Microsoft Development Studio
Microsoft Development Studio
Dynamics GP Custom Development: Dexterity, eConnect, Extender, SQL, MS Visual Studio
First of all, please note, that if you used to contract Great Plains Dexterity programmer for virtually the majority of the industry verticals and horizontal GP business logic alterations, nowadays, when Great Plains is matured Corporate ERP application, there are tons of Dynamics GP ISV add-ons. Having said that, we recommend you to first check with your Microsoft Dynamics GP Reseller if required custom module is available through the ISV network. There might be situations, where either add-on doesn't exist, or if it is too expensive and it is easier to replicate its small portion in Dexterity, Extender or MS Visual Studio Libraries for GP. Also you might be in such complicated scenario, when you are on older Great Plains Dynamics (including the one on Pervasive SQL 2000 or Ctree) or eEnterprise version and you need to upgrade Dexterity customization to move you to the current version 2010/11.0 (as we are writing this paper in October 2010). This scenario is often associated with disassembling parts of the Dex programmed modules and redeploying similar logic through ISV add-ons, available for version Dynamics GP 2010. OK, after this introduction, let's move on the paragraphs:
1. Dynamics GP Dexterity (referred also as Microsoft Dexterity). This tool has top power in modifying GP and adding new logic and even developing independent application with the interface similar to Great Plains one. The power, however requires the touch of the professional and even to say more, Dexterity developer with at least several years of expertise and doing Dexterity coding as his or her major working routine. We do not really recommend you to send somebody from your IT staff to get Dexterity training and begin programming over the weekend, or in one month or even in half a year. The best Dexterity coders could be found in Dynamics GP Technology Partners technical consulting teams or as independent Great Plains technology consultants (who typically got its long years of Dex exposure in one of the Great Plains technology consulting firms). From the technology standpoint, Dexterity is a shell with its own programming language (Sanscript), this shell is programmed in C++ to provide better performance and be to some extent computer platform neutral (the last feature is not probably less actual, since Great Plains Software was acquired by Microsoft and GP is now available on MS Windows and SQL Server platform exclusively). If you look at Dynamics GP user interface having programmer perspective, you can review Dynamics GP Dexterity based Forms, Fields and Tables if you follow this route: Dynamics GP -> Tools -> Resource Description, and then make your selection. Dexterity custom packages (as well as Dynamics GP ISV products often coded in Dex) are distributed in the form of so-called Chink Files (with extension .cnk). All you need to do is to copy the chunk file into Dynamics GP user workstation directory (in Program Files) and then launch GP client application, where you will get prompt to integrate new logic. Let's go ahead and review other tools
2. eConnect SDK and Technology layer. This Software Development Kit with the password protected (encrypted) SQL stored procedures on the background was initially introduced for Great Plains Dynamics version 7.0 as the SDK to open GP objects and transactions for eCommerce programmers. In eConnect you probably could see certain attempts to comply to object oriented programming code (where Dexterity is likely to be categorized as procedural programming language). eConnect realm is actually a subset of the Dexterity realm. For example, in eConnect you cannot manipulate posted transactions or change something, that is categorized as historical. In fact eConnect fits rather to the Integration scenarios, as it cannot change Dynamics GP user interface on its own. From the historical perspective, eConnect is probably a product of the so called Microsoft "Project Green", where newly acquired Corporate ERP systems, such as Great Plains, Axapta, Solomon, Navision were suggested for universal modularization (GP is Microsoft Financials and HR, Solomon is Microsoft Project, etc.) Project Green was later on transformed into Microsoft Dynamics project, where the goals of reprogramming ERP applications on something like .Net C# platform was reemphasized as rather Corporate ERP application set of products (Microsoft Dynamics family) to be complaint to Microsoft user interface (if you know who to work with Microsoft Outlook, you should be smart and experienced enough to do self-discovery in Dynamics GP or AX or SL or even NAV user interface)
3. Extender. There are two flavors, one is the Extender coming from Microsoft Business Solutions, where you can do pretty much all of the Extender features, except Dexterity Sanscript scriplets. Extender is definitely successful add-on coming from eOne (Australia based Dynamics GP ISV Partner), where the emphasis is made on abstracting Dexterity complexity and allowing non-Dexterity programmer (let's say regular Dynamics GP functional consultant) to introduce custom logic to existing Dynamics GP screens. There are versions of Extender available for Microsoft Small Business Financials (version 7.5 through 9.0, where the product line was terminated with the recommendation to migrate to Dynamics GP Business Essential)
