[description], Story, any other text you want to use.

 by: Andrew Karasev

This article is for intermediate Great Plains Dexterity developer. It describes the directions to phase out Dexterity functionality and replace it with newer technologies.

Microsoft Great Plains and its current programming language Dexterity should still be considered seriously by developers community. However Microsoft Business Solutions announced switching to new technologies, mostly .Net, where all the MBS applications will be arranged into suites (Microsoft Financials, Microsoft Distributions, Microsoft Manufacturing, Microsoft Human Resources) and integrated into so called Microsoft Business Portal. Looking into the future we recommend you to analyze Microsoft Great Plains Dexterity customization for replacement it's portions with Microsoft SQL Server stored procs, Crystal Reports, direct C#/VB.Net web publishing, eConnect

1. Replace Dexterity cursor with SQL Stored Procedure

Dexterity was designed as multiplatform technology (primarily Btrieve, Ctree, SQL Server, potentially Oracle). Dexterity data retrieving mechanism is based on Range start, Range End, Get First and Get Next clauses. It is in fact similar, however a little bit slower to cursors in Transact SQL. Long ranges in Dexterity are good candidates for replacement by SQL stored procedures with update clause.

For example, consider to replace following Dexterity code:

Range clear SOP_HDR_WORK.

Clear 'SOP Type' of table SOP_HDR_WORK.

Clear 'SOP Number' of table SOP_HDR_WORK.

Range start table SOP_HDR_WORK.

Get first table SOP_HDR_WORK.

While errEOF do

If 'Salesperson ID' of table SOP_HDR_WORK = "ERIC" then

Edit table SOP_HDR_WORK.

Set 'Salesperson ID' of table SOP_HDR_WORK to "BILL".

Save table SOP_HDR_WORK.

End if.

Get next table SOP_HDR_WORK.

End while.

With the following SQL code

Update SOP10100 set SLPRSNID="BILL" where SLPRSNID="ERIC"

Bringing new data into a table in Dexterity is based on change/edit table clauses, in SQL they are equivalent (by performance) to inserting one record at the time.

When having long cycle of change/edit table in Dexterity, consider replacement by SQL stored procedure with Insert Into clause.

2. Use Crystal Reports, call them from via VBA in Modified form

The easy way to call Crystal Report from your VBA code from your modified form:

Const RPT = "D:ClientsTheClientInvoice Status.rpt"

Public crwApplication As CRPEAuto.Application

Public crwReport As CRPEAuto.Report

Private Sub Print_BeforeUserChanged(KeepFocus As Boolean, CancelLogic As Boolean)

If SalesTransactionInquiryZoo.Type = "Invoice" Then

If crwApplication Is Nothing Then

Set crwApplication = CreateObject("Crystal.CRPE.Application")

End If

Set crwReport = crwApplication.OpenReport(RPT)

crwReport.ParameterFields(1).SetCurrentValue (DocumentNo)

crwReport.Preview

End If

3. Use Direct .Net Web Publishing from Great Plains Database

The easiest and safest way is to use eConnect - SDK with VB samples, created for eCommerce programmers and web designers to call the functionality in Microsoft Great Plains. If your company can not afford eConnect - create your own set of stored procedures to address Great Plains database and go ahead with Visual Studio.Net to do the web publishing.

Happy upgrading and customizing! if you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

About The Author Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer in Alba Spectrum Technologies – USA nationwide Microsoft CRM, Microsoft Great Plains customization company, based in Chicago, California, Texas, New York, Georgia, Arizona, Minnesota, Washington, Colorado and Florida and having locations in multiple states and internationally (www.albaspectrum.com), he is Dexterity, SQL, C#.Net, Crystal Reports and Microsoft CRM SDK developer. akarasev@albaspectrum.com

Real Time Media On The Net

sattelite tv
cable and wireless
radio live
jet set radio
direct cable
streaming audio
streaming media services
widescreen hdtv
free dish network
free tv
online tv
internet audio shows
p2p
dish
christian radio

Main Menu
Real Time Media On The Net
Site Map

News for 21-Aug-25

Source: BBC News - Home
Ken Matheson: Former British Cycling coach says 'culture of fear' exists

Source: BBC News - Home
Africa's top shots: 16-22 December 2016

Source: BBC News - Home
Sri Lankan court acquits five men in Tamil MP murder trial

Source: BBC News - Home
Donald Trump gets 'very nice letter from Vladimir Putin'

Source: BBC News - Home
British astronaut Piers Sellers dies

Source: BBC News - Home
Syrian girl with severe burns gets life-changing surgery

Source: BBC News - Home
David Moyes: Manchester United's great traditions have gone says Sunderland boss

Source: BBC News - Home
The technology of touch

Source: BBC News - Home
Libya Malta hijack: Hijackers arrested as drama ends peacefully

Source: BBC News - Home
Crash survivor: 'I put my seatbelt on'