Coming from other financial software...where to begin?

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Greetings all,

I am the IT guy in our SMB and our membership in the Microsoft Certified Partner Program grants us access to Dynamics as a software benefit of that program. We currently use Deltek's GCS Premier package, but Finance is considering alternatives and wants to try Dynamics GP.

Last week I successfully installed Dynamics GP 2016 with the Fabrikam test data and created user accounts for our three Finance users. Now that they have logged in, they have started asking questions such as, "I know how to enter timesheet data in Deltek, but where do I begin in Dynamics GP...are there any tutorials?" I have searched far and wide, and while I have found various sources of help info and documentation (e.g., the built-in help files inside Dynamics GP), some of the info sources seem to be incomplete (e.g., 3rd-party sites with good...but not comprehensive...tutorials), while others seem to be out of date (e.g., the top hit on Amazon for Dynamics GP books--Microsoft Dynamics GP For Dummies--was written in 2008).

Since we received our Dynamics GP licenses as a side-benefit of the MS Partner Program and not via direct purchase, I don't believe we have any type of service plan or support plan along with it (I mention this because I think I've seen that some of these plans include access to training materials). With all this in mind, is there a good, comprehensive, up-to-date source of training materials and tutorials (or even just a comprehensive, up-to-date book, barring that) that would help Finance users that are already experienced with another software package translate their skills to the Dynamics GP way of doing things?

Thanks for reading!

(P.S., There doesn't appear to be a filter yet on the forum for Dynamics GP 2016 so I filed this under GP 2015 instead)

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KirkLivermont 5,985 on at

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Hi Luke,

I know you are a Partner but I highly recommend bringing in a consultant that specializes in GP. Their guidance in implementation will save you tons of money and headaches in the long run.

In my experience any of the books from Accolade Publications (www.accoladepublications.com) will be enlightening. Unfortunately I believe the last version published was for GP 2013.

Regards,

Kirk

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Community Member on at

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Thanks for the info, Kirk. I checked out Accolade's list of GP books, but unfortunately they only cover a partial range of topics. For example, I didn't see anything that covers timesheet entry, which was the first question our users asked.

I could see hiring a professional consultant if we decide to move forward with implementing GP. I'm pretty sure we did that when we implemented our current system. However at this stage our users are just looking for resources to learn more about GP without that level of engagement, and unfortunately so far all I've run across are non-comprehensive resources. The in-the-system GP help does seem to be the most complete resource so far, but that just doesn't seem quite as approachable and user-friendly as a well written book or video tutorial series. Perhaps it's wishing too much to find something like this that's as comprehensive as I'm looking for.

Thanks again for your reply!

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Almas Mahfooz 11,009 User Group Leader on at

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try the link

mbs.microsoft.com/.../learning

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Community Member on at

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Thanks for the link, Almas. The GP learning portal has a lot of info there, but a lot of it is articles and presentations that are difficult to search and too narrowly focused (not broad enough to cover many general questions). The Documentation link is good...it is basically the same documentation you get when you click the help icon inside GP. I have referred my users to this and so far this is the best thing I've been able to give them.

I was curious about the Student Training Materials link on the GP portal, though. However, it looks like the only way to access the training courses there is by having an active GP service plan, which, from my initial research looks like we're talking $10K and up for that, so unfortunately that is out of the question.

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Almas Mahfooz 11,009 User Group Leader on at

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also try this, and you can downlaod pdf files fro various modules.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj673202(v=gp.30).aspx

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Community Member on at

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That link just lets you download PDF versions of the help screens that are already inside GP. These are actually pretty good as they go through all the GP screens, and having them in PDF format makes them easier to read. I have sent this link to my users...thank you

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L Vail 65,271 on at

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Hi,

Unfortunately, many of the training manuals have not been updated for several years, ditto for the user manuals themselves. As I understand it, you have to have some kind of enhancement plan in order to download even the existing training manuals. In any event, they never covered the topic you are most interested in. I know this isn't the answer you want, but I do not know of any resource that adequately covers the details of entering time in GP.

Kind regards,

Leslie

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Community Member on at

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Thanks Leslie

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Beat Bucher GP Gee... 28,058 Moderator on at

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Hi Luke,

Even while enrolled in the Partner Network Program, you don't have really access to a licensed GP, but only the demo Fabrikam company. In order to get a full license, you'll to contact an authorized VAR.

As you're looking for the GP2016 and that it has only been released for less than a month, it's pretty hard to find current documentation for the end-users.. As Leslie already mentioned, most PDF guides are referring to the past releases 2010, 2013 & 2015 (if at all).

Your best starting point is the Training portal as Almas suggested, and also your could reach out to the GPUG community portal (Great Plains User Group) from Dynamics Communities. You can register for a free trial period and have access to over 500 recorded webinars and tons of blog & forum threads: http://www.gpug.com

The Microsoft development team has also an excellent blog page, which for GP 2016 is probably the place to start with : community.dynamics.com/.../on-demand-learning-microsoft-dynamics-gp-2016-application-new-features

Hope this helps to get your feet wet :-)

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Community Member on at

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Hi Béat, thanks for your reply.

I was under the impression that we did have a fully licensed GP, so I was concerned at your comment that the Partner Program only gives us access to Fabrikam. But when I went into the GP Utilities just now I was able to successfully create a new company in addition to Fabrikam.

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