DynamicPoint Blog
Is a Web Client a Portal?
No more Portal, use the web client
In response to Microsoft discontinuing support for the Dynamics GP Portal and more recently, the Dynamics AX Enterprise Portal, I have seen many questions posed on “so what is the replacement?” It seems most times a blogger will respond with “a web client is now available so there is no need for a portal.” While I find some peace in the simplicity and finality of that answer, I am afraid that I don’t 100% agree with it.
Can you imagine saying to a customer or a vendor, “Here is your login to Dynamics?”
While the addition of a web client in all of the Dynamics products has been a significant advancement, I don’t believe it precludes the need for a portal. On the various portal projects we have worked on at DynamicPoint, I have never heard someone say, “Can you make it look just like this screen in Dynamics?” Well actually, in all honesty I may have heard it once or twice but it was very infrequent and I can assure you this conversation was quickly shut down. First, recreating a Dynamics transaction screen in another application (such as a web client) has always been against Microsoft licensing terms and is considered multiplexing. Second, customers do not want the complexity of a web enabled recreation of a Microsoft Dynamics transaction/screen published to their portal. They want to foster a simplified user experience for the customer/vendor in comparison to an internal employees interaction with the ERP..
What, you don’t know how to enter a sales order?
Why can’t it be as easy as publishing the web client to a customer’s extranet site? Well if you think about it for a while, the answer is pretty simple. Microsoft Dynamics is an ERP application that is designed around the needs of the internal organization, aka, the “users” of the application. In a customer or vendor portal application the users are entirely different. Can you imagine giving your customer access to your sale order entry screen and saying “have at it”? Or better yet, granting your vendors permission to access the Purchase Order you created for them? The reason this makes no sense is that you want new functionality for them, something that is different from what is available for ERP users.
The practical alternative
To illustrate these differences let’s look at some examples. A vendor logging into your PO transaction screen and having at it of course will never do. But a vendor authenticating to a portal, viewing or printing a filtered list of Purchase Orders that are applicable to them, maybe updating an acknowledgement or expected ship date, does sound like a decent process. On the customer side, the Sale Order screen is complicated enough that outside of your order fulfillment team it is a mess of information that sends eyes rolling back in heads. But the idea of giving a customer a streamlined order request screen that is routed for review and upon approval creates a quote in Dynamics sounds a little more feasible. Maybe combine these scenarios with some document sharing, reporting, self-service, etc. and you’ve got yourself a real SharePoint Customer Portal.
So please bloggers, don’t confuse the two. Of course if you have any further questions about SharePoint Portals for Dynamics we are always happy to help clarify here at DynamicPoint.
Also, don’t forget to to register for our FREE Customer Portal Webinar on 11/08/2017 @ 11am PST
By DynamicPoint | SharePoint Purchase, Invoice, Expense & Portal applications built exclusively for Dynamics ERP & CRM Solutions.
844.396.7646
www.dynamicpoint.com
How SharePoint Portals Contribute to Digital Transformation
Digital Transformation involves leveraging the tools and technology that we use every day in different and unique ways to better serve our customers. An example can be seen in our development of SharePoint Portals for Microsoft Dynamics CRM (now Microsoft Dynamics 365) & ERP. Companies use SharePoint every day to collaborate with other employees, often manually publishing information that was obtained from their ERP system. We took this simple idea, expanded the community to include customers and/or vendors, and automated the integration with Dynamics.
Repetitive and mundane customer service tasks such as resending a customer invoice, statement or order status can be eliminated by offering this information via a SharePoint portal. One particular client took this a step further and published all their customers’ tax reports so that they were available to the client without the need to manually generate and email them. This efficiency can also be applied to vendor relations including such processes as invoicing and payment, product design and project management.
- Issue Statements. If you are challenged by supplying customers’ statements which pull key finance resources off more pressing tasks at the end of each month, extend secure portal access to customers so they can access and print statements online, on demand.
- Reprinting of Invoices. The all too common task of contacting the finance department to confirm open invoices can stop with the extension of 24/7 access to open invoices and a historical payment record. Curb the calls to finance, stop the flood of emails and allow customers to access and even print open invoices!
