Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Planning for Year-End 2014 in Microsoft Dynamics GP

The Year-End Update for Microsoft Dynamics GP has been released!  Please contact Collins Computing for assistance in updating your GP environment.  Particular attention needs to be made if you have add-on products and integrations.

Be sure to update GP for changes in Payroll for ACA fields, W3 changes, EFW2 Electronic filing changes and 1099-R retirement changes.

     • Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010   *This will be the LAST year that a Year End update is available. 
     • Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 - (This does include Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 R2)
     • Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015  - (The Year-End Close update to release January 15 ,2015)
 
     • Note:  The Year-end/Tax Update is inclusive of all previous hot fixes, services packs and year-end downloads.

What are the target release dates?

• The 2014 Year End Update for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 and Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 are now available for download. (Released on November 18, 2014.)

• The 2014 Year End Update for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 is targeted for January 15 release.

• The 2015 Round 1 Tax Update (tax table update only) for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 and Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 will be available the week of December 19th, 2014.   This update will increase the FICA Social Security Limit to the new 2015 calendar year amount.  *NOTE: Therefore, do not install this tax update until the 2014 Year End Wage file is created and ALL pay runs for the 2014 year are completed!

• The 2015 Round 2 Tax Update will be available mid-January.

Year-End Closing NEW tips and gotchas!

Sign up for Collins' Customer Webcast this Tuesday!

 

Date: Tuesday, December 9^th Time: 10am PST - 11:00am PST

You can REGISTER HERE - Collins Customer Year-End Webcast

 

Collins Computing will explain the differences between "Year-End Updates", "Tax Updates" and "GP Upgrades".

 

We will also take users thru each module in Microsoft Dynamics GP to show the steps necessary for closing the year, PLUS give you our top 11 "Did you know" tips to prevent that additional support call.

 

Here are the tips we will explain during our webcast (along with steps to closing the year):

 

Important changes for Year-End Closing (GP 2010, GP 2013, 2013R2 & 2015)

• Smartlists to use/create for pre-check closings
• Scripts available for updating the "Amounts Since Last Close" fields
• Reversing Year-End closing is available!
• If you don't run payroll, there are AP form changes for Year-End too!
• 1099 edit options differ in each release!
• Inventory Stock Count How-To
• Add-On products to make Year-End processes quicker!
• Printing to Pdf when possible!
• Use Analytical Accounting? Be sure to setup new year-end options!
• New Fields your auditors have been waiting for!

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

3-10 Minute Take-aways with Microsoft Dynamics GP

We all want to attend training sessions where we have valuable ‘take-aways’, right?

How about taking 10 minutes or less to learn some valuable tips about your current ERP software?

At Collins Computing we have offered short videos and webcasts to our clients for quite some time now.  Our clients are able to share the links to specific employees who can watch and learn valuable tips quickly.

Assign which users to count against company licenses

We are now also presenting/participating in GPUG’s “Take 10” series where companies can log on to 10 minute webcasts about specific topics.  Currently these webcasts are offered to Premier GPUG customers, but you can see our last webcast here if you are indeed a GPUG Premier member (or want to learn more about becoming one).  Here is the link to the webcast that Collins Computing hosted this month regarding sending users “Internal Messages” within Microsoft Dynamics GP.  But you can see the entire list of webcasts available by going to the GPUG website > Content Library (ours was under the “Tips and Tricks” folder that you see if you are a member): http://www.gpug.com/recordings.

Notify Users from Home Page or System Message





With so many users looking for ‘on-line’ guided assistance for application problems, software help, or even education Collins Computing is leading the charge with providing short sessions to help our clients improve their internal processes or reporting needs in short manageable chunks.

Also, take a look at our Collins Computing YouTube Channel for some quick video tips you might be able to use today! 

Join us at GPUG Summit 2014 in St. Louis, MO - October 14-17^th!  It's the ultimate learning and networking event for the Microsoft Dynamics GP community.  Every attendee if focused on Dynamics GP.

