• SmartConnect

    Extender

    Software so clever, anyone can use it.

    Extender is the integration solution that makes building and managing all your integrations easy. You don’t need an IT Degree to use it!

eXtender puts the world in your hands - without code

No two businesses are the same, which means no two implementations of Microsoft Dynamics GP should be the same. eXtender is the tool that ensures your Microsoft Dynamics GP implementation fits your business perfectly. eXtender ensures that you can always capture the data you need to capture at the exact time you need it. You can add fields, build extra windows and brand new data entry screens to Dynamics GP all without writing a single line of code.

  


Can 6,320+ Dynamics GP customers be wrong?

That's how many companies rely on eXtender every day for doing business their way. Some of those customers use eXtender to capture just 3 or 4  business specific data fields while others have built entire mini applications that contain multiple screens and hundreds of fields. If you are storing any data in Excel, Access or CRM that, that really should be in Dynamics GP, then eXtender is your answer. Companies that own Microsoft Dynamics GP own the most flexible ERP in the world - providing they add the eXtender module to their solution.

 
 


Build Your Own GP Windows

eXtender is a tool that allows regular people, who don't know how to write dexterity code, to build brand new screens within Microsoft Dynamics GP. You do not need a programmer because you can build your own screens in just minutes.

Simply decide which data fields you need to capture. Select the type of data for that field (17 different field types including checkboxes, currency fields, drop down lists, dates, lookups to other GP screens and many more!) and you have built a brand new screen.  

 

Extender Fact Sheet

Build your own mini application

Extender comes with all the tools needed to connect your new screens together to build your own custom  mini-application. You can link from one screen to another, add your new screens to GP menus and add all your new fields into SmartList. You can also define fields as required fields that appear in red and bold, and add your fields to GP reports. Extender turns you into a programmer without the 4 years of university study.


 

 

eXtender vs. traditional development

One of the challenges for consultants when reviewing a customers business requirements is to determine whether they should utilize eXtender for their solution or head down the path of traditional development. There are certainly occasions when the best or only option is to engage a programmer. This is the case when you need to fundamentally change an existing GP process or function or you need to modify existing Dynamics GP screens to meet a business' needs. (eXtender never modifies an existing screen but instead builds new screens - in order to maintain a cost effective upgrade path).
In all other scenarios there are some very good reasons to make eXtender your solution of choice.
  • Develop in a fraction of the time
  • Develop for a fraction of the cost
  • Complete the screen design of your solution yourself
  • Open source avoids IP arguments and makes the logic transferable
  • Your new functions look and feel just like GP


 

 

Do I need Big eXtender or Little Extender ?

The entry level Extender provides all the core functionality of adding fields, windows, detail windows, forms, detail forms and menus to Dynamics GP. If your goal is to simply capture additional data and report on that data - then Extender is the answer.

eXtender Enterprise is the tool for those companies that need to not only capture additional data - but to be clever with how they capture and what they do with that data. The main functionality that remains exclusively within eXtender Enterprise is the eXtender logic layer. The logic layer involves the ability to embed code in, behind and around the screens you build with regular eXtender functionality.



What is the difference between eXtender and eXtender Enterprise?

The two products are almost identical in their base functionality. Microsoft Dynamics GP Extender and eXtender Enterprise have the same table structure, and the same ability to build windows, forms, views, menus, etc. Both products are also built and tested by the same development team and work with SmartList Builder and SmartConnect.

The biggest difference is logic. Logic is all about making the screens you build 'do things'. While it is exciting to build new screens to capture data, it is much better to make those screens not only fit your business data capture needs, but also your business flow and functionality. Use logic to grey out parts of a screen, auto-calculate and set values as you move around, default fields, restrict drop downs and lookups. Use logic to open another GP screen when you hit a button and default values, link from a form to a detail form, and from there to a linked form. When you save a new record have it check stock levels in GP and create an inventory transfer if necessary. The sky is the limit when getting creative with eXtender logic.


Feature Extra Functionality you get with eXtender Enterprise
Window Logic Trigger logic code to run when you open, close or move around an eXtender window.
Form Logic Trigger logic code to run when you open, close, print, save or move around an eXtender form, a detail form or a linked form.
Process Logic This is when you want to perform a function on a group of records. This might be calculated commissions on a group of eXtender records, or renewing subscriptions etc.
GP Logic Trigger logic code to run when and where you want it within Dynamics GP. This is a great alternative to VBA and requires no compiled dictionaries or VBA files. Makes upgrades cheaper and easier.
Navigation Lists Navigations lists are an eXtender specific version of building your own search and enquiry screens. They are very cool but note that they are only for eXtender specific data.
Interfaces These were very cool configurable integration points into select areas of GP. Interfaces have primarily been replaced by the more flexible SmartConnect integrations.