Round 3 U.S. Payroll Tax Update Released

Microsoft released a Round 3 U.S. Payroll Tax Update for Oregon.  This is a table change only.  There were some late table changes that were not in the Round 2 Update so Microsoft included them now.

Download links & Information can be found HERE.

Upcoming Release Schedules

• GP2016 is due to release first week in May - great blogs to follow are Microsoft's "Upgrade Blog Series" and "Feature of the Day"
• There will be a mid-year code drop planned around June.  This is typically for Canadian Payroll but Microsoft is awaiting changes.  Higher priority bugs are planned for this update.  This will be for GP 2013, GP 2015 and GP 2016.  More info to come...

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

Microsoft Dynamics GP2016 "Feature of the Day" Blogs

The Microsoft Dynamics GP team started their Dynamics GP2016 "Feature of the Day" blogs!  Each day leading up to the Microsoft Dynamics GP2016 release, Microsoft will post information regarding one of the exciting new features available in this release.

Today's "Feature of the Day" - Web Client

Dynamics GP2016 is powered by the All-in-One Document Viewers for Sales and Inventory, OData Services, and HTML Web to go along with more than 35+ new features!

Follow the Dynamics GP2016 "Feature of the Day" blogs by going to the 'Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP' blog site.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us at salesadmin@collinscomputing.com or (800) 943-9211.

Upcoming Tax Updates & Release Information

There is no US Payroll 941 form/code change.  There are no scheduled US Payroll or Canadian Payroll tax update changes.

 

Microsoft's focus is on the next release, Microsoft Dynamics GP 2016!  Here are just some of the new features in Dynamics GP 2016:

• More All in One document viewer has been added in GP 2016  - Sales
• Default word templates for batch related workflows
• Document Attach for Project Expenses
• Payroll Posting Account setup – revamp to add more of what users want when creating detailed posting accounts (copy, paste, import/export, sorting)
• HTML5 Web Client

A few "big win" items were added to Self-Service:

• Human Resource Attendance time not available to employees on the Home/Tile page (only paystub) - added more areas to view time available
• Self Service Managers cannot see Employee Available Time for Vacation, Sick, Float, etc, harder for them to approve when they cannot see available balance.

Microsoft's, Terry Heley, will be starting her "Feature of the Day" blog in April.

Don't forget about the Directory Page where you can find information about Dynamics GP (lifecycle links, training material, features, system requirements, etc).

We will also send out updates as we receive them.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us or your Collins Account Manager.

January Hotfix for GP 2013 released & US Payroll R2 Tax Update

Microsoft has now released the January HotFix for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013.  Translations should be out by end of this week.

  

There are many fixes in this update but KEY areas to install are:

• Canadian Payroll ROE issues – see below
• Payroll Employee Self Services issues
• Templates are not lining up properly when printed to PDF

This code is also needed for the US Payroll Round 2 Tax Update (ONLY states of Alabama & Maine) which also has released for all versions.  CLICK HERE to view all the fixes in this update

  

U.S. Payroll Tax Update - Round 2 changes will include:

• Alabama, Maine - code change (Collins Computing needs to install this update for you if you have employees in these states)
• District of Columbia, Missouri, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont

The rest of the states are a tax table update only.

  

Download Links:

• Dynamics GP 2013 download link
• Dynamics GP 2015 download link
• Documentation

Once you install your window will look like this indicated Round 2 with code and tax table.

Tools > Setup > System > Payroll Tax

  

   

   

   

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

February 2016 Tax Update: the state of Georgia has announced a tax table change.  Microsoft will review this change with a planned release for middle of February 2016.

If you have any questions or to schedule the US Payroll Tax Update - Round 2 installation, please email support@collinscomputing.com or call (888) 391-6690.

January Hotfix for GP 2015 released & U.S. Payroll Tax Update - Round 2

Microsoft has released the January Hotfix for Dynamics GP 2015 today!!  Dynamics GP 2013 will release Tuesday (1/26) or Wednesday (1/27) of next week along with translations for French and Spanish.

  

There are many fixes in this update but KEY areas to install are:

• Canadian Payroll ROE issues – see below
• Payroll Employee Self Services issues
• Templates are not lining up properly when printed to PDF

This code is also needed for the US Payroll Round 2 Tax Update (ONLY states of Alabama & Maine) which also has released for all versions.  CLICK HERE to view all the fixes in this update

  

U.S. Payroll Tax Update - Round 2 changes will include:

• Alabama, Maine - code change (Collins Computing needs to install this update for you if you have employees in these states)
• District of Columbia, Missouri, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont

The rest of the states are a tax table update only.  Download Link for Dynamics GP 2015.

