• Business and Finance
• Family
• Computers and Internet
• Auto and Trucks
• Education
• Health
• Hobbies
• Home Improvement
• Legal
• Marketing

• Home
• Arthur's Articles Home
• Browse Categories
• Browse Authors
• Submit an Article
• Search for Articles

Home » Business And Finance Articles » Microsoft Great Plains Technical Support Typical Questions And Answers

Microsoft Great Plains Technical Support : Typical Questions and Answers

Microsoft has always been known for two things - outstanding products and even more outstanding product support. Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS) continues the tradition by providing excellent customer support for partners and customers worldwide.

Technical support offered by MBS depends on the region. For North America (NA), support is available to both partners and customers who availed of the support plan. In Asia Pacific (AP), Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) though, support is only available to partners.

Unfortunately, not every customer in North America can avail of support from their vendor. Some who opted not to renew their annual enhancement plans are orphaned from their vendors and do not receive free upgrades. If they need immediate support, they can contact the MBS Support Team directly but they are charged a higher premium. In this case, it is best to get support from partners such as Alba Spectrum Technologies or the like instead of directly from MBS.

Below are some questions and answers that the MBS Support Team (Asia and EMEA) receive:

Q1. Will Microsoft Great Plains run on operating systems other than Microsoft Windows?

A1. Microsoft Great Plains was first developed to support both Microsoft and Mac operating systems. However, later versions of Great Plains do not support Mac specially when Microsoft acquired the company (Great Plains Software).

Q2. What database platforms are supported by Microsoft Great Plains?

A2. Version 8 and above of Microsoft Great Plains supports only SQL Server and MSDE. Versions lower than 8 support SQL Server, MSDE (version 7.5), Ctree (for Great Plains Standard), and Pervasive SQL (formerly Btrieve).

Q3. We are currently using a different ERP system but we're interested in migrating to Great Plains (GP). Is this possible?

A3. This is very much possible depending on the ERP system being used. Migrations have been done from Peoplesoft to GP as well as JD Edwards to GP. If interested, we will conduct studies for possible migration between your ERP system to GP.

Q4. Is integration possible between Microsoft CRM and Microsoft Great Plains?

A4. This is definitely possible but it will either rely heavily on MS Biztalk Server (if you follow the MS CRM to GP Integration document) or on Dexterity customizations.

Q5. Can Microsoft Great Plains be accessed via the internet using an internet browser?

A5. There are some eProducts for Great Plains which will allow the company to create an online store. However, this only pertains to the Sales Order Processing side of Great Plains. To access Great Plains remotely, you would need to have Citrix (http://www.citrix.com) installed. If you want to access Great Plains on the browser itself, you need to configure the web server component of Citrix into the web server that you're going to use GP from.

Q6. What if I am having some problems with Great Plains or if I want to satisfy my curiosity on certain aspects of the ERP system without bothering my vendor?

A6. All Microsoft Great Plains customers have access to CustomerSource. This is an area in the MBS website specifically catered to MBS Customers. Here, you can search the extensive KnowledgeBase relating to any MBS products as well as download service packs and patches for your GP install.

Happy computing! If you're interested on how Great Plains can help your business, don't hesitate to contact us. 1-630-961-5918 or 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Avoiding Declines by Repairing Credit

Sorry you are declined...Have you ever heard this before when you went to apply for a loan or a credit card? If you have, this means that your credit files has some negative reports and it is time to clean up your act. Credit files are a report that contains your credit score and history.

Three major companies hold your files and allow others to view them when you apply for a loan, credit report, job, apartment, and so on. If that report or file has negative results you will hear...sorry you are declined. If you are declined then it is time to get started to rebuild your life.

Credit bureaus obtain their information about you from all creditors that has done business with you. If you missed payments, ignored payments, or else simply overlooked payments the reports are sent to TransUnion, Equifax and Experian for review. Once the bureau's has found negligence against you, your credit scores are immediately dropped.

The lower your score means that you have fewer chances in life to get a loan, credit card, apartment, insurance, and so on. The higher your score means that you have opportunities to buy a new car, get a home mortgage loan or a major credit card from any source practically.

The outlook for bad credit ratings then is something we want to reconstruct rather than ignore since it means our respect is in jeopardy. Many people around the world are filing bankruptcy, consulting with debt management programs, counselors, and other resources to find a solution to get out of debt.

The fact is these people are adding problems to their lives. When you apply for bankruptcy this stays on your credit file for 10 years and in some instances fifteen years. If you consult with debt management agencies or the wrong debt management counselors, you are only adding expenses rather than deducting bills.

The law provides us a degree of protection, but the total outlook is that when we have bad credit we are walking on pins and needles for the rest of our lives unless we clean up our act. Bad credit can lead to judgments against us, lawsuits, foreclosures, repossessions and so on.

When we have bad credit we are subject to become homeless, broke, hungry and then some. The key then to success is to find a solution that works best for us. If you are working or even on Welfare or Disability it is possible to reestablish your credit.

The first thing you have to do is make sure your living arrangements, vehicle, living necessities and so on are in accordance with your income. If you are spending more than you are making the chances of you getting out of debt will decrease.

On the other hand, if you monitor your income and spend within your means you may find a solution to get out of debt. You might also want to look into part-time jobs if you are on Welfare of on Disability. The sources allow you to make so much money each month.

You will still receive your checks with a little less income, but for the most part, it is a step in the right direction since you will be getting back on your own two feet. In addition, if you are working and making less than what you are worth you might want to find a higher paying job that could benefit your future.

There are many options available to building your credit. If you have a vehicle that is costing you more than you make, you might want to consider selling the vehicle and purchasing a used car.

Used cars when maintenance is kept often last and are less expensive than newer vehicles. If you are paying more than you make on Mortgage you might want to consider selling your home, paying off your debts and work toward restoring your life.

To avoid declines it is important that you find a solution to repair your credit. Relying on others has proven in most cases to be nothing more than a waste of time. Therefore, the solution is finding what works for you.