| If you are mid-size chain of retail stores with | | | | handling each Cash Register (Items barcode labels |
| centralized goods delivery, Microsoft Dynamics GP or | | | | scanning, POS displays). If you have multiple stores, |
| how this Corporate ERP application was known | | | | MS RMS has Headquarters module, consolidating all |
| several years ago — Great Plains Dynamics | | | | the stores into one database with MS RMS HQ user |
| might be good fit for your organization. We would like | | | | interface. If you are already committed to another |
| to review Great Plains technology layers and features, | | | | POS platform, such as Counterpoint, for example, it |
| such as integration with POS and Retail applications | | | | should have integration options (or in the case of |
| (such as Microsoft RMS, Counterpoint, etc.), centralized | | | | Counterpoint it has out of the box integration tool, |
| distribution via Warehouse Management System | | | | which you could modify). If you have custom Point of |
| (opening Great Plains Distribution logic for Barcode | | | | Sale application, we have scripts to send transactions |
| scanners), order placements via B2B ecommerce or | | | | to Dynamics GP Sales Order Processing module, feel |
| EDI (Electronic Document Interchange) channels, | | | | free to contact us for details |
| opening your eCommerce B2C web outlet: | | | | 3. Centralized Merchandise Replenishment or |
| 1. Microsoft Dynamics GP Technology highlights. | | | | Warehouse Management System with Barcodeing. If |
| When you are selecting ERP application for | | | | you plan to control inventory restocking from your |
| mid-market business, it is important to have reliable, | | | | Headquarters, central or regional warehouses, |
| powerful, and open for integration, reporting database | | | | Dynamics GP Distribution modules (Inventory Control, |
| platform. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (or earlier | | | | Purchase Order Processing, Sales Order Processing) |
| versions 2005 and even 2000) should be considered | | | | have WMS extensions, available from Alba Spectrum. |
| as matured and reliable (especially with such | | | | Warehouse Management System allows you to |
| technologies as MS SQL Server Cluster, Recovery | | | | reorder merchandise from your suppliers (WMS |
| from Tape of File backup up to precise moment of | | | | restocking) and then send inventory items directly to |
| time). MS SQL Server DB platform has also such | | | | your stores based on estimated sales figures (WMS |
| trivial but important for the continuation of the | | | | merchandise transfers). Plus from your central |
| operations feature as large pool of trained and | | | | location you can Pick and Pack the Customer Order if |
| certified MSDBA professionals. In addition to | | | | the order was received via B2B/B2C eCommerce or |
| mentioned advantages, MS SQL Server is also the DB | | | | EDI channels |
| platform for such popular POS and Retail applications, | | | | 4. Opening eCommerce Retail Outlet. We |
| as Counterpoint and Microsoft RMS. Microsoft | | | | recommend you to get advantages of very efficient |
| Dynamics GP is programmed in so-called Microsoft | | | | and relatively budget oriented e-commerce shopping |
| Dexterity (former Great Plains Dexterity, which is | | | | cart platforms, such as Magento (if you prefer PHP |
| specially designed shell to resolve your dependency | | | | and Linux) or ASP .Net Storefront (if you feel that you |
| from day-to-day technology trends and fluctuations), | | | | would rather stay in the Microsoft mainstream). We |
| where you can modify virtually any GP form, and alter | | | | have ecommerce add-on, allowing you to integrate |
| all the pieces or business logic, plus create new forms, | | | | your existing ecommerce web application with |
| tables, procedures, triggers, etc. eConnect opens | | | | Dynamics GP SOP module in wizard driven manner |
| Dynamics GP for eCommerce programmer (or | | | | (our goal is to have ecommerce retail customers, |
| software developer, who needs its programming | | | | where you can do integration setup in the matter of |
| project to read, create, update or delete GP master | | | | several hours) |
| records and transactions). If you think that you are | | | | 5. Retail Dynamics GP and EDI. Electronic Document |
| not really in the software development shoes, GP has | | | | Interchange is in its transformation phase from old |
| such tools as Integration Manager (to integrate text | | | | standards, such as precisely formatted text file to |
| files, or more challenging records via Advanced ODBC | | | | XML and other standards. If you are reordering your |
| with events open for VBA scripting), Extender (where | | | | merchandise from Nationwide suppliers via EDI or if |
| you create new GP forms in wizard driven manner), | | | | you are selling stocks to your stores please feel free |
| Modifier (where you intuitively modify existing Great | | | | to discuss with us your best options |
| Plains forms by placing new buttons, or changing | | | | 6. How to get further help, web session or local |
| position of the existing objects). Dynamics GP | | | | presentation? Please, feel free to call Alba Spectrum |
| reporting is possible in Great Plains Report Writer (to | | | | 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, or email us We are |
| modify typically reports of GP user interface — | | | | geared to provide Nationwide support (USA and |
| SOP Blank Invoice form for example — typically | | | | Canada) as well as Worldwide international support via |
| placing your company logo, changing positions of the | | | | web sessions and phone conferences. If you have |
| fields, changing fonts, things like that) | | | | Corporate policy requiring local presence, we are |
| 2. Dynamics GP and POS applications integration. | | | | available in Southwest Michigan: St. Joseph, Benton |
| The simplest one to be integrated with Great Plains | | | | Harbor, Kalamazoo, Holland, South Haven, Muskegon, |
| is Microsoft RMS. MS RMS is geared toward | | | | Grand Rapids, Ludington, Grand Haven. Our |
| mid-market retailers, where you have full control of | | | | Headquarters is in downtown Chicago with consultants |
| each store in Store Operations with POS application | | | | available in Northern Illinois Chicagoland. |