Microsoft Dynamics GP 9.0 has multiple improvements and “Project Green” innovations. One of the new key words, Microsoft Business Solutions people like to introduce and increase the frequency of using is eConnect. eConnect object and methods will have more exposure for Visual Studio.Net C# or VB developers through XML web services. Also emphasis shift will be in the field of Microsoft Dynamics GP Business Portal, this is also understandable – Microsoft has to deemphasize former legacy proprietary technologies, such as Microsoft Dexterity (former Great Plains Software Dexterity), Navision C/SIDE (this is in case of Microsoft Dynamics NAV – former Navision Attain), step-by-step phasing them off and replacing with open-source .Net web development. In this small article will touch the “top of the iceberg” in Microsoft Great Plains 9.0 customization, development and integration.

• Microsoft Dexterity Source Code Program reopening. When Microsoft bought Great Plains Software five years ago – it quickly closed Great Plains Dexterity source code program for new enrollments, leaving it open for existing VARs. One of the reasons in our opinion was Microsoft optimism in quick Microsoft Business Solutions product merge: Great Plains, Navision, Axapta, Solomon. It didn’t happen with the expected speed and now it is clear that serious development for Microsoft Dynamics GP requires Microsoft Dexterity skills and experience and access to the source code (DYNAMICS.DIC with Dex sanscripts codes). If you plan your custom application to work with Microsoft Dynamics GP “fat client” – it is DEX.EXE with DYNAMICS.DIC, Dynamics.set and your custom dex dictionary – the Microsoft Dexterity is the tool of choice.

• Microsoft Dynamics GP Integration Manager. Former Microsoft Great Plains Integration Manager – versions 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0 were based on OLE technologies, deploying Dexterity application as OLE server, and so using Great Plains Forms to implement integration. The result was moderate and slow performance. Now Integration Manager is in the process of being rewritten in eConnect – eConnect will have majority of Microsoft Dynamics GP forms and objects: SOP, POP, IV, Payroll, AR, AP, GL, BR, Manufacturing, BOM. Some drawback of this nice innovative feature – if you are using heavy customization if former Microsoft Access based IM database – you should consider rewriting your customization in new IM.

• Reporting. ReportWriter will stay, however Microsoft SQL Reporting Services will be the reporting tool of choice over former Crystal Reports. You should expect phased change from Crystal to MSSQL Server RS.

• Tables Structure. Will stay – this will mean certain legacy eCommerce programs staying in business reassurance. SOP10100, SOP10200, SOP30200, SOP30300, GL00100, RM00101, PM00200 and other tables will be around for the next … 10 years or so

Please do not hesitate to call or email us: USA 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918 help@albaspectrum.com

Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer at Alba Spectrum Technologies ( http://www.albaspectrum.com
http://www.greatplains.com.mx
http://www.enterlogix.com.br ) - Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains, Navision, Axapta MS CRM, Oracle Financials and IBM Lotus Domino Partner, serving corporate customers in the following industries: Aerospace & Defense, Medical & Healthcare, Distribution & Logistics, Hospitality, Banking & Finance, Wholesale & Retail, Chemicals, Oil & Gas, Placement & Recruiting, Advertising & Publishing, Textile, Pharmaceutical, Non-Profit, Beverages, Conglomerates, Apparels, Durables, Manufacturing and having locations in multiple states and internationally. We are serving USA Nationwide: CA, IL, NY, FL, AZ, CO, TX, WI, WA, MI, MA, MO, LA, NM, MN, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, Denver, Seattle, Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Dallas, San Diego, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Minneapolis, Washington, Baltimore, New Orleans, Austin, Kansas City.

Scrapbooks are very popular these days. I think that almost everyone wanted to capture family histories and stories in any which way they can. And with the onset of digital technology, scrap booking has even extended to newsletters and journals with photos and illustrations online and in the email. They’ve become so popular that it’s not surprising to receive an entire scrapbook from your relatives and friends and loved ones even across the globe.

