How to Set Up a Distributed Process Server in Microsoft Dynamics GP

Are you a multi-tasker in Microsoft Dynamics GP? Have you ever tried to post batches while printing a report?

Dynamics GP itself is not a very good multi-tasker. The system will put your post batch process in the queue and let you wait until your report has finished printing.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way for you to turn your Dynamics GP system into a multi-tasker?

There is!

Microsoft Dynamics GP has the capability to send designated processes to another computer/virtual machine to be completed without slowing your multi-tasking workstation down.

In this blog, we'll demonstrate how to set up a Distributed Process Server (DPS) in Microsoft Dynamics GP.

To get started, I have set up two virtual machines; one for running the GP application (DB001) and the other one for distributing the process to (GP001). Both machines need to have Dynamics GP installed and have the same system DSN.

Step 1

From the DPS machine (Gp001) you will need to start the DPS.exe. This service will always have to be running prior to sending any processes to this machine. If not, the process will fail.

In order to start the service, go to C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft DynamicsGP2015. Double click on Dps.exe.

Step 2

Once the window opens, click File | Open Launch File.

Step 3

Select the Dynamics.set file and click Open.

Step 4

This will prompt you to login to Dynamics GP.

Step 5

Now that you are logged in, you will see the Process Monitor window. This means that the DPS service is running.

Step 6

Next, you will need to login to the machine running your Dynamics GP application (DB001). In Dynamics GP, go to the DPS Setup window (Microsoft Dynamics GP | Tools | Setup | System | Process Server). Click the Servers button.

Step 7

Type in the Server Host (GP001), select ‘Verify connection on add’ and click the Add button. It should add it immediately (if added successfully, please go to step 10). If you receive the error message “Server is not available”, you will need to follow the next two steps.

Step 8

On the Dynamics GP Application Workstation (DB001), go to the Control Panel | Windows Firewall | Advanced Settings | Outbound Rules. Enable Rule on the ‘Dexterity Process Server’ to allow the action.

Step 9

On the DPS machine (GP001), go to the Control Panel | Windows Firewall | Advanced Settings | Inbound Rules. Enable Rule on the ‘Dexterity Process Server’ to allow the action.

Step 10

Now, that you have added your DPS server in the DPS Server Setup window successfully, click Ok in the DPS Server Setup window.

Step 11

Within the DPS Setup window, you can select multiple processes to send to the DPS. In this example, I am going to use the Inventory Historical Stock Status Report. Select the Remote checkbox next to the Process name and type in the Server ID. Click Ok.

Step 12

In order to allow users to send the selected process to a remote machine, you will need to ensure they have the right user privileges (Microsoft Dynamics GP | User Preferences). Under Distributed Processes, select the Remote radio button. Click Ok.

Step 13

The user will now be able to send the Historical Stock Status process to the DPS machine. When sending to the DPS, you can choose between Printer and File. The Screen option is not grayed out, however, if selected, the process will fail. If Printer is selected, you will need to make sure the DPS machine has this set as a known printer. You can select File and have it sent to a network folder as well.

Step 14

When the Print button is ticked off, the process will immediately be sent to the DPS.

Step 15

If you check the process monitor in the Dynamics GP application, it will show nothing under Local. Set Location to Remote and the process will be displayed.

When the process has completed, it will either be sent to the Printer (if that option was selected), or it will be sent to the file specified in the Destination options.

Setting up a Distributed Process Server will help you utilize Microsoft Dynamics GP to its fullest, and work more productively by allowing users to perform daily tasks in Dynamics GP while printing/processing other longer tasks simultaneously.

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