use It to Safely Configure the System to Your Business Needs
The Power of Time-Phased Requisition Management
Microsoft Dynamics NAV has a powerful and easy-to-use Requisition Worksheet that will tell customers what inventory they need to buy based on the parameters set up on the item card. Many NAV users take advantage of this capability; however, many don’t realize how to use it properly.Too often, I find NAV users who have their inventory setup for Min/Max for all their items. Although Min/Max is a legitimate replenishment choice for some items, for most items it would be beneficial to set them up as Lot-for-Lot.Whereas Min/Max will look at your current stocking levels, your demand, and your planned replenishment, Lot-for-Lot time phases your requirements, grouping demand into time buckets per the review time period setup on the item. … [Read more...] about The Power of Time-Phased Requisition Management
Interfacing with Excel in VB Code
It can be very useful to work directly with Excel in a VB program, either as a source of data or as a destination for it. When given an Excel file as a data source, it would be possible to use Excel to save the file in a csv format for import as a text file, but that adds a step to the process (never welcomed by users). As for using Excel as a destination, that provides an alternative to creating a report; additionally, one that can be manipulated by the user. Conveniently, the coding is similar in both cases.To work with Excel in VB.Net, first you will need to add a reference to Excel (via the References Page).The exact library will depend on the version of Excel on the machine. It is also necessary to import that library into … [Read more...] about Interfacing with Excel in VB Code
June 18 Event – Microsoft Dynamics ERP Shootout
Don’t Miss This Head-to-Head Evaluation of the Leading ERP Solutions from Microsoft DynamicsFinding the right accounting and ERP solution to help improve operational efficiency for your organization is critical to your success, but narrowing the field to one that fits your needs and budget can be overwhelming and time-consuming.Jump start your enterprise selection projects and join us June 18 from 8:30 a.m. – noon at this FREE event.We will dissect and compare the most popular Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions on the market, including Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, and Microsoft Dynamics SL, to enable you to see, feel, and determine which solution best serves your specific business needs.The presentations will review … [Read more...] about June 18 Event – Microsoft Dynamics ERP Shootout
Currency Translation in Management Reporter 2012 CU8
Currency Translation was added in Management Reporter in the CU8 update. This allows you to switch between currencies on the fly when printing the report to the web viewer by clicking on the Currencies button and selecting which currency you wish the report to display in:Before this will work, however, you need to have all currencies setup in the Multicurrency Setup in GP, as shown here:First, mark the Currency ID check box next to the currency you wish to add to the Exchange table. Then, assign the Current, Historical, Average, and Budget Exchange Table IDs. (For more information on setting up Multicurrency, I would recommend taking a look at the documentation for it in the GP code folder.)Once the currencies are setup, the … [Read more...] about Currency Translation in Management Reporter 2012 CU8
Microsoft Dynamics NAV Change Log
Microsoft Dynamics NAV is a configurable system where the effect of changing data element values can have significant effect on your processes. For this reason, it is important to be able to track manual changes to data that could result in an adverse effect on your business. Microsoft Dynamics NAV addresses this issue through the use of the Change Log. This feature allows the system administrator to identify data fields that are to be monitored. Once turned on, NAV will track changes to the specified data including who made the changes, from what, to what and when the changes were made.Here is how you turn on Change Log in NAV 2013:From Departments → Administration → IT Administration → General, you can access the Change Log setup … [Read more...] about Microsoft Dynamics NAV Change Log
Distributor or Manufacturer? Microsoft Dynamics NAV is the Choice for Both
Many companies today have a hard time being pigeonholed as either a manufacturer or a distributer, when they are a combination with both sides being important in the life of the business. Companies that many consider a manufacturer often have a smaller but important distribution portion of the business, and vice versa. I have worked with a couple of distribution companies that not only started manufacturing products, but in a number of cases, the manufacturing became the primary focus of the company and what drove growth and profit. I have also worked with a number of manufacturing companies that distributed not only their product but sometimes the supplies those products require.How do you select an ERP software package when you are so … [Read more...] about Distributor or Manufacturer? Microsoft Dynamics NAV is the Choice for Both
How to Draw Boxes around Columns in Management Reporter
Many of you may already be aware that Management Reporter (MR) for Microsoft Dynamics ERP offers a format code for row definitions that allows you to make a box around a row or multiple rows. But, what if you want to draw a box around a column? If you review the options in the column definition screen, you will find that there is no option to create column boxes. However, the format code in the row definitions can be used to create a box around a column.Think of a box around a column as a box around all the rows, restricted to just one column. To create your column box, go to your row definition screen and use the BXB (Begin Box around Rows) code in column C (Format Code) as the first line, and enter the column you want for your box … [Read more...] about How to Draw Boxes around Columns in Management Reporter
Negative Lines on Sales Orders or Purchase Orders in NAV
Many Microsoft Dynamics NAV users do not realize that NAV will accept a negative line on either a Sales Order or a Purchase Order, as well as on a Sales Invoice or Purchase Invoice.Negative lines can be an easy way to process returns or exchanges from customers or to vendors. The only limitation is the result of the posted transaction (Sales Invoice or Purchase Invoice) cannot have a negative balance. As long as the transaction posted is not negative, everything will post. Some users have used the negative line functionality to add charges to documents like Sales Returns; through the use of a negative line, they are able to add a restocking or other fee without affecting the value of the item being returned. Negative lines are … [Read more...] about Negative Lines on Sales Orders or Purchase Orders in NAV
Document Attachments in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013
A long awaited feature for Microsoft Dynamics GP has finally been added into the core product. That feature is Document Attachment Management and is available in the core GP 2013 product. When GP 2013 is installed, this feature is disabled by default but can be easily enabled with a straight forward setup window provided in Tools → Setup → Company → Document Attachment Setup. Documents are considered specific to a company, so if you have multiple companies the feature may be enabled in one company and not another, depending on your business needs. Document attachments can be used to associate electronic documents with various GP components, such as, but not limited to, Items, Sales Transactions, and Vendors. Any file that is available … [Read more...] about Document Attachments in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013
