How to Install Microsoft SQL Server 2017: Install the Database Engine Services

Microsoft SQL ServerIn this short series of posts, I am going to be covering the installation of Microsoft SQL Server 2017; the installation process for this version is somewhat different to previous ones, in that SQL Server Management Studio and SQL Server Reporting Services have been separated out from the main installer.

The series index can be found here. I am not a SQL expert and this series of posts is intended only for use on demo or test environment and not production ones.

In this, the first post of the series, I am going to install the core part of Microsoft SQL Server 2017, which is the Database Engine Services. To do this double click the Setup.exe on the installation media.

Click Installation and then select New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation:

SQL Server Installation Center - Installation

Continue reading “How to Install Microsoft SQL Server 2017: Install the Database Engine Services”

Microsoft Dynamics GP Directory Updated for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018

Microsoft Dynamics GPI only discovered the Microsoft Dynamics GP Directory existed back in March this year, but I’ve been keeping a bit of an eye on it since.

Even then, I’d missed the addition of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018 information to the page; it was the announcement of the new feature series on Dynamics GP which told me the links had been added.

It is worth visiting the Microsoft Dynamics GP Directory occasionally to keep up to date.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018 New Feature Blog Series Schedule Announced

Microsoft Dynamics GPMicrosoft’s Terry Heley today published a blog post outlining the schedule for the Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018 New Features blog series.

This blog post series is from the Dynamics GP Support and Services Blog which usually covers in depth the new features after launch; usually there is a series of posts by the Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP blog which precedes the launch of the new version which I am still hoping will happen this year.

There are five key areas of new functionality in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018:

  1. Comprehensive Doc Attach
    Today, we introduce the next evolution with comprehensive Doc Attach on most master record windows, inquiry windows and transaction entry windows.
  2. User Experience
    Giving users easier and faster ways to get to and find the data they are looking for to make decisions based off the information stored in Microsoft Dynamics GP.
  3. Optimize Financials & HRP
    Recognizing the voice of our customers, you’ve provided the feedback, we’ve optimized your Financials and HR/Payroll experience in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018
  4. Workflow
    With the release of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018, we continue to extend the capabilities of Workflow. In addition to new workflows such as GL Account and Purchase Invoice, we’ve added workflow capabilities like copy step and reminder emails.
  5. Power “Suite” Evolution
    Support Paging and Filtering in OData Services, Support OData V4 and what you all have been waiting for GP Power BI Content Pack.

I’ll not list the detailed schedule, but the new features blog series will run from 5th December through to 15th February.

The post can be found here.

Dynamics GP Tech Conference 2017: Power BI Enhancements

Microsoft Dynamics GPMicrosoft Dynamics GPThis post is part of the series I am doing on the Dynamics GP Tech Conference 2017.

Power BI is more the area of Belinda Allen or Mark Polino than mine, but I’ll be getting more of a look at it soon as I have one of my team about to take a more in depth look, so it is nice to hear there will be more new stuff coming in the next version of Dynamics GP:

  • Support for paging in OData Services
  • Support for filtering in OData Services
  • Support for OData v4
  • GP Power BI Content Pack – I need more information on this, but it sounds like a set of pre-packaged reports which will be welcome.

Dynamics GP Tech Conference 2017: Comprehensive Doc Attach

Microsoft Dynamics GPThis post is part of the series I am doing on the Dynamics GP Tech Conference 2017.

The Document Attachment module has been extended into the action pane in quite a few new windows:

  • Document Attachment on Receivables Transaction Entry
  • Document Attachment on General Ledger Entry
  • Document Attachment on Employee Inquiry
  • Document Attachment in I-9 Form
  • Display Vendor notes on Vendor Inquiry
  • Display Customer notes on Customer Inquiry
  • Display Project Notes in Project Inquiry and PA Project Inquiry
  • Document Attachment in Asset General Information
  • Option to attach new documents in Inquiry windows – there is a setting in the Document Attachment Setup winodw to enable this (and to require a password to be entered).

Dynamics GP Tech Conference 2017: Optimised Human Resources and Payroll

Microsoft Dynamics GPMicrosoft Dynamics GPThis post is part of the series I am doing on the Dynamics GP Tech Conference 2017.

Not modules I know anything about, as they are very US and Canada focused, but there are some enhancements coming to Human Resources and Payroll:

  • Turn off garnishment reports in posting setup.
  • Roll down payroll setup options from setup to inactive records.
  • Change department code in all payroll files, including history.
  • Restrict inactive Deduction and Benefit codes in lookups

Dynamics GP Tech Conference 2017: Optimised Financials

Microsoft Dynamics GPThis post is part of the series I am doing on the Dynamics GP Tech Conference 2017.

