Released on = June 7, 2007, 3:55 pm

Press Release Author = Alba Spectrum Group

Industry = Computers

Press Release Summary = In this small article we give you highlights on how to move
Microsoft Great Plains server to new more powerful hardware with minimal problems.
Here we do not provide you information on GP version update, just how to redeploy

Press Release Body = Alba Spectrum Group, http://www.albaspectrum.com
help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918

In this small article we give you highlights on how to move Microsoft Great Plains
server to new more powerful hardware with minimal problems. Here we do not provide
you information on GP version update, just how to redeploy. Our approach will be to
give you architecture understanding, so you could make your decision knowing the
options and technical reasons. You should be familiar with such concepts as
Microsoft SQL Server and its versions: 7.0, 2000, 2005, ODBC connection specifics,
GP customization and its architecture (if you have one), GP ReportWriter and
Reports.DIC, Dynamics.set file (where you see all your GP products integrated into
your GP installation), eConnect and Business Portal (if you deploy BP), Crystal
Reports and MS SQL Server Reporting Services (or SRS - again if you deploy CR or
SRS)
. Risk minimization. Begin with philosophy, not with technical side of it,
especially if you in the reasonable beginning of your career as DB Administrator, IT
specialist, GP programmer or consultant. If you move and redeploy GP over the
weekend and then on Monday users will not be able to use it and in this case
business will stop its operations - then you will be forced to roll back to the old
server and this will be a lesson for you - strategy and planning is required
. Windows Server Name and IP address. Please, make you homework first and get
awareness if you do or don't have customizations: Microsoft Dexterity custom
modules, SQL stored procedures (integrations, extensions to dex modifications,
etc.), custom reporting - all these are candidates that original software developers
hardcoded server names, IP address or placed these as parameters into setting files.
If you are not really supporting and not in contact with original programmers or
reports designers - the safest approach would be keep the same server name and IP
address for the new server box (yes, this is what you just read - rename the old
server and mount the new Goliath hardware box on its place with the same name and
IP)
. GP DB migration. There are special scripts for transferring user logins and
passwords on GP customer source. This step is required and you have to follow the
instructions (or you might be the one who is MS SQL Server DTS maestro - then you
may feel comfortable to transfer security this way - in this article we assume you
are normal IP person). These scripts should capture logins on the old server and
save them to the file. Then on the new server you create the logins from the file
and then grant access (via special scripts, not generically) for the users to the GP
companies/databases
. Server Side Software. Sometimes you have such annoying things as software
installed on the old server, utilized by users in their daily operations: eConnect
is good example. eConnect might be used by Microsoft Great Plains modified logic,
GP customization or such add-ons as Microsoft Great Plains Business Portal - check
if you use Requisition Management, Order Management, Employee Self Service and BP HR
modules, Electronic Document Delivery - to name a few modules of BP family. If this
is the case - you should be comfortable to face Business Portal redeployment, with
possible BP customizations, integrations, custom logo, etc.
. FRx. This is financial reporting software, typically in use by your top financial
people: controllers, VP finance, etc., so treat it with respect. FRx has sysdata
folder, where all FRx settings should be stored. However, this is not the end of
the concerns - FRx publishes its reports either to FRx viewer or to the files (like
into Excel worksheets), and in the case of printing to the file - output directory
might be hardcoded - unpleasant result might be FRx bombing out
. Report Writer custom reports. Chances are high that your GP users workstations
deploy centralized reports - review your user-side dynamics.set and find where you
have REPORTS.DIC placed. If you have them on mapped drive or through UNC path - you
have to build up the same shared folders on the new server
. Switching to new Windows domain. If you are changing such nice things as active
directory and windows domain, then think about user profiles, where user mapped
drives might be initialized, plus printers (printers might be superseded in GP and
when you switch to new domain with new printers management - you may need printer
setting re-haul, not a big problem - if you do not deploy such business critical
printers as barcode labels printing, dot-matrix invoices. Etc.)

Even if you think that it is too complex, you have the option to invite professional
GP consultant to help you and plus we believe that GP redeployment is a way easier
that something like mainframe or Oracle Financial redeployment on the new UNIX
server.

Alba Spectrum Group, http://www.albaspectrum.com help@albaspectrum.com
1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, serving Microsoft Dynamics GP locally in Houston,
Dallas and Chicago metros as well as USA / Canada nationwide via remote support:
California, New York, Florida, Arizona, Colorado, Wisconsin, Indiana, Georgia,
Louisiana, Quebec, Ontario, Washington, Nevada, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa,
Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Wyoming. Local service is available in Houston
and Dallas areas: Rosenberg, Katy, Richmond, Galveston, Sugar Land, Aurora,
Naperville, Wheaton, Plainfield, Romeoville, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Lombard, Downers
Grove, Warrenville, Lisle, Montgomery, Oswego, DeKalb, Morris, Addison, Seneca,
Ottawa. With reasonable travel we serve Springfield, Bloomington, Normal, Peoria,
Sterling, Dixon, St. Luis, Peoria, Vandalia, Gary, Michigan City, Milwaukee.



Web Site = http://www.albaspectrum.com

Contact Details = Alba Spectrum Group, http://www.albaspectrum.com
help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918