Skip to main content

Notifications

Announcements

No record found.

News and Announcements icon
Community site session details

Community site session details

Session Id :
Dynamics 365 Community / Forums / Microsoft Dynamics GP (Archived) / Alternatives to Integr...
Microsoft Dynamics GP (Archived)

Alternatives to Integration Manager?

(0) ShareShare
ReportReport
Posted on by Community Member

We've been told by our GP implementation partner that we need Microsoft Integration Manager in order to import files from our employee timeclock into Dynamics GP 2013 R2 payroll.  These are very basic csv and/or txt files with paycodes and hours for less than 100 employees.  Between the purchase price of Integration Manager and the first year's maintenance, it would come to over $7,000.  This seems steep considering the basic nature of the data.  Are there any more practical alternatives out there?  Thanks for any ideas.

*This post is locked for comments

  • Suggested answer
    Community Member Profile Picture
    Community Member on at
    RE: Alternatives to Integration Manager?

    We recently created a blog on this, hope it helps - www.blog.prospr.biz/dynamics-gp-integration-apps

  • drummerboy_10 Profile Picture
    drummerboy_10 on at
    RE: Alternatives to Integration Manager?

    I agree with Kerry on SmartConnect.

    I implemented eOne's SmartConnect at my previous job to integrate a CSV file from an external application into Dynamics GP 2013.  While the file was simple in nature, SmartConnect was the right tool for this job over Integration Manager.  SmartConnect is feature-rich and while it uses eConnect technology its UI is easy to learn and user-friendly; you don't need to be a programmer to use this.  One of the primary features it was purchase for was it also allowed us to schedule integration maps to run at specific times and email people on success or failure which alleviated someone having to manually run the integration.

    Good luck with whatever you go with!

    --Sean

  • Community Member Profile Picture
    Community Member on at
    RE: Alternatives to Integration Manager?

    Thanks all for your input, it was helpful.  We will probably NOT be getting Integration Manager, and instead will work with our partner to develop an import via eConnect at far less cost.

  • Suggested answer
    Bill Campbell Profile Picture
    Bill Campbell on at
    RE: Alternatives to Integration Manager?

    Harry I could not agree more - they have priced themselves out of the tools market for some.  That is why the huge influx of new tools that work well.

  • Suggested answer
    Redbeard Profile Picture
    Redbeard 12,931 on at
    RE: Alternatives to Integration Manager?

    I think if Microsoft would return to the days when Integration Manager could be purchased piece meal, then the tool would find more takers.  I have had a number of clients balk at the prohibitive price of the Integration Suite, when all they need is a GL or Payroll import... Just saying.

  • Bill Campbell Profile Picture
    Bill Campbell on at
    RE: Alternatives to Integration Manager?

    Glen, have you settled on a Employee Timeclock?

    If not, then I might suggest one that we have worked with for years with great success

    Sierra Workforce Solutions

    http://sierraws.com/

    Fully integrated, on premise or in the cloud deployment.

    Anyway, not the only choice, but it works.

  • Suggested answer
    Frank Hamelly | MVP, MCP, CSA Profile Picture
    Frank Hamelly | MVP... 46,321 Super User 2025 Season 1 on at
    RE: Alternatives to Integration Manager?

    There is no 'Batch' with Table Import.  It's like executing a SQL statement to insert records into the table with no data validation whatsoever.  You could use Table Import in this instance but for data as sensitive as payroll, I think I'd spring for Integration Manager to be on the safe side.

  • Suggested answer
    Community Member Profile Picture
    Community Member on at
    RE: Alternatives to Integration Manager?

    Hi,

    The table import is a good option as suggested by Harry. The only thing you should be aware of the respective tables for your process. In your case, it was hours and pay codes needs to be integrated it requires couple of more tables. First, your employee codes needs to be created and then the pay codes... Be aware of list of tables required for your process, otherwise it will be incomplete data imported in the GP application and you may not able to save/post.

  • kdraper Profile Picture
    kdraper on at
    RE: Alternatives to Integration Manager?

    We use Kronos Workforce Ready, a cloud app.  They create the files for GP but we must still import them.  We must also export on a regular basis for new employees, projects etc...  I think the best tool for the job is eOne  SmartConnect.

    https://www.eonesolutions.com/Products/SmartConnect

    The price is reasonable and much more capable than IM.  However if I did not have a bunch of other integrations to manage I would probably consider Table Import.  There is no scheduling features and it does not have data validation or any logic that you can add to your import, like get next transaction number but it works and it is free.

  • Heather Roggeveen Profile Picture
    Heather Roggeveen 9,144 on at
    RE: Alternatives to Integration Manager?

    Oh - technically, you can enter data into any table you like - but I don't think any of us with experience in GP would recommend that.  It is bad enough when we have delete data because of interrupted postings etc.  The table structure is complex!

    The beauty with things like Integration Manager is the validation.

    I have had a few clients over the years that have in house developers (and we do ourselves).  Any custom integration work we do we always use web services or otherwise to write to work tables so posting can be the final validation.

    Card files I have less of an issue with because they can either be deleted or modified in most cases.  But transactions I will insist on using posting.  If the client chooses to do otherwise, I am not going to clean up!

Under review

Thank you for your reply! To ensure a great experience for everyone, your content is awaiting approval by our Community Managers. Please check back later.

Helpful resources

Quick Links

Daivat Vartak – Community Spotlight

We are honored to recognize Daivat Vartak as our March 2025 Community…

Announcing Our 2025 Season 1 Super Users!

A new season of Super Users has arrived, and we are so grateful for the daily…

Kudos to the February Top 10 Community Stars!

Thanks for all your good work in the Community!

Leaderboard

#1
André Arnaud de Calavon Profile Picture

André Arnaud de Cal... 292,516 Super User 2025 Season 1

#2
Martin Dráb Profile Picture

Martin Dráb 231,409 Most Valuable Professional

#3
nmaenpaa Profile Picture

nmaenpaa 101,156

Leaderboard

Featured topics

Product updates

Dynamics 365 release plans