Web Client Wednesday - User Interface Differences

How I get dragged into these things is beyond me, but MVP Mark Polino has convinced me that we need to make sure we dedicate a post every Wednesday to the Web Client and frankly, it did not take an arm twist to get me to bite.

Take a look at Mark's first post where he details how the installation Repair feature saves you from a full re-installation or redeployment.

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To kick off this series, I will talk about something I was asked about during my web client training session at GPUG Summit 2013 Tampa: what are the main differences between the desktop and web client user interfaces? This topics has been covered in bits and pieces here and there, but I will try to round them out all in a single post.

At a general level, the first notable change is the replacement of the traditional menu navigation available in the desktop client for the use of navigation bars and lists. But then again, Microsoft introduced navigation lists since version 9.0, so by now you should be a pro using this application feature.

Login

Desktop Client - Login

Web Client - Login

The first thing to note is, the desktop client does allow you to remember the user and password. Not so under the web client.

Menus

Desktop Client Menus

Web Client Menus

The desktop client will continue to display the traditional menu bar as a navigation option. The web client does not display the menu bar and replaces this feature for the navigation lists. The web client incorporates a Sign Out hyperlink to gracefully exit the application. Closing the web page is not recommended as it will strand a user within the system. However, if you close the web page by accident, you can always connect to the same session.

In both cases, the desktop and the web clients allow you to customize the page.

Home Navigation Bar

Desktop Client - Home	Web Client - Home

The Home navigation bar changes from the desktop client to the web client. The desktop client features the User Preferences window and the Shortcuts, Report Shortcuts, Startup, and User Classes folders, which are not available under web client. If you are currently using shortcuts under the desktop client, it is recommended you add these as Quick Links on your home page.

User Preferences

Desktop client - User Preferences

Web Client - User Preferences

The traditional user preferences for required fields are displayed on the desktop client - bold, red, italic, etc. - but not so on the web client. I suspect this is something the Microsoft Dynamics GP development team will work on, but as of SP2 this feature was not present on the web client. To this effect, if you are using the Support Debugging Tool, company color coding is also not available under the web client.

Status Bar

Desktop Client - Status bar

Web Client - Status bar

The web client status bar incorporates the status of the connection, access to the online help, and status of the Silverlight trust to the local resources (printers, folders, etc.) when the certificates are not present on the local computer's certificate store; in addition to the system date, company, and user information displayed traditionally under the desktop client.

Window Navigation

Desktop Client - Window Navigation

Web Client - Window Navigation

Perhaps, one of the areas where changes will be rather apparent is at the individual window navigation. The web client implements a ribbon, which displays and replaces a number of traditional elements common to the desktop client. For example, on the SOP Entry window, the buttons at the bottom of the window are implemented under a Go To drop-down button on the ribbon. Since menus are not available in Web Client, these desktop only options become a part of the window ribbon in web client. Other elements such as windows displayed by expansion buttons and other form windows become navigational tabs under the web client.

However, the all too familiar browse buttons remain in place at the bottom of both the desktop client and the web client windows.

SmartLists Access

Desktop Client - Smartlist Access                                                          Web Client - Smartlist Access

Since the traditional menu options are not available under the web client, SmartLists must be accessed under the corresponding SmartList Favorites for each navigation bar option. For example, all SmartLists under the sales series, must be accessed from the Sales navigation bar by choosing the SmartList Favorites option for that series. Here's where naming your SmartLists accordingly becomes really handy once they are listed in the list.

Now, I know these may not be all the differences at hand between the two user interfaces, but if I missed any, please feel free to add your comments to this article.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

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GPUG Summit 2013 Tampa Wrap Up

I just got back from GPUG Summit 2013 in Tampa and I have to say it was a very exciting week. With a 4-hour training and 3 sessions over 3 days, reality is time is always of the essence at a conference like this one. If you went to any of my sessions, please fill out the survey as this is how I get invited to these events - seriously!