Collins Computing will be there!  Are you attending?  LET US KNOW

Monday Night Football!
  The St Louis Rams will be hosting San Fransisco 49ers
  Monday, Oct 13^th.    The Rams offered a special $15 discount on tickets for Summit and The Partner Connections Even attendees.
Click here for details on securing discounted tickets to the game.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 – Functionality discontinuation notice

Microsoft Dynamics has been licensing a runtime version of Microsoft SharePoint Server needed for the deployment of Business Portal.  With the discontinuation of Business Portal, Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 does not qualify for a runtime version of Microsoft SharePoint Server. 

Because of above, Microsoft SharePoint Server runtime will not be available to customers upgrading to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015.

This functionality discontinuation impacts Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 under the Perpetual Licensing model.

How does this effect you?

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 (and prior versions) customers:

• Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 runtime remains available for use with Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 (and prior versions).
• Microsoft will continue to support Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 runtime for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 and prior versions through the end of the Microsoft Dynamics lifecycle. Note that mainstream support for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 ends April 10, 2018. Please visit the Microsoft Support Lifecycle site for more information on your specific version of GP.      

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 customers with an active enhancement plan upgrading to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 via the License Model Transition Upgrade and Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 customers upgrading to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015.

• ​Microsoft SharePoint Server runtime modules will not appear on the Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 license.
• The Protected List Price of Microsoft SharePoint Server runtime modules will be removed upon upgrade 

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 customers with an active enhancement plan upgrading to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 via the License Credit Transition Upgrade will not be able to license Microsoft SharePoint Server runtime with Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 and will be able to use the PLP of this module towards any Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 module.​

Dynamics GP 2015 – Functionality discontinuation notice

Microsoft announced that Business Portal will not be compatible with Dynamics GP 2015.

Business Portal
Microsoft has decided to discontinue the development of Business Portal and focus instead on including most of the same functionality directly into the core code base of Dynamics GP 2015.  The replacement functionality will be available to anyone using one of the concurrent Client Access Licenses (CALs) to access GP:

• Business Portal
• Business Portal Employee Users
• Business Portal Customer Users
• Time and Expense for Business Portal
• Time and Attendance
• Employee Pay
• Employee Profile
• Recruitment
• Skills and Training
• Requisition Management
• SOX Accelerator for Business Portal

The following Business Portal functionality will not be available in GP 2015 and are not planned for replacement.

• Order Management
• PDK
• eService
• eReturns

The discontinuation impacts all GP 2015 licensing models: Perpetual licensing, Subscription Licensing and Service Provider Licensing Agreement (SPLA).

What does this mean for existing clients?

Dynamics GP 2013 Clients

• Business Portal remains available for use with Dynamics GP 2013 and prior versions.

Dynamics GP 2010 Clients (current on enhancement)

• On the Module Based Licensing model may continue licensing Business Portal functionality and users
• On the Business Ready Licensing model may continue to license additional Light Users - Limited Upgrade and Employee Self Service - Limited Upgrade.
• However, existing clients will no longer be able to use these functionalities when upgrading to Dynamics GP 2015.

Microsoft will continue to support Business Portal functionalities for GP 2013 and prior versions through the end of the Microsoft Dynamics Lifecycle.  NOTE: mainstream support for GP 2013 ends April 10, 2018.

Dynamics GP 2010 clients, on an active enhancement plan, upgrading to Dynamics GP 2015 via the License Model Transition Upgrade path:

• Clients on MBL model will receive 1 Limited CAL per licensed BP user.  The Protected List Price of licensed BP modules will be allocated to the Limited CALs.  This conversion does not apply to BP users which were provided at no charge to provide individuals using concurrent CALs to access the application access to BP.
• Clients on the BRL model will receive Limited CALs for licensed Light Users as per the Microsoft Dynamics Transition Upgrade Policy.  The PLP of licensed Light Users will be allocated to the Limited CALs.