  

Once you install your window will look like this indicated Round 2 with code and tax table.

Tools > Setup > System > Payroll Tax

  

   

   

  

    

  

  

  

  

  

  

If you have any questions or to schedule the US Payroll Tax Update - Round 2 installation, please email support@collinscomputing or call (888) 391-6690.

  

Tip of the Month - Did you Know? Auto-Lock documents generated thru GP

Recently we found out that the GP Web Client cannot generate an email with a .pdf document attached (this may be rectified when the Web Client moves to html in GP 2016).  Our users still want to use the web client to generate .docx invoices/purchase orders, but really want to be sure that the documents they send out cannot be modified. 

To enable password protection on word documents, go to Administration >> Setup >> System >> System Preferences. Mark the check box that says “Protect.docx attachments with a password”. Once that is enabled, customers or vendors will need to enter the password in order to edit the document.

If you don’t send them the password, or have it auto-generated, the recipient cannot easily modify the document.

Stay tuned for our next "Tip of the Month"!

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

Upcoming U.S. Payroll Tax Updates for 2016

Happy New Year Everyone!

  

We hope you all had a joyous holiday and spent time with family and friends.

There are some changes and updates coming that we want to make you

aware of....

REMINDER: There is NO year-end update or tax update available for GP 2010.  ONLY GP 2013 thru GP 2015R2 will receive updates.  If you are on GP 2010 or below, you will need to upgrade in order to receive year-end and/or payroll tax updates.

1. Recently, the president signed the bill Path 2015 for tax relief.  At a glance, Microsoft says it may affect Fixed Assets depreciation values but will know more as they research further.  For your reading pleasure, here is a blog that discusses the bill.

2. The 2016 941 Draft form has been released.  Microsoft is reviewing this for changes.  We will know more later on.  View it here.

3. U.S. Payroll Round 2 Tax Update for 2016:  Microsoft is looking to release this middle of January.  This will be a code update for the states identified as such, otherwise no need for code. Alabama - code change District of Columbia Maine - code change Missouri North Dakota Oregon Rhode Island Vermont

4. Affordable Care Act (ACA): HERE is a blog for you to read and HERE is a video for you to watch if you are using ACA in Dynamics GP. If you are running ACA on Dynamics GP and getting many employees printing with zero after you install the update…check this blog for scripts.   Also attached is an ACA document that talks about "Inactive" and how to better remove them.

5. January Hotfix Scheduled…..There will be a code update in January for both GP2013 and GP2015 to coincide with the code changes for the states above.  Microsoft may also include some critical bugs in there for GP2015, specifically around self-service and the template PDF issues many are running into should be fixed.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email support@collinscomputing.com or call (888) 391-6690.

Microsoft Office Tip Of The Month

If you need to run a project with a column to show the days until a task is due, you can use the “=TODAY()” function.  Then you can use the column to compare to the due date and show (by color) which activities are nearing (or past) their due date!

Successful on-site Microsoft Dynamics GP Year-End Training Session

Wrapped up an on-site Microsoft Dynamics GP Year-End Training Session yesterday. We just love to arm our clients with tips to facilitate a successful Year-End Close!

Contact us if you have questions on the steps you should be taking to prepare for Year-End Close and/or new releases.

What is ERP Software?

What does it mean when we say “At Collins Computing, we provide experienced talent and proven technologies for small to mid-sized businesses looking to automate their ERP solutions”?

Let’s start with an ‘assumed’ definition these days for “ERP Solutions”.  Originally an “Enterprise Resource System” might have meant a software package meant to automate the back office functions of a business.  But with advancements in technology, now it seems to mean more than just a back office tool.   Businesses expect a system that can act as a tool to gather critical data and generate reports that can be distributed via the web; improve efficiency so users don’t have to initiate every task; and enhance customer service to include not just billing when appropriate, but also following up with customer experience rating requests, easily track shipments and deliveries, and automate collection management processes.