With the advanced technology, people have been using graphic design and desktop publishing software to help them create wonderful and creative scrapbooks. Two of this well-known software is CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 12 and WordPerfect Office Suite 12.

Each of the software has their own endearing qualities. Both applications are used to create newsletters as far as I know. But what software to choose? It all depends on what you want to create.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 12

For graphically-rich family history newsletter or time capsule, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 12 would be the ideal software as it is the easiest graphics suite available in the market today.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is a vector editing program. This software is definitely for illustration, page layout, and vector drawing. It has the Corel Photo-Paint for bitmap editing of photos and images for that professional digital imaging look. It has hundreds of clip art photos and images to choose from, which you can overlay your own family photos on top. It also has Corel R.A.V.E. 3 for motion-graphics creation.

With the software’s features and vast collection of photos, clipart and fonts, you can create and design a professional-looking newsletter or a family history time capsule, and even a memorable album where you and your family will find the highlights of your life in wonderful and elegant designs made by you.

Corel’s WordPerfect Office 12

And if you’re the simple type, and you don’t want too much clutter, you can use Corel’s WordPerfect Office 12 to create a no-visual and text-based newsletter. The software has an array of newsletter templates you can use to help you start right away with your newsletter. This so far, is the best alternative to Microsoft Office.

Better yet, why not use both software to help you create your scrap book? One freelance newsletter designer who specializes in genealogy utilizes both software because the combination makes him complete his design tasks twice as fast. "I can create graphics in CorelDRAW 12 and quickly pop them into all my text-based WordPerfect 12 office documents because switching between files is very easy," he relates. This is made possible by the tools in both the software that reduce the number of steps required to finish his jobs.

He adds that what makes it more worthwhile is that aside from saving time, finger movements on the mouth is also reduced, thereby reducing cramps and strains from the fingers to the wrist.

For comments and suggestions regarding this article please contact webmaster@ucreative.com or visit http://www.ucreative.com

Online Reservation Software can make the difference in travel agency growth or decline. Travel companies work on small margins and efficient online reservation software is the lifeblood of travel companies. While tourists have visions of up, up and away, travel agencies have their eyes on the bottom line and how online reservation software can increase profits.

Improved Productivity - Online Reservation Software

Improved productivity is the key benefit online reservation software offers travel agencies. The airlines, hotels and tour operators set prices and the agency commission is fixed. How can a travel agency earn more money? By streamlining the booking process to increase sales per agent per day with industry leading online reservation software

Enhanced Client Management - Online Reservation Software Online

Reservation software cuts operating costs by automating the travel booking process. A key feature of online reservation software is the creation of a unique passenger record that ties the passenger the travel agency. When an agent knows the client’s travel history, preferences, spending habits and more, it’s a powerful incentive for the client to book future travel with his or her agent.

Online Availability - Online Reservation Software

A sharp agent using online reservation software which offers online availability can close a client’s travel bookings in minutes. Referrals are the life blood of the travel industry. Travel agents using online reservation software offering immediate confirmation have become the standard by which all travel agents are judged. Combined with the growing travel destinations and packages, an agency’s online reservation software provides agents every possible travel service that might interest the customer at a glance.

Back Office Issues - Online Reservation Software

Do you know anyone that enjoys paper work? The client, on the other hand, is keenly interested in a convenient record of travel outlays for tax purposes. An agency’s online reservation software automates the tedious process of creating receipts, invoices, confirmations, vouchers and more. The same goes for tracking the many wholesalers, airlines, and tour operators a travel agency deals with each year.

Travel Agency Expansion - Online Reservation Software While generating more revenue is the goal of expansion - online reservation software is the vehicle. Today, every travel agency owner asks "How can I survive today and grow in the future?" While the answer varies from agency to agency, those without fast, efficient and cost cutting online reservation software won’t have to worry for long, they will be "Up, up and Away" and out of the travel business for good.

