We need to create a text or excel file that can be easily imported
into the Great Plains Dynamics software package.  It is a large
package that provides all kinds of software infrastructure.  We need
to import data to the General Ledger.

We will be creating a file to import into the system, and we need to
know what the acceptable formats are.  The fields we want to include
are (at minimum): cost, date, and charge code.

Can Dynamics accept just a CSV file with 3 columns?  An excel file? 
What other fields do we need?

If you need more information please let me know.
See www.greatplains.com
or search groups.google for "import great plains" for starters.

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Request for Question Clarification by websearcher-ga on 16 Dec 2002 09:35 PST

Hi npg:

Thanks for the question. 

I did some looking into this for you and spoke to some people from
Microsoft (who now own Great Plains).

Basically, the information they gave me is that if your version of
Dynamics is Windows-based, then you will be able to import Excel files
directly into it. However, if you have an earlier version, you may
need to buy an add-on to do what you are proposing.

"Integration Manager" and "Integration Assistant for Excel" are both
products that can be used to help with this sort of task.
 
eEnterprise - Customization & Integration  
http://www.2020software.com/products/eEnterprise_Customization___Integration_Series.htm

Most sites that I found strongly suggested that you not try to
programatically convert your data directly into Dynamics tables.
Apparently, that way is fraught with peril. :-)

If you can provide me with some more information about your Dynamics
system and a clearer idea of exactly what you are looking for in an
answer, I will attempt to complete my response to you.

Thanks!

websearcher-ga

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Clarification of Question by npg-ga on 16 Dec 2002 10:54 PST

Thanks for that initial work.  We do have a windows-based version; it
is Dynamics 6.  That version includes the Integration Manager.  So, it
sounds like we can import directly from Excel.  The question is, how?

We would like to import data into the "Payables" category.  That is,
import a list that specifies how much is owed, what cost code it is
charged against, who the vendor is, and the date of the charge.

I'm looking for:
 -  a description of what commands in Dynamics will allow me to run
the import.
- how to setup the import parameters, if any
- How to specify the mapping of the import file to the Dynamics
database, if possible
- the format within Excel that is accepted by Dynamics for an import

Please let me know if you have other questions - I am happy to
continue providing more detail.

Hi npg:

Thanks for the clarification. Unfortunately, I was unable to find the
answer to your more specific questions. Since I do not have ready
access to Dynamics and Integration Manager, I will have to let another
one of our excellent Researchers complete this question for you.

Good luck!

websearcher-ga