Dynamics GP Foundation

The Dynamics GP Foundation layer comprises tools which are aimed at:

• Reducing IT administrative overheads
• Improving network efficiencies and security management
• Accelerating analysis and distribution of key business data with advanced, yet easy to use reporting tools.

This series encompasses a range of system modules, such as Report Writer and System Manager. These modules provide system-wide features which are a prerequisite to run modules in the other series.

System Manager

A module that enables you to configure the system to suit your business requirements and to streamline your business processes. Provides security by user and class and features system-wide set-ups including defaults and posting options. User productivity options include personalised menus (‘dashboards’) and short-cuts. There are customisable roles (currently over 20 and soon to expand to over 40) with pre-set security, homepages or dashboards with links to relevant forms, relevant KPIs, daily tasks, reminders, relevant reports and enquiries.

Report Writer

This is a very effective tool to build reports from scratch or to use one of the hundreds of templates available in the system and customise for specific individuals or groups or to achieve consistency in presentation across the entire organisation. There are flexible scheduling options to publish reports at any time: immediately, on a recurring basis or selectively in a variety of file formats including html and pdf. Reports can be shared across the organisation by posting them online for viewing via a Web browser with role-based security options. See also Report Writer as a Business Intelligence tool.

Analysis Cubes

(for Microsoft Office Excel)

This is a core component of the GP financial system which leverages the power of SQL Server. It helps you define and extract key data and present in an easy to analyse mode to enable accurate, strategic decision-making. Features the Excel Pivot Table Generator to allow you to "slice and dice" information, business portal KPIs and a tool to share and increase transparency of financial information via the Business Portal to improve Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. See also Analysis Cubes as Business Intelligence tool.

Extensible Web Services

Uses Microsoft technologies, such as SQL Server, Visual Studio and .Net, as well as industry standards, such as Web Services and XML, to increase real-time data sharing and integrate business processes throughout the organisation. The Web Services layer works with the Business Services layer to provide security, policy validations, defaulting, and exception management for consumers of the Web service. These two tiers interact with Business Logic and Persistence layer within eConnect to provide scalable and reliable integration solutions.

Process Server

(Advanced Management edition only)

Integrated with Dynamics GP to reduce the burden on client computers by moving heavy background, process-intensive tasks to dedicated process servers to eliminate costly slow-downs and delays, and greatly improve business network performance and office productivity.

Security Management

Manages user security quickly and effectively to protect your Dynamics GP system. Using a single Explorer-style interface, different security types, such as by user and class, can be assigned with granular control over access to resources down to Field and Account level. Options to copy and amend by user or class. Control over viewing editing posting and reports. Security errors can be identified and fixed quickly using the interactive dialogues to help eliminate the need to change login user and minimise IT administration.

Audit Trails

(available for Advanced Management edition at additional cost)

Allows any change in any table throughout the system to be easily tracked and monitored, such as user security rights, product price changes and authorisations. All standard audit trails expected in a finance system are covered, eg journals, payments, invoice, receipts. This module has been developed because of very strict, recent regulations, such as Sarbanes Oxley. Literally everything in the system can be audited if desired.

Business Portal

(Advanced Management edition only)

This is a powerful, ‘out-of-the-box’, ready-made Intranet / Extranet for Dynamics GP which unlocks valuable information held in the ERP System by enabling users such as Employees, Customers, Suppliers and Partners to easily and very cost effectively access this information from any location with Internet access. Also improves efficiency and reduces errors by automating business processes and enabling workflow / transaction entry for: Requisitions, Timesheets, Employee Expenses, HR Self-Service and Sales Order Entry. Extremely comprehensive, granular role-based security model based on Active Directory Services. Easy to administer, easy to customise and create new Web-parts (to add to the hundreds provided or downloadable for free). Ideal for aggregating data from other compatible systems such as Microsoft CRM. Also provides capabilities similar to SharePoint, such as collaboration, document management and electronic document delivery. Adopts the same technology as SharePoint Portal Server, so it is very easy to integrate the two if you already have an Intranet based upon SharePoint.

Electronic Document Delivery

(available for Advanced Management edition at additional cost)

EDD automates and schedules the delivery of sales documents (Orders, Invoices, Credit Notes, Returns & Adjustments) to customers via email in various formats: HTML, pdf, Excel or to a Web Service in XML format. It’s a valuable tool for lowering administration overheads and increasing customer responsiveness.

Key Performance Indicators

(for Business Portal with Advanced Management edition only)

Roles-based to define and deliver personalised views of key business information via Web based portal. KPIs include profitability, debt-to-equity, gross margin and many more.

Other important features include:

Setup Assistant

An interactive set-up tool with configuration checklists to help ensure that the system is configured correctly and that critical set-up is not missed. Assists with speed and quality of deployment.

Roles Based

Over 40 roles available, based on extensive Microsoft research. These are relevant to users and are aimed at improving productivity and reducing the learning curve. Includes pre-set security, home page with links to relevant forms, relevant KPIs, daily tasks, reminders, relevant reports and enquiries.

SmartLists

This is an easy to use, yet powerful English query tool to output data for screen view, for print or for saving directly to Excel or Word with correct auto-formatting.

Help and Manuals

Dynamics GP comes with extremely comprehensive easy to search manuals and help available for modules within a few mouse clicks.

Sample Company

All modules are available to try out and research in depth before purchasing.

Electronic Signature

Enables an authorisation process for two authorisers to be placed on virtually any event throughout Dynamics, so that when the save button is clicked the system will insist on the authorisation by a/the user(s) with appropriate rights; comments and reason codes may also be added.

Account and Field Level Security (Advanced Management edition only)

Provides granular control over exactly which information is viewable or editable by user or user class, throughout the ERP system.