Galor is a leading provider of online reservation software for travel companies in the highly competitive travel market. For more information about online reservation software, please visit Galor Systems & Software Development.

Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is very good fit for mid-size company and probably good budget solutions for large corporation. Being matured product – Great Plains provides such horizontal solutions as Collection department automation. The most common question we hear in collection department is how we assign problem clients to specific collection manager and how she/he works with them one by one, simply by hitting next arrow button. This is not possible in Great Plains Accounts Payable module and this is where Collection Management module comes to the scenes.

Installation

• Reg Key. Great Plains reg key allow you to use specific set of module and number of user (this is in System Manager). Collection Management module requires Receivables Management module and you need to purchase it and get new reg key

• Loading. You should load collection management from CD#2. It is Dexterity chunk file and it will be integrated the next time you launch Great Plains Workstation.

• Company Install. Utilities->Sales->Install Collections. This utility creates tables and stored procedures on MS SQL Server side Setup

• Module. Here you set up the module itself: is it integrated with SOP or Invoicing, User Defined fields, etc

• Collectors. Here you associate Great Plains user with collector role

• Actions. In you collection cycle you can assign actions to your customers. Later on Actions could be used as selection range in the Collection Query

• Letters. You can automate your actions with sending different type of predefined letters where customer info goes into designated fields

Transactions

• Collection Management Build Query. Here you can restrict the quiry by Customer Info, Balance, Period, Notes, Action Type.

• Collection Main Window. When you are done with building the query – click on query tab in Build Query window and you will open collection main window, where you will see the range, defined in the build query – and here is the answer on the question from the introduction paragraph

Maintenance

• Check Links. If you are administrator of Great Plains – you should be familiar with check licks – it checks consistency of the tables and if any orphan or missing info is there. Shrink/Rebuild were actual for Pervasive SQL and Ctree only, you do not do these for SQL based system

Happy implementing! You can always appeal to us to help you with your system. Give as a call 1-630-961-5918 or 1-866-528-0577, help@albaspectrum.com

Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer in Alba Spectrum Technologies ( http://www.albaspectrum.com ), Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains, Microsoft CRM, Navision, Microsoft RMS, Microsoft Business Portal customization company, serving clients in Chicago, Boston, New York, Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Toronto, Montreal, Brazil, Mexico, UK, Australia, Canada, UK, Europe, Russia an having small offices in multiple states and internationally.

Those of us plagued by the onslaught of tens if not hundreds of unwanted emails greeting us as we open up our email accounts have some hope for respite in the form of Bayesian spam filters. For years spammers have been able to remain one step ahead of spam blockers simply because of their creativity and ability to adjust and evade blocking each time a new spam filter was developed. As a result, antispam software developers were certain of the task before them; to develop software that could continually learn from the new and creative techniques of spammers and as a result never fall behind in the spam blocking game.

Only recently, has such a solution been developed in the form of Bayesian filters. The Bayesian statistical method, upon which the filters are based, works on the premise of dividing emails into categories. The software takes a log of the emails which you choose to open and those you simply delete. All the while, it monitors the characteristics of both those emails you opened and those you did not. Over time, it learns from these aggregate figures. It will recognize certain words that appear frequently in those emails which you constantly ignore. The software will then be more prone to categorizing emails with a high frequency of that particular word as spam.

But lest you be concerned that not opening a few emails from your Aunt Sue will suddenly cause all emails with the word ‘Sue’ to be categorized as spam you should know that the Bayesian filters work in the aggregate. This means, that while your decisions on which emails to open and which to not will affect the algorithm, so will the activities of thousands if not tens of thousands of other users. Spread across such a wide body of users, and aggregating data over such a period, there is only a minimal danger of false labeling. Rather, what you get is a very accurate long term tool to block spam. Unfortunately, those same characteristics which prevent false blocking also limit the Bayesian spam filter from blocking the front wave of a new spamming technique. So, often the effect is a few days or weeks of a new technique in spamming sneaking through the cracks until it is worked out into the algorithm.