The Financials modules have some enhancements coming which should be of benefit:

  • Copy user access across AA transaction dimension codes – this should make maintaining AA dimension code access easier.
  • Email single statement from customer card and enquiry – handy when you only want to send a single statement to the customer on the phone, rather than to a range of them.
  • PO Generator opens PO List with the new PO’s filter.
  • PO Number display on Requisition List for originator – getting easy access to the PO number for PR orinators will be a good new addition; it will save me writing SmartLists for everyone based off this view.
  • Print Purchase Requisition – I have mixed opinions. Workflow can handle the sending of requisition details to an approver anyway, and I can’t really think of another reason to output one?
  • Display Hold status on Sales Transaction Entry – more information is never a bad thing.
  • One check per invoice settings – allows for more granular control than the setting in the Select Payments window.
  • Save Select Payments settings – are you tired of having to configure your payment run manually every time? Well, Microsoft’s got you covered with this feature.

Dynamics GP Tech Conference 2017: New User Experience Features

Microsoft Dynamics GPThis post is part of the series I am doing on the Dynamics GP Tech Conference 2017.

One of the areas being focused on in the 2018 version of Microsoft Dynamics GP, is the user experience. The announced enhancements are:

  • Add sort to Receivables Transaction Inquiry – by Customer
  • Add sort to Receivables Transaction Inquiry – by Document
  • Add sort to Payables Transaction Inquiry – by Vendor
  • Add sort to Payables Transaction Inquiry – by Document
  • System password is remembered for the duration of the user session – the only downside is if you need to grant access to a window such as the VAT Return to a user, but then need to monitor them to make sure they then close Dynamics GP before continuing with other work.
  • Rename of Payables windows to say Payments instead of Checks – I can’t find the post, but this was a request from Mariano Gomez and is well overdue. Pretty much all payments in the UK are by EFT, so it was getting seriously embarrassing having all the windows with Cheque in the name (UK language pack changes it from Check).
  • Autocomplete added to the web client
  • SmartList Favourites – unique password protection – this is by popular request after the password for SmartList Favourites globally was added in GP 2016 R2.
  • SmartList shortcut on toolbar in web client
  • Bank Reconciliation maximise window in web client
  • Adding additional sorting in Bank Reconciliation window
  • Update help icons to link to tagged online support documents

The enhancements to the user experience listed above should be of benefit to users of Dynamics GP, and follows Microsoft’s ethos of evolution, not revolution in the improvements they are making.

Dynamics GP Tech Conference 2017: New Features In Workflow

Microsoft Dynamics GPThis post is part of the series I am doing on the Dynamics GP Tech Conference 2017.

There have been new features in other areas, which I will come back to, but Workflow is sort of “my thing”, so I’m going to mention the new features which are being added to Workflow 4.0 (I apparently missed the boat somewhere on the name change to Workflow 3.0?).

The coming new features are:

  • Reminder emails for Workflow – this is a feature which has been requested of ym by a couple of clients recently, so nice that I’ll be able to go back and tell them it will be in the next version.
  • Copy Workflow Step – nice to see this one added as it was one of my suggestions on MS Connect.
  • Reporting for Workflow – I’m not sure what is coming in this, but it would be nice to have some default reports showing the history of documents as they passed through the Workflow.
  • Payables Transaction Workflow – additional fields
  • PO Workflow Messages – additional fields – there are never enough fields available for the Workflow, so nice to know more will be available by default.
  • Add EFT/Bank Details to Vendor Approval Workflow – if this one is as it sounds, that will be fantastic as so many clients want this functionality. I think it only took so long as EFT isn’t anywhere near as big in the US as it is in the UK.
  • GL Account Workflow Approval – I have a couple of clients who can ditch some customisations with this one. And a few more who will be delighted so see this added.
  • Purchase Receiving Workflow – I have a few customers waiting for this one to be introduced.
  • Purchase Enter/Match Invoice Workflow – as above, a few clients are waiting for this one.

I know we can’t have everything we want, and the above are good additions to Workflow, but I still want more!

Dynamics GP Tech Conference 2017: Series Index

Microsoft Dynamics GPUnfortunately, I was not able to attend the Dynamics GP Tech Conference 2017. I am following along on Twitter using the #GPTechConf hashtag and thought I’d post about some of the information which is being released; sort of a digest series of posts on the new features and anything else which strikes me as interesting enough to share.

Check back over the next few days as the conference is ongoing.

Continue reading “Dynamics GP Tech Conference 2017: Series Index”