Microsoft Dynamics GP Roadmap Update - Welcome codename GP "15"

Exciting times to be in the Microsoft Dynamics GP world! Web Client on the horizon, cloud computing in the not so distant future, tons of enhancements in codename GP "12". Now that I come to think about it, kind of make GP 2010 sound a bit obsolete, but wait? GP 2010 just got a refresh a few months ago. Oh, well!

If you keep up with my blog, you probably have seen my previous articles on the GP roadmap. For your benefit however, here are the links:

The Evolution of the Microsoft Dynamics GP Roadmap
Microsoft Dynamics GP Roadmap Update
Microsoft Dynamics GP roadmap

Now, I unveil for you the new roadmap which includes codename GP "15"

Roadmap as of November 2011 (GPUG Summit)

This roadmap update was unveiled at the GPUG Summit 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Note that codename GP "15" includes a Rapid Time-to-Value focus for the middle market, which probably means you will see some improvements in the implementation and deployment cycles of the product, a carry over topic from codename GP "14". One has to imagine that given the changes in the core product architecture, deployment would become a focus going into the future.

As usual, if anything new comes up I will let you know about it - as long as I am not bound by my NDA.

Until next post!

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

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Navigation List Builder not redeploying changes to a previously saved list

During the Drill-Down Builder and Navigation List Builder training session (for class materials, click here) I held at GPUG Academy Training Day 1 in Las Vegas, prior to the GPUG Summit, I found that Navigation List Builder had an issue redeploying changes done to a previously created and saved navigation list. In reality, this issue came up days before when I was preparing the class, but I really did not give it much thought and attributed the problem to an 'environmental' issue on my machine. The Microsoft Dynamics GP version is 2010 R2 (11.00.1752).

One of my students saved his navigation list to the wrong series and deployed the list. All things worked, except the navigation list was showing up under the Financial bar, instead of the Sales bar where it should have been saved to initially.

Navigation List Builder - list saved to the wrong series

Upon realizing the miscategorization of the list, the student returned to Navigation List Builder to make the proper adjustments and set the navigation list appear under the Sales bar. Easy feat, right? Sure was! After saving the changes to the navigation list, the typical deployment window flashed.

The student then proceeded to click on the Sales navigation bar and did not see the navigation list he had created. He then clicked on the Financial navigation bar and nothing showed up. In essence, the list was gone.

Returning to Navigation List Builder, we could retrieve the List ID we created. However, after adding a few new columns and saving to redeploy, we were not able to see the list on the Sales navigation bar. Finally, after a few trial with no success, we decided to delete the navigation list and recreated with the same name, this time, saving to the Sales navigation bar (as originally intended). This time, the new list displayed just fine.

There are a few more things we did not test, so consider this a limited scenario. Other things that could be tested include saving a navigation list to the correct bar, then return and add some changes after the initial deployment, though I suspect this problem would have manifested itself in the support archives pretty quick.

Until next post!

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

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GPUG Summit 2011 Las Vegas: Materials now available

If you attended any of my training classes or sessions, you will be glad to know that the training and presentation materials are now available from the Learning Resources page on this site. Please feel free to download.

Until next post!

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

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GPUG Summit 2011 Las Vegas: Wrap Up

This was my first GPUG Summit (and my first GPPC as well) and I have to say I was utterly surprised by the level of organization, the training topics, the quality of the sessions (over 140!), and the spirit of the attendees. Frankly, except for the share number of people who attend Convergence, this event felt like any top class conference I have had the opportunity to participate in.

As is customary, this post will provide a summary of (most) links where you can find information on GPUG Summit 2011 Las Vegas, just in case you were not able to attend the event or missed any of the previous posts. So let's get started:

The Dynamics GP Blogster

GPUG Summit 2011: Getting there
GPUG Summit: Academy Training Day 1
GPUG Summit: Academy Training Day 2
GPUG Summit: Day 1
GPUG Summit: Day 2
GPUG Summit: Day 3

The DynamicsGP Blogster on Facebook

The Dynamics GP Blogster

The Dynamics GP Blogster on Twitter

@dgpblogster
#GPSUMMIT
#GPUG

DynamicAccounting (Mark Polino)

@DynAccNet
GPUG Summit Recap Part 1

GP2TheMax (Frank Hamelly)

Things Learned at GPUG Summit 2011

Finally, if you attended the Summit you will by now realize that the most important thing you can do for yourself after these events is begin expanding your professional network. It helps to know people who know people, who know people and will facilitate getting around those difficult business issues you may be facing.

