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Dynamics 365 Community / Forums / Microsoft Dynamics GP (Archived) / Is it worth learning GP
Microsoft Dynamics GP (Archived)

Is it worth learning GP

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Posted on by wkevinwildermuth 140

Hello all. I am an owner/sole employee of a PC break/fix shop in southern Illinois. This is how I ended up here:

I started trolling around trying to find information for a potential client who is apparently running Great Plains 9.0 software without any administrator. They also are a small shop, under 30 employees, with most of the office area being controlled for years by a comptroller type who had to step down due to health issues. They have a new (under six months) office manager and a new accountant in the office, trying to figure out everything that was lost in the shuffle. My contact is actually their service shop manager, who was hired 4 months ago and along with the office manager report directly to the owner. My contact heard I was working small business and asked if I could come over and see if I could figure out the LARGE number of glitches they are having with GP, without them having to pay $150USD/hour for support. My questions are:

Is it worth investing in whatever training is available thru the Customer Support thing?

How do I go about getting into the program?

Does every shop that buys GP have access to the pay support things for a certain period of time, since I am willing to bet they never signed up for it?

Oh, and does anyone in the St Louis area have any idea at the going rate to charge for this kind of service?

Thank you all in advance for any information you can share.

 

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  • Richard Whaley Profile Picture
    Richard Whaley 25,195 on at
    Re: Re: Is it worth learning GP

    You are basically taking the right steps.  There are two others that come to mind.

    First, there are several Certified Learning Centers, including Integrated Business Group in Altamonte Springs, Florida (a suburb of Orlando), that have regularly scheduled classes in almost all of the modules.  They have some excellent trainers.  Contact them at 407-677-0370.

     

    Second, check out the books my firm publishes.  These are also good references from a real world perspective that give you down to the nuts and bolts day to day processes and procedures and ways to diagnose problems.  www.AccoladePublications.com

     

  • Palma Hirschfelder Wurzel Profile Picture
    Palma Hirschfelder ... 565 on at
    Re: Is it worth learning GP

    Since all of you are talking about what it took to become GP consultants, do you mind if I ask a related question?

    I am a cost accountant and also the "accidental" administrator of our GP system.  Over the past 2 years I've tried to learn everything I can about GP in order to provide what I'll call "in-house" consulting services on the product.  We've received questionable advice and some incorrect information from consultants in the past, so I set out down this path initially as a check/balance to our outside consultants.

    I've attended Convergence 2 years in a row, often for specific seminars to address problem areas we have.  I've taken the Microsoft classes provided by our consultants on SOP, POP, Inventory, FRx, among others.  I've been working my way through the Microsoft eLearning courses.  I've taken some basic sql courses and am signed up for another 8 days of sql training later this year.  I've actually read most of the module manuals, which may be a rarity.

    Can any of you provide additional suggestions on pursuing this "in-house consultant" line of education?  What else is out there that I can take advantage of?

    Thanks,

    Palma

  • George Sagen Profile Picture
    George Sagen 1,005 on at
    Re: Is it worth learning GP

    I think that learning GP is a great intermediate and long term investment, but the amount of training required to address what you described for this one prospect alone might not justify the effort. It's very east to become a registered partner and only costs a couple thousand a year, which is modest compared to many other ERP partner programs. I think that unlimited access to e-learning costs about $3800/year for an organization (maybe cheaper for an individual). The installation and config class should take you a week or so to complete and get certified, and financials one to two weeks if you are already comfortable with ERP systems and accounting. I've really enjoyed all the folks I've worked with at MS.

    I'm sure there are dozens of folks on these boards (my humble self included) who would be glad to do this work for you, either on site or remote, and give you a nice slice of the revenue while you sit back and work on your tan. I just did a version 9 debug/cleanup in a pretty messed up environment followed by an immediate upgrade to version 10 then a patch to SP4. I wouldn't have wanted to do it without some GP specific experience behind me.

  • Richard Whaley Profile Picture
    Richard Whaley 25,195 on at
    Re: Re: Is it worth learning GP

    There are two primary bundles of modules:  Business Ready Licensing -- Business Essentials (BRL-BE) and Business Ready Licensing -- Advanced Management (BRL-AM).  The BE package has modules like GL, AR, AP, SOP, Inventory, POP, while the AM has all of those plus manufacturing and some other pieces.  There are also additional modules that are Al Carte.

  • wkevinwildermuth Profile Picture
    wkevinwildermuth 140 on at
    Re: Is it worth learning GP

    I forgot one question. Is GP sold in modules? or is it one complete package, with the modules being designed by each administrator?

  • Frank Hamelly | MVP, MCP, CSA Profile Picture
    Frank Hamelly | MVP... 46,615 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at
    Re: Re: Is it worth learning GP

    A complex ERP solution like GP requires intimate knowledge of the application that can be gained only through years of using and/or supporting it.  Help your client find a GREAT consultant/consulting firm with a proven track record and preferably a number of GP certifications.  Advise them to pay the prevailing rate.  It will cost them much less in the long run than hiring someone 'on the cheap'.  Consultants who don't have the requisite knowledge/experience can cause more harm than good.  I had a client that paid $125k to have their data cleaned up after a botched GP implementation by a group that didn't know what they were doing.

  • wkevinwildermuth Profile Picture
    wkevinwildermuth 140 on at
    Re: Is it worth learning GP

     Thank you all for your insightful replies, as well as a number of emails offering support of one kind or another. I do actually have a slight background in accounting as well as my IS, but I am seeing from this thread that GP might be a bit over my head. I have yet to approach the potential client, so any additional input is appreciated.

  • Ron Wilson Profile Picture
    Ron Wilson 6,010 on at
    Re: Re: Re: Is it worth learning GP

    One nice thing about supporting a platform like GP is that if you don't have the accounting experience...you are going to get it...or find another profession :)

    I second the "no offense".  You seem to have a great blend of the technical and accounting aspects Mariano!

  • Frank Hamelly | MVP, MCP, CSA Profile Picture
    Frank Hamelly | MVP... 46,615 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at
    Re: Re: Is it worth learning GP

    No offense intended Mariano.  I include you in the group that has strong accounting background even though you're just a technical guy!  LOL

  • Richard Whaley Profile Picture
    Richard Whaley 25,195 on at
    Re: Is it worth learning GP

    If you are not going to charge the proper rate for your time is it not worth investing.  GP is a large and good application but you need to know it well to help someone, especially if they are having many problems using it.  I would guess their problems come from a lack of user knowledge.

    There are two avenues for you and I suggest both.

    We have a collection of manuals written to help firms like you and your client understand and use GP.  Get copies!  You can order them from our web site ( www.AccoladePublications.com )

    Find a local GP partner and have your client engage them for the GP.  You can keep the system and other software business that is your specialty and your client will love YOU more for putting them in contact with a good GP vendor.  If you can't find one, call me (321-277-1341) and I will recommend several for you.

     

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