An ‘adequate’ ERP solution should encompass drawing a client’s specific needs together, setting up the current requirements into a proper selection of choices, and then mapping the business processes to best distribute invoices/documents/reports.  Gone are the days of having paper checklists and batch processing done at the end of the day.  ERP Solutions need to initiate the next step of the process as soon as conceivably imaginable.  If a product is available, offer expedited shipments, credit card authorization, carrier selection, and of course offer flexible and user-designed patterns or combinations of products.

An ‘acceptable’ ERP solution should have safeguards for compliance standards for audits, regulatory scrutiny, and escalation processes for system changes by the producer of the software when the government modifies the calculations, amounts, or percentages of tax rates or levels.

In fact, here are 25 Brilliant Ideas that ERP solutions should give clients who are looking to outsmart their competition!

For a demonstration of Microsoft Dynamics GP’s latest release, contact Collins Computing, experts in implementing highly successful ERP solutions.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

2015 U.S. Payroll Year-End Update has released

The 2015 U.S. Payroll Year-End Update has released.   This is an all-inclusive update and THERE ARE TABLE CHANGES.

  

REMINDER: There is NO year-end update or tax update available for GP 2010.  ONLY GP 2013 thru GP 2015R2 will receive updates.

     

Attached is the year end documentation, along with Microsoft ACA notes/ documentation.  If you missed our October Year-End Update email, you can find a copy here.

  

Review these changes to determine if you need to install the year end update.  If you are tracking ACA in Dynamics GP, the year end update is required.

  

The ACA forms print with the format/lines, no need to order forms as there is now an instruction page as well that needs to print.

  

A "lowest cost premium" field was also added with effective dating on it, so again, make sure to review all change and proceed as needed.

  

For the new W2 print in employee self-service, Microsoft also added a "publish" button so the W2’s will not be available to employees as soon as you create the year end wage file.

  

   

Download Links:

• Dynamics GP 2013
• Dynamics GP 2015

  

Year-End Webcast

Friday, December 11^th @ 11am PST

REGISTER HERE

  

To schedule your 2015 Year End Update, contact Mike Gilman at (949) 457-0500 x224 or mgilman@collinscomputing.com.

  

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

60 Seconds of ERP Tips

When you have a question with your ERP system, does your support partner ask you “Share your screen” to help you sort out your issue?  Does your partner offer additional insight with you along the way?

Here’s what we mean – Below are four quick answers one consultant gave this week on the way to clearing up a system issue because they did a screen sharing session:

1. Pictures do say 1000 words.  Our consultant was able to see the steps the user was taking – and offered shortcut keystrokes along the way to save time!
2. Right away the rep could tell the version the client was using, the user ID they were logged in as, the company they were accessing, and the method they were using for posting (batch or transaction). So many questions were answered, and it led the way to finding out what was going on (fiscal period not defined in one case).
3. While looking at a stuck batch, the consultant was able to see other ‘old’ batches that were sitting out there and gave you a quick lesson on clearing out the others by NOT posting by transaction (when possible) and having the user warned about the open batches by having a Smartlists for that on the user’s home page.
4. When a report was the issue, our consultant shared facts like the ability to email, send to pdf, or put the report in a ‘group’ or on the ‘my reports’ menu to speed up the recurring reporting process.

Stay tuned for other consulting techniques from Collins for using your Microsoft Dynamics GP ERP software!

High Volume and High Product Turnover? No Problem!

The holiday shopping season is upon us. This means that many manufacturers and distributors are busier than they’ve been all year.  Ramped up production may put a strain on your business, but with the right management solution you can see increased volume, efficient product turnover and satisfied customers this holiday season

The holiday season isn’t your only busy time as a manufacturer or distributor. Throughout the year there are special sales and promotions that call for increased productivity. And really, at any time of the year, a strong supply chain and strategic manufacturing and distribution operation along with accurate forecasting are essential to your success. Knowing which products will sell best at which times of the year is something all manufacturers need to know if they are going to stay on top of the demand and thus on top of the competition.

You need a strong business management system.

A robust ERP (enterprise resource planning) solution, Microsoft Dynamics GP,  will give you the control and support that you need in order to keep on top during these high volume months. With a single integrated ERP solution, you can manage all of your business processes, including financials, supply chain and inventory, manufacturing and distribution and human resources and payroll. Your data will be centralized so you can spot trends in the market place. You can obtain your statistics in real time and find out when your product is rising or falling in popularity. That way you can identify which items will require additional production and can plan accordingly.

