Consumer Quartet

If you have Great Plains Dynamics/eEnterprise (version 6.0 or earlier) and support it for your company then you need to know some technical details about Great Plains version upgrade and what is going on behind the scenes, which options do you have in case of Dexterity, VBA, SQL customization, additional complexity comes with migration from ctree/Pervasive to MS SQL/MSDE. Currently you are probably thinking to upgrade to Microsoft Great Plains 8.0 or 7.5.

What is upgrade in the language of technology? Upgrade has server and client sides.

• Server side - upgrade converts tables from old format to the new one. In general words - Microsoft Business Solutions developers may change table structure, append additional fields to add new functionality, things like that. Upgrade copies the table with changes to temporary table, then drops original table, recreates it with new structure and copies all the data from temp table to the newly created one.

• Workstation side - workstation is written in Great Plains Dexterity and has Dynamics.exe - engine and DYNAMICS.DIC - dictionary. These two plus all the additional files will be replaced with the new ones. Other dictionaries, such us REPORTS.DIC and FORMS.DIC should be also upgraded and upgrade will try to deal with them automatically. In some cases modified reports (in REPORTS.DIC) could not be upgraded and need to be recreated in the new version.

What is customization upgrade? You should consider different types of customizations: Dexterity, VBA/Modifier, SQL, ReportWriter, Crystal Reports

• Dexterity Customization - being very short - Dexterity may have so called Custom Forms - these do not need upgrade - they should work as is. Then Dexterity may alter existing Great Plains forms (so-called Alternate Great Plains forms) - in this case Dexterity customization should be redone for these forms/screens. Plus additional consideration should be given to Dexterity triggers, shadow tables, etc.

• VBA/Modifier customization - Modifier allows you to modify existing Great Plains windows - it creates so called modified Great Plains windows, stored in FORMS.DIC. Usually modification is placing new buttons or fields, which in turn will be given VBA scripts (stored in DYNAMICS.VBA). VBA scripts may call something nice, like Crystal Report, or have some data access logic. Usually the old version of DYNAMICS.VBA workds with the new version. You may need to rearrange buttons on the modified form.

• SQL - you may have some stored procs for data integration, EDI or the like - if the addressed tables will be changed in the new version then you need to analyze your SQL code. The good news is - Microsoft Business Solution doesn’t make a lot of changes since version 7.0, because Microsoft is now trying to merge the products it owns: Great Plains, Solomon, Navision and Axapta - and so has different priorities

• ReportWriter - MBS doesn’t change tables, but it keeps changing Dexterity formulas used in ReportWriter original reports - this is the problem in so-called Modified Reports upgrade - usually you have these reports modified: SOP Blank Invoice form, SOP Blank Picking ticket, etc. If report can not be upgraded - it should be redone in the new version with some exceptions.

• Crystal Reports - the nice thing about Crystal Report - id doesn’t need to be upgraded (if the fields in the tables exist in the new version - which is usually true statement)

What is upgrade for third-party modules? Your Great Plains may have so-called third party modules: Mekorma, Kampdata, Horyzon, Wennsoft, Avalara, Truepay, Trinity, Intellisol to name a few

Third party modules may have their own utility for upgrade. You just need to know that your third-party is ready for the new Great Plains version - if not - you just wait and stay on the old version.

What is migration from Ctree/Pervasive.SQL 2000 to MS SQL/MSDE? MBS has migration tool. You need first to install Great Plains on SQL Server with exactly the same account/segments structure and then install migration tool (it is Dexterity chunk) on your ctree/Pervasive workstation - then, when you integrate the chunk - you will map it to target SQL-based Great Plains Company, select all system and company tables, click the button and it will move all your tables one-by-one. In the case when your Great Plains ctree/Pervasive has third parties - you need to check if the vendor has migration tool - otherwise you have to do manual move, use SQL Linked server to your legacy data

Do I need consultant? It is probably good idea to have consultant to do the upgrade. We strongly recommend you to use consultant in the following cases

• You have Dexterity customization

• You are doing migration from Pervasive/Ctree to Microsoft SQL Server/MSDE, especially when you have third-parties without migration tools

• You have a lot or ReportWriter Modified Great Plains Reports

• You have old version of Great Plains: Dynamics or eEnteroprise 6.0 or prior - in this case you can not appeal to Microsoft Technical Support - it is discontinued

• Your Great Plains has more than 20 users and you have to have upgrade done over the weekend - if it fails - you have business problems

• You don’t have support - in this case you have to select your Microsoft Business Solutions Partner and pay for the annual support/enhancement plan - you will get new registration key and will be ready for the upgrade

Good luck in upgrading and if you have issues or concerns - we are here to help! If you want us to do the job - give us a call.

