Course 8505: Three days; Instructor-led

Introduction

The three-day Microsoft Dynamics GP Installation and Configuration course develops your understanding of technologies and techniques that are necessary to successfully install Microsoft Dynamics GP. By covering the basics of installation, setup, and advanced topics such as optimization and troubleshooting, this course builds your confidence and minimizes the installation time for your customers. Microsoft SQL Server is discussed as it specifically applies to the optimization of Microsoft Dynamics GP. The course covers the installation of Microsoft Dynamics GP and the installation of the related products that are listed in the agenda. This course does not discuss the setup and use of the application because these topics are covered by other classes that are offered by Microsoft Training.

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Audience

Microsoft Dynamics GP Installation and Configuration training is recommended for people who plan to install, implement, configure, consult, or support Microsoft Dynamics GP. The class is targeted toward administrators, implementers, developers, and consultants who need to understand the technical aspects of Microsoft Dynamics GP. The course is not intended for non-technical staff.

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At Course Completion

After you complete this course, students should be able to do the following:

•	Identify the architecture of Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Identify the hardware requirements for Microsoft SQL Server in a Microsoft Dynamics GP environment
•	Install the MSDE version of Microsoft SQL Server as it relates to Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Create a Data Source Name (DSN) for Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Identify the correct settings for an ODBC source for Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Install Microsoft Dynamics GP in a client and server environment
•	Identify account framework parameters
•	Create additional companies
•	Install Microsoft Dynamics GP on a client workstation
•	Identify the different hardware and software requirements for a Microsoft Dynamics GP client
•	Identify how to create an installation package for a client installation
•	Identify service packs and automatic updates
•	Identify the relationship of the Microsoft Dynamics GP series
•	Create users and grant user access in Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Register Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Set up security and classes in Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Track user activity in Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Identify components and files that were installed by Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Identify the features of Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Configure database options
•	Set up a database maintenance plan
•	Perform SQL maintenance
•	Define the settings for optimizing Microsoft Dynamics GP performance
•	Identify System Monitor counters that are used in optimizing performance
•	Setup and configure Process Server
•	Identify settings of Process Server
•	Install FRx for Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Identify the characteristics of Microsoft FRx
•	Define the characteristics of Report Scheduler
•	Configure Report Scheduler
•	Identify the characteristics of Microsoft SQL Server Profiler
•	Create a dexsql.log file
•	Troubleshoot Microsoft Dynamics GP

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Prerequisites

Before students attend this course, they must have:

•	A working knowledge of Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, or Windows XP, and SQL Server 2000.

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Microsoft Certification exams

No Microsoft Certification exams are currently associated with this course.

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Course Materials

The student materials include a comprehensive workbook and other necessary items for this class.

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Course Outline

Chapter 1: Microsoft SQL Server Install

This chapter examines the key issues with installing Microsoft SQL Server. An installation is not performed in class, but important installation decisions are discussed.

Main Topics

•	Overview of Microsoft SQL installation
•	System requirements for Microsoft Dynamics GP on Microsoft SQL Server
•	Installation of Microsoft SQL Server 2000

After you complete this chapter, students should be able to do the following:

•	Install Microsoft SQL Server
•	Identify hardware requirements for Microsoft SQL Server for use with Microsoft Dynamics GP

Chapter 2: Microsoft SQL Server Install MSDE

This chapter discusses how to install the MSDE version of SQL for use with Microsoft Dynamics GP. In addition, several common command line tools are reviewed.

Main Topics

•	MSDE System Requirements
•	MSDE Installation
•	MSDE Configuration Tools

After you complete this chapter, students should be able to do the following:

•	Install the MSDE version of Microsoft SQL Server for use with Microsoft Dynamics GP

Chapter 3: ODBC Setup

Microsoft Dynamics GP requires an ODBC connection to the Microsoft SQL Server to access data. This chapter focuses on the specific settings for creating a data source name.

Lessons

•	Setting up ODBC

After you complete this chapter, students should be able to do the following:

•	Create a Data Source Name (DSN) for Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Identify the correct settings for an ODBC source for Microsoft Dynamics GP

Chapter 4: Microsoft Dynamics GP Data Server Installation

This chapter examines the process of installing Microsoft Dynamics GP on Microsoft SQL Server. This includes examining each installation screen and looking at the various options to select during the installation.

Main Topics

•	Server Installation

After you complete this chapter, students should be able to do the following:

•	Install Microsoft Dynamics GP in a Client/Server environment

Chapter 5: Microsoft Dynamics GP Utilities

This chapter examines how to set up your Microsoft Dynamics GP databases, account framework, additional sorting options, and how to create a client template. The chapter focuses on the steps that you perform immediately after you install the Microsoft Dynamics GP program files.

Main Topics

•	Microsoft Dynamics GP Utilities
•	Dynamics database initialization
•	Account framework setup
•	Setting system options
•	Additional tasks
•	Initializing the sample company
•	Creating additional companies
•	Register Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Removing SOP and invoicing message
•	Starting Dynamics GP from the Utilities window
•	Troubleshooting

After you complete this chapter, students should be able to do the following:

•	Identify account framework parameters
•	Initialize the sample company
•	Create additional companies

Chapter 6: Microsoft Dynamics GP Client Installation

This chapter guides you through the various processes of how to install Microsoft Dynamics GP on a client workstation. Hardware and software requirements are examined as well as the ability to install the client from a template.