ITP02: Fun with Microsoft Dynamics GP Administration Tools
Wednesday October 23, 2013 2:00pm - 3:00pm
CPE Eligible
Complete survey

STR04: Web Client Deployment for IT Directors
Thursday October 24, 2013 1:15pm - 2:15pm
CPE Eligible
Complete survey

ITP07: Administering SQL for Microsoft Dynamics GP Administrators
Friday October 25, 2013 9:45am - 10:45am
CPE Eligible
Complete survey

Nonetheless, I got a chance to attend a few sessions where I picked up a few nuggets (blog material for this week) and learned some more about topics I don't usually get involved with and, boy, it was all worth it! Some of the sessions I attended are as follow:

BIR03: Unlock the Magic of Excel Refreshable Reports
Presenter: MVP Mark Polino
Wednesday October 23, 2013 10:00am - 11:00am
CPE Eligible
Complete survey

PSH05R: Making Microsoft Dynamics GP work Simpler and Easier
Presenter: Mark Rockwell @ Rockton Software.
Thursday October 24, 2013 9:30am - 10:30am
Not CPE Eligible
Complete survey

BDA06: Going Deep with SmartList Builder
Presenter: Nicole Alberson @ eOne Business Solutions.
Thursday October 24, 2013 4:00pm - 5:30pm
CPE Eligible
Complete survey

STR08: Business Portal is Alive and Kicking
Presenter: Tanya Henderson @ S2 Technologies.
Friday October 25, 2013 11:00am - 12:00pm
CPE Eligible
Complete survey

Thanks to Summit sponsors FastPath and Data Masons for hosting the Thursday morning MVP breakfast, attended by MVPs from all ERP and CRM products and a few GPUG All-Star guests - from left to right and front to back, John Lowther (GP), Belinda Allen (GP), Leslie Vail (GP), Mariano Gomez (GP), Zubin Gidwani (GP All-Star), Jon Rivers (Data Mason), Howard Swerdloff (GP All-Star), Gretchen Opferkew (CRM), Claus Lundstrøm (NAV), Per Mogensen (NAV), Mark Polino (GP), Brandon George (AX)

Congratulations to the GPUG Summit 2013 All-Stars, Beat Bucher (@GP_Beat) with Forensic Technologies in Canada, Terry Heley with Microsoft, and Michelle Kocher with Delta Medical Systems.

Michelle, Terry, and Beat joined the "Ask the All-Star" session featuring (from left to right) Zubin Gidwani, Richard Whaley, MVP John Lowther, Bob McAdam, and MVP Mark Polino.

It was also good to catch up with my friends at eOne Business Solutions, Abbey Cooper, Nicole Albertson, and Chris Dew - Martin Olsen behind the camera.

My thoughts in general are:

• Mark Polino is an Excel diva - enough said!
• 1 hour sessions are too short. Most presenters I spoke to had a lot more material they would have wanted to present, but time did not allow them to go deeper into the topics.
• Summit is definitely an event all end-users must attend at least every couple years.
• Drop the word "optional" from the pre-conference training sessions. When you make something "optional", people just don't show up. It was not uncommon to find classrooms with just 2 students and the instructor.
• Can't beat the Tampa weather. Should plan to have more summits in this beautiful city.
• More deep dives please! It should be all about the details for the end-user.
• From a presenter's perspective, VPC images were messed up and some were not even ready. Not cool!

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

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Attending GPUG 2013 in Tampa? Don't miss my sessions

Well, it's yet another conference for me. This time around, I will be presenting at GPUG Summit 2013 in beautiful Tampa, Florida and I was hoping that, if you are attending, a) you can come to one or all of my sessions, and b) that you would absolutely stop by to say hello.

My sessions are as follow:

Fun with Microsoft Dynamics GP Administrative Tools
Wednesday, October 23 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm
This session will involve some Support Debugging Tool, but I also have a bit of an ace under the sleeve for attendees, so you won't want to miss this one.

Web Client Deployment for IT Directors
Thursday, October 24 • 1:15pm - 2:15pm
With the release of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client, IT administrators are at the cross-roads of continuing to support a traditional rich client environment and adopting the new Web Client interface. Come learn what it takes to deploy Web Client, upgrade your current rich client environment (whether you are on a Terminal Server or workstation-driven environment), and the challenges with this new deployment approach.

Administering SQL for Microsoft Dynamics GP
Friday, October 25 • 9:45am - 10:45am
Are you confident that you are managing your Microsoft SQL Server environment correctly? Increase your effectiveness as an IT administrator at your organization - we'll help you increase your self-reliance and skill set for monitoring and maintaining your SQL environment, and give you the tools and knowledge to help troubleshoot when the unexpected happens.

I also have a training class, Hands-On with the Support Debugging Tool, which will be running on Tuesday, October 22 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM where I will be teaching some really cool SDT features. The best part is, you get to play with the tool yourself.

