1. Navigating Your GP Data

2. Navigating Your GP Data
Presented by
Victor Desveaux
Ron Groening
Consultant & DBA – please warn me if Ron gives me a look like I’ve said or done something incredibly foolish

3. I SQLed Today! Structured Query Language basic concepts
SQL, with less syntax
Refreshable Excel reports
SQL Server Reporting Service (SSRS) reports
SmartList & SmartView
SmartList Designer & SmartList Builder

4. SQL Basic Concepts Data stored in tables of columns and rows
Data interaction with SQL
SQL queries are useful with a wide range of user capability
Everything else is GUI, including Dynamics GP

5. Querying Basics SELECT statement
FROM and WHERE clauses
Table joins allow you to relate data from multiple tables
SQL views are saved queries
Query a view to further filter the data

6. DEMO – Querying Basics

7. No Direct Access SQL queries are how reports are built
Users should not have direct access to SQL
Users want the data, not the syntax

8. Refreshable Excel reports
Pros
Cons
Excel familiarity; 2003 and up
No GP license required
Security based on AD and GP credentials
Users can modify reports based on the built-in data connection
Strong Excel knowledge required when modifying or creating new data connections & reports
Data exposure risk – files are easy to copy and share
Multiple users

9. DEMO – Top Customers in Excel

10. SSRS Basics Included in Dynamics GP purchase price
Full version of SQL required for out-of-the-box reports
Custom reports can be built in SQL Express with advanced services
Report Builder and Visual Studio for creating reports

11. SSRS Reports Pros Cons Extremely customizable
Accessible outside of intranet
Subscriptions
No GP license required
Complicated reports require exclusive knowledge – Report Builder, advanced SQL queries, programming

12. DEMO – SSRS Reports

13. On-The-Fly Querying in GP
SmartList or third-party alternative, SmartView
Out-of-the-box reports
Customization of fields
Search criteria
Export to Excel
SQL queries without the syntax

14. SmartList SmartView Free querying tool in GP Four search criteria
Column customization
Save queries as Favourites
In most cases, sufficient for finding your data
Third-party tool from eOne
Unlimited criteria
Drag-and-drop columns & grouping
Improved Favourites
Subtotals
Multiple instances
SmartView External

15. DEMO – SmartList vs. SmartView

16. Custom SmartLists SmartList Designer allows custom report building
Create SQL queries using a GUI
Choose tables, fields, table relationships, and filters
Can be based on existing SQL views
SmartList Builder is an alternative tool from eOne
Improved interface & expanded functionality

17. DEMO – Designer & Builder

18. Resources & Recommendations
If you plan on building your own reports
SQL training
Targeted reporting tool training
GP table references, e.g. Victoria Yudin’s site
Pre-made SQL views
Prophet Business Group!

19. Questions ?

20. THANK YOU