Microsoft Dynamics GP Barcoding Modules: WMS, SCM, Consignment

While core Great Plains Financials modules are straight forward in their implementation, data conversion and reporting (General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Bank Reconciliation) – Distributions set of modules often requires Dynamics GP Partner dedication to such technologies as Supply Chain Management, Barcoding, Warehouse Management, Logistics, Manufacturing, and even be very comfortable with GP customization tools and programming options: Microsoft Dexterity, eConnect, SQL scripting, Barcode scanner programming.  Plus – industry expertise is often a big plus, including discrete manufacturing, consignment, picking and packing with regulation compliance:
1. WMS module overview and positioning.  If you are implementing Great Plains and now looking at Warehouse Management extension for GP, you are likely to be mid-size manufacturing, regional distributor or retailer.  This system is typically Barcode scanning based and its Software licenses cost and implementation could be comparable or even exceed core GP modules.  Business processes for Supply Chain Management might be difficult in their formalization, this is why you may expect some modifications to be required on the first or the second phase of WMS implementation.  There are two approaches in WMS module selection – pick External Warehouse Management Application or WMS extension, which work directly with GP modules and doesn’t require additional integration (as you would need in the case of External WMS).  Considering high WMS implementation cost, we recommend you to secure special commitment from your key personnel, and we do recommend you to assign or hire professional project manager in staff in additional to picking Dynamics GP WMS Partner and ISV.  From the technology standpoint Warehouse Management System is typically build upon SOP, POP and Inventory Control modules, sometimes extending also Bill of Materials or Manufacturing suite of modules.  ERP software industry also has some specifics, such as annual software support contracts (where you have automatic access to new version, when it is released, plus you have discounted price per support case) – please, incorporate this cost into your WMS and ERP implementation and support budget
2. Consignment and other elements of Supply Chain Management.  If you have contracts with your business partners, such as small retail stores, restaurants, vending machines to deliver merchandize on consignment with delivery route and dates optimization – this is available extension to the WMS module.  Consignment, besides being accounted on your books, is often very creative and may require customization in its implementation.  We often see Consignment needs in Food and Textile industries for Great Plains
3. WMS and Production functionality.  Besides the needs to open Manufacturing modules screens for Barcode integration, you may also need to implement Manufacturing Order integration and processing automation.  We recommend you to consider Workflow and Posting Server, where you can automate multiple steps (where no GP user intervention is required) with dialogs, where you would like to provide optional decision making
4. How to request WMS support and demo?  Please, call us 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918 or email us help@albaspectrum.com  You can enjoy local support in Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, San Diego, plus we serve you USA, Canada , Mexico nationwide and internationally.  SCM industry requires dedication and it is common for WMS consultants to travel internationally for initial implementation and then provide ongoing support remotely
5. Related topic #1 – WMS Sales, Implementation and Support internationally.  If you are in US or Canada – there is no problem to pick and invite Barcoding and ERP consultants.  However, if you are located internationally, WMS people could be not ready to travel to your place due to various reasons, including not being familiar with your country language, business legislation and traditions.  In our case, we are dedicated to international Corporate ERP and MRP market and our consultants speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Filipino, Russian.  Dynamics GP is only localized (local language support and legislation compliance) in English speaking countries (US, Canada – including Quebec in French, Australia, UK, New Zealand, South Africa, Oceania) , plus in Spanish for Latin America and Caribbean islands and in Arabic for Middle East.  There are Dynamics GP add-ons allowing you to have GP interface in Chinese, Portuguese, German, Swedish, Japanese, Korean, Italian,  again, please be sure that you do understand the difference between ERP being localized and supporting local language only (not being necessary compliant to local country tax code)
6. Related Topic #2 – Dynamics GP Programming and Software Development.  We are just back from Convergence 2010 in Atlanta, where we visited seminar on Dynamics GP customization tools.  David Musgrave, one of the Microsoft Dexterity gurus, indicated that Great Plains Dexterity is still current and robust and you can still rely on and trust to proven traditional Great Plains Software technologies.  In Alba Spectrum we traditionally develop our modules in Dexterity and we are Dynamics GP Source Code Partner (who has access Dexterity Source Code).  We invite existing or new Great Plains customers or resellers to view our Great Plains Dexterity Software Development Factory presentation