Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client Bolsters Dexterity, Silverlight, Updated Architecture

Microsoft demonstrated their latest "work in progress" version of the Dynamics GP '12' (soon to be officially recognized as Dynamics GP 2013) web client this weekend to Dynamics GP partners.  While some version of the web client will be available at launch time, it will reportedly begin with limited features and gain more capabilities thorugh iterative service updates as features get through testing and are finalized. 

The new web client is a key piece - many critics call it a long overdue piece - of Microsoft's goal to position GP for both partners and customers as a more competitive and flexible accounting and ERP solution for the SMB market, with more hosting options (still driven by the channel, Microsoft stresses), more deployment options, and a simplified pricing and licensing approach.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client Home Page (click for full size)

Dexterity revitalized, with help  from Silverlight

The new web client uses Silverlight for its display, including 3 brand new Silverlight components, customized versions of over 20 more, and over 20 other standard ones.  Behind the scenes, GP continues to use Dexterity for the business logic. Some basic requirements include Internet Explorer 8 or 9, Silverlight 5, and Windows 7.  To use Excel-based reports, Excel on the desktop is still required, but the Word Viewer can be used for Word docs coming from GP.

"Dexterity is still a main player for developers and customers," says Dynamics GP product manager Pam Misialek.   This is good ...