The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) has upgraded its Microsoft Dynamics GP (previously Microsoft Great Plains) software with IT services and solutions provider, Datacentrix, in order for the organisation to take advantage of the improved functionality delivered by version 10 of the software.
JDA is an agency of the City of Johannesburg, which stimulates and supports area-based economic development initiatives throughout the Johannesburg metropolitan area in support of the Growth and Development Strategy. As development manager of these initiatives, JDA co-ordinates and manages capital investment and other programmes involving both public and private sector stakeholders.
According to Bekezela Mhlanga, IT and Systems Manager at JDA, the company had experienced a number of issues with version 7.5 of Microsoft Dynamics GP, both in terms of features and a lack of support for the older version.
"We opted to upgrade the solution in order to be able to customise it to meet our needs and to take advantage of its improved functionality. None of the current staff members were employed by JDA when the earlier version of Microsoft Dynamics GP was rolled out and we found that in terms of the upgrade, we could all give our input and ensure our requirements were met.
"While looking for a new service provider, we approached Microsoft for its recommendations and Datacentrix was one of three IT companies put forward by the company. After discussions with Johannesburg City Parks (JCP), an existing Datacentrix customer, it was evident that Datacentrix was the technology partner we were looking for," she explains.
Since the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics GP version 10, JDA has experienced a complete turnaround in its use of the solution. Says Mhlanga: "The new version of Microsoft Dynamics GP is great - it is linked to our SharePoint and Office 2007 software, is easy to use and we are pleased with our customisations."
"JDA is now experiencing an enhanced spectrum of its Microsoft Dynamics GP software," explains Phokeng Mohatlane, account director at Datacentrix.
"The organisation now has a far better reporting tool in place, which has also been automated and saves time as the company was previously handling reporting manually. Our role as a trusted advisor was also key in this implementation as Datacentrix has ensured that JDA is well-informed and completely aware of what the tool can do for the company."
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