Lots of business leaders swear by Microsoft Great Plains software for a range of solutions related to accounting: Microsoft has rolled out this multi-feature software in "modules" for controlling inventory, managing sales or payroll and more, all working over the Microsoft .Net platform. But what about businesses that don't have Microsoft Great Plains accounting software integrated into their book-keeping?

A good first step for business owners or operators is to check out informational online sites that will clue readers in to how Microsoft Great Plains software generally works in the business world. By viewing these resources, managers can think about how a Microsoft Great Plains software program would apply to their own jurisdictions. Readers may look for:

1. Case studies showing how Microsoft Great Plains software is used in each different field, and other Microsoft Great Plains software news and trends available over the web.

2. News and information on customizing Microsoft Great Plains software by incorporating different modules into accounting and financial processing.

3. More on using MS Great Plains software for various "business tasks" and getting functionality out of this powerful software suite.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

View Microsoft Great Plains software case studies

As a tool for evaluating Microsoft Great Plains business solution, case studies can be a good way to start thinking about the values in the software. Shops that report on their use of Microsoft Great Plains software help inform others about the ways that accounting and financial processing can benefit.

I recommend: Microsoft has compiled its own collection of case studies for evaluating the uses of Microsoft Great Plains software programs at their Business Case Studies page. Get more examples of Microsoft Great Plains software success from Ignify, "Igniting Ideas, Delivering Results."

Find out about Microsoft Great Plains software customization

Because Microsoft Great Plains software is a modular program with a variety of resources for accounting, customizing it to a business is a large part of integrating Microsoft Great Plains software into existing operations. Online resources help with details about customizing Microsoft Great Plains software to different kinds of businesses.

I recommend: Learn about Microsoft Great Plains software customization at IverTech, a site with downloads and information on lots of software products for perfecting operations. Experts Exchange offers some customization consulting, but readers may have to register to view expert opinions. For training on different Microsoft Great Plains software modules like Inventory Control and Sales Processing, check out Leaf Software.

Look for more on using Microsoft Great Plains software for specific tasking

More online resources will show how commercial operations can work with Microsoft Great Plains software in theory for successful end results. Look for the kinds of tasks for which you want to provide better functionality, and find out more on how to get those results.

I recommend: Find info on completing various business tasks like lockbox processing and customer matching at the Great Plains Blogspot. Get a wealth of other information on using Microsoft Great Plains software for various purposes from Alba Spectrum Technologies, where established Microsoft Business experts consult and write to a business audience.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When looking for Microsoft Great Plains pricing, tips, uses, studies, module selection or any other kind of answers, see if your resources will link you up with consultants you can get more from: networking your way to consulting solutions may be the best and fastest way to really implement Microsoft Great Plains software.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions - Great Plains) is a modular, integrated ERP (enterprise resource planning) enterprise solution that operates on Microsoft’s Web-based .net platform. Commonly referred to as Microsoft accounting software, MS Great Plains is actually comprised of eight modules, which can be purchased separately. Here’s how they’ll help your business:

1. Use Microsoft accounting software to help you monitor your finances.
2. E-commerce can be automated and tracked with Microsoft Dynamics GP.
3. MS Great Plains can provide effective supply chain management .
4. Manage your manufacturing operations with Microsoft Dynamics.
5. Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics allows you to monitor project accounting.
6. Field service automation is possible with Microsoft Great Plains software.
7. Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics can enhance customer relationship management.
8. Automate human resources tasks with Microsoft Dynamics.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a Microsoft Dynamics GP certified partner

An enterprise solution requires expertise for proper implementation. Find a partner who is certified for Microsoft Dynamics and can offer a complete range of services from analyzing your needs to training and service. The ideal partner will have completed other Microsoft Dynamics GP implementations in your industry and be familiar with its unique needs.

I recommend: Check out Microsoft's Six Things to look for in an IT Partner. Then go to Microsoft Dynamics to locate a certified partner in your area. For industry-specific partners, visit Microsoft Dynamics Industry Solutions. Business.com's Microsoft Great Plains Help page lists additional partner resources in various regions.

Price Microsoft Dynamics GP

Similarly to an enterprise solution, Microsoft Great Plains software is priced according to the number of modules you buy and the number of employees who will be using the system concurrently. Your partner will charge for its services as well, which should include training and service.

I recommend: Pick several local certified partners from Microsoft Dynamics and ask them to submit competitive bids.

Decide which Microsoft Great Plains software modules to use

Accounting is the core function of Microsoft Dynamics GP, making it the logical module to begin with. The other modules can be separated into in-house functions like project accounting and human resources and functions that go beyond the walls of your company like e-commerce, supply chain management, field service and customer relationship management.

I recommend: 2020 Software offers free demos of the various Microsoft Great Plains software modules.

Train your employees on Microsoft Dynamics GP

If your partner doesn't offer MS Great Plains software training, plenty of other companies do.

I recommend: Netcom Information Technology is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner that offers specialized Microsoft Dynamics GP training on-site or in its New York facilities. Denver, Colorado-based ICB Consulting offers remote web-based training on Microsoft Great Plains software via WebEx.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Solicit buy-in from company executives at the highest level to support the implementation process of Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics.
• •  Announcement the upcoming MS Great Plains software implementation in the company newsletter and at company meetings.
• •  Introduce the Microsoft accounting software in phases, rolling out one module at a time.
• •  Spotlight key employees for advanced involvement and training in Microsoft Dynamics GP.
• •  Keep employees abreast of how the enterprise solution software is improving productivity.

