Video Tutorials and Overview of New Features in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 came with a wealth of new features and product enhancements.

This blog provides an overview of what’s new in Dynamics GP 2015 within the areas of:

• Home Page Overview and Basic Navigation
• User Preferences and Home Page Customizations
• SmartLists
• Common Windows Commands and Navigation Lists

Each area is accompanied by a short video tutorial.

Tutorial 1 | Overview and Basic Navigation

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 has been designed with subtle cosmetic changes to the Welcome/Login page, streamlining the color scheme to blue and white with white Dynamics sails instead of the multi-colored scheme seen in prior GP versions.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 Login Window

After logging in, GP brings you to its Home page which has the same look and feel as (the most recent) prior GP versions. There are several ways to navigate the Dynamics GP 2015 application. For example, the main toolbar includes five menus and can be customized using the Layout icon in the address bar.

The main toolbar includes:

• The Microsoft Dynamics GP menu (also called the application menu): used to setup or change system or company level settings.
• The Transactions menu: used to process common, daily tasks within each series.
• The Inquiry menu: used to view a read only version of the data and transactions entered in GP. Inquiries also allow you to drill down or zoom back to the original transactions.
• The Reports menu: used to print a variety of different reports depending upon your needs.
• The Cards menu: used to setup and change master data.

Directly above the main toolbar is the address bar identifying the current location of the user within GP. The address bar includes the Refresh button, the Layout icon and the Help button.

The Navigation Pane is located on the far left and consists of two sections; the top section allows you to save favorites and shortcuts and also contains the navigation lists for each series.

The bottom section contains the series buttons to access the Area pages within the Content Pane and GP windows. Additional series buttons can be added or removed by clicking the chevron button in the lower right hand corner of the navigation pane.

Lastly, the lower left corner of the Home page displays the date, company and user ID. Other companies can be accessed by clicking the company name or changing the user by clicking the user ID.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 Home Page

Video Tutorial: Overview and Basic Navigation in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015

Tutorial 2 | User Preferences and Home Page Customization

User Preferences is a feature in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 that enables users to specify certain settings and options that only affect the individual user. It can be accessed through the application menu. Default printing locations, entry key preferences for data entry and default mapping options can be defined.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 User Preferences Window

Reminders can be setup through User Preferences as well. Dynamics GP 2015 allows users to add new reminders or select/customize the predefined reminders included within the application. Users can also create new tasks by clicking the Task List button in the Reminder Preferences window.

Both the reminders and tasks features are similar to Microsoft Outlook reminders and tasks. Depending on your selection, when reminder and task instances occur in Dynamics GP, a pop up or cue will display on your Home page.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 Reminder Preferences Window

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 Task List Window

You also have the option to change the display of Dynamics GP 2015 for required or link fields.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 User Display Preferences Window

When customizing the Home page, simply click the Customize Home Page link in the upper right corner of the Home page. It allows you to include reminders, tasks, other quick links and report favorites on your Home page. The option to change the layout is available as well.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 Customize Home Page Option

Video Tutorial: User Preferences & Home Page Customization in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015

Tutorial 3 | SmartList

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 offers several reporting options. SmartList is a very useful tool that can accommodate a wide range of reporting needs. The best part is that the data can be directly dumped into Excel for additional manipulation, analysis and customizations.

You can access this feature through the application menu. Dynamics GP 2015 includes a number of predefined SmartLists that can be modified, or you can create new SmartLists from scratch

The following buttons appear within the Actions pane:

• The New button allows you to build a custom smart list through Smart List Designer.
• The Search button is used to filter your SmartList results.
• The Refresh button is used to refresh your data and view the most current information in real time.
• The Columns button is used to add new columns or update existing ones within a SmartList.
• The Favorites button allows you to save a SmartList search without having to rebuild it again.
• The Print button is used to print the SmartList to a printer, the screen or export to a file directory.
• The Excel button is used to export a SmartList search to Microsoft Excel.
• The Stop button is used to stop a SmartList search in process and preview partial results.
• The Go To button allows you to navigate directly to the inquiry or maintenance windows that are associated with the selected item or record in the SmartList.
• The Word button exports a SmartList search to Microsoft Word.

When creating a SmartList, make sure that the status of the report shows Completed at the bottom of the window before printing or exporting it to another application.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 SmartList Window

Video Tutorial: Introduction to SmartLists in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015

Tutorial 4 | Common Windows Commands and Navigation Lists

Some common Windows commands and functionality can be seen throughout all of the Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 windows. For example, the Customer Maintenance window is used to setup and update master data for customers. The top portion of the window includes the Actions, File, Tools and Help panes:

• Actions allow you to save, delete, clear or even post the data being entered.
• File allows you to add frequently accessed windows to your shortcuts in the navigation pane on your Home page. You can also print through the File pane.
• Tools allows you to create macros and access other options.
• Help contains the help menu and allows you to add window level notes with attachments.

(the commands depend on the GP window and whether it is related to master or transaction records).

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 Customer Maintenance Window

Navigation lists allow you to view data as a list and easily create new records, process changes or enter transactions for individual records or multiple ones at the same time. You can also apply filters to the list and save the results to your favorites in the navigation pane. The example below is a list view of customers.

Individual or multiple records can be selected simultaneously to complete certain tasks. When records are selected individually, you can view some facts about that record in the pane below. Double-click on the checked record or click on the customer ID link in the pane below and GP takes you to the customer’s master data where you can see more details or make changes.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 Navigation List

Video Tutorial: Common Windows Commands & Navigation Lists in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015

Feel free to reach out should you have questions to this blog or if you’d like additional information about Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015.

Written by:
Candace Lynch, Functional Dynamics GP Consultants
FMT Consultants