Installing the GP 2013 Web Client–roll up your sleeves!

On Monday, I went to the Jump Start training class where we learned about the new Web Client for 2013. In the afternoon, we actually installed the client. This post consolidates the 20 page installation process into 13 easy steps.

Before you get started, you need adequate hardware.

Server Requirements

• Windows Server 2008R2 – 64 bit only (Server 2008 is not good enough)
• All machines (including clients) must have valid certificates (SSL)
• You need a Web Server that is IIS enabled (does not need to be on any other machine that the web server)
• RAM – 16 G
• CPU – TBD
• NICs – TBD

Network Requirements

• Open Ports for inter-machine services communication
• Windows Firewall exceptions [Installer should open the required ports]
• Router changes for external traffic into DMZ
• DNS changes to support internal and external name resolution (so, you need two)

Client Requirements

• Internet Explorer 8 or 9, 32 bit or 64 bit
• Silverlight plugin installed
• Windows 7 or higher. No to XP, don’t know about VISTA. But, be reasonable, who’s running Vista?
• Office 2007 or better
• Changes are needed to the Registry so that the Silverlight App to interact with the file system. (It needs to make a command and execute shell call)

Now that you have your equipment in place, let’s install the Web Client.

Installing the Dynamics GP 2013 web client 

1. Install Dynamics

• Run the same setup file as if you were installing the rich client.
• When you get to the features window scroll down and mark the Web Client Runtime feature
• Go through the normal installation process, launch utilities to synchronize the dictionary, and then open Fabrikam. Close Dynamics after verifying that you can log in successfully.

2. Create a New Digital Certificate Template

• You need a new one because the default template doesn’t allow you to export private keys

3. Issue the new Template you just created

• You need to issue the template so new certificates can make use of it.

4. Generate a certificate from the new template

5. Export the Server Certificate you just generated

• Once you have created the certificate, you need to export it to a file that can then be copied to each member server that needs the certificate installed.

6. Import the Server Certificate that you just exported.

• The IIS site(s) where the Web Client and Web Management Console will be installed need to have an SSL certificate binding
  
• Import the certificate created by Active Directory Certification Services

7. Create an IIS web site for the GP 2013 Web Client

• The GP 2013 Web Client resides on a web site in IIS. You need to manually create this site before you can install the Web Client

8. Register .NET Framework 4.0 to the new IIS site

9. Create SSL Binding on GBWEB IIS Site

• Now, you need to use the digital certificate you imported to bind an SSL port to the GPWEB site in IIS Manager

10. Create Domain Users and Groups

• Even though you may be logging in to the server using a domain administrator account, you will want to create service accounts that run the Web Application Pools. Windows Service accounts should NOT be administrator accounts.

11. Install Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client Components

• Use the same installation media as you do to install the full workstation client. You have already installed the full workstation client, therefore, this step will involve adding the Web Client Components to the existing client.
  
• Click on the same setup.exe file you use for the full desktop client.
  
• Chose to install the Web Client from the list of Additional Products.
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• Select the Custom installation option


• Leave all of the features selected and accept the default installation path.


• Enter the Domain Group(s) that you created to access the Web Client and the Web Management Console


• Accept the default settings on the GP Configuration window


• Click the drop-down next to the Web Site and choose the web sit you created for the web client installation.


• Enter the domain account that was created for the identity of the web client web site


• Enter the name of the SQL Server where the Web Management Console database will be created.


• In the Web Management Cole Database window, provide the connection information to the database for the web management console; accept the default database name.


• In the Session Central Service window, provide the configuration information for the Session Central Service.


• In the Session Service window, provide the configuration information for the Session Service.


• In the Runtime Service URL window, provide the information for accessing the Runtime Service.


• Finally! Click the Install button to install the Web Client components. Exit when the installation completes.

12. Open your browser

13. Go to the URL of your Web client, and then log in.

Be amazed at the new GP 2013 Web Client!

• 

Piece of cake! (Eeek!)

 

Until next post!

 

Leslie

The Fix is In! Bring back your SmartList Reminders.

The problem with SmartList Reminders crashing GP has been fixed! I initially described the problem brought about by GP 2010 SP 3:

SP 3 will Crash GP

Microsoft has just released HotFix KB2731285 to correct this issue. You can download the fix at:

https://community.dynamics.com/product/gp/gptechnical/b/dynamicsgp/archive/2012/09/07/the-smartlist-builder-reminders-fix-is-now-available.aspx

Application of this HotFix does not change the build number of Dynamics GP, SmartList, or SmartList Builder. To install the HotFix,

1. Extract the .zip file


2. Copy the SLBldr.cnk file and paste in into the application folder for Dynamics GP. The default is %path%\Microsoft Dynamics\GP2010.


3. Launch Microsoft Dynamics GP.


4. Click YES if prompted to install new code.


5. Repeat steps 2-4 at all client workstations.

Many thanks to Nicole Albertson at Microsoft for staying on top of this and letting me know when the problem was resolved. You’re a Rock star, Nicole! Until next post

Leslie

Restarting a File Transfer

Today I started several file transfers and then I needed to suspend them and take my computer away. I turned off my computer and off I went.