More information on Summit 2013 pre-conference training here.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

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Microsoft Dexterity Training back by popular demand

(C) Microsoft Corporation

You asked for it and we are responding to your request. Given the success of our past Microsoft Dexterity training roadshow, we are launching a new round of training sessions for 2014. This time, we have expanded the number of training offers to cover advanced Dexterity topics, and for the first time, we are introducing Visual Studio Tools for Dexterity developers (and .NET developers too).

• DEX001: Microsoft Dexterity Fundamentals - classes in Atlanta, Miami, and Toronto
• DEX002: Advanced Microsoft Dexterity Development - classes in Boston and Montreal
• DEX003: Visual Studio Tools for Microsoft Dexterity Developers - classes in Las Vegas and Seattle.

Want to attend, but don't want to leave your offices? We will come to you. (*)

You can find all about each class offered on our training page. For more information, contact Chuck Boyles at +1 (678) 993-6971.

(*) Some restrictions apply.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

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Microsoft Dynamics GP Technical Airlift 2013 - More on Day 1

How does one manage to talk about a Conference when not in attendance? Well, you get reporters on the ground to tell you what's going on.

Sivakumar Venkataraman with Microsoft reminds everyone of the different tracks and sessions features in each:

My good friend Thomas Franz over at Integrity Data had a few things to relay, starting from a shout out to Microsoft and GPCC for the great content. His appreciation however goes to the one-off conversations with the Microsoft team and members of the GP community. While Thomas was entertained, elsewhere his coworker, Bobby, managed to pin down my good friend Brian Roney for a possible solution to a big customer request. Kudos to Brian and Michael Hammond who were kind enough to pickup the session I was going to deliver, Developing for the Web Client: a Microsoft Dexterity perspective. Thomas also attended the opening session with Chad an Errol and enjoyed all the roadmap talks. You can read more about the roadmap in my Day 1 coverage. Thomas also attended the Web Client Customization with VST session and noted the flexibility it provided for some of the work they are doing over at Integrity Data. I covered a great deal of this in my article VST: Rendering WinForms in Microsoft Dynamics GP web client

Thomas also attended the Deploying Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 on Windows on Azure session presented by my good friend Daryl Anderson. He was looking at this for a possible SharePoint hosting solution for their U-LINC customers. 

After the day of sessions, they headed outside for the welcome reception were discussions revolved around current project issues.  Somehow, the Integrity folks managed to muster some energy to host a coding party in Bobby’s room at the hotel. Bobby and Nick started proving out Brian Roney’s suggestion and I provisioned a new SharePoint server on Azure.  Where else do you get to do this stuff?

I am sure there was a lot of serious conversations going on at the Welcome Reception, but I find that some people just prefer to enjoy life for what it is... you go ladies!

Windi Epperson (The Knaster Group)	Linda Brock (The Knaster Group)

More on Day 1:

GP Airlift 2013 - Day 1 (Kuntz Consulting Blog)

Thanks to my reporters Thomas Franz with Integrity Data and Tanya Henderson with S2 Technology.

Day 2 updates to follow.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

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Microsoft Dynamics GP Technical Airlift 2013 - Day 1

The Microsoft Dynamics GP Technical Airlift 2013, hosted by GP Partner Connections is now in full session.

Unfortunately, last minute circumstances prevented my participation as a presenter this year, but in retrospect, it was probably a good thing as I really don't want to become like those actors that show up in just about every movie.

The sessions list for this year is off the chain and if you are a propeller head like me, you can certainly attend some really cool sessions:

• Developing for the Web Client: a Microsoft Dexterity Perspective (Sept 18, 1:15 PM CST)
• Dynamics GP Multitenant for Developers (Sept 18, 2:30 PM CST)
• Dynamics GP Development Team Unplug (Sept 18, 3:45 PM CST)
• Dexterity and Services: Can they be friends? (Sept 19, 11:15 AM CST)
• Web Client Customization with VST Deep Dive (Sept 19, 4:00 PM CST)

In addition to these development sessions, there are tons of other development related sessions around Window 8 and Windows Phone, and BI for GP.

You will not want to miss the closing session on Friday either. That promises to be a complete surprise, according to my friend Jay Manley. Find detailed information on sessions here.

Being away, however, doesn't give me the right to not know what's going on and I can tell you that the first major update coming out of Fargo is a roadmap refresh.

