Development Matters Blog

During the login process on the Microsoft Dynamics GP software, we are able to choose a server to connect to, but actually using ODBC connection name.

However, it seems that the Dynamics GP Utilities uses the name of the server itself and not the ODBC name, so we should change the server name using the following commands:

sp_dropserver old_name
GO

sp_addserver new_name, local
GO

This doesn’t take effect until the SQL Server is stopped, and then re-started. Then SELECT @@SERVERNAME should return the server name, and the Dynamics GP Utilities should get past the login process.

Recently I received a request from a client to add some fields on the Item Detail Entry window, which usually looks like:

That didn’t seem to be a problem, and they told me that the form hadn’t been modified. However, on a screenshot I saw a checkbox named ‘Capital Item’ which is not on the original Dynamics GP window.

The Client told me that it is because the Fixed Assets are installed in GP. I researched for a while, but there was not a modified window in Fixed Assets. That checkbox actually belongs to Dynamics GP’s original window, but it wasn’t originally placed there. It was moved to another position through some code in Fixed Assets module.

The way of working with fields like that can be a little bit dangerous. This is an example. We don’t know where that field is going to be set. And if we add some more fields on the same position, we can make a collision and in some cases the window would not work well.

The better way is making fields visible or not, but keeping them on their regular positions.

Merit Solutions Advanced Lot Management (ALM) is the application that allows efficient control of lot tracked materials (raw or finished goods) within Microsoft Dynamics GP (versions 9 and 10).

The system requirements correspond to requirements of Microsoft Dynamics GP. ALM version 9 requires GP’s Manufacturing module to run, while ALM version 10 does not require Manufacturing module.

ALM is focused on two pieces of information: Lot Status and Expiration Date. These information affect when and how material can be used.

Setup

Setting up ALM properly will allow easy and full use of all its functionalities. Adding necessary window shortcuts should always be users’ first choice. Just repeat some steps already seen during installation:

1. Login to GP as “sa” user, or corresponding power user.

2. When Microsoft Dynamics GP loads, open Shortcuts menu and select Add > Add Window

3. On Add Window Shortcut screen, expand Advanced Lot Management item > expand 3rd Party item > select windows that should be added. For starters, I suggest the following:

- Merit Registration
- Advanced Lot Management Configuration
- Lot Category Setup
- QA User Setup

To be able to work properly enter registration keys to Merit Registration window, acquired from Merit Solutions, Inc.

Enabling the module switches ALM and from that point on all Lot Tracked items will depend on it.

1. Open Advanced Lot Management Configuration window.

2. On Advanced Lot Management Configuration window select Enable Module for <company name>

3. On Advanced Lot Management Configuration window select option to True.

4. On Advanced Lot Management Configuration window > click Save button

ALM will not be working properly if Lot Category Setup is not properly defined. The window is GP native and can be opened from: Microsoft Dynamics GP > Tools > Setup > Inventory > Lot Category. The first attribute should be pre-populated and should contain value Lot Status. The field is not editable.

As long as ALM is enabled for the company Attribute 1, cant’ be changed. And whatever value is entered to these attributes fields, will appear as labels on Lot Attribute Maintenance window:

Keep in mind, as soon as ALM is enabled for the company, on Sales Invoicing and Sales Order Processing Options window, option “Auto-Assign Lot Numbers” will be unchecked. The idea is to make user manually select Lot Number in order to fulfill an Invoice or a Sales Order. If user tries to select the option, as long as ALM is enabled, message will appear:

Merit Solutions Advanced Lot Management (ALM) is the application that allows efficient control of lot tracked materials (raw or finished goods) within Microsoft Dynamics GP (versions 9 and 10).

The system requirements correspond to requirements of Microsoft Dynamics GP. ALM version 9 requires GP’s Manufacturing module to run, while ALM version 10 does not require Manufacturing module.

ALM is focused on two pieces of information: Lot Status and Expiration Date. These information affect when and how material can be used.

Installation:

Like the rest of Merit Solutions applications, the installation of Advanced Lot Management (ALM) application is simple and quick:

1. Copy the 3037MS.cnk file into the Microsoft Dynamics GP installation folder.

2. Launch Microsoft Dynamics GP and click “Yes” when prompted to accept new code.

This way, the software component has been installed to Microsoft Dynamics GP, creating corresponding dictionary file

as well as entry to Dynamics.set file. 

3. Login to GP as “sa” user, or corresponding power user.

4. When Microsoft Dynamics GP loads, open Shortcuts menu and select Add > Add Window

5. On Add Window Shortcut screen, expand Advanced Lot Management item > expand 3rd Party item > select “Install Adv Lot Mgmt”

6. On Add Window Shortcut screen, click Add button > click Done button

7. On Shortcuts bar, click “Install Adv Lot Mgmt”

8. Confirm that you have read the EULA > click “Yes”

9.On the Install Adv Lot Mgmt window > click Install button

10. As soon as installation is complete, Status will change to Done > click OK button to close the window.

This way ALM tables MXLC0300, MXCFG700, MXLC1500, MX10021, MX10025, mxItemLo, mxLotM, MX10022, MX10023, MX10024, MX10020, MX10026, mxLots, MX10003, MX10005, MX10002, MX10001, MXLC4000, mxREG002, MXREG001, MXSFG700, MXSYS001, MX10004, MXALMHT, MX60101, MXLC0301 are added to the company database.

Users must be aware that installation steps 1 – 2 should be made for each client Microsoft Dynamics GP installation. Steps 3 – 10 should be made only once per company, regardless of number of clients.