When I returned, I wanted to resume the file transfers. Hmm, how do you re-start the transfer manager?

I tried downloading a few files hoping the transfer manager would open and then I could just resume from there. But, alas, that did not work.

After flailing around a little bit, I discovered the answer.
To restart the transfer manager, execute this:

%windir%\Downloaded Program Files\TransferMgr.exe

Works like a champ!

Until next post!
Leslie

Dexterity Basics class is scheduled for October 8th–12th 2012

Come to beautiful Orlando and spend 5 days in the plush training center of Integrated Business Group (IBG). IBG is a Certified partner for Learning Resources and have the best classrooms I have ever seen. Comfortable chairs and lots of room to spread out!

The Dexterity basics class takes you from opening the book for the first time to creating a small integrating application with Dynamics GP.

It’s that time of year for another fun-filled week immersed in the world of Dexterity.
For more information and to register call Roxanna Alvarez @ 407-677-0370 or e-mail her directly ralvarez@ibgnet.com.

Date and Location:

• When: October 8th – October 12th, 2012
• Where: Orlando Florida
This class is very hands-on and starts at the beginning; no previous Dexterity experience is necessary.
 

Who should attend?

Customers or Partners who will be customizing or building add-on or standalone applications to integrate with the Microsoft Dynamics GP products. VSTools programmers who will need to design their windows using Dexterity instead of WinForms will also benefit from this training. You will learn how to create windows and also how to create Dexterity tables.

A synopsis of the class is below this post.

I hope to see you there!

Until Next Post!

Leslie Vail

The basics class covers the following topics:
Dexterity I – Product Fundamentals
Synopsis:
Dexterity Product Fundamentals will teach you about the development environment used to build the Microsoft Dynamics GP family of products. This course will provide you with the foundation you need to build integrated, database-independent applications. In addition, you will learn how to provide powerful application functionality for Microsoft Dynamics GP.
By actively participating in these classes, you should learn:

Basic programming techniques used by Microsoft Dynamics GP to develop their core modules.

• How to modify existing Dynamics GP forms and reports in order to make customizations for customers.
• How to develop add-on applications that will interact with the Dynamics GP products to meet specific requests by customers.
• How to package and ship your dictionary allowing Microsoft Dynamics GP to make updates to Dynamics GP without affecting the developer's dictionary.
• How to register your product with Microsoft Dynamics GP using a unique Product ID to ensure no duplication of add-on applications with the same name.
• How to develop add-on applications that will "look and feel" like Dynamics GP and provide seamless interface between the applications to ensure a professional finished product.
• How to use object triggers, which are scripts in your applications that are invoked by events in Dynamics GP, allowing several developers to deliver enhancements to the same Dynamics GP form.

 

Warning! Install GP2010 SP 3 and lose your SmartList reminders!

This issue has been fixed, look at The-fix-is-in-bring-back-your-smartlist.

If you do not want to run the risk of losing some of your SmartList reminders, then do not install SP 3. To my chagrin, I learned yesterday that there is a bug in SP3. In my world, that bug is a train wreck to many of my clients. Microsoft tech support acknowledged the existence of the bug and does not have any clue as to when it might be corrected.
Here’s what happens. Let’s say you create a SmartList object using SmartList Builder. Your users fashion favorites based on the created SmartList and then use those favorites in Reminders. After you install SP 3, the users with reminders based on objects built in SmartList Builder will not be able to log in to the system. That’s it, the system crashes, and crashes hard!
If you remove the reminders based on the SmartList Builder objects, your users will be able to log in just fine. So the “work around” is to delete the reminders. What! Yes, that’s the work around, you cannot use the feature. I don’t know how it affects you all, but that bit of news is a crushing blow in my world.
This problem has been a difficult one for Microsoft to isolate. They told me that they didn’t know if the problem was being caused by SQL code, Dexterity scripts, or the VSTools addins. All three are in play with SmartList Builder.
The error is easy to duplicate, and it fails just as the system begins to draw the home page window. If you are already logged in when you created the linked reminder, as soon as you refresh your home page you will get the error below, and GP will fail.

The next time you try to log in to GP, right after the navigation pane comes to your window, the system will crash. The partial screenshot below shows you what I mean.

To identify the SmartList reminders you have at risk, you can query the DYNAMICS database. Type the statement below in the query window of Management Studio.

SELECT * FROM SY01404 WHERE DICTID = 3830

SmartList builder’s product ID is 3830.
This problem does NOT require you to disable SmartList Builder itself, you just cannot build any Reminders off of the SmartLists you create. You can:

• Create and use Reminders that are not based on a Favorite belonging to an object created in SmartList Builder.
• Create Favorites based on an object created in SmartList Builder.
• Create and use Reminders based on a SmartList object that came with GP.

The bottom line is that you still have access to the custom Favorite, you just can’t create a reminder based on it.
While there are many ways to present the information that was captured by the Reminders, I haven’t been able to come up with an alternative that is as elegant and user-friendly as the SmartList Reminders.
I welcome anyone’s ideas on how to easily replace the SmartList Reminders until the time we get a fix from Microsoft.
Go forward with caution! Consider yourself warned.
Until next post!
Leslie Vail
Dallas, TX