Keeping it simple

PO Item Lookup in Dynamics GP

This tip originated by staff at Accolade Publications, who authored Confessions of a Dynamics GP Consultant. Here is their tip of lookup setting within Purchasing module:

When entering items on Purchase Orders, some people only want to see items assigned to the selected vendor. By default, GP shows all items in the inventory table. There are two different options for the lookup on POs and PO Setup defines what shows. In PO Setup, you have the choice of setting the Display Item During Entry by Item or Vendor Item. When set to Item, all items show in the lookups. When set to Vendor Item, only the items assigned to the vendor on the PO show in the lookups by default. Of course, you need to create the appropriate Item Vendor records to designate which items are available from which vendor(s). Now...you can also change this behavior while POs are being entered. Click on the Options menu selection on the Purchase Order Entry window. Check the Display Vendor Item option to show ONLY items assigned to the vendor on the PO. Clear the check box to show all items no matter which vendor. This option defaults to checked or not checked based on the option marked in Setup. Unless your company specifically assigns almost all items to specific vendors by creating the Vendor Item records, I would suggest leaving the option set to Item to show all.

Regards,

 

Jeff Cozens

Creating an import batch in SL which is in a foreign currency

 

All Dynamics SL users have the standard import capabilities through the transaction import tool. When using the transaction import screen, the process is powerfully enhanced by use of the Control Macro Generator, which dynamically adjusts for any customizations for field names, and layout. This tip addresses importing transactions say in Canadian dollars to a SL application which has a base currency in US dollars.

 

Dynamics SL users who have purchased the Multi Currency module, have the ability to enter transaction in multiple currencies for many of the data entry screens. One challenge the user of the multi currency module is how you import transactions in a currency different than the base currency for the application database.

 

This tip was created by Kevin Flynn, QA Associates, when he was helping an end user on the Solomon form. Here is Kevin's response:

 

It's quite easy actually for any screen that handles multi currency. The trick is to precede the normal TI data file with a currency line that states that currency, rate and effective date, after that everything else is the same, and you don't need to alter the TI control file. Remember, though, that you can only have ONE CURRENCY PER BATCH!!! Please see the example for

 

Voucher Entry (screen id : 03010.00) below:

 

Currency, CAD

CuryRate, SPOT, 03/03/2003, .74

"Batch",,200501,"H",100.00,

"Document",,"VO","VENDID",03/03/2003,,03/03/2003,01,100.00,0,"A",,,,,03/03/2003,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

"Transaction","N",5200,,,0000,,,,,100.00,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

(where CAD = the correct currency and VendID = the correct Vendor ID etc...)

 

This example may be confusing until you realize that the import file is basically entering data into the selected screen in the same order as the field tab order on a screen.

 

Note the two special lines which start with Currency and CuryRate. These two lines are critical to alert the import that the information being imported in this batch is in a foreign currency, different than the base currency for the application database.

 

 

 

Drop me a note if you need more assistance,

 

Jeff Cozens

 

Travel Smart

This is a article which originally was published by small business community within my bank, Bank of America. I found the content valuable. Hopefully you too will find it valuable.. Happy Traveling….

 

Travel Smart

Posted on: Jun 5, 2009

 

Posted by: CommunityTeam

Travel Smart

 

Ten tips for travelers on a budget

By Max Berry

Travel can be hard on a small business owner's budget, especially now that airlines are charging fees for once-complimentary services like checking a bag. But with a little forethought and a willingness to root out the best deals, your next business trip could take you through friendlier-not to mention more cost-effective-skies than your ever imagined. Here are ten tips for business travelers on a budget.

1. Appoint a travel guru
Assign someone in your office the task of compiling a bookmark folder of Internet travel tools and discount sites. Sites like Priceline.com and Hotwire.com come in handy for discounted airfare and hotel rates, while Hopstop.com maps public transit routes and offers taxi fare estimates for America's largest cities. When the need to travel arises, save yourself some time by letting your travel guru hunt for the cheapest fares and discounts. Once they've narrowed the options, you can select the itinerary that works best for you.

