Has anyone worked with Great Plains Software or knows more about its features? I’m trying to implement it in a project and feel stuck. Any tips or resources to help me understand its functionalities better?
Oh, Great Plains Software, aka Microsoft Dynamics GP now. It’s a solid tool but, um, not exactly the most user-friendly thing in the world. Picture trying to drive a stick shift while wearing ski gloves—powerful, but clunky if you’re not used to it. Anyway, here’s a quick breakdown:
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Financial Management: The backbone. It handles payroll, accounts payable, receivable, general ledger, etc. Pretty robust if you tweak it right.
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Inventory Management: Decent for tracking inventory and orders. Integrates well with the financial module, at least.
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Reporting & Analytics: Built-in reporting with SmartList, but it’s a little dated. Power BI helps if you want modern visuals, but there’s definitely a learning curve.
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Customization: It’s VERY adjustable… if you have someone tech-savvy on hand. The Modifier and Integration Manager are crucial here.
Tips:
- If you’re stuck, focus on learning the financial parts first since they’re central.
- YouTube has tutorials, or check Microsoft’s GP forums for help. (Fair warning: forums can feel like deciphering an ancient scroll.)
- If you haven’t already, consider hiring a consultant to help set things up right. A bad setup spirals fast.
Biggest gripe? It’s not ‘modern’ compared to cloud ERP systems, but hey, it’s stable and does the job. Make sure your project team knows SQL basics because troubleshooting without it sucks. Good luck not throwing your keyboard at the wall!
Totally feel you on the Great Plains Software (or, ya know, Microsoft Dynamics GP) struggle. I’ll be real—this thing feels like it was designed in the '90s and just kinda… stuck there. @codecrafter gave a good rundown, but I’ll add some spice to the convo.
First off, customization. Yes, it’s customizable, but calling it ‘adjustable’ is like saying coding is ‘just typing.’ If you’re not a dev or don’t have someone who can code macros or mess with Dexterity (their proprietary language), good luck. It’s powerful but archaic. Personally, I don’t get why they’ve kept Dexterity relevant. Move on, Microsoft.
Next, financials. Yes, it’s the core, but setting it up wrong will haunt you. HAUNT YOU. Chart of accounts structure? Mess it up, and everyone from payroll to reporting will hate you. I agree with putting time into learning the financial module first—it’s game-changing once you actually understand it. But, please—get a consultant for this part unless you want to spend weeks in setup purgatory.
Inventory Management is… functional. It works fine for straight-up inventory, but if you need advanced supply chain features, expect to cobble together third-party tools or scripts. Integration here is key—and also frustrating.
As for Reporting, SmartList feels like Windows 98 got a makeover—it works, but it’s basic and clunky. You can add Power BI if you’re willing to climb the learning mountain and figure out how to connect the dots. Still, don’t expect modern, shiny dashboards right out of the box. Unless you’re into Excel wizardry, reporting WILL test your patience.
Lastly, the elephant in the room: this is not cloud-native. Compared to alternatives like NetSuite or even newer options like Zoho, it’s a dinosaur. Stable? Sure. Scalable? Meh. Actually fun to use? Nope.
If you’re dead-set on GP, my main advice is to build a good support network—forums, consultants, tech-savvy team members. Also, know SQL. @codecrafter wasn’t lying when they said troubleshooting without SQL knowledge is painful.
Brace yourself… or pick something easier to use. Just sayin’.
Alright, let’s lay it out plain and simple. Microsoft Dynamics GP (yep, formerly Great Plains Software) is solid for what it is but definitely wears its age like a nostalgic uncle who still uses a flip phone. For your project’s sake, let’s break this thing down:
Pros of Microsoft Dynamics GP
- Solid Financial Core: The financial accounting module is its bread and butter. If you need heavy lifting with accounts, payroll, or ledgers, GP handles it like a champ (once configured correctly).
- Customization Potential: Yes, it can adapt to your business needs, assuming you have a Dexterity dev or a Modifier pro on standby.
- Stability: It’s not bleeding-edge tech, but it’s steady as a rock—you’re not going to deal with crazy crashes all the time.
- Integration-Friendly: Plays well with Excel, Power BI (kinda), and even SQL-heavy workflows when optimized properly.
Cons of Microsoft Dynamics GP
- Dated UX: Let’s be real, opening GP feels like you dusted off an old Windows 2000 PC. It works, but very meh.
- Learning Curve: Forget set-it-and-forget-it—this thing expects YOU to adjust to its quirks.
- Non-Cloud-Native: If you want flexibility of working from anywhere like modern cloud ERP tools (NetSuite or Zoho), GP doesn’t quite match.
- Setup Nightmares: Bad initial setup can break everything. Spend time here. Seriously. Pay someone if needed.
Now, addressing the points brought up earlier:
- @codecrafter is spot-on about focusing on mastering the financial modules first. It’s core to Dynamics GP, and everything else kinda revolves around it. But don’t just watch YouTube videos—get into the weeds with sample data, test environments, or even webinar resources from Microsoft.
- @viajeroceleste throws Dexterity under the bus, and I’m inclined to agree. Who needs another proprietary headache in 2023? If you’re looking at customization and are not tech-savvy, budgeting for a consultant isn’t optional; it’s mandatory.
Tips for Better Implementation
- Start Small: Focus on one module and master it. Maybe kick things off with inventory management if financials feel overwhelming.
- Power BI Overload: GP’s native reporting is clunky, but throw in some Power BI magic for clean, useful analytics. Plan time for tutorials—learning Power BI won’t happen overnight.
- SQL, Learn It: You will need SQL knowledge (or someone who has it) for troubleshooting and integrations. No way around it.
- Consider Competitors: Based on your scale and needs, check out newer ERP tools like NetSuite (cloud power) or QuickBooks Enterprise (smaller scale). GP wins for stability, but its rivals are outpacing in user experience.
In short? Dynamics GP isn’t flashy, and it won’t win awards for accessibility, but it’s stable and powerful if implemented right. Budget time and resources for training and setup, and you’ll save yourself a migraine later.