At User Group Focus, learn from MVPs, All Stars and other Subject Matter Experts. Join your peers to dig deeper into the topics most pertinent for success in your role and sharpen your skills – so you can further your job role, career, and product investment.

Meet the Experts!

Here's just a preview of some of the exciting speakers, providing deep-dive education on Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement & Dynamics CRM:

ICYMI: Session details released!

The User Group Focus schedules were recently posted! The Programming Committee has a great week of events lined up for you in Houston, Texas the week of March 11. Consider going to all four days (two consecutive events) and receive $599 off total registration with promo code: FOCUSBUNDLE19.

View the deep-dive session line-ups for each standalone event here:

March 11-12 events

• Dynamics 365 for Unified Operations & Dynamics AX
• Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement & Dynamics CRM

March 13-14 events

• Dynamics 365 Business Central & Dynamics NAV
• Power Platform  - Learn how to utilize Power BI, PowerApps, and Flow in conjunction with your current software solution (Microsoft Dynamics or other).

Create your dream combo

Build-your-own conference! Create different combinations that offer YOU a unique conference experience, customized to fit YOUR needs. Interested in learning about multiple products? Register for additional days.

Don’t forget to use the promo code FOCUSBUNDLE19 when registering.

At User Group Focus, learn from MVPs, All Stars and other Subject Matter Experts. Join your peers to dig deeper into the topics most pertinent for success in your role and sharpen your skills – so you can further your job role, career, and product investment.

Meet the Experts!

Here's just a preview of some of the exciting speakers, providing deep-dive, advanced education on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central & Dynamics NAV:

ICYMI: Session details released!

The User Group Focus schedules were recently posted! The Programming Committee has a great week of events lined up for you in Houston, Texas the week of March 11. Consider going to all four days (two consecutive events) and receive $599 off total registration with promo code: FOCUSBUNDLE19.

View the deep-dive session line-ups for each standalone event here:

March 11-12 events

• Dynamics 365 for Unified Operations & Dynamics AX
• Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement & Dynamics CRM
• VSCode and Modern NAV Development- 2 Day Workshop (separate registration required)

March 13-14 events

• Dynamics 365 Business Central & Dynamics NAV
• Power Platform  - Learn how to integrate Power BI, PowerApps, and Flow with your current software solution (Microsoft Dynamics or other). 
• If you want to learn about Power Platform products, you can attend sessions from either co-located March 13-14 event through a single registration!

Create your dream combo

Build-your-own conference! Create different combinations that offer YOU a unique conference experience, customized to fit YOUR needs. Interested in learning about multiple products? Register for additional days.

Don’t forget to use the promo code FOCUSBUNDLE19 when registering.

Find resources that help you build and sustain a profitable cloud business, connect with customers and prospects, and differentiate your business. Read previous issues of the newsletter and get real-time updates about partner-related news and information on our US Partner Community Twitter channel.

Looking for partner training courses, community calls, and events? Refer to the Events Calendar that’s updated regularly as we learn about new offerings. To stay in touch with us and connect with other partners and Microsoft sales, marketing, and product experts, join our US Partner Community on Yammer.

New posts on the US Partner Community blog

• Community call: Hear updates on Microsoft 365 Security and Compliance SKUs
• Accelerate your revenue growth with the Cloud Enablement Desk
• Drive new customers with special US CSP offer
• Learn more about partner investments at our weekly office hours
• Partner Support Series: Start with Partner Frontline Support
• Welcome to the new Microsoft US Partner Community blog!
• Partner Support Series: Discover your Microsoft Partner Network Support benefits
• How to boost your pipeline with referrals
• February 2019 Hot Sheet partner training schedule
• Learn the benefits of Microsoft Dynamics 365 GCC for Government
• Success begins with Microsoft go-to-market services

