| > | | | | forgiveness to the customers without annual |
| | | | contract. Microsoft GP had two blends: Great Plains |
| All versions of Microsoft Dynamics GP and its | | | | Professional (on Microsoft SQL Server) and Select |
| predecessor Great Plains Dynamics and eEnterprise, | | | | (on Pervasive SQL 2000/Btrieve and Ctree). The |
| plus earlier versions of GP on Pervasive SQL 2000 or | | | | last version available on non Microsoft SQL Server |
| Ctree (including Mac based Faircom version), as well | | | | platform (MSDE is in fact scaled down MS SQL 2000, |
| as Great Plains Accounting for DOS, Windows or | | | | so we assume that MSDE 2000 is similar to SQL |
| Macintosh are supportable In this small publication we | | | | Server) was Microsoft Dynamics GP 7.5 (when GP |
| will review all versions of GPA, Great Plains and | | | | version 7.5 was announced, it was known as |
| Microsoft Dynamics GP (from earlier 1990th up to | | | | Microsoft Great Plains 7.5 and later on it was |
| May 2010) and their support methods. If your | | | | rebranded as Microsoft Dynamics GP). There is |
| version is not described in details, please feel free to | | | | virtually no problems with Pervasive SQL 2000 server |
| contact us to get additional information, as here we | | | | move to Windows 2003 or even Windows 2008 |
| are trying to keep balanced info approach: | | | | Server (you will need to open Pervasive SQL Port |
| 1. In this first paragraph we are listing all the versions | | | | 1583, as by default Windows 2008 ports are closed). |
| of GP: Microsoft Dynamics GP 11.0 (should be | | | | If you would like to move MS SQL Server Great |
| released in May 2010), 10.0, 9.0,8.0 and 7.5; Microsoft | | | | Plains version to new hardware, then you should be |
| Great Plains 7.0; Great Plains on Pervasive SQL 2000 | | | | careful with supported DB platform. Good example - |
| (formerly known as Btrieve) or Ctree 7.5, 7.0, 6.0, | | | | Microsoft SQL Server 2005 is compatible with |
| 5.5, 5.0, 4.0,3.2; Great Plains eEnterprise 7.0, 6.0 (on | | | | Dynamics GP 10.0, 9.0 and 8.0 (with latest service |
| MS SQL Server 2000 and 7.0); Great Plains Dynamics | | | | pack applied). If your target is MS SQL Server |
| C/S+ 5.5, 5.0, 4.0, 3.2; Great Plains Accounting for | | | | 2008, be sure that you are on Dynamics GP 10.0 |
| DOS and Windows 9.5, 9.2 and earlier versions. Mac | | | | 4. Great Plains for Apple Macintosh, The battle |
| versions of Great Plains Dynamics: 5.0, 4.0, 3.2 and | | | | between MS Windows, Mac and Unix was extremely |
| earlier (for Great Plains for Mac you had options to | | | | harsh and severe in late 1990th, especially when |
| host Great Plains Server on Windows NT Server or | | | | Power Mac was introduced around 1995 (with RISC |
| Mac Server) | | | | processor from IBM, which probably made Motorola a |
| 2. Microsoft Dynamics GP upgrade highlights. We | | | | bit unhappy). Finally Great Plains Software had to |
| strongly recommend you to be current in Microsoft | | | | abandon Mac Great Plains Business Line somewhere |
| Business Solutions annual enhancement program, by | | | | around GP version 5.0. This was really sad event for |
| doing so you will have access to Customer Source, | | | | our company, as we were enthusiasts of Macintosh |
| new version registration keys, and have discounts on | | | | computers in time, and plus we had certified CPA and |
| MBS support cases. Plus, we recommend you to | | | | Great Plains Functional and Technical consultants in |
| synchronize your Microsoft Dynamics GP Upgrade | | | | Staff |
| schedule with GP versions, supported directly by | | | | 5. Great Plains Accounting for DOS, Windows and |
| Microsoft Business Solutions (typically two latest | | | | Macintosh. If you are on GPA as your Corporate |
| versions, currently in December 2009 these are | | | | ERP application, chances are high that you have to |
| Dynamics GP 10.0 and 9.0). If you are on Microsoft | | | | watch for every penny in Accounting Application |
| Dynamics GP 8.0 or 7.5, this is now time to expedite | | | | support and upgrade. We respect this position and |
| update to Dynamics GP 10.0. Great Plains upgrade | | | | we are ready to support your GPA application. |
| general recommendations - if you like being on the | | | | Typically you have issues with corrupted GPA files |
| technology edge, feel free to upgrade as new | | | | (often historical Sales file). We also heard questions |
| version is released, however if you prefer | | | | on moving GPA from Windows NT to Microsoft |
| conservative way - wait until at least first or even | | | | Windows 2003 or 2008 (including move of Pervasive |
| better second service pack is released | | | | SQL Server 2000 SP3) |
| 3. Microsoft Great Plains Support Highlights. If you | | | | 6. Legacy ecommerce versions integration support. |
| are on earlier Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains | | | | As you might be aware, Dynamics GP ecommerce |
| versions 7.0 and 6.0, chances are high that you are | | | | is often comes together with eConnect programming |
| no longer active in MBS annual enhancement program | | | | and integration. In our opinion eConnect came to its |
| and your strategy is to stay with your historical | | | | maturity somewhere around 2006 or with Microsoft |
| version as long as possible with future possible walk | | | | Dynamics GP version 9.0 |
| away or upgrade when Microsoft announces | | | | 7. |