- Purchase Order Updates. Vendor emails swirling with revised “Promised Delivery Date” and actual “Ship Dates”? Allow vendors secure access to open purchase orders and allow them to update the PO with actuals and shipping information that flows directly back to Dynamics to ensure all parties have access to the most current information.
The seamless two-way integration between your existing Microsoft Dynamics CRM and ERP information and a secure and customizable SharePoint portal gives customers and vendors more effective, accurate, profitable and FASTER customer service experiences. Your business will appreciate the savings in time and resources as you move repetitive customer service inquiries online rather than handling them on the phone or by email. Additionally, not only do customers and vendors demand 24/7 access, they appreciate it and you can anticipate increased customer satisfaction.
This is just one of the ways that digital transformation can benefit your business processes. For many more examples, download the white paper: What the Heck is Digital Transformation and What Does it Mean for Your Business?
Do you have other ideas on how a Portal can transform your business? If so, contact us to further discuss your automation efforts for Customer, Vendor or Employee Portal.
By DynamicPoint | SharePoint Purchase, Invoice, Expense & Portal applications built exclusively for Dynamics ERP & CRM Solutions.
844.396.7646
Customer Portal Exposes Microsoft Dynamics ERP Service Modules
The service modules within Microsoft Dynamics offer a compelling case for extending critical information to a SharePoint Portal. Within the administration of servicing customers there are typically many touch points not only with the customer but also with internal employees and potentially vendors that lead to the ultimate fulfillment of an order therefore ensure all parties have 24/7 access to all pertinent information.
On the service contract and order side some typical examples are as follows:
- Expiration and renewal dates – Share these dates with customers such that they can manage their contracts and renew in a timely fashion
- Invoicing and Payment – Show invoices and corresponding payments for service contracts
- Next Planned Service Date – Manage your service appointments and ensure resources are allocated
- Status and Priorities – Allocate workload to ensure your most critical service orders are addressed first –
- Response Time – Establish metrics on the performance of your team and associated customer satisfaction
These are just a few examples of the benefits of a 24/7 self-service portal which exposes and syncs data seamlessly with Microsoft Dynamics 365, AX, GP & NAV. Did we miss something? If so let us know how we can further your automation efforts with a Customer, Vendor or Employee Portal.
By Mike Marcin, DynamicPoint
SharePoint Purchase, Invoice, Expense & Portal applications built exclusively for Dynamics ERP & CRM Solutions.
Enable Customers to Update Their Own Profile
Often times the person that has the most interest in ensuring their contact record is accurate in Microsoft Dynamics is the actual customer themselves. Such information is used to deliver valuable goods and services, and any inaccuracy can lead to delays that can cause drastic issues in the supply chain. This is why at DynamicPoint we often hear the request to add profile maintenance capability to customer portals.
The Process
The most typical process for this functionality is for the customer to be presented with their profile information as defined on the contact record directly in Dynamics. They have the ability to update fields as they see fit, with any validation being applied to ensure their entries are accurate. When these changes are submitted they can be directly integrated with Dynamics or instead generate a workflow for review. Upon approval, the contact record is then updated in Dynamics. Typically this is also accompanied by email notifications to the customer and those reviewing the changes.
The Benefit
By enabling customers to verify and update their own information, you are not only improving the accuracy of their contact record, but you are saving your organization the time and resources to make these updates. Not to mention the primary reason of improved customer service by ensuring your goods and services are being delivered to the correct person at the proper address.
By Mike Marcin, DynamicPoint
SharePoint Purchase, Invoice, Expense & Portal applications built exclusively for Dynamics ERP & CRM Solutions.
DynamicPoint Extends SharePoint Portal Integrations
Dynamics 365, AX and CRM added to the list of supported applications
2017 – DynamicPoint Inc., a developer of Microsoft SharePoint applications that extend the functionality of Microsoft Dynamics, released version 2.0 of its SharePoint Customer, Vendor and Employee Portal applications. This release is a significant milestone as it includes the full transition to a SharePoint Add-In that will deploy to either SharePoint Office 365 or On Premise and also extends the compatibility of the product to include Dynamics 365, AX and CRM.
