It might be time to upgrade your Microsoft Dynamics GP application IF....

I was reading a colleague's blog about old versions of Microsoft Dynamics GP and decided to turn it into a take on an old joke, "You might be a redneck if..." So here is a truthful, but humurous look at some key reasons for upgrading your system soon (and at the end I have listed a couple of "You might be a redneck" offerings for your amusement).

You might need to upgrade IF:

1. Your version's "Help > About" screen still refers to the software as "Great Plains Software" or "Microsoft Business Solutions - Great Plains". ("GP" has now been the proper name for 10 years).
2. Your system still refers to your menus as "Palettes". (GP now uses real menus, along with Navigation Bars, Area Pages, Lists).
3. You are greeted by a sexy "Welcome to Dynamics" voice when you login (suggesting you are running a 15 year old version of the software).
4. You have a grey background instead of a "Home Page" with shortcuts (introduced in version 9).
5. You have to go thru four steps to edit AP checks created during the "Select" checks process (the screens available for edit checks get better with EACH version!).
6. You don't have a "Copy" function for GL Journals.
7. You don't have any choices for configuring EFTs to your bank's specifications (there is a configurator option available now).
8. Your smartlists are not in alphabetical order! (That might be a redneck issue also :) )

And now for the promised "You might be a redneck if....":

• You think the last works to the Star Spangled Banner are "Gentleman, start your engines." (Yes, I am a NASCAR fan!)
• You think a stock tip is advice on worming' your hogs.
• You carried a fishing pole into Sea World.
• You think subdivision is part of a math problem. (For you accountants :) )
• You stare at an orange juice container because it says, "CONCENTRATE".

REMINDER: Microsoft Support Ended January 11th, 2011 - If you are currently on Dynamics v9.0 or a previous version, NOW is the time to upgrade to Microsoft Dynamics GP2010.

Want to upgrade and need Collins Computing's help? Please contact your Collins Managing Consultant, email us at support@collinscomputing, or call us at 949-457-0500.

Customers who are current on a Microsofty Dynamics GP service plan can continue to access the following benefits through CustomerSource:

• Previously released Upgrades, Updates, Service Packs, Fixes and Regulatory/Tax Updates
• Self-Help Support through KnowledgeBase articles and online content
• Unlimited Online Training
• CustomerSource Community and Tools

Convergence 2011 Registration is Open!

Get a jump on the premier Microsoft Dynamics event of the year!

Registration for Convergence 2011 Atlanta is now under way - REGISTER NOW so you can start planning your event activities early.

Top 5 Reasons to Attend:

1. You will learn how you can get the most out of your Micrsoft Dynamics solution through the many training and user sessions offered.
2. You will learn about add-on solutions that will enhance and extend your MIcrosoft Dynamics solutions.
3. You will be able to network and collaborate with your peers and the product experts from Microsoft in sessions, hands-on labs and in the Community & Learning Center.
4. You will learn about the latest Microsoft products and business technologies such as Office 2010, SharePoint 2010 and SQL Server and how these products can enhance your Microsoft Dynamics solution.
5. You will gain insights into Microsoft's corporate direction and future plans for their Microsoft Dynamics solutions.

REGISTER by February 21st to receive a $300 "Early Bird" discount!

Oops, I meant 2011, not 2010!

With 2011 in effect, we all know users make the msitake of entering their dates with a '2010' year and may even mistakenly type '2012' in fields by accident. By using the "FREE" Microsoft Miscellaneous Tool "DocDate Verify", the user could get a warning message right away....

When DocDate Verify is activated, and a document date is entered, a check will be performed determining whether the document date is in a valid fiscal period or if the fiscal period is closed.

• If the date does not fall within a valid fiscal period, a message will be displayed and the user will not be allowed to continue until the date is in a valid period.
• If the Document Date falls within a period that is closed, a message will be displayed that will allow the user to correct the date or continue on leaving the date.

This functionality is available in the following windows:

• Payables Transaction Entry
• Receivables Transaction Entry
• Invoice Entry
• Payables Manual Payment Entry
• Sales Transaction Entry
• Inventory Transaction Entry
• Cash Receipts Entry
• Purchase Order Entry
• Receivings Transaction Entry
• Purchasing Invoice Entry

To activate this tool, simply mark the second check box next to Doc Date Verify in the Professional Services Tools Library window after installing the appropriate Professional Tool dictionary.

To get this free tool installed and implemented, just contact our support team and they can help you find the correct version of the chunk file and show you how to implement this free tool, and many others you may want to take advantage of, like:

• Default Add Item POP/SOP - Automatically mark the "Add Item" option in POP/SOP
• Decimal Place Tool - Adjust the Check Amount in words to two decimals for Payables/Payroll
• Payables Select Check Combiner - Allows checks of the same vendor to be consolidated
• Payables Minimum Check Utility - Pick a minimum amount for select checks process
• Minimum PO/Receipt Number - To prevent deleted numbers from being re-used

See the window below for an indication if the varied list of tools available for Microsoft Dynamics GP.


To find out more information on these free tools, or the other tools that range from $750 - $1,000 each, please email our existing customer managers here.

2011 Payroll Tax Updates for Dynamics GP

Round 1 tax update for 2011 was released on December 17, 2010.

• US Payroll Tax Update for Microsoft Small Business Financials 9.0
• US Payroll Tax Update for Microsoft Dynamics GP 9.0
• US Payroll Tax Update for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0
• US Payroll Tax Update for Microsoft Dynamics GP2010

Effected states: Alabama, California, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New York City, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island.

Federal Changes:

• Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit - has been repealed and recipients will not receive Advanced EITC on paychecks after December 31, 2010
• FICA/Social Security withholding table - changed to 4.2% for employee FICA withholding. Be sure to create the year end wage file before installing this update. **Important Note: The FICA/Social Security withholding table will be updated for employers in a release scheduled for January, 2011. General Ledger posting, inquires and reports that show FICA amounts for employers will be calculated using 4.2% until that time. We understand the challenges you face with this; however, it was important to release with accurate employee paychecks starting January 1, 2011
• Personal exemption amount has changed
• Federal tax wage ranges, tax amounts, tax rates have been changed

Round 2 tax update for 2011 is scheduled to be released on January 24th, 2011.

Effected states: Maryland, Hawaii, New Mexico, Vermont, North Dakota, Colorado, Arizona, Oklahama, Oregon.

For questions or if you need help installing the tax updates, please email support@collinscomputing.com or call 949-457-0500.