Great Plains 7.5, 6.0, 5.5 Support Overview for Consultant

Great Plains Software Dynamics and eEnterprise were very popular in time of these historical versions releases. We know that large number of small and midsize businesses decided to stay with these historical versions and do not undertake upgrade. One of the blocking reasons was lapsing in Microsoft Business Solutions annual enhancement programs. This lapse doesn’t allow you to get newer version license key: 10.0, 9.0, 8.0. If you are on one of these historical versions, plus if you have FRx, Dexterity customizations, ReportWriter and Crystal Reporting – Alba Spectrum is well positioned to support you:


1. Known issues with Microsoft Vista. At this point we believe that versions 8.0 and earlier are not compatible with Vista. Vista 64 bit is separate story, as a lot of corporate applications at this time are not compatible with MS Vista 64 bit edition. This news might be too discouraging, however we believe that corporate world is at this time, 2008 – is sticking to Windows XP

2. FRx for earlier Great Plains versions. Here we have another challenge – Ctree and Pervasive SQL 2000, where FRx needs special installation instructions. This is not a show stopper, however expect some overhead to deploy new FRx user workstation


3. Lack of local support. We understand that potentially your local GP VARs and Resellers might not have historical Great Plains version support expertise. This is normal and your expectations should be set accordingly. We will support you nationwide, via remote support technologies, such as web session, go to meeting and precise and short term visits onsite when required


4. Ctree or Pervasive SQL migration to MS SQL Server. Migration tool is available from Microsoft Business Solutions. Version 7.5 was the last one where Ctree and Pervasive SQL or Btrieve were supported


5. Dexterity customizations. Dex modifications upgrade requires you to posses Source code customization dictionary. Typically this is DYNAMICS.DIC or EXTRACT.DIC with your Dexterity sanscript code present


6. Great Plains Accounting for DOS and Windows Support. If you have GPA 9.0, 9.2, 9,5 or GPA for Mac, we could offer your limited support, however nobody around supports Great Plains Accounting as Great Plains Software abolished support in 2001


7. Archaic Great Plains Dynamics version support. It is when you are on versions: 3.2, 4.0, 5.0. We did provide support to these version in time of them being current, and we are in good believe to support them now, fall 2008, Spring 2009


8. eConnect. We do not recommend you to deploy eConnect if you are on version 8.0, or earlier, you should consider to upgrade to version 9.0 or 10.0 first