Roadmap Update

The next big thing in the horizon, of course, is all the buzz surrounding GP Next, Microsoft's next generation of the award winning Microsoft Dynamics GP -- okay, I sounded a bit like a salesman there, but hey, ain't we all? To deliver the "next generation" of products you have to imagine there will be a "next generation" of tools. What will happen with Dexterity? What will happen with Visual Studio Tools and, of course, Silverlight development? As GP expands more into a service model, and away (in some sense) from its Client/Server roots how will the development tools be enhanced?

Microsoft delivered ahead of expectations on the SP2 updates for GP 2013 in the second half of this year, which included close to 20 new enhancements, drifting away from the traditional Feature Pack concept. Pam Misialek explains this as a way to deliver functionality out the door much, much quicker to customers. You can read more here.

The next major wave will be coming in the first half of 2014 and will see significant enhancements to Workflow, a move to add Requisitions into Microsoft Dynamics GP, a Windows 8 Procurement app, and some Identity Management concepts.

I also have my spy reporter at the conference and this is the first picture coming out from Fargo with MVP Leslie Vail presenting the Support Debugging Tool session (with MVP Belinda Allen).

Leslie in the Support Debugging Tool session

The credit for the above goes to Tanya Henderson at S2 Technology.

I challenge you to be my reporter by taking pictures and relaying your experience. Email  your pictures and updates and I will make sure you get credit for your work in my article. All pictures will be uploaded to The Dynamics GP Blogster on Facebook for everyone to see. If you attend an interesting session and/or hear of the latest buzz around the corridors, please feel free to email me too.

I wish everyone in attendance a great conference and hope you enjoy every bit of it.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

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Microsoft Dexterity Training Roadshow - Next Stop: Boston

(C) Microsoft Corporation

The Microsoft Dexterity Training Roadshow rolls around the United States with its next and final stop in Boston, Massachusetts from July 15 - July 19, 2013. Our training will be hosted in the Regus Business Center, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.



Regus Business Center
60 State Street, Suite 700
Boston, MA 02109

We still have some seats left, so if you want to learn some of the development techniques used by Microsoft Dynamics GP developers this is your chance. For registration information, click here.

Stay tuned as we will announce our second Roadshow coming up.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

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Microsoft Dynamics GP Technical Airlift 2013

The Microsoft Dynamics GP Technical Airlift 2013 hosted by GP Partner Connections is a little less than 3 months away, so if you are a Microsoft Dynamics GP partner please register now.

As is customary, I will be attending the Technical Airlift as a presenter this year and will really be rocking a cool new session:


Developing for the Web Client: a Microsoft Dexterity perspective
September 18 • 1:15pm - 2:15pm

In this session, I will be presenting some new (and not so new) techniques used by Microsoft Dexterity developers to render integrating applications on the Web Client. Come learn about user interface standards, ribbons, command forms, selective programming (Web Client vs Rich Client), techniques for converting your VBA customization to Web Client compatible customizations, and performance killers.

Lot's to cover in one hour, but trust me, you will walk out of this session with some good tips for your bag of tricks.

See you in beautiful Fargo, North Dakota.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

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Microsoft Dexterity Training Roadshow - Next Stop: Chicago

(C) Microsoft Corporation

The Microsoft Dexterity Training Roadshow rolls around the United States with its next stop in Chicago, Illinois from May 13 - May 17, 2013. Our training will be hosted at the beautiful John Hancock Center building, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

John Hancock Center in Chi-town

John Hancock Center
875 N. Michigan Avenue
31st Floor
Chicago, IL 60611

We still have some seats left, so if you want to learn some of the development techniques used by Microsoft Dynamics GP developers this is your chance. For registration information, click here.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

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Technical Readiness for Microsoft Dynamics GP Latin American Partners

If you are Latin American partner looking to gain some insight into the deployment considerations of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client, along with the skillset you will need on your team to carryout a successful implementation, then this 2-day course is for you. Course will be conducted at the following locations and dates:

Santiago, Chile - April 17 - 18, 2013

Santiago de Chile

Caracas, Venezuela - April 29 - 30, 2013

Caracas, Venezuela

These courses are organized by Microsoft and all content will be delivered in Spanish. As an added bonus, you get to be trained by me!!

