New System-Wide Features in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015

Below you'll find more details on the new system-wide features and product enhancements for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015:

Services Based Architecture

The Service Based Architecture changes the way you think about integrating or building applications that use GP functionality. Unlike the previous services model that provided a limited set of operations and was challenging to extend or modify the new architecture provides a developer with the ability to access any sanScript based functionality within core or third party dictionaries. Developers can utilize prebuilt operations or create their own using the familiar sanScript language and then expose those operations through a REST based API.

The new architecture secures communications for access to operations through the new Identity Management functionality authenticating users with either Windows or O365 (Azure AD) Identities. The operations themselves are included in the GP security model just like forms and reports so you can assign access to tasks and roles as you see fit.

The API uses industry standard https and REST patterned URLs to call operations and can be used on a variety of platforms including IOS and Android. Developers and users can easily understand what operations are available and how they can call them by using the Discovery functionality of the service.

The deployment of the architecture is scalable so it can fit any sized organization from just a few to hundreds of users and can grow as the organization does and can be deployed on Windows Azure Iaas.

Identity Management

This feature allows users to be authenticated for Microsoft Dynamics GP using organizational account credentials, also known as Azure AD accounts. This allows the user to log into the Microsoft Dynamics GP Web Client using the same credentials that are used for Office 365, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, or many other cloud applications.

This provides a single sign-on experience for Microsoft Dynamics GP Web Client with other cloud applications. Once logged into your account, the credentials can be used to authenticate you against any applications that accept the credentials, creating an easier login experience for users in the cloud.

Workflow approval and task assignments can also be assigned to an organizational account rather than a Windows account when the system is configured for this authentication method.

New Workflows

Dynamics GP 2013 brough 3 new workflows:

Purchasing

• Purchase Order Approval
• Purchase Requisition Approval

Payroll

• Timecard Approval

Project

• Timesheet Approval

In Dynamics GP 2015 Microsoft added the following workflows:

Financials

• GL Batch Approval
  Workflow 2.0 keeps getting better. The added functionality of General Ledger Batch Approval in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 allows users to control the processing of General Ledger batches in a more streamlined fashion. General Ledger Batch Approval allows users to create workflow processes around General, Clearing and Budget transaction batches. These processes need to be completed before defined document processes. The workflow status appears on the window and actions can be taken directly from those windows, from an email or from a Navigation List

Purchasing

• Payables Batch Approval
  The added functionality of Payables Batch Approval in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 allows users to control the processing of Payables batches in a more streamlined fashion. Payables Batch Approval allows users to create workflow processes which need to be completed before defined document processes. The workflow status appears on the window and actions can be taken directly from those windows, from an email or from a Navigation List.
• Vendor Approval
  The added functionality of Vendor Approval in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 allows users to control the setup and editing of vendors. Vendor Approval allows users to create workflow processes which need to be completed before defined document processes. The workflow status appears on the window and actions can be taken directly from those windows, from an email or from a Navigation List.

Sales

• Receivables Batch Approval
  The added functionality of Receivables Batch Approval in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 allows users to control the processing of Receivables batches in a more streamlined fashion.Receivables Batch Approval allows users to create workflow processes which need to be completed before defined document processes. The workflow status appears on the window and actions can be taken directly from those windows, from an email or from a Navigation List.

Payroll

Click here for more information about Payroll workflows in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015.

• Employee Skills Approval
  Workflow functionality is integrated so employees can submit changes and managers can approve changes from a Navigation List or from an email notification.

• Direct Deposit Approval
  With workflow for Employee Direct Deposit, the direct deposit changes can be routed to the appropriate people for verification before updating the employee’s data.

• Employee Profile Approval
  Workflow functionality is integrated so employees can submit changes and managers can approve changes from a Navigation List or from an email notification.

• W4 Approval
  In the Employee Withholding Certificate window the employee can manage their information and once submitted to workflow, the change will be routed automatically prior to updating the employee’s record.

Project
Expense Report Approval

Copy Home Page and Area Page

This feature enables an administrator or any other user that has security access to setup or edit Dynamics GP users to copy home page roles, home page content and area page settings from one user to another.

Navigation to Management Reporter

This feature creates a new navigation list for accessing Management Reporter reports from within the Financial and Administration Navigation buttons. The Management Reporter navigation list becomes enabled once the location of the Management Reporter service is defined in the Reporting Tools Setup window. The navigation list displays a list of reports the current user has security access to and enables them to view the reports in the Management Reporter Viewer with just a click of a button.

Management Reporter Integration Options

In Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015, the user can determine the data that is available to the Microsoft Dynamics Management Reporter DataMart, improving the performance and giving the user control over the data selected.

The user can choose per company (including sample company) of they want General Ledger data available for reporting.

The user also has the ability to include or exclude Analytical Accounting data for each company.

Support for Management Reporter Content in Business Analyzer

This features enables users to add Management Reporter content to the Microsoft Dynamics Business Analyzer app.

Users may add any Management Reporter report to the app start page that they have permission to. Once added, they may take the action to view the report in the Management Reporter HTML viewer.

Business Analyzer Cross Platform

This features enables tablet users on Windows, iOS or Android to install and use the Microsoft Dynamics Business Analyzer app.

Microsoft Dynamics Business Analyzer is a cross Dynamics Business Intelligence app that enables AX, GP and SL customers the ability to view and take action on key business information right at their fingertips.

Microsoft Dynamics Business Analyzer was initially released in January 2013 to the Windows Store.  The application has been a huge success within the Dynamics community with over 20,000 downloads since the initial release!  We are excited about the continued success of the app as we expand its availability to more platforms and devices.