Dynamics GP 2010 clients with an active enhancement plan upgrading to GP 2015 via the License Credit Transition Upgrade path need to license an appropriate number of concurrent CALs to access the replacement functionalities and can use the PLP of licensed Business Portal modules towards this license cost.

Dynamics GP 2013/2013 R2 clients with an active enhancement plan upgrade to GP 2015 need to license an appropriate number of concurrent CALs to access the replacement functionalities.  There is no conversion for the free GP users which were included in the Starter Pack to allow individuals using concurrent CALs to also access BP.

If you are looking to upgrade or have any questions, please contact us at info@collinscomputing.com or (800) 943-9211.

Limited Users in GP 2013 R2

There has been some confusion surrounding Limited Users in GP2013 R2.

Microsoft wrote a great article explaining what they are and how to maximize this user type...Read More...

The U.S. Payroll Tax Update - Round 5 has released

The U.S. Payroll Tax Update - Round 5 has released!

Changes in this release:

• New York State released a tax withholding change for Yonkers effective 8/1/2014.  This is a table change only to the flat tax rate, going from 15 to 19.2 percent for both Single and Married.  Please see below for explanation:
  

Links:

• Dynamics GP2013
• Dynamics GP2010
• Documentation

If you have any questions, please contact support@collinscomputing.com or call (888) 391-6690.

U.S. Payroll Tax Update - Round 5

New York State released a tax withholding change for Yonkers effective 8/1/2014.

Round 5 Tax Update for the 2014 Year is targeted to release next week, the week of July 28^th.

This is a table change only to the flat tax rate, going from 15 to 19.2 percent for both Single and Married.  Please see below for explanation:

We will let you know as soon as we hear more and/or Round 5 Tax Update has been released.

If you have any questions, please contact support@collinscomputing.com or call (888) 391-6690.

Upgrade to GP2013 R2!

What's New in Dynamics GP2013 R2?!  Microsoft added some really cool new features in the following areas; Increase productivity and collaboration with Office 365, Protect your data with enterprise-class backup on Microsoft Azure and Streamlined workflow and requisitions capabilities.

Here are just a few of the NEW features
AR - Send/email remaining documents by batch
BR - Print outstanding bank transaction report
GL - Copy/Paste Journals from Excel
GL - Reverse Historical Year (Year End Close)
MR - Management Reporter - Refresh Reports from Viewer
SYS - Controllable Desktop Action Pane
SYS - Take Company Offline - For Mainenance
SYS - Deployable Dashboards for GL, AR, AP, INV
SYS - Workflow simplified!

Check out our Collins Computing YouTube channel for videos highlighting some of the new features;

GP2013 R2 User Messages-Company Offline  (video)

GP2013 R2 Feature Desktop Action Pane Choices (video)








Contact your Collins Account Manager for more info or to upgrade today!   CLICK HERE to have someone to contact you about upgrading.

Happy Independence Day! Have a safe and happy 4th! God Bless America!

Happy Independence Day! Have a safe and happy 4th! God Bless America!

US Payroll Tax Update - Round 4 Released!

The US Payroll Tax Update - Round 4 has released.

Ohio released a change this week, so Microsoft included that one as well.

Changes in this tax update:
The June 2014 Round 4 U.S. Payroll Tax Update contains tax changes for the following states:

• Idaho (effective immediately)
• Ohio (effective 7/1)

CLICK HERE for links, download information and documentation.

If you have any questions, please email support@collinscomputing.com or call (888) 391-6690.

2014 US Payroll Tax Update Planned - Round 4

The state of Idaho announced a tax table change, effective January 1, 2014.  This is not retroactive.

Microsoft is working to turn this around as quickly as possible for a release, hopefully by next week.  This should be just a tax table change.

We will update as soon as the update is released.

For any questions, please contact support@collinscomputing.com or call (888) 391-6690.