Main Topics

•	Microsoft Dynamics GP client requirements
•	Installing the application on subsequent client workstations
•	Microsoft Dynamics GP client installation package

After you complete this chapter, students should be able to do the following:

•	Install Microsoft Dynamics GP on a client workstation
•	Identify the hardware and software requirements for a client workstation

Chapter 7: Microsoft Dynamics GP Service Packs and Updates

This chapter identifies how to automate the process of applying updates to the Microsoft Dynamics GP application. Specifically, how to apply service packs and create automatic updates so all client computers receive the same updates.

Main Topics

•	Service packs
•	Automatic updates

After you complete this chapter, students should be able to do the following:

•	Identify where to go to find the latest available service pack
•	Identify the benefits of using automatic updates

Chapter 8: Microsoft Dynamics GP System Manager

This chapter examines the System Manager components of Microsoft Dynamics GP. Specifically, it examines how to create users, security, classes, and companies. In addition, this chapter examines several standard reports that are included with Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Main Topics

•	The Microsoft Dynamics GP series
•	System and company setup
•	System password setup
•	User classes
•	User setup
•	User access
•	Advanced Security Setup
•	Security setup
•	User activity
•	User preferences
•	Registration
•	System reports
•	Company setup procedures
•	Create company
•	Company information
•	Internet information
•	Company reports

Lab

•	Test your skills for creating users, classes, and company access

After you complete this chapter, students should be able to do the following:

•	Identify the relationship of the Microsoft Dynamics GP series
•	Create users and grant user access in Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Setup security and classes in Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Track user activity in Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Register Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Setup company information in Microsoft Dynamics GP

Chapter 9: Microsoft Dynamics GP Components

This chapter discusses the files that are installed during the installation of Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Main Topics

•	Installation components and files
•	Where to store dictionaries

After you complete this chapter, students should be able to do the following:

•	Identify components and files that are installed by Microsoft Dynamics GP

Chapter 10: Microsoft Dynamics GP Features

This chapter describes a batch recovery process, and examines how identity columns and stored procedures are used in Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Main Topics

•	Batch recovery process
•	Identity columns
•	Stored procedures

After you complete this chapter, students should be able to do the following:

•	Identify the features of Microsoft Dynamics GP

Lab

•	Test your skills working with Query Analyzer, and creating logon accounts

Chapter 11: Post Installation Administration

This chapter examines the database options that you need to set for your Microsoft Dynamics GP databases. It also discusses maintenance of Microsoft Dynamics GP databases. Additionally, it identifies database backup procedures. To complete the chapter, you will set up a database maintenance plan.

Main Topics

•	Database options
•	Database backup procedures
•	Microsoft Dynamics GP SQL maintenance
•	SQL database maintenance
•	Using the Database Maintenance Wizard
•	Microsoft Dynamics GP data recovery procedures
•	Backup procedures within Microsoft Dynamics GP

After you complete this chapter, students should be able to do the following:

•	Configure database options
•	Set up a database maintenance plan
•	Perform SQL maintenance

Chapter 12: Optimizing Performance

This chapter discusses how to optimize your Windows Server system. Specifically, it examines settings for memory, CPU, network, and the disk subsystem through System Monitor.

Main Topics

•	Windows Server operating system configuration
•	Windows Server operating system bottleneck analysis
•	Strategies for testing and tuning servers
•	SQL Server configuration
•	Methods of optimizing a SQL relation database
•	Analyzing less than optimal performance
•	Monitoring SQL Server with System Monitor
•	Optimization summary

After you complete this chapter, students should be able to do the following:

•	Define the settings for optimizing Microsoft Dynamics GP performance
•	Identify System Monitor counters that are used in optimizing performance

Chapter 13: Process Server

This chapter covers the basics of setting up Process Server. Terms are defined as well as the components of Process Server. During the chapter, you define tasks that you can run remotely, and you learn how to define which servers will run remote tasks. As a member of a team, you create an environment to process Checklinks remotely.

Main Topics

•	Overview of Process Server
•	The DPS and DPM environment
•	Process Server setup
•	Designating the output report location
•	Process monitor
•	Process Server inquiry
•	Process Server reporting
•	Review of setup and execution

Lab

•	Using a partner in class, setup Process Server to remotely process Checklinks on other's computers

After you complete this chapter, students should be able to do the following:

•	Setup and configure Process Server
•	Identify settings of Process Server

Chapter 14: Microsoft FRx Installation

This chapter examines how to install the FRx application. However, it does not delve into the inner workings of extracting financial information. Included in this chapter is information about how to configure databases for use with FRx and how to define the folder structure for reports.

Main Topics

•	Installation considerations
•	Pre-install: running SQL scripts for FRx
•	Create a shared folder on server
•	Running SQL Scripts for FRx
•	Installing FRx on the first workstation
•	Changing data paths and FRx registration
•	Setting up company information
•	Adding additional FRx workstations
•	FRx troubleshooting techniques and tips

After you complete this chapter, students should be able to do the following:

•	Install FRx for Microsoft Dynamics GP
•	Identify the characteristics of FRx

Chapter 15: Report Scheduler

This chapter discusses how to set up the Report Scheduler option.

Main Topics

•	Report Scheduler

After you complete this chapter, students should be able to do the following:

•	Define the characteristics of Report Scheduler
•	Configure Report Scheduler

Chapter 16: Troubleshooting

This chapter discusses the method for troubleshooting Microsoft Dynamics GP. Then, you will examine several tools that are used in troubleshooting, and you will troubleshoot ten different scenarios.

Main Topics

•	Identifying the problem and finding its source
•	Tools and sources
•	Problem solving using SQL Server Profiler
•	Problem solving using the dexsql.log file
•	Troubleshooting scenarios