Distribution ERP Solutions

Recently on the GPUsersEdge Blog,  Micro Force Senior Solution Architect Ed Nielsen posted a reply to a blog post regarding the benefits of a vertical-specific accounting/ERP solution rather than a customizable horizontal solution like Microsoft Dynamics GP.  Read it here.

For consumer product goods distribution, industrial goods distribution or any other company working in he distribution vertical, a vertical-focused solution might appear worthwhile but a Microsoft Dynamics GP solution would be better, especially if multiple other Microsoft solutions are being used.  The savings in time, capital and workload can be significant when all systems being used are easily integrated.

Distribution operations of all types (CPG, Industrial Goods, Food & Beverage, etc) can consist of multiple entities, each with its own financial reporting responsibilities.  Those entities could be spread out across a small geographic region like the New York Tri-State area or across the whole United States.  And each entity not only has to generate its own financial reports for review and analysis on site but they also have to provide detailed financial reporting to the corporate headquarters as well.

As companies grow and add entities through mergers & acquisitions or just explosive growth, the need to put the proper solutions in place to ensure timely and accurate reporting is paramount.  A solution consisting of Microsoft Dynamics GP with FRx, can eliminate the errors, eradicate the down time and make the financial reporting process effortless.

To learn how Micro Force used its expertise in Dynamics GP and FRx to solve a new CFO’s reporting dilemma, click here to see our latest post at the ERPSoftwareBlog.

With the closing of each month’s accounts payables comes the possibility of unrecorded liabilities in the form of invoices received for a month that has already been closed.  So if you want to be your independent auditor’s best friend, check out the latest post from Micro Force at ERPSoftwareBlog.com and learn how SmartList in Dynamics GP can help to turn your potential nightmares into sweet dreams!

Many distributors have reached our beyond the US borders to expand their business reach.  Part of that strategy, many times, involves the acquisition of companies in various areas of the world as subsidiaries.  And when you ask your international subsidiaries to log into your Dynamics GP solution you want them to be comfortable with the experience, part of which is familiar formats for common data fields like date.  To learn about the simple (but little known fix) that Dynamics GP provides,visit our sister blog and read the first post by Delfina Corona on Multiple Date Formats in Dynamics GP.

While Microsoft Dynamics GP as a stand-alone ERP solution can provide seamless integration of the various accounting, order entry and shipping functions, many distributors are unaware that with solid, well thought out customization Dynamics GP can also integrate more specialized functions. 

One of our clients, a major distributor of prepaid calling cards, came to us with a unique request to create what they described as a ‘custom manufacturing/supply chain’ system whereby the client could initiate an order through an electronic requisition system.  Due to the volume of transactions an automated purchase order generation process was required as was the processing and posting of receipts.  Add into this a pick/pack/ship system being handled by a third-party fulfillment center and culminating with an electronic confirmation being integrated back to the clients Dynamics GP system.

Another wrinkle involved the fact that while the prepaid calling cards were shipped to the various businesses selling them, creating a consignment transaction common in supply chain operations, an invoice would not be generated until a card was activated by the end-user.  Thus, every activation was a transaction that generated an invoice, creating a massive volume of transactions that kept comprehensive invoices from being generated and sent in the existing solution provided by a large, multi-national consulting firm.

Pulling together various elements from the third party partners of both the client and one of our own third party partner, SalesPad, we were able to utilize the flexibility and highly customizable nature of Dynamics GP, SQL Server, SQL Server Integration Services, eConnect and .Net code, allowing us to deliver to our customer a solution that satisfied all of their needs, increased their efficiency and helped to keep operating costs to a minimum.