This chapter introduces you to the features, purpose, and characteristics of the Microsoft Dynamics SL system. You learn about specific items within Microsoft Dynamics SL and how the system is set up.

Main Topics

• Understanding Microsoft Dynamics SL
• Licensing Microsoft Dynamics SL
• Understanding Microsoft SQL Server licensing
• Understanding the Microsoft Dynamics SL - SQL Server relationship

Lab

• Identify the correct Microsoft Dynamics SL edition based on specific criteria

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows 2003, or Windows XP. General knowledge of database applications is helpful but not required.
• Identify the unique position of Microsoft Dynamics SL in the accounting software marketplace
• Describe features, design foundations, and system level support
• Interpret Microsoft Dynamics SL licensing issues and the relationship with Microsoft SQL Server licensing
• Describe the working relationship between Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Dynamics SL

This chapter discusses the importance of planning prior to an installation. Topics include what to do in pre-planning and references technical bulletins. Implementation plans are discussed as well as a look at the hardware and software requirements for Microsoft Dynamics SL.

Main Topics

• Defining pre-installation
• Protecting current accounting data
• Gathering what you need
• Defining the implementation plan
• Setting up the appropriate computer system
• Microsoft Dynamics SL hardware and software requirements and recommendations

Lab

• Identify the elements of Microsoft Dynamics SL pre-installation

• Gather resources needed to prepare for Microsoft Dynamics SL installation
• Identify the basics of developing a Microsoft Dynamics SL implementation plan
• Prepare the computer platform for Microsoft Dynamics SL installation

In this chapter a complete install of Microsoft Dynamics SL is performed. The process is reviewed first and then a screen by screen install is presented discussing the importance of each option and selection during the install.

Main Topics

• Understanding the process
• Installing Microsoft SQL Server
• Installing Microsoft Dynamics SL

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Identify the main elements of Microsoft Dynamics SL installation
• Install Microsoft Dynamics SL

This chapter covers how to setup and configure Microsoft Dynamics SL databases. Included in this chapter is the creation of system, application, and demo databases. Registration of Microsoft Dynamics SL is also discussed.

Lessons

• Creating databases
• Logging into Microsoft Dynamics SL
• Preparing databases for operation
• Registering Microsoft Dynamics SL

Lab

• Create a demo database

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Set up new Microsoft Dynamics SL databases
• Set up Microsoft Dynamics SL demo databases
• Login to Microsoft Dynamics SL
• Register Microsoft Dynamics SL

In this chapter you install a Microsoft Dynamics SL client. The chapter covers the creation of a share point on the server to distribute the install files for a client.

Main Topics

• Setting up Dynamics SL clients

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Set up Microsoft Dynamics SL clients

This chapter focuses on the important files installed with Microsoft Dynamics SL. Features of each file are covered with an explanation of the parameters.

Main Topics

• Understanding the Microsoft Dynamics SL directory structure
• Microsoft Dynamics SL components

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Identify the Microsoft Dynamics SL directory structure
• Identify Microsoft Dynamics SL components

In this chapter you learn how to use Microsoft Dynamics SL. This includes navigation and menus as well as creating standard and extended reports. Also covered are the entering and managing data records and the setup of the printer services for Microsoft Dynamics SL.

Main Topics

• Navigating through Microsoft Dynamics SL
• Using function keys
• Running Microsoft Dynamics SL Applications
• Entering and managing data records
• Setting up printer services
• Setting up a default Microsoft Dynamics SL printer
• Using online help
• Initializing data in Microsoft Dynamics SL

Labs

• Create new records in the chart of accounts window
• Print the GL Batch Register

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Identify the basics of all Microsoft Dynamics SL menu functions
• Run Microsoft Dynamics SL modules an open Microsoft Dynamics SL windows
• Navigate through the system and manage database records
• Set up Microsoft Dynamics SL printer services
• Use Microsoft Dynamics SL standard and extended report options
• Use Microsoft Dynamics SL online help system

This chapter covers the security model of Microsoft Dynamics SL. You learn about the various security levels for Microsoft Dynamics SL and how these integrate with Windows and SQL Server. The chapter also covers the creation of users and user groups and assigning access rights.