2. Research your destination

Base your travel budget on realistic destination costs rather than an arbitrary per diem. If you maintain a set budget for every trip you take, you may find yourself running out of money fast. Likewise, if you bring a Manhattan-sized roll of bills to Tulsa, you may find yourself with far more than you need. Do some research on the city you'll be traveling to; how extensive is its public transportation system? What constitutes eating on the cheap in your destination city? Sites like Yelp.com and Citysearch.com will help you gauge just how much your stay will cost you.

3. Negotiate

Priceline's name-your-own-price option is a valuable tool for budget travelers, but many hotel managers will negotiate rates directly with customers. Most innkeepers won't advertise this fact, but if you'll be staying with them for a prolonged period of time, you can use that as leverage to get a better price. Angle for your own "corporate rate" by telling the manager that the slight discount you're seeking may make the difference between staying with them or going to another property nearby.

4. Take advantage of special offers

Frequent flyer programs and credit cards that award points for hotel stays and airfare are smart moves for any frequent traveler. Also consider signing up for a mailing list or two. Sites like Orbitz.com send regular e-mails detailing featured discounts on airfare while most major hotel chains offer special deals to frequent customers. Not every offer will be of use to you, but if it gets you a deal on your next business trip, it will be well worth sorting through the bulk mail.

5. Plot a course

If you are flying to your destination and will need to take a car from the airport, check the likely cab fare ahead of time (Hopstop.com is good for this). You may also want to use Mapquest or Google to familiarize yourself with the most direct route. Some cabbies will take a more circuitous path in order to drive up the fare if they sense you don't know your way around.

6. Pack light

This is sage advice now more than ever. Many airlines are charging $15 and up to check even one bag on domestic flights. If you can squeeze everything you need into a carry-on, consider foregoing baggage check altogether. Or, if possible, fly one of the discount airlines (like Southwest or JetBlue) that still allow you to check a bag for free.

7. Car rental tips

A general rule of thumb for saving money when renting a car is to reserve the smallest model at the lowest price. If the agency runs out of compact cars, they will be required to rent you a larger model at no added cost. You may also opt to waive the insurance. While the added precaution couldn't hurt, chances are you won't need it. Plus, you may already be covered through your own auto insurance or the credit card you used to book the car.

8. For short notice

When traveling on short notice, check airlines' special offers pages first. If your schedule is flexible and you are open to the idea of odd departure and arrival times, you may be able to snag a last minute deal. This is especially true for flights in the middle of the week. Some discount airlines also offer walk-up fares that are considerably cheaper than those of their large competitors.

9. Exercise some discipline

It may seem obvious, but resisting temptations like the mini-bar, room service, and in-flight cocktails will add up to big savings. Just as little expenses you'd barely even factored into your budget account for much of your day-to-day spending, small services like these are designed to turn a profit on travelers who are tired, unfamiliar with their surroundings, and lack a better option. Don't fall for them.

10. When in Rome...

Once you arrive at your destination, try to take some cues from the locals. There will be no better authority on how to eat, shop, and get around cheaply. If the people you are doing business with live in your destination city, ask them for some advice. If the city you're visiting has them, local blogs and Internet message boards-not to mention Yelp-are excellent sources for advice on how to do as the Romans do.

Do you have current address / phone info on file?

When we move one of the things that often fall through the cracks is changing addresses and phone info. Our company recently went from a dedicated fax line to an efax line, with its new 800 phone number. We forgot to tell Microsoft about the new fax line. I suggest you email your VAR and ask him to send you the contact info and address data that they have on file for you.

Your Var now have the ability to change these addresses via their partnersource web site. By getting your contacts updated is a great way to make sure info in being sent to the right address/url. A wrong address is likely to mean that no info comes to you.

 

Just a suggestion.

 

Regards,

 

Jeff Cozens

jcozens@systematicsol.com