By the same token, however, one of the great benefits of Bayesian spam filters is that they can be individualized. If you receive a disproportionate amount of spam based upon your online interests, you can actually modify a Bayesian spam blocker to treat certain words that are particularly spammy to you as such. That is to say, that while unprompted a Bayesian filter will be cautious to avoid over-blocking, when prompted by the user, the software can be made to block any specific type of spam emails.

Only recently has the technology become commercially available. Currently it is offered in a limited number of anti spam software programs which can be purchased and which scans each piece of email before it is opened. The other form is that which is actually embedded into the mail server software itself, meaning that the customer’s emails are already scanned and classified even before he or she opens up their email provider.

Sara Anderwahl recommends that you visit http://www.barracudanetworks.com for more information on anti spam software.

Finding the best spyware removers to detect and remove spyware and adware from your computer is much easier if you consider a few things before you make your purchase. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a spyware protection program.

The best spyware removers should offer you complete protection against spyware, adware, keyloggers, Remote Access Trojans (RATs), and browser hijackers. These are the main spyware infections that expose your confidential information and diminish your PC’s performance.

An important consideration for any spyware protection program is automatic updates for your software. There are new spyware programs invented on a regular basis just like viruses and automatic updates cover you against the latest spyware threats.

Another important consideration to look for should be technical support from the manufacturer. A spyware protection program doesn’t do you any good if you have a technical issue that you can’t solve. Often, just a minor piece of technical advice will solve most software problems and it’s important that your software run right. You also may need someone to answer questions that come up.

Customer service is another feature you may consider looking for. It shows the manufacturer is a trusted source who cares about their reputation and will probably be around awhile.

Spyware is quickly becoming a major threat to Internet security. It is reported that 9 out of 10 computers are currently infected with spyware, adware or both. Most people don’t even realize it’s there because spyware and adware is programmed to run silently. Microsoft estimates that spyware is responsible for 50% of all PC crashes.

If you don’t remove spyware from your computer it will eventually not work at all or your computer files will become infected by spyware programs. Your personal information, passwords and credit card numbers could end up stolen from you without you even knowing it.

Once you remove spyware and adware programs from your computer you’ll find it will run faster and your personal information will be much safer. Your security and peace of mind is worth spending a little time to find the best spyware removers possible.

Copyright © 2005 Spyware Information.com All Rights Reserved.

This article is provided by http://www.spyware-information.com where you will find free downloads, valuable information, removal tips and new articles about adware and spyware removal programs to protect your identity. For other informative spyware and adware articles go to http://spyware-information.com/articles_1.html

It was not too long ago that email mailboxes were so full of junk mail and spam that they threatened to render electronic communication useless. When you opened up your email you were bombarded with poorly written advertisements for $ex, V!agra, and tons of other intentionally misspelled products, designed to evade any spam blocking devices. Those interested in consumer protection knew the ultimate goal, to eliminate and block spam, but as soon as they created a product designed to do just that, the spammers evaded their efforts by getting more creative. That is, until modern anti spam software was developed. Antispam software comes in a variety of forms, with the obvious ultimate intent of stopping unwanted emails from reaching you.

Blacklist

One of the primary anti spam methods is known as blacklisting. This software identifies the IP address of the spam sender, and then communicates with the Internet Service Provider of the sender and instructs the ISP to block mail from that IP address to your email account. In theory this is a fool proof solution. The reality, however, is that there is a lot of money to be made in spamming, so forcing a spammer to switch his IP address frequently is not too high a price to pay to evade blocking. That said, this practice does, over time, start to close down doors to spammers and all but eliminates amateur spammers who do not have the capability to frequently switch IPs.

Spam Votes

Many individuals who frequently use their email accounts will be familiar with this device. Spam voting software works through the participation of users. When you receive email you have the option of classifying it as spam, usually by pushing a button which says, unsurprisingly, ‘spam’. Once enough people classify a piece of mail or an IP as spam it falls in trust until ultimately it becomes completely blocked from addresses.