Upcoming US Partner Community calls

• US Partner Investments Office Hours: Intelligent cloud PIE program changes, February 13, 11:00 am PT
• Microsoft Business Applications Partner Community call: How to build your own IoT Enabled Field Services Demo, February 12, 9:00 am PT
• Marketing SureStep Office Hours: Partner show n’ tell, February 14, 12:30 pm PT
• Applications & Infrastructure Partner Community call, February 15, 10:00 am PT

New events and webcasts this winter

• AI Ideation Workshops
• Microsoft Cloud Partners
• GovBytes – Public Sector Partner Enablement Series
• StepUp Technical

Learning news

• Registration Open for the FY19 H2 Incentive Program
• Microsoft Learning Blog Update
• New Exam Offer: Certify with Confidence Can Help Students Get Ahead

Microsoft Partner Network news

• Take asset management to a new level with Microsoft Azure‒powered mixed-reality solutions
• Modern Workplace: Packing More Partner Value into Microsoft 365
• Microsoft partners showcase intelligent retail solutions at NRF 2019

The post Top stories for US partners the week of February 11 appeared first on US Partner Community Blog.

In addition to Auditing in Microsoft Dynamics 365/CRM, admins should be equally concerned with Data Storage Management.

Storage Management and Data Management can go hand-in-hand with Dynamics but are different functionalities.

With Storage Management, admins are concerned with managing their storage usage.

Storage costs with Dynamics Online are a top consideration.

Admins want quick ease of access to documents, so as files are added to the system, they must be considerate of unnecessary or outdated documents that are eating up storage.

Cleaning up data is essential as you go to keep your storage capacity in line with your system cost as to not accrue additional expenses, because, if you don’t, you will have to buy more storage to be able to add more documents to the system.

To keep that problem from occurring, admins can utilize Bulk Delete Jobs to clear up System Jobs. They are one of the primary offenders of Storage Usage, aside from attachments like documents.

To keep your system clean, utilizing Workflows, you can set up a Bulk System Deletion. Don’t fret – it’s not as intimidating as it sounds.

To complete a System Job Deletion, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Bulk Record Deletion
2. Go to Menu > Settings > Data Management
3. Click Bulk Record Deletion
4. Create a New Bulk Delete Job
5. Click New in the top-left of your screen
6. Click Bulk Record Deletion
   

   ---

7. Click Next at the beginning of the Wizard
8. Select your Filters
9. Use the Advanced Find Interface
10. Recommended Basic Filters:
    1. Look for: System Jobs
    2. Status Reason Equals Succeeded
    3. Recurrence Start Does Not Contain Data
    4. System Job Type Equals Workflow or System Event
    5. Completed On Older than 1 Month
11. Preview Records to Confirm Deletions
12. Click Next
    

    ---

13. Provide a Unique Name
14. Select a Time for the Job to Run
    1. Overnight or during low system-usage is recommended
15. Select for the Job to run every 30 days
16. Optional: System will email you a report when complete
17. Click Next
18. Click Submit on the Final Screen

Get more Microsoft Dynamics 365/CRM Tips when you join us for our next user group webinar.

Reach out to our support team for help with your system functionalities and more, here.

This post is part of the series on Implementing SmartConnect, an integration tool from eOne Solutions, which can take data from any source and integrate it into Microsoft Dynamics GP (and other systems such as Microsoft Dynamics CRM or Sales Force amongst others). It has a drag and drop interface to make creating integrations quick and easy for all users rather than just developers (as many integration tools target).

Before starting to install SmartConnect, the following requirements should be checked to ensure compatibility; if procureing new servers or software, I’d generally advise to aim for the top of the requirements to ensure greatest longevity.

Processors:

• 32 bit processor machines, 2 GHz or greater.
• 64 bit processor machines, 2 GHz or greater.

Memory (RAM):

• 1 GB of RAM is required, at least 4GB is recommended.

While a faster processor and more memory will generally always speed up SmartConnect processing the following considerations should be made:

• Installations that will be handling large data volumes will require more RAM.
• Installations that will make extensive use of data lookups will require more RAM.
• Installations that will make extensive use of scripting and calculations will require more ram and processing speed.

