Microsoft Dynamics GP, or how it was known Great Plains Dynamics (before the Great Plains Software acquisition by Microsoft and later on introduction of Microsoft Dynamics project) is sold, implemented and supported via Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics Partner channel.
MBS provides technical support on the case basis,
where you have to be on annual support contract to receive discounted support calls with free access to Customer Source, knowledge base and new version registration key. If you are in process of future Corporate ERP system selection and would like to see Dynamics GP presentation, please find GP VAR in your region or if you prefer to do it by industry expertise, research who is the leader in Dynamics GP implementation in your industry niche. The featured topic of today’s publication is Warehouse Management System for Great Plains Dynamics GP, often demanded in the implementations in such industries as Manufacturing, Shipping And Receiving, Wholesale trade, Freight Forwarding, Nationwide and Regional Distribution:
1. Barcode Scanning. This is the background technology of the WMS. Barcoding scanner is somewhat initially similar to the computer keyboard and characters entering devise, however with the Barcode scanner advancements (such as placing processer into the scanner body, having scanner run its own operating system, such as Windows mobile) – the scanner itself can do better job in scanning multiple lines of the picking and packing manifest, or picking list and then uploading the whole document or even the whole batch of documents at once – you need to have special software layer, in essence Warehouse Management System (often with Server and client applications – where client runs directly on the scanner OS)
2. WMS implementation options. Typically we have to review two of them. First one is Warehouse Management Extensions, working directly within GP SQL Database and opening such Great Plains transactions for barcoding as SOP Transaction Entry, POP Purchase Receipt, Inventory Adjustment and Transfer (optionally Inventory Cycle Count, Bill of Materials and others). This method in our opinion is preferred, as it allows you to save money on WMS software licenses. Second option is to purchase and implement external Warehouse Management System with connectors to Dynamics GP SOP, POP and Inventory transactions. It is also the great route to undertake, but be sure that you understand that external WMS typically has the same (but barcoding enabled) functionality as regular Dynamics GP SOP, POP and Inventory control modules (where you already paid for the software licenses). We also recommend you to be sure that your WMS partner doesn’t oversell you, try to be a bit skeptical, especial concerns, according to our WMS customer complains list are WMS integration implementation to go over budget and even in technology consulting limbo
3. Alba Spectrum WMS extensions for Dynamics GP. We are following the guidelines, described in paragraph #2. Our WMS solution requires Warehouse Management Server application, typically running on Windows XP, Vista or Win7, or Server version of MS Windows, placed on your Warehouse or office internet (via direct Ethernet connection or via Wireless/Wi-Fi). WMS server talks to Dynamics GP Server via ODBC connection. WMS client application is running directly on the Barcode scanner
4. To request further support, please call us 1-866-528-0577, help@albaspectrum.com. By the nature of our service we are available for WMS implementation USA, Canada nationwide. Local service is available in Western Michigan: St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Holland, New Buffalo; in Chicagoland, North Western Indiana, Southern California (Los Angeles, San Diego, Irvine, Orange County), Houston and Dallas areas of Texas