Next destination... Microsoft Convergence Houston 2012 at GPUG DayONE 2012 See you soon!

Until next post!

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

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GPUG Summit: Day 3

Day 3 marks the end of the GPUG Summit 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The day started with an early 8:00 AM session, IT15: Administering Microsoft Dynamics GP Like a Pro with the Support Debugging Tool. The presentation was pre-recorded by David Musgrave with MVP Mark Polino and I in the room as facilitators and co-presenters. We had a chance to patch in David to say hi to the attendees. After the intro, we checked out David and began playing the video for the attendees. Unfortunately, due to the poor audio quality, and after 4 walk outs, we were forced to stop the recording.

Mark and I then decided to present the session live and were able to show some of the key features of the Support Debugging Tool. However, time was very short due to the fact the we needed to make up ground for the bad audio.

NOTE: Let this be a note of apology to everyone who attended our session. While we made all efforts to test the audio before hand and our judgement deemed it legible at first, clearly the end result was inadequate for the presentation.

After the session, I came across Andy Hefer, President of Dynamic Communities. Andy was able to arrange a photo-op with the wives of the Microsoft Dynamics GP MVPs  in attendance. This was all based on an idea for an article my wife ran by Andy the day before. In addition to the photo-op, the ladies will be featured in the GPUG Magazine as part of an interview - I must confess... I have a feeling this is a very bad idea!


Backdrop for our photo-op at Caesars Palace


The photo-op took place at 10:30 AM and we had a really good time, with laughter and the usual jokes.

I had a final session at 1:30 PM, IT19: Ask the Experts - Microsoft Dynamics GP Development Tools. Frankly, I had no expectations of anyone turning up for this session, since it was a part of the group of last sessions for the day, with a relatively heavy topic. However, and to my surprise, I had close to 15 people showing up. Attendees to my session were very much in tuned with the Web Client and wanted to know about the preparations and adjustments they will need to do to move their code forward to codename GP "12". Little did I know the session would be this dynamic and exciting and I thank everyone who attended for their interest, giving the time of the day at which the session was held. Also, thanks to Dave Dusek, Escalation Engineer Microsoft

Following my session, it was time to attend the GPUG Summit closing session, GEN20: Dynamics GP Product Strategy and Vision, scheduled at 3:00 PM. This was a very exciting session with Kim Peterson, GPUG Director providing a recap of the Summit and getting a bit moved as attendees thanked her for a very well organized event.

It was time for Pam Misialek, Product Manager Microsoft to put the final touches. Pam provided analogies between the product strategy and vision with North Dakotan birthday parties, and in particular a couple events around her family experiences. Pam highlighted how Microsoft Dynamics GP accomodates the old school ways of doing business, but at the same time moving forward to fit a world governed by technologies such as Instant Text Messaging and Social Networking in a world that's increasingly mobile. She then proceed to demo some of the features that will be available in codename GP "12".

Pam Misialek, Microsoft Dynamics GP Product Manager at the GPUG Summit closing session

Couple features that drew applauses were the ability to select a printer at print time and the gradual phase out of Report Writer in favor of SQL Server Reporting Services reports. Pam went into some details explaining that SSRS reports will run from within Microsoft Dynamics GP and not externally as it happens today.

It was time to say goodbye!

To wrap up the day, my wife and I went to watch comedian David Spade at the Venetian Hotel at 9:00 PM, who was in town for 2 days. Following the act, we returned to our hotel, Caesars Palace and decided to go to PURE night club for a couple hours.


David Spade at The Venetian Hotel

 Back to the room, we spent a great deal of time packing our suitcase and getting ready for our trip back to Atlanta.

Following this post, I will publish the traditional wrap up post with links to download the materials for the sessions I presented at the Summit.

Until next post!

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

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GPUG Summit: Day 2

Day 2 marks the day I get back on stage.