Disk space:

• SmartConnect application installation requires approximately 100MB of disk space.
• SmartConnect Excel Add-In requires 5MB of disk space.
• SmartConnect Web Service requires 20MB of disk space.
• SmartConnect WCF Rest service requires 20MB of disk space.
• SmartConnect Windows Service requires 60MB of disk space.
• SmartConnect Dynamics GP add-in requires 60MB of disk space.

Operating systems:

• Windows Server 2016
• Windows Server 2012 R2
• Windows Server 2012
• Window 10
• Windows 8
• Windows 8.1
• Windows 7 SP1 (32 and 64 bit)

Database:

• Microsoft SQL 2016
• Microsoft SQL 2014
• Microsoft SQL 2012

The SQL Server Native Client 10.0 driver is required for the installation of SmartConnect. The driver is used to connect to the SQL Server as it creates the new database and users or connects to an existing database and user.

Versions
SmartConnect is created to be backwards compatible with different versions of Microsoft Dynamics GP. It is compatible with the following versions:

• Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010
• Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013
• Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015
• Microsoft Dynamics GP 2016
• Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018

Microsft Office
SmartConnect 2018 is compatible with the following releases of Microsoft Office:

• Microsoft Office 2010
• Microsoft Office 2013
• Microsoft Office 2016
• Microsoft Office 365

Click to show/hide the Implementing SmartConnect Series Index

Read original post Implementing SmartConnect: System Requirements at azurecurve|Ramblings of a Dynamics GP Consultant; post written by Ian Grieve (Lead ERP Consultant at ISC Software Solutions)

In Microsoft Dynamics 365, you might need to make a copy of Production for investigating and/or testing purposes. If you log a ticket with Microsoft they may require you to make a copy of Production to a Support instance for them to investigate. This blog will provide the steps on how to make a copy of Production to another instance and also some important tips to make the process as smooth as possible.

Firstly, you will require admin permissions to access the Microsoft Admin Center. You can find out more information about gaining access here A Brief Introduction to the Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 Admin Centers.

In this blog I will be showing you how to make the copy using a Production backup rather than from Production as this process could affect the Production environment and cause it to slow down or cause errors for users.

The following steps will guide you on how to make a copy of Production Instance.

Step 1: Login to the Admin Center by going to https://portal.office.com and click the App Launcher icon > Admin Centers > Dynamics 365.
 
The following page will be displayed which shows all the Instances:

Step 2: Select the Backup & Restore tab.

Step 3: Select the environment you would like to copy from i.e. Development, Prod UAT etc. and select the date you would like to take the copy from.

Step 4: Click the Restore Button. The following page will be displayed.

Step 5: In the Target details section, click Select Target and select the instance you want to copy into and click Select.

Step 6: Once the target instance has been selected, click the Next button.

A notification will be displayed that the copying is taking place.

Note: The target instance will disappear from the list until the copy has taken place. Also, it can take some time for the copying to take place hence you will have to wait for a while.

Step 7: Once the copy has taken place, the copied instance will be in Administration Mode. You can remove this by selecting the instance > Click Admin > Uncheck the ‘Enable Administration Mode’ > Save.

That’s it. I hope this blog provided you with some helpful tips and guidance in making a copy of the instance.

Today’s #TipTuesday is a hidden gem, and if you didn’t know what you could do with it, you’re going to love this post! The misconception is some of the things I’m describing might require using SmartList Designer or Builder to create new SmartLists. Many useful tweaks can be made without any of those tools.

What is it?

First of all, this window is found on the Administration page > System > SmartList Options. This is a very useful window where you can do all of the following things:

• Set the defaults on every SmartList object in the system, including custom-built SmartLists.
• Set search defaults for Search in SmartList.
• Set a password for modifying favourites.

This window is a System window, not Company-specific nor User-specific. What that means is any changes made here will affect that particular SmartList object across every company and for every user. Specifically, you are setting the defaults for the * default option that is on each SmartList. Nothing you do in this window will affect existing favourites that are saved. For example: setting the default max records to a higher number won’t update existing saved favourites, but will be the default for new ones.