Hidden Features in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013

Do you like finding out 'little known' features within Microsoft Dynamics GP? Did you know that Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 now has the capability to warn the the user if a PO receipt item's cost is different than the original encumbered amount? Well, it might not have been 'publicized' prior to a blog entry.

Read More...

Canadian Payroll Mid-year Tax Update

There are no Canadian Payroll tax changes for mid-year tax update July 2014.

If you have any questions, please contact your Collins Accounting Manager, call (800) 943-9211 or email info@collinscomputing.com

6 Favorite New Feature Screen Shots of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 R2

Finally – screen shots are available for GP 2013 R2 as we wait for the release!  Here are 6 new SPECIFIC features of GP 2013 R2 that we know our existing clients will love! (taken right from the daily feature blog Microsoft is sharing).

Bookmark our Collins Computing youtube channel as we will begin creating short “New GP2013 R2” videos  once the code is released for distribution to customers:

1.  Copy & Paste from Excel into a GL Transaction!

GL Entry screen allows Copy/Paste from Excel!

2. Assign the "next" Fixed Asset Number from the CLASS.

Fixed Assets Classes now able to default "Next Asset ID"

3. Smartlist Designer Improvement – “Go To’s” are now available from a new Smartlist, with “Go To’s” defaulted from the original if a user ‘copies’ an existing Smartlist.

GoTo a specific Smartlist, Navigation List or Web Page from selection.

4. Being able to reprint the outstanding transactions report from the Bank Reconciliation area.

Reprint Outstanding Transactions in Bank Rec area at anytime!

5. True workflow approval maintenance built within Microsoft Dynamics GP!  The maintenance screen allows companies to define their specific requirements for requisition & Purchase Order approvals.  This will include many additional features such as escalations, delegations (for vacations), and task calendars.

Define specific workflow steps for an organization!

6. Identity Management – A user only has to enter username/password ONCE with a web client!

No Double Entry Necessary for Login-Web Client identifies user from Windows Login!

Be sure your Microsoft Business Partner is sharing the newest features available to all Microsoft Dynamics GP customers!  If you need to talk to an expert for training, support, consulting, integrations or development for your Microsoft Dynamics GP implementation, Contact Collins Computing today!  Count on Collins | Count on Success!

Office 365 Compatibility w/Microsoft Dynamics GP

Below are compatibility requirements for Microsoft Dynamics GP with Office 365.  These are the only features and functionality supported with Office 365.

For details, click HERE and log in to CustomerSource.

Any questions?  Please contact your Collins Account Manager, email info@collinscomputing.com or call (800) 943-9211

Professional Services Tool Library is free and available for download today!

The PSTL tool (Professional Services Tool Library) is now available for you to install from the media for version 2010 sp4 and forward. The Professional Services Tools Library (PSTL) provides greater flexibility with your solution, ensures data integrity, and increases the productivity and efficiency of your solution. This powerful suite of tools can help you change your critical data quickly and accurately. The entire library of Professional Services Tools offers a full range of data customization and control utilities.

Check it out!

If you have any questions, please contact your Collins Account Manager, email info@collinscomputing.com or call (800) 943-9211.

Read More...

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers around the world! From all of us at Collins Computing, Inc.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers around the world! From all of us at Collins Computing, Inc.

When Is The Cloud Right For You?

Many businesses are looking at the cloud as a possible way to deploy popular business management technology including enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. How do you know if the cloud is right for you?
Read More...

Microsoft Announces User Price Increase

If you are using a version of Dynamics GP prior to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 then you might be impacted by a new price increase for additional users that takes effect July 1, 2014.