The morning started out very slowly, with most of the time spent at the Mekorma Connections Cafe, catching up on emails and projects I am currently working on back in Atlanta. On the way to the Cafe,  I couldn't help but realize how there was no one around. That's good, because it seems GPUG Summit 2011 (twitter: #gpsummit, #GPUG) attendees are definitely getting the best out of the conference and maximizing their time. Also, it would suggest that a number of partners have already left town from the now defunct GP Partner Conference (twitter: #GPCC) event which wrapped up day before yesterday.

Upon arrival at the Cafe, there was a second round of book signing with our community authors - see GPUG Summit: Day 1 for a picture of the authors. Fellow MVP Mark Polino was as usual taking care of business and had some folks approaching him for his signature.


MVP and Author Mark Polino

Following the book signing, my wife and I headed outside of the Conference Center for some breakfast and were back to continue catching up on emails. I decided to give my slide deck a second pass just to make sure my timing was correct for the upcoming 3:00 PM session, GEN13: Where do the experts turn for answers?

I had the opportunity to attend Mark Polino and John Lowther's session, GEN12: The Worst Mistakes you can make with Microsoft Dynamics GP. This session was fun and clearly a reminder of the things you should not do, unlike all other sessions stressing the things you should be doing.

After Mark's session it was showtime. I headed over to my presentation room, got my computer setup and waited for attendees to show up. Surprisingly, I had some 20 attendees in the room with lots of questions on where to find resources on GP. Interestingly enough, most attendees were acquainted with the blogs, but are still slow to adopt other resources like Microsoft Dynamics Communities and the Partner Online Technical Community.

After my session, it was time to attend the Microsoft Town Hall meeting with members of the Product Management team and Microsoft Customer and Partner Management team.


Audience settling in for the Microsoft Town Hall meeting

During the session, attendees - Customers and Partners - asked the tough questions and at times put the panelists under the spotlight as it relates to features in upcoming releases, especially those related to Manufacturing and Project Accounting. The panelists reminded the attendees of the importance of Microsoft Connect as a tool to submit requests for product features.


Microsoft Town Hall meeting in course. Left to right: Bill Tattan, Pam Misialek, Chirs Lerum, Mark Albrecht, and Brian Meier, moderated by Kim Peterson

Things turned a little heated when the topic switched from product features to the panelists questioning the audience on their knowledge of the "Unleash your full Potential" program. This program was launched by Microsoft to help customers increase their utilization of their existing system functionality to help their business. Customers complained that partners did not inform them about the program and in some cases didn't make them aware of existing promotions.

In turn, partners fought back by letting customers know that communication is a two way street and that they need to reach out when in need of new functionality. Some partners reminded customers that there is a fine line between being perceived as always selling something, versus working with customers to understand what else they can implement to complement their initial implementation.

My personal take is this: if you are a customer, you must work with your partner beyond your initial implementation to assess the maturity of your organization as it relates to the Microsoft Dynamics GP features you are using today. In turn, partners should have an honest dialog with customers about their capabilities and how they can help effect the changes needed by their customers. Both customers and partners should recognize their limitations and seek assistance from other organizations who can help closing the gaps.
 
After the meeting, I went back to my room and headed out to dinner to the Stratosphere Hotel with my wife. We both had a great time looking down to the city from the Top of the World restaurant, located on the 107th floor.


View of Las Vegas from the Top of the World restaurant

The Summit is almost coming to an end, so stay tuned for more.

Until next post!

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

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GPUG Summit: Day 1

The GPUG Summit 2011 (twitter: #gpsummit) officially starts today! The morning started with the traditional pastry and coffee breakfast - ok, there were also a variety of juices to go along. I managed to sit at a round table with a few Microsoft Escalation Support folks and fellow MVPs Frank Hamelly and Mark Polino.

MVPs @ Work: left, MVP Frank Hamelly; right, MVP Mark Polino

Minutes later, Kim Peterson, GPUG Director kicked off the GPUG Summit 2011 (twitter: #gpsummit) with some overall statistics on attendance and industries. Suffice to say, the numbers are pretty impressive: 500 attendees from over 14 lines of industries, heavily represented by middle market organizations (11 - 49 users).