About The Author

Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer in Alba Spectrum Technologies - USA nationwide Great Plains, Microsoft CRM customization company, based in Chicago, California, Texas, Florida, New York, Georgia and having locations in multiple states and internationally (www.albaspectrum.com), he is CMA, Great Plains Certified Master, Dexterity, SQL, C#.Net, Crystal Reports and Microsoft CRM SDK developer. You can contact Andrew: andrewk@albaspectrum.com

akarasev@albaspectrum.com

1-866-528-0577

Three highly respected names in Human Resources have joined forces to provide companies with a revolutionary blend of services that make the hiring process more efficient and effective. The partnership joins three companies: NAS Recruitment Communications, a recognized leader in the specialized field of human resource communications, Hannibal, Inc., a software development firm specializing in recruiting automation solutions, and InfoLink Screening Services, Inc., a nationwide leader in employment background screening, drug testing and physical exam services.

The three companies’ services, each of which may be utilized separately, are now available through NAS’s new web-based recruiting tool called “Max.” Max makes it easier for HR departments to source, match, screen and hire quality employees. One of the primary benefits of Max is the ease with which recruitment ads can be placed and tracked.

“Companies of every size can count on Max for the simplest and most efficient recruiting assistance in the industry,” stated Don Sabatino, Vice President of NAS Recruitment Communications. “Max is not a typical applicant tracking system (ATS). Unlike the traditional ATS approach, which can take months to fully set-up and integrate, Max will be up and running in a matter of days.”

Max installs easily, is updated automatically and provides a full range of sourcing, screening, and organizational functions that are ideally suited to the needs of today’s modern Human Resources executives. Max is also available in a tiered format to fit the exact requirements and budgetary commitments of every HR department. Key components include the following:

• An innovative interface for selecting and posting recruitment ads to print publications, job boards, career sites and internal referral sites

• A customized library of job descriptions

• Powerful filtering and ranking technology

• Resume pool management, candidate tracking and reporting

• Seamless Integration with InfoLink Screening Services for background checks

A strategic partner in the release of Max is InfoLink Screening Services, a leading provider of background screening, drug testing and physical exams of job applicants and employees. InfoLink has a strong reputation for providing exceptional service and fast turnaround of information, as well as ensuring its clients screening practices are legally compliant.

“InfoLink’s Integrated Background Screening (TM) and easy-to-use web-based solution enable Max users to eliminate duplicate data entry and data entry errors, increase efficiency, and reduce cost and time-to-hire,” stated Barry Nadell, President and Co-Founder of InfoLink Screening Services. “Our combined strengths give HR departments total control in recruiting and background screening their job applicants.”

NAS Recruitment Communications

NAS Recruitment Communications is recognized as a leader in the specialized field of human resource solutions. As part of the McCann Worldgroup, we offer a network with global, national and local-market expertise. HR departments are able to benefit from our proprietary Demand Chain, a process map that creates the foundation and traction to lead superbly talented people to our Employer of Choice clients. For more information, please call NAS Los Angeles at (818 906-3313 or visit www.nasrecruitment.com.

Hannibal, Inc.

Pioneering numerous advancements in electronic recruiting, Hannibal, Inc. emerged as an industry leader by developing HR technology that provides valuable, cost effective and efficient services at the touch of a button. Hannibal’s continued goal is the development of products that anyone can use, regardless of computer literacy level, Internet skills or knowledge of recruiting laws and practices. For more information, please email info@hannibalinc.com or visit www.hannibalinc.com.

InfoLink Screening Services, Inc.

InfoLink Screening Services is a leading provider of employment background checks, drug testing and physical exams. Thousands of companies nationwide, from small businesses to Fortune 500’s, rely on InfoLink’s exceptional service, fast turnaround, legal compliance and accurate reports.