Profiling

Profiling involves learning the common characteristics of spammers and spam mail. It is software that looks for things like bugs, invalid message ID’s and other traits and uses these characteristics to evaluate incoming pieces of mail. Each piece of mail is then given a score depending upon how it fares against these criteria. The user is then given the option of how high or how low to set the bar with regard to which emails are let in. This method has been shown to be immensely effective against amateur spammers and many professional spammers. However, it relies upon a ready team of professionals to identify new traits used by spammers and to incorporate those traits into the profiling algorithms.

Bayesian Filtering

The most promising spam blocking software follows no rules. Rather, it constantly learns new techniques to fight spam by scanning the mail you’ve read and comparing it to the mail that you have rejected. This highly sophisticated software uses the data that it gleans from thousands of users to identify which items are spam and which are not. It then has the capability to adjust its standards to your particular preferences. Over time, it becomes adept at sending you only the emails that you want, and blocking the emails that you do not.

Sara Anderwahl recommends that you visit http://www.barracudanetworks.com for more information on anti spam software.

Adware is a type of Spyware program that displays some kind of banner advertising as you’re surfing the Internet. Most of the time, you will pick these programs up if you download other programs such as freeware, shareware, and file-sharing programs. Adware, once it is on your system, can also send back information collected about you without you knowing it and without your permission.

If you’re getting an excessive amount of pop-ups, chances are great that you have some kind of Adware on your computer. Depending on the program, these pop ups can just come one right after another. It gets really annoying!

It’s well advised that if you are going to download any kind of program from the Internet, to read the fine print in the user agreement. A lot of times it will tell you that you will be sent advertising by downloading their program. A very good example is these free file-sharing programs, so read carefully.

Adware is not as dangerous as other infections, but it can end up being very annoying to you. A good way to combat this is to get a good Anti-Spyware program and run it on a regular basis. Get one that updates itself to keep up to date on this junk called Adware.

Your guide to understanding Spyware, Adware, and other malicious computer parasites. Find out more at http://www.destroy-adware.com

Did you know you could print your own checks for as little as 4 cents per check?

If you write a lot of checks, have multiple bank accounts, multiple businesses or use pre-numbered checks, I have good news for your. MICR printing software is very affordable and will save you both time and money.

Here are five reasons to seriously consider using MICR check printing software:

1. Pre-numbered checks are not cheap. You can save as much as 10 cents per check by printing your own checks.

2. If you use pre-numbered checks and make a mistake, you have to void the check number and print another check. It takes you more time and will cost you even more money… even if the printer goofed and you didn’t!

3. The MICR check printing software can be used with your current accounting program. You’ll recover your MICR software investment quickly.

4. Good MICR check printing software will print all required check information plus your signature in one-pass. No need to waste your time re-running or signing checks.

5. Most businesses already have the laser printer required to print MICR checks. By far the most popular printer for MICR checks printing is the HP LaserJet.

In addition to the laser printer, you’ll need two more items:

First, you need an MICR Toner cartridge designed specifically for your laser printer. To learn how to purchase MICR toner cartridges at huge savings, check out www.1st-in-micr-toner.com.

Second, you’ll need blank check safety paper to insure quality printing.

Of the five reasons mentioned above, the one-pass MICR printing software option is the most important. If the MICR software has to print more than one time, you run the risk of wasting time and paper. Remember, you want your MICR printing software to save you both time and money.

So, if you want to reduce your cost and time without sacrificing check quality, check out MICR check printing software today. The savings will add up quickly.

Larry Andrew is an educational consultant, author and publisher of http://www.1st-in-micr-toner.com. Learn how to purchase MICR toner cartridges at huge savings.

MS CRM is very close to document workflow automation, including Microsoft Office documents: Words, Excel, etc. The document workflow was perfectly automated about 10 years ago in Lotus Notes Domino. In this small article we describe the solution based on MS CRM integration with MS SharePoint.

