Introduction 

This document describes the architecture for Microsoft Dynamics GP and how the architecture’s features make Microsoft Dynamics GP an ideal solution for organizations implementing a business management system today that will grow with them tomorrow. More importantly, it describes how businesses can achieve greater productivity, service their customers, suppliers, employees and stakeholders better, beat their competition, and enhance their profitability by using Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Application Structure

Structuring the application in the manner described below segregates the “moving parts,” so changes and enhancements are more easily introduced into the application by focusing on the right part of the structure for that particular change. This allows users to take advantage of additional features without the burden of long down times or large expenditures. You can spend more time working in your business application rather than on it, enhancing efficiency.

It is composed of the following parts:

• Dexterity runtime engine
• Microsoft Dynamics Application dictionary
• Microsoft SQL Server database

Dexterity and the Dexterity Runtime Engine

Dexterity is the development tool used to create the Microsoft Dynamics GP application. The Dexterity runtime engine presents the Microsoft Dynamics GP application to the end user. Both the development tool and runtime engine are standard Windows applications developed using Microsoft Visual C++, a longtime industry standard development environment.

Nearly all world-class software is built using Visual C++. Using Microsoft Visual C++ to create the Dexterity development tool and runtime allows both to offer rich functionality, improved application security, and excellent performance. That lets users access their business information quickly and safely so they can make timely, accurate decisions.

Dexterity

Used by the Microsoft Dynamics GP development team, Dexterity is a complete integrated development environment. Its features include:

• Graphical forms designer -- A WYSIWYG layout window used to design forms visually.
• sanScript scripting language -- An English-like scripting language used to add business logic to the application.
• Extensive function library -- Hundreds of special purpose functions allow implementing key functionality in an application.
• Integrated script debugger -- Allows interactive debugging of an application.
• Structured exception handling -- A built-in mechanism for dealing with unexpected conditions in the application.
• COM support -- Excellent access to features made available by other applications through COM.
• Integrated source code control -- Built-in support for managing application resources using Microsoft Visual SourceSafe.
• Built-in report writer -- A WYSIWIG report layout tool used to design reports.

Dexterity is designed to remove complexity from the development process, allowing the developer to focus on the application being created. Whether the developer is an in-house resource or an outsourced business partner, they can quickly become productive in supporting and enhancing your Microsoft Dynamics GP applications.

Dexterity Runtime Engine

The Dexterity runtime engine displays the functioning application to the end user. It provides the basic capabilities used by the Microsoft Dynamics GP application, such as the subsystems to display the user interface or access the SQL database.

The runtime also provides additional tools and technologies available for Microsoft Dynamics GP, allowing extensive flexibility for the enhancement of Microsoft Dynamics GP in your specific business situation. For example, Modifier, Report Writer, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) environment, and the COM interface are just some of the tools and technologies provided by the runtime engine.