InfoLink’s easy-to-use web-based solution enables easy order entry, status tracking, hit notification and secure archiving. Its drug screening and physical exam programs include a nationwide network of thousands of collection sites and clinics, secure online reporting and consolidated billing. InfoLink’s comprehensive employee screening services and seamless integration with Human Resource software increase efficiency and enable businesses to Hire with Confidence. For more information, please call (800) 990-HIRE (4473) or visit http://www.infolinkscreening.com.

For a product demo of “Max,” or more information, please contact Greg Rousseau, NAS, 818-906-3313; grousseau@nasrecruitment.com.

About The Author

Scott G writes about advertising, advertainment, music and digital distribution from Los Angeles, CA.

Many people today realize how important it is to enjoy fresh air and spend most of their time outside; for this reason many houses nowadays are starting to feature a new element: a very convenient and useful outdoor kitchen. The idea of being able to cook outside and entertain family and guests is appealing to many homeowners and it really is a concept that makes all the sense in the world. Cookouts have always been popular and taking advantage of a full kitchen in your patio, is with no doubts the right solution.

Imagine for a second having all the tools available inside, right there on your outdoor kitchen, and the opportunity to fully prepare your favorite meals under the sun or under the blooming stars and, of course, without having to worry about a bad smell going all over your house, and having to turn on noisy and distracting fans. An outdoor kitchen should be seriously considered by all those who enjoy outside activities and not seen any longer as a luxurious item, but simply an addition to the household, where the entire family can have fun and spend time together. So, do not hesitate one more minute and if that is what you want, get your full outdoor kitchen.

More outdoor living tips and advice.

The fantastic thing about training to sail, in particular in the UK, is that the sea shore is so near to us. We are never at one point too faraway from a sailing and yachting escape! Departing England behind us & fading into the water on an amazing boat is less of pipe dream than you may think. Learn to sail with Yacht Sailing Courses from Ondeck.

People of all ages are capable of sailing. There is no particular age limit & children as young as 6 can help a boat crew. Most sailing today only requires a small amount of physical force, for this reason it can easily develop into a passion enjoyed by each person.

Studying to sail does not have to be costly. Do not just hurry out and get the expensive outfits and tools. For the first number of occasions on the seas you would be advised to loan or lease everything you may well call for. Invest in the sport once you have started to sail on a regular basis.

Individuals with disabilities, such as vision impairment, can easily have fun sailing without constraint. Wheelchair people can still contribute in the activity although they should be extra selective in their preference of yachting craft.

Studying to sail is an awe-inspiring experience & an activity that will offer you countless hours of delight. It’s not a complicated sport to conquer although the potential obstacles you’ll stumble upon means safety is critical. We have created this editorial to assist you when studying to sail.

Pondering whether to take the plunge into Voice over IP technology? Do you have trouble getting your head around all the associated terms? Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology is being tipped as the technology that will rock the telecoms industry. Voice over IP digitises the sound of a human voice so that it can be routed through the Internet. You can now make VoIP in the UK calls that cost a tiny proportion of calls made through a standard line. It is revolutionizing the way that people keep in contact.

However, as more often than not happens with new technologies, it is usually hard to understand what all the new confusing words mean. Consequently this article will try and explain the technical jargon that you will encounter. So let’s get started on deciphering some of the jargon

? Bit rate: This is the speed at which data moves across the Internet. The term can also be used as a measure of the speed of an Internet connection which is often quantified in kilobits or megabits per second.

? Broadband: This is a generic term for high speed Internet over cable or ADSL

? Ethernet: This is the standard that is used for most office networks as well as the networking system that is often found in PCs and routers

? Router: This is networking hardware device that “steers” data across a network or across the Internet. A router is needed to share an Internet connection between multiple devices

? Switch: A piece of equipment that a phone company can use to connect calls between subscribers It is also used by businesses to connect their internal extensions as well as outside lines which are also known as private branch exchange (PBX)

Our aim is by explaining and simplifying some of the terminology that surrounds the VoIP services this article should help you understand what VoIP is about and the elements that are involved. Find the service that is right for you. Join the VoIP revolution and start enjoying cheap calls and other cool services!