A Dynamics GP 2013 Review by a Certified Dynamics GP Consultant

Whether you are outgrowing entry-level accounting software, rubber-banding an outdated legacy solution, or simply tired of paying annual maintenance fees to a vendor that provides little to no value for your money – now may just be the time to give your people and your business the tools to work forward.

The newly released Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 is an innovative, flexible solution that is fast to configure and deploy, easy to use, and provides forward-looking insights to help drive your business growth.  As Microsoft indicated in a recent press release, they developed their suite of enhancements for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 based on feedback received from customers, as well as market research, meaning it meets the needs of businesses today.

From my experience with the product thus far, I think Dynamics GP 2013 can be summed up by saying it’s a product all about choice.  Dynamics GP 2013 enables flexible options around deployment, access, and use that facilitate new opportunities.  From the innovative new Web client to partner-hosted, cloud or hybrid deployment options, how clients access and use the solution is now a matter of their preference and their convenience.

Now that Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 has been on the market for a number of months, users of the latest release of Dynamics GP are eager to share their experiences with the ERP solution.  Here, we highlight nine ways that Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 is enhancing the user experience.

How is Microsoft Dynamics GP Enhancing the User Experience?

1.       Reconcile checkbook to GL with Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013.

In the past, a common challenge faced by many Microsoft Dynamics GP users was reconciling differences between sub-ledger balances and the balance for the associated GL accounts.  The Reconcile to GL routine, added in Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0, automated much of the work required to reconcile differences for Receivables Management and Payables Management. In Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013, Microsoft has added the Bank Reconciliation module to the Reconcile to GL routine, helping users analyze differences between the checkbook balances in the Checkbook Balance Inquiry window and the associated General Ledger cash account for the checkbook.  Each reconciliation is specific to the defined checkbook.

2.       Fix errors with mass undo of depreciation.

This new feature provides users with the ability to back out depreciation for all, or a group, of assets.  The system currently has the functionality to reverse depreciation one asset at a time, which can be time consuming when the need arises to back out depreciation for a large number of assets.  This new functionality saves a significant amount of time for users by allowing depreciation to be backed out for large groups of assets with a single process.

3.       Improve reporting with fixed asset historical reporting.

This feature has been a top-requested feature by Dynamics users of Fixed Assets for quite some time.  In Dynamics GP 2013, Microsoft added options for reporting on historical depreciation amounts, adding a “depreciation as of” date to the report options.  The depreciation on the report is then calculated as of the defined date, giving users greater flexibility in their depreciation reporting.  Also, to get accurate historical amounts for dates in prior years and clean up the display of reports and inquiries, this feature includes enhancements to the depreciation reset process.

4.       Improve receiving with tolerance handling in Dynamics GP 2013.

Tolerance Handling allows Microsoft Dynamics GP users to setup shortage and overage percentages for non-inventory and inventory items that are purchased through Purchase Order Processing.  The shortage functionality enables the system to automatically mark a line as fully received or closed if the quantity received is short within a certain percentage of the quantity ordered.  The overage functionality will allow the system to set limits on the total quantity a user is able to receive over the quantity ordered on the Purchase Order based on the percent that is defined.

5.       Gain inventory control by inactivating items and sites.

By inactivating an item or site, this feature allows a customer to keep the site in the system for historical transaction analysis.  Marking the item/site inactive will stop an end user from posting transactions for the site.  Having these two options allows for greater control on quantities being posted to incorrect locations but still allowing the historical reporting to be available.

6.       Balance inventory with the new inventory reconcile tool.

Similar to the reconcile checkbook to GL functionality mentioned in point one,  in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013, the Inventory module will be added helping users analyze differences between the Historical Inventory Trial Balance and the GL inventory accounts.  Additionally, users now can save information for reconciliations, providing records for dates and results of each reconciliation.  A third feature adds drill-back functionality to records in the resulting Excel spreadsheet for a reconciliation, allowing quick access to additional information related to each record.

7.       Add backup to transaction with document attach.

You can now easily and efficiently attach documents to a Purchasing or Sales transaction, or Purchasing, Sales or Inventory master records.  The feature also supports the scan process “Scan to be attached later”.  “Scan to be attached later” is the process when documents are scanned using either a desktop or bulk multi-functional scanner to a storage location.  At a later time the image is attached to a transaction or record in the ERP system.  Document attachment will store the initial scans in a file location and then upon attaching the Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 record, the image will store the attachment in a new SQL table specific to Document Attach.

8.       Increase reporting flexibility with SSRS reports in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013.

This feature is nice because it allows customers to print SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) reports directly from a Microsoft Dynamics GP form.  The user may select to print SSRS reports from various forms across General Ledger, Receivables Management, Sales Order Processing, Payables Management, Inventory Management, Human Resources, and Payroll.  Users can simply select to print a SSRS report assigned to the Microsoft Dynamics GP Form and the report will render information based on the record retrieved on the form.  Customers can print the standard reports or they can create their own custom SSRS reports to print.

9.       Control printing with new printer selection functionality in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013.

In Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 you now have the flexibility to select the printer you want to print to at the time of printing.  Select a printer for your balance sheet, select another printer for printing checks and another for printing invoices.  It’s now easier than ever before.

So are you considering making the switch?  If you’re already a Microsoft Dynamics GP user, and are participating in the Business Ready Advantage Plan, you should surely consider making the most of your investment.  Benefits of the plan include:

• Access to CustomerSource where you can obtain self-help tools, product upgrades and updates, product documentation, training, self-support resources, business news, and community information.

Yes, you read that correctly – product upgrades and updates are included in your Business Ready Advantage Plan?  So why wouldn’t you capitalize on the investment?  Not sure how to make the transition run smoothly?  Don’t know if you have the proper equipment to support the product upgrades?

Rest assured that with a trusted technology partner like BCG Systems, we provide the expertise to help you plan for business growth.  We’ll work with you to develop a strategy that will keep your technology scalable, and allow your business to grow with confidence.

Have a specific question for our Dynamics consultant?  Post it here and we’ll be sure to address it in future posts.

by BCG Systems