Why your business should be exploring Microsoft Dynamics GP web services for integration

When you hear "integrated with Microsoft Dynamics GP", you expect a smooth and automated experience. But not all integrations are created equal.

There are four main ways to get information into Dynamics GP: enter it manually, import a flat file, invest in programmers for eConnect/BizTalk, or use an automated web services integration.

Manual integration speaks for itself. There's a real person manually keying data into Dynamics GP, with all the potential for human error, endless man-hours and mountains of paperwork that entails. There was a time when this was the only way for other systems to "communicate" with GP. Fortunately, it was a long time ago!

Flat file integration allows you to upload a specifically-formatted file into Dynamics GP. This means fewer hours spent entering data, less human error and much more accurate information transfer. The majority of Dynamics GP integrated applications use a flat file for data transfer, but it still means manually configuring the source system to send information to GP intelligently (and sometimes not so intelligently as configuration errors can result).

Things are somewhat easier with flat files without all the manual data entry, but the process can be even better. eConnect/BizTalk is often used to bring automation to the integration of internal systems with GP. It works but a lot of IT and programming resources might be needed to make it happen.

For today's Dynamics GP integration requirements, you would be wise to look for a way to utilize GP web services. Here's how it works: Web Services for Microsoft Dynamics GP allows cloud-based systems to talk directly to specific areas of Dynamics GP via an open standard and instantly exchange information. It's two-way, it's ...