For registration information, please contact:

North America: Pam Misialek
Latin America/Caribbean: Rodolfo Gonzalez-Llanos

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

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Microsoft Dexterity Training Roadshow - Next Stop: Seattle

(C) Microsoft Corporation

The Microsoft Dexterity Training Roadshow rolls around the United States with its next stop in Seattle, Washington from April 22 - April 26, 2013.

We still have plenty of seats left, so if you want to learn some of the development techniques used by Microsoft Dynamics GP developers this is your chance. For registration information, click here.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

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Microsoft Dynamics Convergence is around the corner!

This is it! Microsoft Dynamics Convergence 2013 New Orleans is here. If you haven't registered it's never too late. All my sessions are now scheduled and I just wanted to walk through some of them and ask for your support - this is, I want to see you there!

GENGP01 - Getting Inspired with Microsoft Dynamics GP
Tuesday, March 19th from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Well, I finally get my 5 minutes of fame on the big stage - a chance to present at the General Session. I will be doing something pretty neat with MVP Mark Polino over at DynamicAccounting.net, together on stage. Needless to say, it involves swords and axes, but you need to come to see it.

CSGP24 - Administering SQL Server for Microsoft Dynamics GP
Wednesday, March 20th from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
I have been asked to pickup on a topic that garnered some attention at the past Microsoft Dynamics Convergence in Houston, and for the first time I will be dedicating a full hour to SQL Server administration for Microsoft Dynamics GP. Come learn some of the tips, tricks, and considerations I used to maintain my customers' database environments running like a Swiss clock.

CSGP30 - The Microsoft Dynamics GP Support Debugging Tool
Thursday, March 21st from 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Someone has to carry the Support Debugging Tool flag, correct? It's too bad that my good friend David Musgrave will not be here to introduce the upcoming build 18.

Well, this time I have a dazzling array of features to show you including some exclusive ones to appear in the upcoming build 18. Also, want to see the Support Debugging Tool on the Web Client? Come and learn what will work and what won't. I have it all for you.

CSGP32 - Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client For Smaller Companies
(R1) Wednesday, March 20th from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
(R2) Thursday, March 21st from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm    
This is my second 5 minutes of fame. The good fellows over at Microsoft have invited me to present with the dynamic duo of Kevin Racer and Daryl Anderson - twice! You know you have made it in the Microsoft world if you start to hang out with these two. Nonetheless, come see us. This session promises to be very fun, while very instructive.

Well, as you see, lot's on my plate for this upcoming event, but you know what, I LOVE IT! I love seeing every single one of you in my sessions: I love to meet first time attendees just as much as I enjoy talking to my long time followers and by now friends. If you are not attending my sessions, oh well! Just make sure you attend many of the other fun and instructional ones.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

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Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client Training in Atlanta (Continued)

This is the last article in this series and I have to say with it comes the end of a fabulous 5-day training course on Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client. The first 2 days of this event were solely focused on the functional aspects of the Web Client implementation - everything that happens after the GP logon window is presented to the end user.

The last 3 days of the course - USWK019 Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client for the Implementation Consultant Workshop - were a full deep dive into the nitty gritty aspects of the Web Client from a technical implementation standpoint - everything leading up to the GP login window. I think I learned more about certificates, network load balances, firewalls, and a number of other underlying stack elements than I ever wanted to know about in just these 3 days. However, this is what the new brave world brings to bear.

These 3 days brought almost 25 consultants together in one room - some of the top guys in the business. Frankly, we had a great time and carried all the labs out with enthusiasm and lots of questions for Jason and Lucas. There was a moment during the labs where Lucas was shadowing every machine in the environment, troubleshooting a multi-machine Web Client installation.

Lucas Miller working his way through the implementation labs

I have to say that after 5 grueling days, it was time to get some rest from it all. Nonetheless, the content of the classes were great, the material was superb, and the instructors were fabulous. I appreciate the opportunity to meet so many cool folks in the industry and hope to see everyone soon at Convergence 2013 New Orleans.

Side note: In the Microsoft Dynamics GP development world we have a series of principles and best practices, collectively known as the "Musgravion Doctrines". Similarly, in the Microsoft Dynamics GP Web Client world, there a number of specific terms and particulars, collectively known as "Aaronisms". Any misuse of a term or incorrect reference within the context of your cursory explanation or write up can earn you a follow up email as a result - Aaron Donat, smile! Just messing with you.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP
IntellPartners, LLC
http://www.IntellPartners.com/

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