How to use it

Here is what the SmartList Options window looks like, before I made a few changes on the Accounts SmartList object. By default, this list shows 1,000 accounts and 4 fields – Account Number, Description, Posting Type and Category.

Starting at the top of the window, the Category drop-down list is the list of SmartList objects. A SmartList “object” is the “yellow folder” level of the SmartLists you see in the list of SmartLists. So, Accounts, Customers, Vendors, Payables Transactions, Account Transactions etc. The level under the object is where users can save “Favourites”.

Start by selecting a SmartList object from the drop-down list. One thing to beware of, the list is (seemingly) in a random order! If you have a lot of custom SmartLists, you will likely find it hard to find them as they don’t appear to be in either order of date created nor alphabetical, but they will be there somewhere!

Next drop down list is the Default Go To option. The out of the box SmartLists have (typically) more than one option on the Go To menu. For Accounts, for instance, the default is View (open the Account Maintenance window) but there are options to open the Summary Inquiry window or the Detail Inquiry window. The default Go To is the one which is used when a user double-clicks on a record in a set of SmartList results. You can’t add new Go To’s here, but you can change which one is the default for that particular SmartList object.

The third field on the window is the maximum records setting for this object’s default SmartList. Every default is 1,000 but it’s definable for every single object. You may want to a different default maximum for different SmartList objects. The best number to set will depend on how that object is used across the various company databases, there is one “perfect” value to set this at.

Next in the window are the default fields for the SmartList object. Here you can alter the position, the name, and which fields are visible by default on the * default for the object. Editing the display name is as simple as clicking in the field and typing over the name in the list of fields, like you can in the Columns chooser window in SmartList itself. Clicking on the Default button will reset the object to the default order, name and fields that were out-of-the-box.

The Search options at the bottom of the window are around case-sensitivity. The first option is identifying if this SmartList should have the Match Case box ticked by default. The second is whether that choice is enabled at all. The password option – this screenshot is from GP 2016 when this was first added – and it’s about setting a password to control who can modify a SmartList favourite. In GP 2018, this feature was modified so you could have a password at a SmartList favourite level instead of one password for the entire system.

I made a few changes and here’s an example of what it looks like afterwards. I increased the max to 5,000 records, marked a few new fields and moved the Main Account Segment field to the first/left field.

After clicking on the Category drop-down list, I was prompted to save my changes. I could simply change the Category to another SmartList object and save as I go, making changes to multiple SmartLists as I like.

What it looks like in SmartList

Here’s what the Accounts SmartList looks like with my changes, when I select the * default:

I’ve highlighted the obvious places where the changes I made are visible. My Main Account is now my first column, and my max records is 5,000. By comparison, here is the Customers SmartList where the default max is still 1,000, because I did not modify that particular object.

That’s it for this particular tip. I find this to be a very useful window, especially when adding new smartlists if you want to set a different default maximum number of records. If you have SmartList Builder, you can set the column order and Go To’s in the product but when you don’t or you want to make tweaks to out of the box SmartLists, this is a great window to know about.

To help improve productivity, the new User Tasks in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2018 allow you to create tasks to remind you of work to be done. You can create tasks for yourself and assign tasks to others or be assigned a task by someone else in your organization. You can also set an expiration date, create a recursive task, link pages and reports.

How to use the User Task?
Step 1. Go to Departments > Administration > Application Setup > Users

Step 2. Click “New” button to add a task.

Step 3. After you click the “New” button, it will open a page where you can enter the details for the task. Fill in Subject, Task Description, Due Date, Start Date, and Priority. Enter a value in “User Assigned to” field and optionally select a value in “Link Task to:” for either Page or Report then set the page id or report id where you want to link the task.

Step 4. You can also create a recurring task by clicking “Recurrence” action.
Fill in “Recurring Start Date”, a formula for the repeating task and the number of occurrences then click “OK”. In this example, we used to perform the task daily for 5 days starting on 2/08/2019.