Microsoft CRM is new player on CRM applications market and it is gaining its market share. Having different paradigm in its design (it stakes on Microsoft OS and technologies and completely disregards alternative platform, such as UNIX, Linux, Oracle, etc. based). Microsoft CRM market is very diversified: from small (5 users) to large (several hundred MS CRM User licenses) and it serves variety of industries: Transportation, Logistics, Lawyers, Pension Funds, High-Tech, and many others. Deploying technologies, like Windows Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange 2003/2000, SQL Server, Crystal Reports Enterprise, Biztalk, Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Great Plains and Navision in close future - makes CRM a beloved system for Microsoft oriented IT departments.

Let’s go right to the topic.

Major issue with storing documents in MS CRM in the form of attachments to Activity is inability to work on these attached files in cooperation with other colleagues, who do not have to use CRM. When several service people serve requests from the same client this is required. Currently you can use alternative way when you store office documents in the folders of your file system and when modifying document, you save it and reattach to CRM. This is inconvenient, because first it requires all your editing users to have CRM licenses, which delays CRM implementation.

We seem increasing popularity of document storage systems, like Microsoft SharePoint, Oracle Files, etc. Such systems, being implemented gives you time savings, related to documents revisions and versioning, approval cycles and workflows, web access through web-portals systems and the like.

The target of our product is Microsoft SharePoint integration with MS CRM for document storage. Let’s take a look at the high level technical realization details:

•Main modification from the MS CRM side is standard system behavior change when you open attachment in Activity. Standard unmodified CRM suggests you to store documents in the file system. Modified version sores document in SharePoint Document Library (the required library is subject for setup by MS CRM system administrator) or keep it in MS CRM as is (for documents of minor importance). From the moment of saving the document in SharePoint Document Library it is not stored in MS CRM – CRM will now store only the link/reference to the document. Also you are given the ability to open and modify the document at the place of opening, which speeds up MS CRM user performance substantially.

•Table, storing the links to the documents sits in separate database and doesn’t deal with MS CRM tables (you know that you are banned to do structure changes in MS CRM db)

•Document saving into MS SharePoint process occurs in MS CRM and with its assistance – SharePoint bridge, which does addition and update for the existing document into destination Document Library with MS SharePoint Web Services calls

•Upon the addition into Document Library, MS CRM – SharePoint bridge registers the document in the special table for the future data extraction or notification mechanism registration

•Then, interested users can work with the documents just using MS Office 2003 or other programs/editing tools, assuming these tools have access to MS SharePoint

•Feedback is provided by MS SharePoint Event Handler component. This is special handler, inspecting document change status, transferred from MS CRM to document storage (SharePoint), and report Activity owner on the changes with home page notifications (User home page in MS CRM). User in turn can review the history of the document editing - who, when and where is the change

•Opening Activity, where document is "attached", and in fact placed into MS SharePoint Document Library, and pressing opening button, MS CRM user gets live version of the data

•This approach allows you seamless work with MS CRM document in the whole informational space of your company

•Additional enhancements to this product might be document library management directly from MS CRM (web interface - meaning remotely), administrative interface for MS Sharepoint documents revision, ability to create reports on the document storage status, rights/access management (Author, Reader, Contributor etc) from MS CRM, portal pages integration into MS CRM to name a few.

Happy programming, implementation, customization and modification! If you want us to do the job – call use 1-630-961-5918, 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

Boris Makushkin is Lead Software Developer in Alba Spectrum Technologies – USA nationwide Oracle, Navision, Microsoft CRM, Microsoft Great Plains customization company, serving Chicago, California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Georgia, Florida, New York, Canada, Australia, UK, Russia, Europe and internationally ( http://www.albaspectrum.com ), he is Oracle, Unix, Microsoft CRM SDK, Navision, C#, VB.Net, SQL developer.