• Microsoft SQL
  Server 2000 vs. 2005. 
  Microsoft SQL Server 2005 has new security module and Microsoft Dynamics GP
  9.0 considers upgrade path on MS SQL Server 2000.  This means and doesn’t
  mean at the same time that it has to be on MS SQL Server 2000.  In our
  opinion – Microsoft will issue service pack to bring Dynamics GP to SQL
  Server 2005.  However we hear this question from existing customers in
  December 2005.


• Great Plains Dexterity. 
  In July 2005 Microsoft Business Solutions announced Dexterity Source Code
  Partner program reopening – now new and existing MBS partner can reenroll
  into this program.  It is obviously subjective to answer for the third party
  – but we think that it is the indication of the fact that Microsoft will
  give Microsoft Dexterity another 5 years to stay.


• Visual Studio.Net. 
  Now being C# or VB developer you can customize Great Plains Screen, however
  please do not be too optimistic and do not overestimate the new tools / VS
  libraries.  If you work for GP ISV – you should still be considering
  Microsoft Dexterity and its source code as a tool of choice.


• Integration with
  Microsoft Dynamics CRM.  Former
  integration for MS CRM 1.2 / GP 7.5 & 8.0 was BizTalk product.  Now
  integration is under the way to be rewritten to become eConect oriented. 
  This is the process and we expect service packs approach to realize the
  move.  However you should expect that Microsoft CRM will become the CRM of
  choice for majority if not for all of the Microsoft MRP products.


• eCommerce. 
  More and more clients are deploying Microsoft Dynamics GP for e-Commerce web
  development.  eConnect was specially designed for this purpose, however do
  not overcount on eConnect.  We saw situations when eCommerce developer
  needed in porting and Sales Order Processing (SOP) allocation stored
  procedure – eConnect is limited here.  You should deploy stored procedures,
  populating SOP30200 (SOP Header) and SOP30300 (SOP Details) tables.


• Business Portal. 
  This is the place where Microsoft can do cross product links and queries. 
  In the case of Microsoft Dynamics GP – you can expect the logic of former
  Dexterity screens to be transferred to Business Portal: Purchase Order
  Processing & Requisitioning, Employee Self-Service, reporting, etc.


• Competition. 
  Microsoft has Microsoft Dynamics GP, AX (for upper mid-market), NAV
  (Navision – very successful market presence in Europe, Brazil, UK,
  especially in light manufacturing segment), SL (Solomon – project accounting
  and project organization automation scenarios), SAP has SAP Business One
  product line for small and mid-size businesses with all-in-one licensing
  model.  Oracle has Oracle E-Business Suite with its light version.

Please do not hesitate to
call or email us: USA 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918

help@albaspectrum.com

Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer
at Alba Spectrum Technologies (

http://www.albaspectrum.com

http://www.greatplains.com.mx

http://www.enterlogix.com.br ) - Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains,
Navision, Axapta MS CRM, Oracle Financials and IBM Lotus Domino Partner, serving
corporate customers in the following industries: Aerospace & Defense, Medical &
Healthcare, Distribution & Logistics, Hospitality, Banking & Finance, Wholesale
& Retail, Chemicals, Oil & Gas, Placement & Recruiting, Advertising &
Publishing, Textile, Pharmaceutical, Non-Profit, Beverages, Conglomerates,
Apparels, Durables, Manufacturing and having locations in multiple states and
internationally.