When you set the occurrences at 5, the system will generate 5 tasks from the recurring start date. After clicking “OK”, the newly added tasks will show on the “Pending User Tasks” page. You can also Modify the task like changing the “User Assigned To:”, “% Complete”, “Priority” and “Due Date”

Step 5. After completing the task on the list, you can set it up as complete by selecting “Mark Complete” from the Pending User Task list or User Task Card.

Once you select the “Mark Complete” button, the “% Complete” value will be changed into 100.
When you return to the Role Center, you will see the remaining tasks in “My User Tasks” tile.

Learn more about Microsoft Dynamics NAV.
For more information and a tailored demonstration, please contact MetaOption LLC.

[In this series, we’re looking at quick fixes to improve GP security.]

Full disclosure, controlling customer payments is not the easiest fix, but it’s really important.

While most people involved in accounting understand the basic risks around payables transactions, there is also a long history of fraud around receivables. In many cases, this involves intercepting payments and then manipulating the accounting records to hide the missing payments. Two common manipulations are lapping and write-off/discount adjustments.

Lapping involves intercepting a payment and then applying future payments, or payments from a different customer, to hide the stolen funds. GP provides extremely flexible options for applying, unapplying, and reapplying payments until receivables transactions are sent to history. Even in history, the RM Transaction Unapply tool present in the Professional Services Tools would allow unapplying historical receivables for reapplication.

There are multiple places in GP to control applying receivables so the easy fix to prevent lapping is to separate the receipt of payment from the entry of payments. A lockbox, including using GP’s lockbox functionality, is a great way to deal with this. If a lockbox isn’t available, a user should receive checks and either make copies for application or log the checks. A different user should be applying the payment. 

With write-off/discount adjustments, a user again intercepts a payment, but they hide that payment by writing off the related invoice. The customer doesn’t receive any indication that their check wasn’t properly applied. Identical in concept, a discount could be applied to eliminate the balance instead of using a write-off. 

Controlling maximum write-offs in GP is one way to reduce the risk of fraud. The maximum write-off amount is per customer and controlled via options in Customer Maintenance so limiting access to Customer Maintenance is crucial.

Receivables Setup can require a password to exceed the maximum write off, but that assumes the user can’t just change it via Customer Maintenance. Also, that password is a shared password stored in plain text in SQL so it’s not especially secure.

Separating receipt of payments from write-offs and discounts is still the best defense against fraud here. Additionally, regular reviews of write-offs and discounts to supplement other controls is important. 

If a user can gain physical access to customer payments there are many opportunities for fraud. These aren’t just theoretical opportunities either. Accounting literature is full of companies who have been hit by receivables fraud.  Don’t let your company be one of them.

You can find all of the fixes in this series at GP Easy Security Fixes.

More and more organizations are looking for an easier way to do vendor invoice approval. The person able to authorize payment and signify his or her approval of a supplier invoice still requires an additional check signer. If the check exceeds a certain amount, a second check signer is required. This control supposedly gives multiple senior-level people the chance to stop a payment. In reality, it is more likely to only introduce another step into the payment process without really strengthening the control environment.

The term “accounts payable automation” or “AP automation” is used to describe the ongoing effort of many companies to streamline the business process of their accounts payable departments. The accounts payable department’s main responsibility is to process and review transactions between the company and its suppliers. In other words, it is the accounts payable department’s job to make sure all outstanding invoices from suppliers are approved, processed, and paid. Processing an invoice includes recording important data from the invoice and inputting it into the company’s financial, or accounting, system. After these tasks are accomplished, the invoice must go through the company’s business process to be paid.

This process is straightforward but can become very cumbersome, especially if the company has a very large number of invoices. This problem is compounded when invoices that require processing are on paper. This can lead to lost invoices, human error during data entry, and invoice duplication. These and other problems lead to a high cost-per-invoice metric. The goal of automating the accounts payable department is to streamline this invoicing process, eliminate potential human error, and lower the cost per invoice. Some of the most common AP automation solutions include e-invoicing, scanning and workflow, online tracking, reporting capabilities, electronic invoice user interfaces, supplier networks, payment services, and cost analytics for all invoices.