4. SQL direct updates and inserts. Dynamics GP as well as its predecessor Great Plains eEnterprise are open for ad-hoc SQL data altering. This might be a great news for experienced SQL DBA, who is comfortable to review Dynamics GP table structure, carefully test data flow and how records are distributed into GP tables. But, if you are making first steps with Great Plains, we recommend you to stick to such business logic validation tools as GP Integration Manager
5. Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Dynamics GP. If you are C# or VB.Net software developer, you should check these out. These tools should open Dynamics GP user workstation screens (similar as if you would do it via Dexterity programming). On Microsoft Convergence tradeshow 2010 in Atlanta the author attended the seminar, where two Microsoft Dynamics GP programming gurus were introducing the tools, described in our publication. One of them David Musgrave was kind of favoring Great Plains Dexterity and his opponent was presenting MS Visual Studio SDK for Dynamics GP. MS VS can do the job in customizing or creating new screens in GP, but it was recommended to create new tables directly via Dexterity. Let me give you also some feedback that I got from David Musgrave
6. Dynamics GP on the international market, especially in China, Korea, Japan. Initial limitation of Great Plains Dexterity is its orientation on ASCII table and not supporting Unicode (where hieroglyph based alphabets are handled). There are some advances on such international Corporate ERP markets as Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, where Dynamics GP was translated (without being localized in the sense of tax code and industry reporting compliance)
7. Alba Spectrum specialization and Corporate ERP consulting market niche. We are Microsoft Dynamics GP technology partner and reseller (VAR). We are providing Great Plains Dynamics GP recovering services (second opinion as you would name it in healthcare). We carry Dynamics GP Dexterity Software Development Factory in our Great Plains hub technical support office. One of the favorite leads for GP is Great Plains implementation recovery and providing second opinion
8. We serve you USA and Canada nationwide via web sessions and phone conferences with required local visits onsite. Local service (where we drive to your location from our regional hub or local office) is available in Michigan (Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Battle Creek, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Holland, Grand Haven). California (all of the Southern California are covered: LA, San Diego, Orange County), Illinois Chicagoland, Houston and Dallas areas of Texas, Northwestern Indiana (Gary, Michigan City, Valparaiso)
9. To request further support, please call us 1-866-528-0577, [email protected] We need to discuss your cards in order to recommend you the best solutions, which is not contingent to our preferences. We serve you USA/Canada nationwide via remote support (web sessions and phone/skype conferences). Local service is available in Western Michigan, Chicagoland, Southern California (LA, Orange County, San Diego), Houston area of the state of Texas
About the Author
Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum Group, http://www.albaspectrum.com [email protected] 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, serving GP customers USA and Canada Nationwide: California, Minnesota, New York, Quebec, Ontario, Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, Virginia, Florida, new Mexico, Iowa, Indiana, Alaska, Hawaii. Local service is available in Houston/Dallas: Richmond, Rosenberg, Katy, Galveston, Sugar Land; in Chicago: Naperville, Aurora, Plainfield, Romeoville, Batavia, Downers Grove, Schaumburg, Rockford, Elgin, Crystal Lake, Joliet, Hinsdale, Lisle, Montgomery, Oswego
Microsoft Programming Languages? Visual Basic, Visual Studio .NET, etc. Please help!?
I use to program in Visual Basic 6, however three to four years ago I stopped. I haven't kept up w/the latest technologies and over the course of the past few weeks (I'm returning to programming) I've noticed several new options. Visual Studio use to be a compilation of all the Microsoft programming languages bundled in one package. Is that still the case w/.NET ? I haven't seen Microsoft Studio other than as individual packages that are language specific. I've always wanted to design software for the web and I came across this product labeled Visual WebGui that uses WinForms w/Visual Studio, but again I haven't found a Visual Studio. Am I wrong? Please help me understand the differences between Visual Studio from 2000-ish to the new Visual Studio w/.NET, and if you're familiar w/web development, please help me understand ASP.NET and Visual WebGui. If I use Visual WebGui is it (client, not development) Windows specific whereas ASP.NET isn't? Thanks, thanks, thanks!