Microsoft Dynamics GP or Microsoft Great Plains software is a set of modular solutions for corporate and business accounting. With the emergence of Sarbanes-Oxley and other accounting regulations, as well as the growing pace of domestic and world markets, accounting needs to evolve, and Microsoft Great Plains accounting software is helping to drive that process with state-of-the-art tools available over the Microsoft .Net framework.

For making the most of Microsoft Great Plains software program choices, managers and business leaders can use online resources or vendors to buy or download support, or to get advice and recommendations on the best use of this versatile software. Those looking to optimize Microsoft Great Plains software may look for:

1. Solutions for accessing Microsoft Great Plains software via an in-house connection to .Net and other procedural fixes.

2. Consulting on how to best use a Microsoft Great Plains accounting system for specialized accounting purposes.

3. Manuals and user support for deciphering all of the tools in Microsoft Great Plains software.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for .Net resources for Microsoft Great Plains software

Since the Microsoft Great Plains software suite is offered over the Microsoft .Net framework, getting it on-site involves dealing with the requirements for this web-based technology. This has some obvious advantages over a simple app-vendor system, but sometimes produces some challenges as well. Making sure you have perfect access is critical to getting the most out of your Microsoft Great Plains software and accounting solutions.

I recommend: The Microsoft .Net site offers information on the platform, as well as resources for downloading and getting connectivity to the .Net framework. Get more helpful tools for your in-house developer to assist with .Net integration at the Framework Developer Center.

Get consulting on Microsoft Great Plains software modules

For the various tasks that Microsoft Great Plains software modules perform, you may want a little help deciding which parts of the Microsoft Great Plains software system to buy and how exactly they will help you crunch the numbers. That's where consultants come in: use detailed web pages to view the credentials and qualifications of these professionals.

I recommend: Certified CPA Russell Jackson will help your company navigate the ins and outs of Microsoft Great Plains, selecting modules and coming up with dynamic accounting strategies for the future. Get more consulting options from the Connecticut-based Critical Edge Group through their online resource site.

Find print or web based reading for Microsoft Great Plains software support

Yet another option for getting the most out of Microsoft Great Plains software integration is in the reading material you can get, either directly from the provider or in the form of manuals and reference materials from third parties.

I recommend: Online forums and newsgroups are just part of what Microsoft offers for getting critical support information for a Microsoft Great Plains business solution over the web. For print media options, get Microsoft Great Plains software manuals and ledgers at Business Solution Partners online.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When doing Microsoft Great Plains pricing or other planning, look at how new purchases or options will beef up your existing system, and think about whether it's feasible to add on, or whether it will be worth while to 'start from scratch.' If there are any doubts, a consultant can help you make sure you don't overact while upgrading.

Microsoft Great Plains software is a set of accounting programs that offers comprehensive accounting solutions for all kinds of businesses. Microsoft has changed the name of this product suite from "Great Plains" to "Microsoft Dynamics" or "Microsoft GP," so it can be confusing to shoppers. The key is to realize that "Microsoft Great Plains," "Microsoft GP" and "Microsoft Dynamics" are all the same product.

Microsoft GP goes far beyond just a ledger system, into a variety of advanced concepts that managers use to run a tight ship and keep control of their finances. Learning about some of the key terms for Microsoft GP is essential to knowing what the software is and what kind of strategic features it includes that are so popular with today's high-tech business world.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Enterprise Resource Planning

Enterprise Resource Planning, or ERP, is a system of software that integrates many critical processes for businesses, including sales inventory, customer relations, accounting and logistics. Microsoft Great Plains is a type of ERP software because it helps managers do all of these things.

I recommend: WiseGeek provides an explanation of what is involved in ERP software.

Web-based

Web-based software operates completely online, saving the user the trouble of home installation. Microsoft offers GP as a web-based accounting solution, which is popular with many customers who would rather pay the fees of signing up than buy and install an accounting software package.

I recommend: You can investigate the benefits of web-based software at the 37 Signals website.

Supply chain management

Supply chain management is a holistic process. It is the process of following products, information, and money as they pass from a manufacturer to a customer. Microsoft GP contains tools for supply chain management to help with the various tasks included in this process.

I recommend: Find more information about the flow of supply chain management at TechTarget.

Customer relationship management

Customer relationship management (CRM) is the process of serving customers with optimized attention to customer service design and logistics. Microsoft GP offers tools for customer relationship management including automation of recurring tasks, streamlined communication, data analysis, and more.

I recommend: Learn more about CRM products and compare different providers at CompareCRM.

.NET

The .NET Framework is a Web platform from Microsoft that enables a variety of powerful functions. Microsoft GP uses the .NET platform to achieve its Web-based design.

I recommend: Learn more about the Microsoft .NET platform at the Microsoft .NET Framework overview page.

Modules

Microsoft GP is a modular software. Modules are pieces of a larger whole that function somewhat independently. Microsoft designed GP as a modular cafeteria-style software from which managers can choose what they need from a variety of modules.

I recommend: Get video input as well as text on Microsoft GP and the range of uses built into its design from Crowe Horwath.