Whatever version is in use in your organization, they are all reflecting initial design and Dexterity architectural ideas, probably except Great Plains for DOS, Windows or Mac.
But even DOS version (9.5, 9,2, 9.1) seems to be similar in its business logic and could be considered as predecessor to Dynamics, which was released as sensational Accounting package available on Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh graphical platforms. GPS Dynamics was designed to be flexible, where its Dexterity core could be recompiled to fit to the new database platform, as nobody could predict in earlier 1990th which database vendor will take over the market: Oracle, Sybase, Ingress, later on Microsoft SQL Server. Dynamics was initially available on Btrieve (later acquired by Pervasive Software and renamed into Pervasive SQL 2000), Ctree/Faircom and SQL Server (where initial Dynamics C/S+ versions were available on Btrieve with advanced set of business logic and features). The majority of modern MBS consulting firms support just several recent versions, typically 2010/11.0, 10.0, 9.0 and probably 8.0. We have to recognize the fact, that there are customers out there in USA, Canada and internationally, who are still on historical and no longer supported versions: 8.0, 7.5, 7.0, 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.0 (where 7.5 and earlier versions require familiarity and experience in Pervasive SQL Server 2000/Btrieve or Ctree). Plus there are customers (with probably comparable number of active ERP installations) on archaic version of GPA for DOS, Windows and Macintosh 9.5, 9.2, 9.1 and earlier. All the versions are supportable and let’s review support methodology and options:
1. Versions 2010, 10.0 and 9.0. If you are on one of these, you should be able to get direct support from Microsoft Business Solutions technical support team by placing the support case on Customer Source. Here we assume that you have active annual support contract with MBS (which you have to pay every year either through your reseller or directly to Microsoft). If you do not have active contract, you can still call either your VAR of record or Microsoft directly (when calling MS have your credit card handy, as you will likely have to prepay for the case full list price). Typical support issues are Batch Recovery, Dictionary not found when printing Modified SOP Blank Invoice Form report, FRx GL Index Rebuilding limbo, etc.
2. GP Select on MSDE or Pervasive SQL 2000/Btrieve or Ctree. For Pervasive and Ctree typical support cases are also related to the necessity to remove ghost user from the system activity table. Generic recommendation is to have all the users log off and delete Activity files in Dynamics\System folder. Second in popularity is location translation dilemma, especially when you are moving the Server side of this ERP to the new Windows Server (from Novel or obsolete version of WindowsNT). Select version on MSDE was known by its limitation (actually exposed by MSDE) to cross 2GB in the company database size. There is the fix – call your reseller and have them contact MBS to regenerate your regkey to allow your Select version to be redeployed on Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or 2005 Standard Edition
3. Small Business Financials 8.0 and 9.0. MBS decided to terminate this small business ERP product and recommended its client migration to GP Business Ready Business Essentials. We have numerous customers where we used migration tool to GP 9.0 and then all the way to version 10.0 or 2010/11.0. In the past Small Business Financials (and its previous branding was Microsoft Small Business Manager 7.0 and 7.5) was used as a lure for archaic version Great Plains Accounting DOS, Mac or Windows to provide automatic migration from obsolete Corporate ERP platform
4. GPA for DOS 9.5, 9.2, 9.1 and earlier releases. This Small Business ERP platform that we really love in its resistance to new technology trends. The most popular tech support topics are data recovery (usually we recommend to rebuild relevant file), Pervasive SQL 2000 Control Center settings (as you may recall Btrieve engine is sensitive to your ERP application requirements guidelines), ODBC Data Export for migration from GPA to PeachTree, QuickBooks matter or data conversion to another small or mid-size business Corporate ERP. There is the way to redeploy GPA on Windows 7, Windows 2008 or 2003 server with the restriction that you are deploying it on 32 bit Windows platform (as Pervasive SQL 2000 which was tested for its compatibility with GPA is only compatible historically with 32 bit Windows operating system)
5. FRx versus Microsoft management Reporter. The development for FRx Financial Reporter was partially frozen as Microsoft introduced the replacement for FRx in the form of Management Reporter. Both FRx and MMR have similar code blocks, such as Row Formats, Column Layouts, Reporting Trees, Account Sets. If you are using FRx heavily in your accounting department the retraining to MMR is minimal. Management Reporter offers migration tool (from FRx, where you specify your FRx Sysdata location)
6. Great Plains DOS Data Export Service. We have specially dedicate Windows XP 32 bit computer where we installed Pervasive SQL 2000 ODBC driver, GPA Files, Fields DDF files (Indexes DDF file is optional). Our current DDF settings are compatible with 9.5 version. However we have GPA upgrade diskette, allowing to upgrade GPS folder with all the companies to the version of 9.5 (from 9.2, 9.1 and earlier). If you are walking away from GPA for DOS, and need data export (historical, open, work, master and setting files) – we can do this for you
7. International Service Options. As there is the trend to switch away from conventional phone lines to Skype, Vonage, Tango or another VOIP provider (where phone conferences are handled by such up to day internationalization supporting tools as Gotomeeting, Gotomypc (both covere3d by Citrix), etc.) – we are ready to support your international or overseas based location via Skype, Tango or another popular phone conferencing application. These technologies allow us to serve you in international locations, where GP is fully or half way localized: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, UK, Ireland, Caribbean (including Bermuda, Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico)
8. If you feel that your concerns are not addressed or your question is not answered, please feel free to contact our office. Support domestically in the USA, Canada, Mexico and internationally. This option is possible via Web Sessions, Skype or Phone conferences and direct visits onsite (in the case of the large scale project). Our consulting team speaks English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Filipino. Feel free to call us 1-866-304-3265, 1-269-605-4904, or email help@efaru.com
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