Kim Peterson on stage, recognizing the GPUG Board members

 GPUG sponsors were also recognized with folks from MetaViewer and Rockton Software taking the stage to talk about their products. This is when all hell broke loose! Mark Rockwell took the stage and reminded attendees why they should be using the GP Toolbox... BY SINGING!

Note: please do not confuse Mark Polino, MVP and author of the Dynamics GP Cookbook, with Mark Rockwell, author of the Dynamics GP Toolbox! Not that I am vouching for Mark Polino's singing abilities either, but I think he knows his limits.

The keynote speach was delivered by career coach Carolyn Baana, former Microsoft Support Commercial Services regional director. Carolyn's speach focused on the importance of setting long-term goals, fueled by short-term achievements toward the end goals.


Kim Peterson and Carolyn Baana

I also had a chance to catch up with Bob McAdam and Zubin Gidwani, who had just a few minutes aback received the GPUG All-Stars award - then again, Bob already knew he was a superstar even before he was confirmed to be one.


Bob McAdam and Zubin Gidwani

Back at the Mekorma Connections Cafe, I had a chance to catch up on emails and take a break from the hectic pace here at the conference. I also had a unique opportunity to talk about personal matters with MVP Mark Polino and get to know a little bit more of the man behind the Diet Mountain Due. Mark's wife, Dara joined in and reminded me how lucky she was to marry a geek. Dara is also surprised by the Diva status her husband has achieved in the Dynamics community.

Following the stint at the Cafe, I decided to attend a session on Microsoft Dynamics GP Upgrades: Approaches and Techniques, hosted by Microsoft's Kelly Youells - for a picture of Kelly, see yesterday's post GPUG Summit: Academy Training Day 2. The session was jammed packed with useful tips on how to upgrade your Microsoft Dynamics GP system and all the "gotchas" and considerations to move from previous versions to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 - there was an attendee whose company is still running version 8.0. Kelly outlined the importance of keeping an eye on the upgrade paths and version numbers and presented various resources online where this information could be found.

It was time for lunch at the Expo Hall. The place was packed! They were 4 food stations dedicated to Summit attendees, each running a very long line. After circling around a bit, it was time to get in line and grab some food. On the way out, I returned to the Mekorma Connections Cafe to sit down and enjoy the meal, joined by Pam Misialek, Product Manager Microsoft Dynamics GP and Jay Manley, Sr. Product Manager Microsoft Dynamics GP, where we had a chance to discuss some of the details behind codename GP 12's web client.

I must say, the more I hear about the web client, the more I am excited about the prospects for the Microsoft Dexterity community of developers - wait for my new In my humble opinion column, "Web Client? Dexterity developers rejoice!", putting the final touches to it.

At 3:00 PM PT, book signing began. This was a fun event featuring community authors Mark Polino (Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 Cookbook), Chris Elmore (The 8 Pitfalls of Accounts Payable Automation) and Richard Whaley (Accolade Publications).



Mark Polino, Chris Elmore, and Richard Whaley

My wife was coming into town, so I return to my room to drop off my computer bag and I was off to the Las Vegas International airport to pick her up. Back at the hotel, she got settled and it was time to party... GPUG style!

GPUG was hosting the now popular Rock n' Rave event. Simply, it was very spectacular. And what would be a party in Vegas without Elvis? Now, I have seen my fair share of Elvises around, but this guy was good! The music was right, and needless to say, people were shaking it.


What would be a party in Vegas without Elvis?


It was also MVP time! Rarely, you would have a chance to have 3 Microsoft Dynamics GP MVPs in one spot -- with their wives. MVP Frank Hamelly was at the party with his wife Sheila, MVP Mark Polino attending with his wife Dara, and me, with my wife Marina. We had a chance to get the ladies together, only to have our inflated egoes popped. This was after all a bad idea, now that I reflect on it.

Little known fact: Mr. Polino may be MVP to the rest of the world, but at home he still has to take the garbage out and pickup the dog's poo. I don't have a dog, but you still get the picture.

Dara Polino, Mark Polino, David Eichner, Marina Dzyura (Mrs. Gomez)

With sessions ahead, it was time to call it a night. Wife and I went to dinner and had a great time catching up, but sessions are ahead of me.

Until next post!

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

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