Dynamics GP Customization Tools: Microsoft Dexterity, eConnect, Extender, VBA, VST

Jan. 10, 2011 - PRLog -- Custom programming for your Corporate ERP system requires research on the available coding instruments and which one fits the best to your project and specific needs. Corporate ERP applications offer modification and extension capabilities through a variety of development tools, and Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly also known as Great Plains Dynamics) is not an exception. Let’s look at the programming and customization tools for Dynamics GP.

Great Plains Dexterity: The Great Plains Software IDE (Integrated Development Environment) was created to be a shell for Great Plains. Dexterity allows you to customize or alter everything in Dynamics GP (or older Great Plains versions) from the user interface to the database side. Dexterity has its own scripting language, Sanscript, with an integrated development environment where you can modify existing Dynamics GP forms and reports and add new objects such as tables, forms, reports. However, altering existing tables is not supported.  Instead, one can create new tables and link them to existing tables.

eConnect: This tool was created in 2003 specifically for Great Plains eCommerce customers to open GP objects to shopping carts (in both B2B and B2C ecommerce scenarios.) Later on, eConnect was expanded to cover the majority of native Dynamics GP modules (initially SOP and Inventory Control, then POP, General Ledger, Payroll, Human Resources and Project Accounting). eConnect does not cover the Great Plains Invoicing module (it is recommended that you choose the Sales Order Processing module instead). When it comes to technology, eConnect is in essence a set of SQL encrypted stored procedures and several stacks of programming calls built on this platform: web services, XML, Integration Manager connectors, etc.

Extender: It is available in two versions, one is directly from Microsoft Business Solutions (so called Standard) and the second one is from its original software developer eOne (here it is called Enterprise). It can be used to modify Microsoft Dynamics GP without requiring the developer to write code. It allows you to “extend” Microsoft Dynamics GP by adding additional data entry windows that work along with windows already in the system

VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) and Modifier: VBA for Dynamics GP is very similar to the customization tool embedded in Excel, Word and other MS-Office applications. Although simple, these tools are limited in terms of what can be accomplished. Additionally, VBA customizations are not as “sturdy” as those developed with Dexterity. Modifier and VBA are especially useful when a company has VBA developers within its IT staff and the objective is to make simple modifications to forms or reports.

Visual Studio Tools for Dynamics GP (VST): VST is the most recent programming and development platform made available for Dynamics GP. It uses either C# or VB.NET instead of Dexterity’s Sanscript. The main difference is that Dexterity’s resources are placed in a dictionary, while with VST, the compiled code resides in an assembly. With VST, a developer has very similar capabilities to build integrating applications with Dynamics GP.

In essence, selection of the appropriate tool depends on the capabilities of your IT staff and/or your Microsoft partner, as well as the specific needs your company is trying to address. If you have specific questions about Dynamics GP Customization Options, or need assistance in integrating and customizing Dynamics GP feel free to contact us at Alba Spectrum Corporation (www.albaspectrum.com |1-866-528-0577 | sales@albaspectrum.com).

About Alba Spectrum: Alba Spectrum Corporation (www.albaspectrum.com |1-866-528-0577 | sales@albaspectrum.com) is a Chicago, Illinois based Gold-Certified Microsoft Dynamics Partner. We specialize in developing solutions and extensions for Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains Dynamics) in the areas of System Integration, Financial applications, E-Commerce and Warehouse Management (WMS). We also provide strategic consulting on the use and adaptation of Dynamics GP within variety of industries. We serve Microsoft Dynamics Clients and Partners worldwide including United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Asia & Australia. Local services are available in Chicago, Naperville, Los Angeles, Irvine, San Diego and Houston.

About the Author: Luis Leung is the VP of Product Development at Alba Spectrum Corporation. Luis is a Microsoft Dynamics Certified Professional with over 25 years of experience in software development, business applications, ERP systems implementations, business management consulting and accounting.  He was a co-founder of several Microsoft partner organizations and his experience includes projects throughout North America, Latin America and Europe. You can contact Luis directly at lleung@albaspectrum.com or via LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/luisjamesleung.

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Alba Spectrum Corporation is a Chicago, IL based Microsoft Dynamics Partner specializing in solutions and extensions for Microsoft Dynamics GP in the areas of System Integration, Financial applications, E-Commerce and Warehouse Management (WMS).