Using Node Builder to Create New Node: Conclusion

eOne SolutionsThis post is part of the series on Using Node Builder to Create New Node; in particular I m creating a node to add EFT Bank information when adding a creditor.

In this series, I’ve gone through the steps to create a simple node to add EFT Bank details when using SmartConnect to insert a vendor. Node Builder allowed us to create the node without writing any code.

Node Builder is the least polished of the eOne products; in fact, based on how good SmartList Builder and SmartConnect are, I was very surprised at the lack of polish.

The alternative to using Node Bulder is to write your own eConnect stored procedures. Microsoft has posted some example code of how to do this. In addition, Tim Wappat has also posted about this.

If I was creating the node, I’d be tempted to just write my own (as I have done in the past), but when working with a client I would show them Node Builder and explain the pros and cons (including limitations such as not integrating with SmartConnect any more).

Using Node Builder to Create New Node: Add SmartConnect Node

eOne SolutionsThis post is part of the series on Using Node Builder to Create New Node; in particular I m creating a node to add EFT Bank information when adding a creditor.

Once the GP Resource Cache refreshed, the new node will be available in SmartConnect.

To use the node, launch SmartConnect and on the action pane, under GP Connector, click Node Maintenance:

SmartConnect action pane

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Using Node Builder to Create New Node: Update SmartConnect GP Resource Cache

eOne SolutionsThis post is part of the series on Using Node Builder to Create New Node; in particular I m creating a node to add EFT Bank information when adding a creditor.

With the node created, we need to make it available for use in SmartConnect before we can actually use it.

This is done by refreshing the SmartConnect GP Resource Cache. Do this by launching Microsoft Dynamics GP and selecting GP Resource Cache from the (Microsoft Dynamics GP » Tools » SmartConnect » GP Resource Cache) menu:

GP Resource Cache menu

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Using Node Builder to Create New Node: Create Node

eOne SolutionsThis post is part of the series on Using Node Builder to Create New Node; in particular I m creating a node to add EFT Bank information when adding a creditor.

To create new node, launch Node Builder from the Windows Start menu.

It will start showing a blank screen. In the General Options pane enter the following:

  • Node ID which is all caps with no spaces
  • Node Description
  • Default Company
  • eConnect Procedure Name which will default in, but can be changed (you can;t change the prefix from E1_
  • Create SmartConnect Node which must be left unmarked
Node Builder 2011: Create new VENRODEFT Node
exclamation 

The Create SmartConnect Node must be left unmarked, even if you want to create a node in SmartConnect. This did work in the past, but development of SmartConnect has continued whle that of Node Builder has stalled.

You will have problems if you mark this box!

In the right pane, select the companies in which the node should be made available.

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Using Node Builder to Create New Node: Introduction

eOne SolutionsA few weeks ago I did a series on Implementing Node Builder; in this new series I am going to cover creating a new node for adding EFT Bank information with a creditor.

If you’re reading this on azurecurve, the series index, below, will automatically update; if you’re reading a syndicated post, then you’ll need to check back on the original post.

Using Node Builder to Create New Node
Create Node
Update SmartConnect GP Resource Cache
Add SmartConnect Node
Conclusion

Implementing Node Builder: Conclusion

eOne SolutionsThis post is part of the series on Implementing Node Builder; Node Builder is a product which allows additional eConnect nodes to be easily created for use with SmartConnect.

I was somewhat surprised that the most recent version available was the 2011 version; I think this shows that Node Builder is not a very popular product, but I am slightly surprised by this as SmartConnect seems to be a popular choice for integrations. I have manually written eConnect stored procedures for new nodes and Node Builder is an easier and quicker way of creating the nodes.

I assume though that people are generally either creating the stored procedures manually or are doing direct updates to the database. If this is the case, then it would seem that the people mainly using SmartConnect are more technical users.

It does not need to be this way and, for a lot of the SmartConnect projects I’ve had a hand in delivering, it hasn’t been this way as we have installed and configured SmartConnect and then trained users on creating and maintaining integrations.

Node Builder compliments this approach by allowing non-technical users to create new nodes as required rather than needing a SQL develop with experience of Microsoft Dynamics GP and eConnect.

I’ll do a series in a few weeks on using Node Builder to create a node for use with SmartConnect.

Implementing Node Builder: Connection Issue

eOne SolutionsThis post is part of the series on Implementing Node Builder; in particular I m creating a node to add EFT Bank information when adding a creditor.

The first time I installed Node Builder I received an error when trying to log in:

Connection failed

Connection Failed

A connection error occurred while trying to connect o the Node Builder database. Check the server settings to ensure Node Builder is pointing to the correct server.

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Implementing Node Builder: Registration

eOne SolutionsThis post is part of the series on Implementing Node Builder; Node Builder is a product which allows additional eConnect nodes to be easily created for use with SmartConnect.

With Node Builder installed we can now launch and register it. Node Builder will be available via the Windows Start menu. When launched, you will be prompted to enter the SQL Server and a user account to connect with; this is making a connection to the SQL Server so you will either need to use the sa account or another SQL account (which is not a Dynamics GP user).

Connection Information

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Implementing Node Builder: Installation

eOne SolutionsThis post is part of the series on Implementing Node Builder; Node Builder is a product which allows additional eConnect nodes to be easily created for use with SmartConnect.

With Node Builder downloaded, we can now start the implementation. The download is a zip file containing NodeBuilder.exe. Extract and run this file.

On the Welcome step, click Next:

eOne Node Builder Setup: Welcome to the eOne Node Builder Setup Wizard

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Implementing Node Builder: Downloading

eOne SolutionsThis post is part of the series on Implementing Node Builder; Node Builder is a product which allows additional eConnect nodes to be easily created for use with SmartConnect.

Node Builder can be downloaded from the eOne Solutions website; there is no requirement to leave your email address when downloading:

Download page