Microsoft Dynamics Blog

We all know how imperative proper documentation is when you’re implmenting a new software platform – especially a business solution like Dynamics CRM. Intricacies and minor details need to be captured for verification of creation and end user training down the road.

But where to start? Sometimes it’s difficult coming up with great documentation yourself – especially if it doesn’t come naturally to you. For those of you looking for a little “boost,” I’ve found a pretty nifty download. It’s called Planning Tools, and you can download it at the same site as the CRM 4.0 Implementation Guide. I have to admit, some of the documents are a little…rustic. But with a little elbow grease, these documents could be very valuable client-facing documents.

If you’re looking for something a bit more turn-key, SureStep is always a great place for Partners and consultants to find some end user documentation. SureStep has hundreds of beautifully formatted documents for GP, CRM, and more. You can download SureStep from Partnersource.

The MS Dynamics CRM Sustained Engineering team has recently released the newest Update Rollup for CRM 4.0: Update Rollup 12. If you would like to either download the files or review the related KB article, please click the links below:

Download Page @ Microsoft Download Center: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a80147f8-130e-492d-93d3-e16e6b2e2fa1&displaylang=en

KB Article @ Microsoft Support: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2028381

Rollup 12 may require a reboot, so be prepared to restart your computer in order to see the changes take place. As always, it’s recommended to install rollups in the evening or on a weekend so user performance is not interrupted.

NOTE: You MUST have Update Rollup 7 applied to your machine BEFORE applying ANY ROLLUP HIGHER THAN 7! Rollup 7 is a prerequisite to higher Rollup installations.

Interested in a podcast surrounding the creation and inner-workings of UR12? Click here to visit a website dedicated to giving you an audio of UR12 Q&A. Greg Nichols of the Microsoft Premier Field Engineering team answers questions about the recent Rollup release.

If you miss this Webinar and would like to view the recording please contact our marketing department at  apardue@ibis.com and we’ll send you a “free” copy.  All registered guests will automatically receive a “free” copy via e-mail the following day.  Sign up for yours!

Learn the basics of setup, functionality and reporting in Multicurrency.

Speaker: Chris Liley, Principal Consultant

Recently, our team was reviewing the Accounts Receivable Parameters in Dynamics AX 2009 in order to create a standard configuration and to ensure that everyone knew the consequences of enabling or disabling any one of the parameters. With the vast number of combined years of experience with Dynamics AX, this was a simple exercise with the only hiccups being parameters that dealt with European accounting rules which were quickly discarded. There was, however, one exception and that was the Order Entry Statistics checkbox on the Updates tab.

Even with our accumulated knowledge, no one on the team had used this checkbox or had the slightest idea what the checkbox did. With umpteen parameters settings to cover, the issue was set aside for investigation until later. At the end of the meeting, it was decided that, since the Associate Consultants are the lowest members on the totem pole and that this was a good opportunity to learn, we would be charged with discovering the checkbox’s purpose. Read the rest of this entry »

Simulating Exchange Adjustments is just one way that Dynamics AX 2009 can make life easier for you and your company.  Dynamics AX 2009 offers a variety of simulation and forecasting tools as well as reports.  These features filter complex data into a clear form that can be used in decision making.  A quick Exchange Adjustment Simulation will illustrate how a business issue is solved easily using Dynamics AX 2009.

What if you want to see the effects of an exchange adjustment on open customer transactions before you actually make the adjustment?

Read the rest of this entry »

Learn when it’s Cost Effective to Use  Dynamics GP Payroll/Human Resources in-house in this exclusive Dynamics Cares webinar.

We will cover Dynamics GP’s new robust functionality, such as applicant on-boarding workflows and training management.  This Dynamics Care webinar gives you an honest assessment of Dynamics GP’s wins and deficiencies alike.

Title: When it is Cost Effective To Move Payroll In-House?

Speaker: Christina Belding, Managing Consultant

If you missed the Dynamics GP Payroll Webinar and would like to view the recording please contact our marketing department at  apardue@ibis.com and we’ll send you a copy. 

When is it more cost effective to process payroll in-house?  What agility and functionality is there in Dynamics GP Payroll? AND IT’S FREE!!!

Date: 8/10/2010 11:00-12:00 EST
Speaker: Christina Belding, Managing Consultant
When is it cost effective to move payroll in-house.

Print management can be setup in Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Projects at the module level. Each original record in Microsoft Dynamics AX can have default settings associated with it which are defined under the print management setup. Print Management is setup at a hierarchal level where you define original record, copy record and settings for any available documents. You can create up to one original record for each and multiple copy records for every document type. You can create up to 19 conditional settings for each original or copy record. To see more on how to setup Print Management, continue reading.

  Read the rest of this entry »

A little off the Dynamics GP beaten path but information worth passing along especially for accountants. The formation of a new committee for international integrated financial reporting.  As of August 2, 2010 the  International Integrated Reporting Committee (IIRC) was formed by the Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability Project (A4S) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

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This post will introduce the concept of period allocation keys, show how they are setup with the Period Allocation Key Wizard, and how they are integrated with the budget.  

Budgeting is important because companies need to know their actual versus predicted forecasts for the year. Period allocation keys in Dynamics 2009 make the budgeting process easier by allowing users to create budget models that can be used over several budget time frames. Not only do period allocation keys duplicate the allocation data for multiple budgets, they can also help reflect fluctuations brought on by season. 

Read the rest of this entry »