Dynamics GP Implementation in Wholesale and Retail Trade: POS, Barcoding, WMS

You do not have to stick to the recommended approach in implementing Great Plains, there are numerous options to consider and choose from.  In this small publication we will try to give you initial highlights and you should be able to launch your homework in Dynamics GP modules and POS, Barcoding and Wholesale add-ons selection and evaluation.  Let’s begin our paragraphs, first section will be dedicated to retail automation:

1. High volume retail versus small outlet.  It might sound a bit paradoxical, but in high volume retail store, where cash register has to process new walk-in customer shopping card every few minutes, you would normally like to install simple POS terminals (with dedicated POS software, such as Microsoft RMS or Counterpoint Cash Register), comparing to the store with low volume of POS transactions, but where each shopping cart is several times more valuable in price (where you may decide to install Dynamics GP workstation on Windows7 (or more traditional Windows XP) with POS extension module, such as Compass Point Of Sale).  Let’s review these options in the next paragraphs

2. Microsoft RMS or Counterpoint from Radiant Systems cash registers.  Here you normally do not need powerful computer, you rather invest into POS peripheral devices, such as USB barcode laser scanner, Credit/Debit card processing box (with optional customer signature capturing device – touch screen), POS display, Coupon printer, etc.  Microsoft RMS as well as Counterpoint and other professional Retail packages allow your store to work off line (such as seasonal markets, farm stands) and then upload POS transactions on demand via dial-up, DSL, Wi-Fi and even MiFi connections.  Obviously all the mentioned above communication protocols are traditional and reliable, except MiFi or Cellular Broadband 3G and especially emerging (November 2010) 4G (WiMax, currently available through Sprint/Clearwire) and LTE (in rolling out phase by Verizon Wireless).  3G seems to more expensive (even for Cellular companies to rent towers and frequencies), where you typically cannot find the plan with unlimited broadband 3G data plan.  4G imitation (or at least, not officially recognized as true 4G standard support) WiMax is currently the only available option in major US mega polices, seems to be working on really high frequencies and the signal is very sensitive to natural obstacles, such as brick buildings, forests, hills, even aluminum siding and energy savings windows and balcony doors.  We experimented with Clearwire MiFi hot spot, and it didn’t work in the office, however when we placed the device in plastic waterproof bag and elevated it on five meters toll tree - it got stable 4G WiMax signal (2 to 3 bars out of five) and download speed was around 2 MegaBit per second (our distance from the nearest Sprint tower is around two miles and we do not have hills, just forests and residential buildings).  Clearwire also provides business service, based on WiMax 4G, where you may rent outdoor modem ($25 per month) – we didn’t have a chance to test its performance and signal quality.  At this time we recommend be very conservative and do not sign long term agreement on 4G broadband internet.  We recommend you to see the results of Verizon 4G LTE rollout, which supposed to happen in the next few months, where we saw he reports, that LTE will work on the lower frequency signal and should be more flexible to penetrate to the office buildings

3. Dynamics GP POS extensions.  In our opinion this option is a good fit for the retailer with smaller volume of transactions and you have to have permanent internet connection with your Dynamics GP Server.  Technically you may be OK with just installing Great Plains workstation for each of the cash register computers (please, be sure that you are in compliance with GP user workstation computer and operating system requirements).  POS extensions, such as Compass allow you to handle Sales promotions and discounted price campaigns, where you have control on who is eligible, merchandise ID from-to, Class From-to, Custom Category from-to

4. Wholesale Trade: Supply Chain Management, Warehouse Management System, Barcoding on the Warehouse floor.  WMS is often considered (by various SCM evangelists) as Supply Chain Management theory core concept, with such WMS components, as Order Fulfillment (sometimes referred as Allocation), Inventory Restocking (Merchandise Allocation), Inventory Count (Stock Physical Count, typically every month or quarter) and Adjustments.  Please, read our articles, dedicated to WMS products selection for Microsoft Dynamics GP in open press, where we are reviewing pluses and minuses of external WMS versus Warehouse Management Extensions for Dynamics GP

5. Last Flint, generic Barcoding for Dynamics GP Great Plains.  In theory each Dynamics GP form could be opened for barcoding where you have editable fields.  This should work the following way – move the cursor to the field and, having USB compliant barcode laser scanner connected simply click read button on the scanner (positioning scanner head over item barcode label). At this point we expect a lot of questions and complains about that type of barcoding to be very inefficient and user not friendly, well if you are not happy with free solution, consider professional POS or Warehouse Management System to be implemented

6. To request further support, please call us 1-866-528-0577, help@albaspectrum.com We need to discuss your cards in order to recommend you the best solutions, which is not contingent to our preferences.  We serve you USA/Canada nationwide via remote support (web sessions and phone/skype conferences).  Local service is available in Western Michigan, Chicagoland, Southern California (LA, Orange County, San Diego), Houston area of the state of Texas