Visual Studios .NET is Microsoft's environment that ties all of their languages together. If you are interested in checking out the latest version, you can download the beta for Visual Studios .NET 2008 which comes with all the languages. Otherwise you have to either buy it, or download the express versions for each individual language.
ASP is kind of Microsoft's version of PHP. It works very well and ties in very nicely with VB.Net, I use the combo at work. If you have any questions feel free to message me.
Microsoft Development Studio
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Visual Studio LightSwitch Hosting - ASPHostPortal :: How to Simplify App Development Using Microsoft Visual Studio LightSwitch
Microsoft's Visual Studio Live! is a developer's conference that is all about development in the Visual Studio environment. Visual Studio Live! Orlando was held at the Hilton Walt Disney World Resort in November 2010. One of the big announcements from this conference was the launch date for Visual Studio LightSwitch. And what now you can get this visual studio lightswitch hosting at ASPHostPortal.com. This article contains brief information about the benefit and the useful of Visual Studio LightSwitch.
Visual Studio LightSwitch is a rapid development environment that gives technical and somewhat technical people the ability to create lightweight, line-of-business applications. While many developers don't think Visual Studio LightSwitch will be useful for creating applications, I think it can be very beneficial to use in the right circumstances. Here are some reasons why.
Right-sized versus enterprise-ready
In recent years there has been a growing philosophy that everything needs to be enterprise-ready. The prevailing thought is that all solutions need to be scalable, flexible, "anything-able." While that is true for anything that really does need to be enterprise-ready, there are situations where enterprise-ready is too much.
Imagine you are a small startup. You are not focused on enterprise-ready. You are focused on getting through your first year. Alternately, you might be an established organization that is considering getting into a new line of business. Focusing on getting something up and running to let your employees share information in a cost-effective way would ensure that you are not risking valuable resources (that is, capital). In today's economy, capital budgets are limited (and nonexistent in some companies).
The best of both worlds
Traditionally, we have seen tools such as Access, Excel and, more recently, SharePoint, act as a useful starting point for a low-cost prototype. The best thing that can be said of those initial forays in developing line-of-business applications is that usually all of the necessary data points have been identified and there is a working prototype. I find that having a working prototype is immeasurably helpful when starting an enterprise application development effort.
While Access and Excel solutions do provide value when moving to the next level of maturation, Visual Studio LightSwitch can provide even more. Since Visual Studio LightSwitch can connect to Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle databases, the application can utilize either of those databases during the initial development.
Visual Studio LightSwitch also generates an ADO.Net Entity Framework (EF) class structure that can be used in the next iteration of development. Finally, the interface is rendered to a Microsoft Silverlight application.
Recently, I had a customer request a simple application for generating quotes for customers and tracking them in a Web format. Taking this use case, it was decided to give LightSwitch a go. We were able to build a working prototype for the need within four hours—complete with the database tables, class structure and Microsoft Silverlight interface. Normally, in a traditional Web development environment, this would have taken close to 40 hours to get to the same point.
Efficiency versus maturation
Some people point out that if this right-sized application is successful, that it will need to be rebuilt, usually from the ground up. While this is mostly true, it's relevant to restate that having a working prototype does reduce the risk (risk=time+money) in starting a new application.
So, would it be more efficient to build the enterprise-ready version of the application first? The assumption there is that you are going to get the application right the first time or that the application will be used for a period of time to recover its return on investment. But aren't those two very big assumptions? Furthermore, aren't those two very expensive assumptions?
Also, it's relevant to say that enterprise software endeavors are never guaranteed successes. We all know the high rate of failure for traditional development, whether it is done using an agile or waterfall approach. Approximately 50 percent of all features are either never used or rarely used. Why not develop those features inexpensively first and then decide what needs to be in your final application? These are the types of benefits Microsoft's Visual Studio LightSwitch can provide, making it something to consider moving forward.
About the Author
We're a company that works differently to most. Value is what we output and help our customers achieve, not how much money we put in the bank. It's not because we are altruistic. It's based on an even simpler principle. "Do good things, and good things will come to you". If you have any question, please feel free to contact us at http://www.asphostportal.com.
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Microsoft Development Studio