A Price Increase for MBL and BRL Additional Users Goes Into Effect July 1, 2014.  Please see the below chart for details:

	Current User Price	New User Price (as   of 7/1/2014)
BRL Business Essentials	$2250	$2600
BRL Advanced Management	$2985-$3980 tiered	No change
MBL Professional	$1850-$2100 tiered	$2600 (elimination of all price tiers)
MBL Standard	$750	No change
MBL User Based Pricing	n/a	$2600

Note: This price increase does not impact the Protected List Price of users licensed by existing customers prior to July 1, 2014, subject to the then applicable Customer Services and Support Policy.

If you think that you will need more users in the next 6 to 12 months, there is no better time to buy those users before the prices go up on July 1, 2014.

Note for New Systems sold after July 1, 2014: new clients will only be able to license Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 R2 or newer.

If you think you need additional users, please contact your Collins Account Manager, call (800) 943-9211 or email info@collinscomputing.com.

Microsoft Dynamics Annual Conference “Convergence 2014 Top 10 Highlights”

After a dozen Convergence events, you’d think we wouldn’t get SO EXCITED about it each year, but we LOVE the unexpected jewels of information we discover, the new channel members we meet, and the exchange of experiences we indulge in!  Here are our top 10 #CONV14 gems that stick out this year:

1. Of course, topping the list is the MANY features coming just around the corner with the next release, Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 R2. Although we’re excited for the BIG ROCKS (Identity Management and Workflow enhancements), our existing clients are thrilled to see LOTS of the smaller chunks such as: Copy/Paste into GL from excel; reverse fiscal year-end close; the ability to email batches of documents at one time; locking companies for maintenance; default sort order on AP checks, and doc attach!

Screen Shot of how Identity Management changes:

 



2. You’ll have to act fast for this one, but Arianna Huffington is offering a free copy of her book THRIVE (by Mar 21 @ 9PM EST) which candidly shares her challenges of balancing a career while raising two daughters – drawing on research and scientific findings in the areas of meditation, mindfulness, unplugging, and giving! I may write a blog on this alone, but Arianna Huffington and Biz Stone were keynote speakers on Wednesday evening! These keynotes are almost reason enough to attend Convergence each year. In the past few years we’ve also been treated to insights from General Colin Powell (Ret) and Kofi Annan (Former General Secretary of the United Nations).

3. With Professional Advantage’s announcement that they have added CDA Express (Company Data Archive) to their popular Collection’s Management (CM) module, we are contacting many of our clients! This addition will be a huge opportunity for many customers who haven’t taken advantage of already owning CM but ‘opted in’ when it transitioned from Microsoft back to Professional Advantage.

4. Next year we will see GP 2015 and again the highlights include more improvements to the previously mentioned ‘ROCKS’, but also include a Business Portal replacement. However, we know our existing clients will immediately chew on the little nuggets for their users like Multiple PO Prepayments; EFT Enhancements; SOP Line Items; and load balancing.

5. It’s important to decompress and relax a bit with your friends. After several days in town, Thursday night we were treated to the FUN concert that even included a sing-a-long of “Can’t always get what you want” (number 100 of Rolling Stone’s top 500 songs of all time).

6. A very popular budgeting solution for our clients is Dynamics Budgets. They have recently added an Active Directory integration for user setup; security filter set-up; login view & deletes; simple user-defined dashboards; additional reporting capabilities; data tags that can span databases and more!

7. If folks couldn’t make Convergence, Microsoft has a LIVE Virtual Convergence option so we could listen to some of the Keynote and General Sessions info without paying for a registration. Check out the link to see the opening keynotes and general sessions!

8. If Convergence 2014 attendees missed a session, or just needed the notes, they can download the actual powerpoints from the “Schedule Builder”. By filtering on the session type, product, or track, you can download the details to share with other employees in your organization!

9. By joining one of the Dynamics Communities (GPUG, CRMUG, AXUG, or NAVUG), you can gain access to all the User Group sessions from Convergence (and much more) loaded in the “Collaborate” areas of the individual websites. You did NOT have to attend the events to gain access to these resources. For instance, if you would like to see the highlights from the ALL-STAR session, you can go to the GPUG Collaborate Section and download our “Dynamics Idol” powerpoint (which includes screenshots and instructions) on the favorite tips shared during that fast-paced session.

