This topic is actual for Crystal Reports Designer or IT professional who is trying to export records from legacy Corporate ERP application – Great Plains Accounting for DOS or Windows.
GPA was Btrieve based accounting application, and if you are still using it, you may move it to something like Windows 2003 or even 2008 Windows Server (or even Small Business Server), assuming that you understand the restriction – you have to install 32bit version of Windows on the server and the client workstations (where you can enjoy such cool operating systems as Windows7, Vista or Windows XP – all need to be 32bit). If you would like to move yourself into contemporary Corporate ERP environment with such features as Microsoft SQL Server, FRx or Microsoft Management Reporter, Graphical logo printing on your invoices, XML, ecommerce, you have the option to upgrade Great Plains Accounting all the way to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010/11.0 (this is current version on the time of writing – October 2010, I am pretty sure, this version will stay through 2011 with couple of service packs to be released). Great Plains Accounting support expired somewhere around 2001 directly by Microsoft Business Solutions technical support (Customer Source and Partner Source), if you still need support - it is available through Dynamics GP Resellers channels (you may check with Microsoft who is out there supporting Great Plains Accounting for DOS, Windows and Mac, or just find the support provider via Google search)
1. ODBC for GPA, version restrictions. We recommend you to review ODBC manual (on your GPA CD, please open DOCS folder to find the available references). ODBC openness for such historical ERP application as GPA for DOS was considered as very advanced feature in time of the late Clinton era. You should learn that recommended versions are GPA 9.2 and 9.5. Great Plains Accounting version upgrade procedure is not really complex, so if you are a version behind, please consider upgrade (assuming you have registration key for the new version, we could check it for you with Microsoft Business Solutions)
2. Pervasive SQL Driver. ODBC connection could be achieved through Pervasive Software SQL 2000 ODBC driver. As you might know Pervasive Software is successor of Btrieve technology and this software development firm reshaped Btrieve administration interface (by creating such cool features as Pervasive Control Center, graphical interface for Btrieve parameters change). We recommend you to install Pervasive SQL 2000 Service Pack 3 or 2 on your workstation or server which hosts Great Plains Accounting Btrieve database
3. DDF files. Btrieve, at least its older versions works better if you provide Data Definition Files. You can produce these files if you read ODBC Great Plains Accounting manual, where the procedure requires you to have GPA ODBC Diskette 1 of 2. If you do not have floppy drive on your modern server, you can create ISO image via such popular software as Nero, etc. and map ISO file via virtual DVD/CD drive software (Magic Disk, or similar). If you do not have the diskette, call us, we have DDF files for purchase and we are consultants to help you with GPA issues
4. Some recommendations if you are running your business on Great Plains Accounting for DOS or Windows. Each GPA manual recommends you to mage company backup, prior to such procedures as Transactions or Batches posting. In default installation environment you should backup C:\GPS\GPDATA and if you have several GPA companies, these should be also backed up, prior to transaction posting. In bullet proof scenario, you should have USB external drive or tape backup to be ready to backup your C:\GPS folder (in this case system info and all the companies DB are backed up)
5. 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
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