Microsoft FRx Integration for Microsoft Dynamics NAV Chat
Please Note:Portions of this chat have been edited for clarity
Start of Chat
IrinaLewisFRx (Expert):
Q: i hear that the frx database must be 'refreshed' from the NAV database. Is that process highly involved and time intensive?
A: HI, this is Irina with FRx and I can answer the db refresh question
IrinaLewisFRx (Expert):
Q: Is it possible to dyanmically name excel files during a scheduled run? For example if you run P&Ls for 10 locations (each with a unique name i.e. 003,004,005) can you place those files in the same folder on the network with a unique name using the same job
A: There is a client side 'db refresher' that can easily be run by someone in the accounting dept
IrinaLewisFRx (Expert):
Q: can the 'db refresher' be scheduled to run intermittenly? Does the db refresh unload all data then reload all data or just data that has changed?
A: The 'refresher' comes with FRx and you can 'schedule' it to run on a nightly basis. You can also use it to 'refresh' the intermediary db during the day if you make changes to the Nav db. You can do a complete LOAD or simply do a DELTA load.
IrinaLewisFRx (Expert):
Q: We currently are running our financials thru Crystal, but are looking for an easier way for the accountants to create and process the reports themselves. We used to have FRX with our old version of GP, but now have Navision 3.7.
A: FRx 6.7 workes with Nav 3.7 and 4.0, and will work with 5.0 as well. There is also a new wizard that helps new people create reports without knowing anything about FRx.
Kristn FRx (Expert):
Q: When is the next release of FRx? Will it get a face lift?
A: Hi, the next release of FRx is still underway in development. We do not have a definite timeframe for FRx 7, but the answer to the second part of your question is YES! It will look much more like a traditional Microsoft application, and there are a lotof usability enhancements planned
IrinaLewisFRx (Expert):
Q: We were at convergence in Texas and got some good ideas about FRX. We're just looking for some ideas re. FRX. We've also been advised to look at Jet reports for comparison.
A: Shannon; I too was in Dallas. FRx is an accountant friendly financial report writer that will integrate with the Navision dimension structures
IrinaLewisFRx (Expert):
Q: Excel Question Revised: We currently use JetReports. However, one major drawback is that we must maintain a scheduled job for each P&L simply because Jet can not dynamically name the excel file and/or location that the file resides. For example, (cont.)
A: It does so in a secure environment that outputs to secure files that cannot be manipulated. The reason that customers prefer this is that it meets many of the new regulations with regard to secure financials with an audit trail
IrinaLewisFRx (Expert):
Q: If we want to run to schedule 1 job to run 40 P&L's for different locations the names and locations will be determined by a value in the database. That value in our case would be location...so //servername\[location]\[locationP&L.xls]
A: sdeb; Jet Reports output is Excel, as I am assuming. FRx's output can be the FRx DrillDown Viewer (the secure default output) or Excel. In FRx there is functionality to associated users with different branches of the report. These branches equate to...different areas of your organizaiton (001, 002, 003). When you add security to the branches of the tree, the end result report will only allow people with rights to those reporst (i.e. branches) access to them.The entire report is placed in one location on the network. BUt when people access it, they only see their reports.You can also create unique Catalog IDs that are associated with the different areas of your company. Each catalog can be sent to a unique network folder. Schedules these to run and only those branches will appear in that folder
IrinaLewisFRx (Expert):
Q: gotcha.
A: All of these output options can also be sent via email, so that whether you output to FRx DrillDown Viewer or Excel, each recipient only gets their branches.
Kristn FRx (Expert):
Q: being new that's all the questions i have without going down the path of just needing to get further info from a sale rep. Is this discussion purely to bounce ideas or was there a set agenda?
Liz (Moderator):
A: this chat was purely for your question asking, there is no set agenda
Kristn FRx (Expert):
A: There is no set agenda-- the Chat is meant to give you a way to access product experts with quick questions
IrinaLewisFRx (Expert):
Q: Can I get some clarification on the FRX drilldown capability. I have some managers who get financials monthly, but do not have access to Navision. How will they get access to drilldown from their e-mailed files. Is this a special option we need to buy?
A: shannon; when FRx generates a report it queries the transaction detail from Navision and includes it in the finished report. When managers open the FRx report, they can drill down to Trans detail without being connected to the Navision db
Kristn FRx (Expert):
My email address is kristnc@microsoft.com
IrinaLewisFRx (Expert):
for everyone's benefit, there are pre-recorded vidoes of FRx that can be watched on demand. they are located at http://www.frxsoftware.com/webinar/schedule we also have weekly webinars on Thursday where you can once again see a demo and then ask an FRx expert questions at the endThere is no charge for either of these demo options, so help yourself!
IrinaLewisFRx (Expert):
Q: Is the drilldown capability an add-on to the FRX software, or does it come inclusive. When I talked to someone at convergence, they talked about getting separate books etc. I wasn't sure what all comes inclusive.
A: as to your question shannon, the DrillDown comes inclusive as a basic feature of FRxwhat they were talking about with separate books is the add-on module called FRx Report Manager
IrinaLewisFRx (Expert):
Q: Excellent. I think that will be a nice bonus for management.
A: with FRx, the output is FRx DrillDown Viewer for a financial report
IrinaLewisFRx (Expert):
Q: Can you refresh my memory for FRX report manager. We learned so much in Texas, it's hard to keep it all straight.
A: with FRx Report Manager, you can create 'report books' that include FRx reports, Word, Excel, pdf, etc...a Report Book is read online using the FRx DrillDown Viewer (the client side license) the same way a financial report is read. You can also print the report book out, instead of sending it softcopy online, and FRx will sequentially page number across all of the different applications. There is a 15 to 20 minute video on Report manager on the site I mentioned earlier, http://www.frxsoftware.com/webinar/schedule, if you would like to see it again
IrinaLewisFRx (Expert):
you can contact Kristn or I with additional questions should they popup - ilewis@microsoft.com or kristnc@microsoft.com
Kristn FRx (Expert):
Good bye!
End of Chat