“The product design is quite unique because it supports all Dynamics objects that are able to be exposed using web services”, states Kiril Genov, the product architect. This flexibility supports the publishing of virtually any information from Dynamics 365, AX, GP, NAV and CRM to a SharePoint Portal. Typical portal use cases allow organizations to share sales orders with customers, purchase orders with vendors, or HR information with employees, all available with basic configuration. These endless options are best encapsulated by insight from Kellie Cooper, an Implementation Consultant at DynamicPoint, “our customers appreciate the flexibility in extending an endless amount of mission critical data from Dynamics to the Portal for 24/7 self-service access. For an even bigger win we can layer in the option for site visitors to make edits that are flowed directly back into Dynamics further reducing customer support costs and delivering a tremendous lift in customer satisfaction.”
With this new release comes an updated pricing model that encourages customers to extend as much information as they desire with customers, vendors and employees. For example, if a customer is already collaborating on jobs with clients and wants to offer insight to inventory levels, this addition comes with no impact to the SharePoint Portal product licensing fees.
About DynamicPoint:
DynamicPoint develops products that leverage the Microsoft SharePoint platform to integrate and enhance return on investment in Microsoft Dynamics ERP and Microsoft Dynamics CRM systems. In addition to cost effective, out-of-the-box products for portals, employee expense, requisition management and invoice automation, DynamicPoint also offers organizations the ability to customize a fully integrated solution to meet unique business requirements. The company’s mission is to help customers maximize productivity, improve access to information, enhance communication and collaboration inside and outside the office, and to provide additional revenue opportunities within their marketplace.
Learn more about DynamicPoint: https://www.dynamicpoint.com
Press Contact:
Tiffany Allen
Senior Sales Account Executive
DynamicPoint
info@dynamicpiont.com
844.396.7646
Dynamics GP Analytical Accounting Users – Must Read
In an effort to provide maximum productivity for Dynamics GP the DynamicPoint’s SharePoint Business Automation applications integrate seamlessly with the Analytical Accounting module. Our applications enable AA codes to be queried directly from Dynamics GP and either be selected or defaulted on the SharePoint Expense, Requisition and Invoice forms. Transactions can then be approved and integrated into the Dynamics GP GL line distributions, capturing all the accurate analytical accounting codes. Plus you have the ability to split an expense or allocate a portion of a particular line item to multiple AA codes. Additionally, the application can be configured to associate relationships and/or restrictions specific to AA codes. For example, maybe only a certain subset of AA codes should be available to a given department or expense type. Watch this short video to see how easily AA codes can be assigned to an expense, requisition or invoice.
By Mike Marcin, DynamicPoint
SharePoint Purchase, Invoice, Expense & Portal applications built exclusively for Dynamics GP & NAV.
Tired of Reprinting Invoices? Sending Statements? Distributing Reports?
Are the repetitive, mundane customer service tasks bogging down your team?
DynamicPoint’s SharePoint Portals for Dynamics CRM & ERP solutions are proving invaluable in streamlining customer and vendor communications with 24/7 self-service access. Not only have people come to expect immediate access to their information but a portal will contribute to bottom line savings while allowing employees to spend less time on the phone or email dealing with these typical, repetitive customer service requests.
Typical Portal Use Cases:
- Issue Statements. Summit Fertilizer was challenged by supplying customer’s statements which pulled key finance resources off more pressing tasks at the end of each month. They now extend secure portal access to each of their customers so they may access and print statements online, on demand.
- Reprinting of Invoices. The all too common task of contacting the finance department to confirm open invoices can stop with the extension of 24/7 access to open invoices and a historical payment record. Curb the calls to finance, stop the flood of emails and allow your customers to access and even print open invoices!