Ramping up production also requires the assurance that your suppliers can deliver materials you need on time and at an agreeable price. Your ERP can manage your supply chain data and help you deal with unforeseen interruptions or delays.

Microsoft Dynamics GP, both on premise and in the cloud, is designed to handle the highs and lows of your manufacturing and distribution business. Have all the information you need at the click of a mouse and breathe easier during holiday’s to come.

For more information about how Microsoft Dynamics GP, on premise or in the cloud, can help your manufacturing and distribution business navigate your next busy season, contact Collins Computing.

Tip of the month - Delete Budgets Much?

With many folks finalizing their 2016 budgets, we get an increasing number of users calling admitting that they ‘deleted their budget’ instead of ‘deleting an account’s budget’!

So, a quick password entered by clicking on the padlock on the Budget Maintenance screen will prevent that mistake!

Top Takeaways from GPUG Summit 2015

GPUG Summit 2015 was amazing.  We met lots of new attendees; presented at the ‘Dynamics GP Streamlined: Stay in the Fast Lane’ session; hosted the ‘Dynamics Idol Contest’ and had so much fun learning.

We learned SO many tips and bits of information – here are a few of our top takeaways:

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A  BIG CONGRATULATIONS goes out to Shawn Dorward, who ‘bowled’ his way into the judge’s hearts to win the Dynamics Idol Contest!

Some great tips that came out of both sessions we were involved in include:

• The CEIP (Customer Experience Improvement Program Reminder) 'go away'.
  • Turn this off once and for all by Opening the task > Click on the link “NAME” at the bottom > Make your selection (join or opt out) > Update the status of the task to ‘Complete’ > After you save the modified task, be sure to reopen the task and delete it
• The newest Payables all-in-one viewer. You can....
  • See all relevant payables document on one screen
  • Filter results
  • Link from inquiry screens
  • Customize to your organizations needs
  • Quickly answer vendor Inquiries
• Adding Windows Shortcuts to my Toolbar

• Fun Tip! In most cars, your fuel gauge arrow indicates which side of the car you pump your gas

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• Mekorma has partnered with Winthrop Development Consultants to exclusively offer Winthrop’s GP Power Tools (formerly Support Debugging Tool) – the premier tool for Dynamics GP administrators. Mekorma is extending a special introductory price of $365 per year (only $1 per day!)
• Coming out with new cross database "Check Select" option to help users from having to sign in/out of multiple databases
• Recently hired, Mariano Gomez, a Microsoft MVP and Dynamics GP veteran

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Came out with a web version of their ACA Compliance Solution!  Integrity Data’s ACA Compliance Solution not only addresses all IRS reporting requirements, it also offers tracking for determination of employee eligibility for coverage and testing of the affordability of coverage offered.

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Now!  Next!  Wow!  Microsoft Dynamics GP and the Future

Some information about what is COMING in GP 2016.  The first slides show the latest items that were in GP 2015 R2, then the last half are the ‘coming soon’ features.  Dynamics GP and the Future can be found HERE.

If you're not already a GPUG member, CLICK HERE to sign up for a FREE 30 day trial.

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‘Dynamics GP Streamlined: Stay in the Fast Lane’ session Re-peat

If you went to GPUG Summit and missed our ‘Dynamics GP Streamlined: Stay in the Fast Lane’ session or didn’t make it GPUG Summit....GREAT NEWS!  We’re repeating this session as part of the “GPUG Year-End Series” on Thursday, December 10^th.

Sign up for the GPUG Year-End Session HERE

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Of course we loved all the networking we were able to do other partners, vendors and customers while attending and hosting sessions; walking the expo; and even cheering on a customer/friend who lost her game by 1 pin during the fantastic FastPath bowling event (not against us J)!  We finalized a partnership with Njevity for cloud hosting throughout the week, found a couple of perfect solutions from SalesPad for a customer not in attendance and will hopefully Re-Launch the Oregon GPUG Chapter once again after talking about it at the lunch tables!

Lastly, we were able to host a wonderful Customer Appreciation Lunch on Thursday, Oct 15^th with individual meetings and dinners throughout the event.  There was a great turn out and this gave us a chance to celebrate our clients and their immense contribution to our success.

At Collins Computing, we hold 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 topics 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!

We hope to see you next year in Tampa, FL!