Direct integration of AP automation with your accounting system of choice is the best approach. Some companies will tell you they offer direct integration with your accounting system, but you may be unknowingly paying for this integration. Eliminating paper and automating accounts payable across companies on a Cloud Purchase-to-Pay platform that handles currency, intercompany transactions, and multi-entity bills should be “out of the box” – that is, it should not be customized. Be able to preapprove purchases against budgets and track contracts. Enjoy error-free invoice capture and approval with secure payments from any device. Accountnet helps accounts payable and purchasing departments work together to allow for a better workflow, especially when key personnel are out on vacation. E-invoicing allows vendors to submit invoices over the internet and have those invoices automatically routed and processed. Because invoice arrival and presentation are almost immediate, invoices are paid sooner; therefore, the amount of time and money it takes to process these invoices is greatly reduced.

As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Accountnet helps companies get up and running with Microsoft Dynamics. We don’t just install and configure the software – we train your accounting staff to use it to create the reports they need so they can analyze data as needed. Our AP automation includes ReQlogic and/or Workflow in GP, to provide managers and accountants the information they need to do their jobs well — wherever they are and in whatever application they choose to use. Take the next step toward growth with Microsoft Dynamics. Call 212- DYNAMICS.

Written by Accountnet, Inc.

Twitter: DynamicsNewYork

A centralized administration hub is becoming more essential in the modern age. All companies and franchises can benefit from the features that Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central platform offers.

Whether your business is heavy on inventory or you are doing everything digitally with a focus on billable time and project management, it is right for you to know just what Dynamics 365 Business Central can bring you. One of the major benefits is service management.

High Level Service Management Functions in Business Central

Top companies in every industry place a preference on providing high quality customer service. Branding this customer service experience has become almost as important as having it, since word spreads much faster on the Internet about bad experiences.

Scaling customer service can become quite a chore if you are trying to move from Excel sheets into a more sophisticated system. Unless the system is holistic, you may find yourself having to launch multiple platforms, jump through different systems and dig around for notes on cases. Fully integrated suites are the best type, with the main concern being that they are too expensive an upfront cost.

Business Central brings companies the best of all worlds – a holistic system with a high level of business intelligence features at a low cost. The learning curve is also quite achievable even for administrators who have been working with Excel and Access; these administrators should feel right at home with the most important parts of the system.

Dynamics 365 Business Central also allows a business to get out ahead of issues. For example, the platform can be easily used to send out six-month reminders to dental patients and to keep up with late payments from this same customer base. These may not seem like service features at first; however, when you think about how much time your in-house staff saves with these functions automated and organized, you really do start to see a real advantage in your schedule when the unexpected emergencies do occur and you have time to handle them.

Why Should You Care About Service Management?

Service is not a profit center for any company – its benefits are long term. The Service Management features in Business Central help ensure that your service costs are kept low to allow your business to prosper and grow for many years.

Dynamics 365 Business Central helps you align service related KPIs to your overall goals. Advantages here include the generation of profitable service contract agreements and opportunities to lower costs through preventive maintenance. Just as importantly, your company can monitor service expenses closely, lower those costs and fixate on the specific R&D to eliminate those product weaknesses in the future.

In many cases, improved service management leads to improved product quality and company branding. Business Central includes features that can help you improve time and field management through the mobilization of field service data entry. Better individual order planning and trend analysis reduces costs of service and motivates the company to study its own mistakes for increased profit in the future.

Regardless of industry, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central provides the centralized and customizable platform that every business needs to compete in the modern business landscape. The user interface is flexible enough to scale a business end to end in the SMB spectrum – from microbusiness startup all the way to international supplier.

Save money by switching before June of 2019! Contact Crestwood at (866) 299-1001 or email us at sales@crestwood.com for more detailed information on discounted pricing for existing Microsoft customers!