Dex.ini Settings

I wanted to write about Dex.ini and explain what is in the file and how can it help the user experience. Before I started working on it, I thought maybe somebody else already had an article on this. True enough I found a good article from Merit Solutions, here's a summary and if you want more detail just click the link:

DEX.INI: The Microsoft Dynamics GP defaults files which contain setup and operating information. Each setting contains information such as where files are located and whether certain functions are performed. It is stored on each computer where the Microsoft Dynamics GP application files are installed. The information in the file affects only the computer where the file is located. This file is also essential for Microsoft Dynamics GP to run correctly, so we have to be very careful when editing it. But at the same time, it can be a good advantage to explore its possibilities.

Below are some settings which can be used for troubleshooting Microsoft Dynamics GP problems or making work in Dynamics GP more comfortable. Some of them are default settings, but some of them are optional.

• SQLLogSQLStmt=TRUE
  SQLLogODBCMessages=TRUE
  SQLLogAllODBCMessages=TRUE - Turn on all of these 3 settings and information is going to be appended to the end of the existing log DEXSQL.LOG file (or a new file is going to be created)
  

More on this article.......

Importing data to GP

I've seen a couple of post requiring data to be imported into GP but needs to be QA'ed. Example, let's say you have an e-Commerce system where orders get created and are manually entered in GP as Sales Orders. While entering in GP, the user make changes to amounts, quantities, prices, costs,etc.

Over the years, Microsoft Dynamics had been creating tools to make integration easier to manage. You can create interfaces using GP Web Services and this can reside outside GP where you can QA data before the actual import happens. The advantage? You're not using any GP license.

Another tool you can use - eConnect. A lot of GP vendors have created eConnect templates for ease-of-use and faster ROI.

You can also look at SQL Server Integration Services. This improved version of DTS is a true ETL solution for enterprises.

My 2 cents, spend more time choosing the right tool as each can have their pros and cons. Also consider creating a Staging database when you're not sure if data is reliable enough to be imported to GP.

Convergence Feedback

I've been busy catching up with work after coming back from Convergence. A few notes to those who didn't make it:

a) MBS will continue to support all products and the Project Green is officially dead
b) GP 11.0 will be available around 2010
c) Microsoft PerformancePoint Server(PPS) 2007 will be the future of Dynamics reporting, I'm betting on this. It'll be available for GP10 this summer. Management Reporter, a core component of PPS looks exactly like FRx and will replace FRx in the near future, no dates yet. To learn more about this product, visit this link: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/performancepoint/FX101680481033.aspx
d) The future of all the Dynamics suite(GP/AX/NV/SL) is moving towards Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server (MOSS) 2007
e) CRM Live is here and per Kirill Tatarinov, Microsoft is currently migrating from Siebel to Microsoft CRM. The best organizations to benefit from CRM 4.0 are those using Microsoft Outlook (Exchange) as so much integration had been done.

More to come on my Convergence experience including the Learning Center and GP sessions.

New Microsoft Dynamics interactive website

I find this website very useful to companies who want to learn more about Microsoft Dynamics especially what the software can offer based on their roles:

http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/everyonegetsit/finance.mspx

Creating or opening a Note in Collection Management

We just moved all our servers to a new CoLo and part of this exercise was moving our SQL Server and shared files to a new VM server. After configuring the new server I had to update all GP Client's Dynamics.set to point to this server as it host some of our dictionaries.

Everything was working except certain users who try to create or open a Note in Collection Main and would hanged for 3-5 minutes. So I looked at their set files even restarted the server and nothing seems to work.

Finally, I created a new user and created a new Note. The system requested for an OLE Notes path and this will be save to Dex.ini. I went to the users who were having the issues and checked their OLEPATH in Dex.ini and surely it was pointing to a folder in our old server.

Just a note to all GP admins, I recommend having a dedicated server for this otherwise you can point it local: OLEPATH = C:\folder\.

Also, UNC Pathnames are not recognized as a valid path for OLE Notes.

Convergence 2008 - Early registration

Convergence is the premier Microsoft Dynamics event, bringing customers, partners, team members and industry experts together in an environment created for you to discuss solutions, address business needs and establish a true community that can be leveraged throughout the year.
Date and Location:
March 11-14, 2008
Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, Florida, USA

Rates:
Early Price = $1195 - Before Jan. 11
Regular Price = $1495
Group Discount = $100 off 3rd and more
Day Pass = $650
Expo Pass = $100

Register here .

Convergence 2008 - Early registration

Convergence is the premier Microsoft Dynamics event, bringing customers, partners, team members and industry experts together in an environment created for you to discuss solutions, address business needs and establish a true community that can be leveraged throughout the year.
Date and Location:
March 11-14, 2008
Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, Florida, USA

Rates:
Early Price = $1195 - Before Jan. 11
Regular Price = $1495
Group Discount = $100 off 3rd and more
Day Pass = $650
Expo Pass = $100

Register here for existing customers and partners: