Microsoft Dynamics GP ERP has pretty cool and end user friendly integrating module: Great Plains Integration Manager.  With Dynamics GP version 10.0, IM got revolutionary improvements in the form of eConnect connectors.  Now, where these connectors are available, IM performance issue virtually evaporated and you can integrate thousand of SOP invoices per minute, as eConnect deploys SQL stored procedures, versus OLE server for old IM connectors.  However we often see the problem of finding GP programmer, who is a maestro with advanced ODBC query to make integration manager work with pretty rigid and cumbersome text file, produced from your legacy MRP or EDI application.  Let’s move to the bullets:

1.       Microsoft Text ODBC Driver.  Unfortunately for Windows XP, Windows 2003 and Vista, this driver has known bugs and they are not fixed by service packs.  The work around is to restrain from defining fields format and allowing the driver to guess

2.       SQL Query.  Assuming that you have Microsoft Text Driver connection, see #1 issues, next step is to produce complex SQL select statement.  Let us give you some examples.  Imagine the situation, when you are given Purchase Expense accounts only and you need to alter GL distribution in AP vendor invoice integration.  Yes, of course, what you need is Accounts Payable account distribution counterpart.  In order to achieve this you create union clause in GP IM Integration query.  AP is typically sent on single Accounts Payable account, for you this means that you have to group together Purchasing lines and use SUM construction to create single Payables distribution line

3.       Text Driver Limitations.  To give you good example – if you have exactly identical GL distribution lines in the case described in the bullet #2, text driver will fail in distinguishing of those two lines and it will skip one of them.  What you need to do is to provide unique parameter, which will restore the lines uniqueness.  Also you need to be aware that Advanced ODBC option in IM should allow you to deploy Standard SQL constructions: group, union, having and others

4.       Additional Consideration for eConnect, related to E-commerce web integration and development.  eConnect is in essence SDK or Software Development Kit, opening GP object for manipulation to Microsoft Visual Studio C# and VB.Net developer, who is familiar with XML and SQL encrypted stored procedures.  eConnect will do the job when you have established ecommerce website, written in PHP, .Net, EJB and other open technologies and you need to integrate it with Microsoft Dynamics GP accounting back office

Microsoft Dynamics GP has various EDI (Electronic Document Interchange) add-ons and third party modules, where you can map your EDI code to either expose GP documents, such as Vendor Purchase Orders to EDI complaint vendors or import Sales Orders or Invoices from EDI channel to your SOP module, as two popular examples.  In certain cases purchasing add-on may not be feasible due to the simplicity of your requirements or paradoxically – their complexity, where you would like to control EDI mapping in-house or with trusted Great Plains Dynamics consultant.  This publication is targeted to EDI technical people, and as such may look too programmer oriented, however we tried to make it readable for technology savvy executive.  Let’s review briefly both scenarios: export and import:

1.       Exporting EDI compliant text code.  Typically EDI code has fixed length format with Header, Lines, and various Trailers.  Simple approach to produce this fixed length formatted text file is to save SQL select statement, where you unionize the portions and precisely format each field.  If you are exporting Purchase Orders, then likely you are dealing with Purchase Order Processing module tables: POP10100, POP10110.  Then what you need to do is to mark your exported Purchase Orders in custom table as exported.  Feel free to create this export status table in GP company database.

2.       Importing EDI file to GP.  Here you need to consider pushing documents to Great Plains via eConnect programming, assuming that automatic batch posting is not required.  If Autoposting is required, we recommend you to deploy Alba Spectrum Posting Server or Autopost.  You open incoming EDI text file with OLEDB text driver.   Then the options are multiple – our favorite is to read text file into temporary table.  In this case you will have typical field names: F1, F2, F3 – to make your grouping, sorting and having clauses elegant.  Another popular alternative is to establish SQL linked server to your text file, however this construction might be too powerful and not really required on that level

3.       ODBC text file driver limitations.  ODBC supports the subset of standard SQL language only and you will see multiple limitations: case, text functions and other standard SQL constructions are not supported by ODBC SQL

4.       EDI and Great Plains Dexterity.  If you need seamless integration with GP user interface, GP Dexterity might be the tool of choice.  Dex allows you to call either Dex SQL compliant cursors, or call directly SQL statements or stored procedures to do the job, already described in the paragraphs above

Are you over 55 and thinking about selling your home and moving into something smaller, but worried about the tax implications when you relocate? If so, you aren’t alone. As the baby boomers find themselves approaching retirement age and becoming empty nesters, their housing needs are changing along with their lifestyles – but inflation and taxes just seem to keep going up, up, up. Fortunately some relief, in the form of Prop 60, is available.

What is Prop 60?

Proposition 60 is a constitutional amendment, approved by California voters, that provides property tax relief under certain circumstances. Essentially, what Prop 60 does is allow qualifying property owners to replace their primary residence with a new home of equal or lesser value and maintain their same tax base. Why, you might wonder, would anyone want to do that? Wouldn’t my property taxes be less on a home of lesser value? Not necessarily. With Prop 60, what is transferred is the Proposition 13 or “base year value” of the old home, which can be substantially less than the current market value of either home.

How can I qualify for Prop 60?

Both the original home and the new home must be located in the same county.
Both the original and replacement properties must be your primary residence.
Both properties must be eligible for the Homeowners’ Exemption or Disabled Veterans’ Exemption.
The seller or spouse residing in the home must be at least 55 years old when the original property is sold.
The replacement home must be of equal or lesser value than the current market value of the original home. There is a little wiggle room within this rule, depending on when the new property is purchased. For the purchase of a home (or completion of new construction) that occurs 1 to 2 years after the sale of the original home, the “equal or lesser” rule can change slightly. Talk to your county assessor for details on this.
Purchase or completion of construction of the replacement property must be completed within two years of the sale of the original property.
Application for tax relief must be filed within 3 years of the purchase (or completion of construction) of the new home.
This is a once in a lifetime benefit. Neither spouse can file again.

How do I file for Proposition 60 tax relief?

Contact your county assessor’s office. The assessor will determine if the transaction qualifies and provide you with claim forms.

I’ve heard something about Proposition 90. What is that?

Proposition 90 is an amendment that permits the property owner to carry the benefits of Prop 60 throughout California. Each county in California has the option to accept tax base transfers from other counties, allowing qualifying homeowners more flexibility when planning a move. Counties are not required to participate, and currently there are only 7 counties in California that accept Prop 90. These counties include Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Diego, Alameda, San Mateo and Santa Clara. This number is subject to change, as counties have the option to repeal their participation.

Prop 60 and Prop 90 are great extensions of Proposition 13, which was the initial break offered to the taxpaying public. If you think either might be something that will work for you, please consult your tax advisor or your county assessor for details.

Remodeling your basement is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to add living space to your home. It’s such a popular way to upgrade one’s home, many contractors specialize in basement remodeling. These contractors are skilled at dealing with moisture, as well as how to best take advantage of natural light–and add artificial light–to make your basement a cozy and inviting place to spend time.

The first step in finding a basement contractor is to talk to people who’ve remodeled their basements. If you like what they’ve done, ask for a reference. Get a sense of the contractor’s work by asking about how much the job cost, how long it took, and did your friend communicate well with the contractor? Professional builder and contractor associations provide another good resource for recommendations.

Important Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Basement Contractor
Narrow your list of basement contractor prospects by conducting quick telephone interviews. Ask about the contractor’s availability, whether they’re licensed and bonded, and are they’re willing to provide a client list of references. Once you’ve got a short list of three or four top candidates, you can begin seeking cost estimates.

Ask contractors to be specific in their bids and include the grades of materials and labor costs, as well as profits. Expect materials to make up 40 percent of the bill and 15 to 20 percent to be profit.  

Call references and contact your local Better Business Bureau, as well as your sate’s consumer protection agency to inquire whether the contractors you’re considering have had any complaints filed against them. Your due diligence will pay off.