Main Topics

• Protecting Microsoft Dynamics SL
• Understanding the levels of system security
• Establishing internal Dynamics SL security

Labs

• Creating a user for a demo database
• Create a user group for specific users
• Change a user's password

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Identify the different levels of system security used with Microsoft Dynamics SL
• Define Microsoft Dynamics SL users and groups
• Set up user an user group access rights

This chapter provides an overview of the special features available in Microsoft Dynamics SL. You learn about copy functions for copying information in one field/form to another as well as using templates and attaching notes to data items.

Main Topics

• Extending Microsoft Dynamics SL usage
• Using inquiry and entity inquiry windows
• Copying and pasting data
• Entering data using templates
• Using recurring transactions
• Attaching notes to data items

Labs

• Create a template to print specific General Ledger batches
• Create a note against a journal transaction

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Use inquiry and entity inquiry windows in Microsoft Dynamics SL
• Use Microsoft Dynamics SL's powerful copy and paste functions
• Set up and use Microsoft Dynamics SL templates
• Identify the basics of using recurring transactions in Microsoft Dynamics SL
• Attach notes to data items

In this chapter you learn about the activities to perform for maintaining Microsoft Dynamics SL. Covered in this chapter are the event log, system maintenance, integrity checks, database backups, and the creation of a database maintenance plan.

Main Topics

• Monitoring active Microsoft Dynamics SL users
• Reviewing the Microsoft Dynamics SL event log
• Performing on going system maintenance
• Backing up Microsoft Dynamics SL
• Using the database maintenance wizard
• Other considerations

Lab

• Check the integrity of the General Ledger module's posted batches

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Track current Microsoft Dynamics SL user activity
• Use the Microsoft Dynamics SL event log
• Download and install Microsoft Dynamics SL update files
• Identify the basics of on going system maintenance
• Backup the Microsoft Dynamics SL database and system
• Use the Database Maintenance Plan in SQL Server

This chapter provides a brief overview of tools to use when evaluating the performance of Microsoft Dynamics SL. System settings are covered as well as a look into identifying bottlenecks using the System Monitor.

Main Topics

• Optimizing performance
• Windows OS bottleneck analysis
• Strategies for testing and tuning servers
• SQL Server configuration
• Methods of optimizing a SQL relational database
• Analyzing and troubleshooting less than optimal performance
• Optimization summary

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Configure Windows Servers
• Recommend SQL Server Settings
• Identify bottlenecks
• Utilize Windows Performance Monitor
• Describe the basics of RAID arrays
• Use Windows Performance Monitor for SQL

This chapter covers the Microsoft Dynamics SL Application Server. Included in this chapter is an overview of the purpose and benefits of using Application Server and how to setup Application Server. Also covered is the administration of an Application Server.

Main Topics

• Application Server overview
• Setting up Application Server
• Pausing, restarting, and shutting down Application Servers
• Submitting Application Server requests
• Checking the Application Server queue
• Viewing Application Server logs

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Set up an Application Server
• Submit requests to an Application Server
• Monitor requests made to an Application Server

In this chapter, you learn about the various additional products to be used with Microsoft Dynamics SL. Installation steps are covered for Crystal Reports and FRx.

Main Topics

• Installing additional products
• Web Order starter kit
• Configuring ODBC
• Crystal Reports
• Installing Crystal Reports
• FRx
• Installing FRx

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Identify Microsoft Dynamics SL Supporting products
• Identify the uses for Web Order.
• Set up ODBC data sources
• Install Crystal Reports
• Install FRx

This chapter provides a brief overview of the Transaction Import utility. The different types of imports, as well as an example of an import, are covered.

Main Topics

• Transaction import process
• Control macro generator
• Transaction import

Lab

• Import budget information into the Budget Maintenance screen

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Use Transaction Import

In this chapter, you learn about some of the tools and resources to utilize when troubleshooting Microsoft Dynamics SL. A brief introduction of the methodology to follow when diagnosing problems is discussed followed by a look at how the SQL Server Profiler can help with troubleshooting. The chapter concludes with the presentation of troubleshooting scenarios.

Main Topics

• Troubleshooting
• Identifying the problem and finding its source
• Tools and sources
• Microsoft Dynamics SL online documentation
• TechKnowledge database
• Problem solving using SQL Server Profiler
• Troubleshooting scenarios

Lab

• Three scenarios on troubleshooting Microsoft Dynamics SL

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Identify problems and find sources of problems
• Use tools and sources in Microsoft Dynamics SL to correct issues
• Use SQL Server Profiler
• Troubleshoot Microsoft Dynamics SL