10. The Microsoft Dynamics GP technology changes will include the dexterity architecture being ‘exposed’ thru sanScript logic as a service. So, this will pave the way for all kinds of integrations to happen without having to get ‘into the code’ and use eConnect or Integration Manager as it is currently and use Windows Services and the like instead.

**At Collins Computing, we hold annual post-Convergence Collins Customer Webcasts, along with monthly sharing webcasts to be certain our clients are up-to-date on all tips, news, promotions, and highlights surrounding their Microsoft Dynamics implementations. If you want to know MORE about any of the topic above, we encourage you to check out our offerings and knowledge sharing techniques by contacting us anytime, or following us on one of our social media connections, or watching a video we’ve shared! And if you’re not too busy on April Fool’s day at 8:30am PST/11:30am EST you can join us for a preview of how we take care of our customers in a ‘mini-tips’ webcast. Let us know if you want to attend our “The (GP) Doctor Is In” webcast!

GPUG Idols Rocked the Stage at Convergence 2014

Katie Froeber from the GPUG Community wrote a great article on one of our very own "Dynamic Idols", Abra Gilman...

Check out her article HERE!

Hosted by Sarah Salzman and Abra Gilman (our own All Star at Collins Computing), some of the GPUG All Stars took the stage on Friday to star in GPUG’s Dynamics Idol: GPUG All-Stars Share Their Favorite Tips! Mark Polino, Béat Bucher, Terry Heley, Michelle Kocher, and Bob McAdam all “performed” their favorites providing a knowledge-packed session to cap off the Convergence week. This dynamic session was well attended and received rave reviews.

In true Idol fashion, audience members were asked to vote for their favorite Microsoft Dynamics GP-crooner. The nail-biting voting ended with Dynamic Communities’ own Bob McAdam coming out on top. “Dynamic Communities (parent organization of GPUG) uses GP internally and we work diligently on behalf of our members to remain on the bleeding edge of the system and its features,” said McAdam. “To be able to share the stage with the other GPUG All Stars is an honor in itself. We all strive to be role models for the GPUG community, and I look forward to many more opportunities to share with fellow GP users.”

Two different “Tips” for Microsoft Dynamics GP in one Dex.ini line

One of Collins Computing’s consultants favorite Smartlist tips from Microsoft Dynamics GP version 2010 and 10 was the trick that if you wanted to speed up your Smartlist “Export” to excel, just add the “undocumented” line shown below to your DEX.INI file in the Dynamics “Data” directory.  In fact, my Account Transaction Report with 22,000 records ran in only 20 seconds AFTER I added the line for a Smartlist that took 7 min 33 seconds to export prior to adding the line.

But in Microsoft Dynamics GP version 2013, the Smartlist processing speed has been improved, and with or without the line, Smartlist exports run much quicker.  So, WHY am I still using the DEX.INI line in GP 2013?  Well, it turns out that to speed up the export for smartlist processing, the formatting of the exports has been limited.  Therefore, my excel exports now always show results up to five decimal places, and for most of the amount fields, our users want to see the results rounded to two decimal places.  If I put this same line in the Dex.ini file, the system will format the export, and continue to report in two decimal places!

GP 2013 without Dex.ini line: 








 

GP 2013 with the Dex.ini line:

  

For additional Microsoft Dynamics GP and CRM user tips, become a Collins Computing customer - or wet your whistle by visiting our Collins Computing YouTube Channel and then Contact Collins Today! We provide monthly complimentary customer webcasts for our customers along with quarterly newsletters with our favorite tips, and customer newsblasts with all the important news surrounding Microsoft Dynamics.

Existing clients - contact your Collins Account Manager for questions.

Make sure to visit us at Booth 947 at Convergence 2014 next month!