- Report Distribution. You have leveraged Business Analysts time and again to develop the reports needed to track customer activities but why not share them! That option now exists because DynamicPoint’s seamless integration between your existing Microsoft Dynamics ERP information and the SharePoint portal uses web services to allow for, in the case of Summit Fertilizers, the publication of Dynamics reports delivering immediate access to Dynamics NAV reports for a more effective and profitable customer service experience.
Plus, there is zero disconnect! Our portals present an extension of your organization as you are able to brand the portal to your current look and feel with logo’s, color schemes and web parts populating the appropriate management staff per organization. Putting Summit Fertilizer back in the spotlight here allows us to highlight how easily you are able to extend your corporate branding from your website to a secure Customer or Vendor Portal.
Portal Branding
Make sure you check out our Portals video gallery and feel free to contact us if you have any questions!
By Mike Marcin, DynamicPoint
SharePoint Purchase, Invoice, Expense & Portal applications built exclusively for Dynamics ERP & CRM Solutions.
Automate Corporate Credit Card Expense Reimbursement
When your organization has a huge portion of its employees on the road with a corporate credit card, you most likely find it difficult, and at times impossible, to keep track of all of the expenses being racked up and who is adhering to corporate spending policies. We don’t want your AP department to stay buried in the mountains of credit card statements and validation of those expenses so DynamicPoint’s SharePoint Expense Management Solution is here to help! Our application automates the full expense management and reimbursement funnel including the creation, review, and payment of employee expense reimbursement requests. And most importantly, it seamlessly integrates corporate credit transactions by employees into the expense management application for ease in coding and including receipts.
DynamicPoint automates the pickup of your corporate credit statements, parses the report by employee, maps expense types by merchant category codes (if applicable) and alerts employees to credit card transactions that need to be coded. Here is a short video that shows exactly what that process looks like:
When the report is routed for approval the reviewing managers will be provided with a holistic view of an employee’s expenses, including credit card as well as out of pocket expenditures. When the report is approved and integrated with Dynamics these transactions can be created as a payable against the credit card provider or as a journal entry to a credit card clearing account.
DynamicPoint’s SharePoint Expense Management Solution helps your organization steer clear of those fiscal cliffs by providing the visibility you’re AP departments need to keep credit card expenses streamlined and accurate.
By Mike Marcin, DynamicPoint
SharePoint Purchase, Invoice, Expense & Portal applications built exclusively for Dynamics GP & NAV.
Using Power BI to Create Reports from DynamicPoint Data
Microsoft Power BI can be used to easily create and share reports and dashboards on the information that resides within DynamicPoint applications. This includes all of our products, specifically Expense, Requisition and Invoice Management as well as our Customer and Vendor portals. These analytics can then be shared in Power BI on Office 365 or published back to SharePoint such that they can be viewed directly within the site. This is yet another reason why creating our applications on the SharePoint framework provides our customers with so much flexibility and extensibility in using complementary Microsoft product offerings.
By Mike Marcin, DynamicPoint
SharePoint Purchase, Invoice, Expense & Portal applications built exclusively for Dynamics ERP & CRM Solutions
Automatically Calculate Canadian Tax for Employee Expense Reimbursement
Canadian tax can make automating employee expense reimbursements complicated, but it does not have to be! Our application allows your organization to configure how GST, PST, QST and/or HST tax will be calculated to ensure you take full advantage of the available Canadian tax credits. The flexible nature of our SharePoint Expense Management application allows for the automatic calculation of the applicable taxes based on a total expense amount being entered. If a variation to the default percentage needs to be taken into account, you may configure the application to allow the user or reviewers to edit the tax amount.
In addition to the tax data collection during the creation of the expense report, tax amounts will also be recorded to specific GL accounts. Therefore upon approval of the expense report the tax entries are recorded to the proper GL accounts as well as the employee being reimbursed.
Watch this short 3 minute video to see how easily an employee can create an employee expense report notating the various Canadian taxes along with the integration to Dynamics GP and NAV.
By Mike Marcin, DynamicPoint – SharePoint Purchase, Invoice, Expense & Portal applications built exclusively for Dynamics GP & NAV.
Why Customer’s Love DynamicPoint
