Microsoft Dynamics GP Integration Manager is often perceived as end user integrating tool only, however if you research and try out Advanced ODBC integration, which is capable to cross DB platforms and work with heterogeneous SQL query to bring data into Dynamics GP Great Plains, then new horizons should open up for you, Great Plains Programmer and Add-On software developer.  Please note, that GP IM for GP version 10.0 and newer is built and will be built upon eConnect platform, meaning breaking through Integration Manager performance issues and enabling large scale integrations with GP in real time.  Let’s try to organize this small publication in FAQ manner with bullets:
 
1.          What is eConnect.  The technology lowest level of this GP SDK is encrypted SQL stored procedures, which could be called from the stack of under laying technologies.  If you are C# or VB .Net programmer, then, assuming that you are using MS Visual Studio – eConnect is open for you in C# .Net projects via eConnect libraries
 
2.          Integration Manager in the transformation stage.  From OLE old integrations to eConnect new integrations.  The signal was received from Microsoft Business Solutions at the end of 2006, however up to now, fall of 2008, IM is still in process of being rewritten in eConnect, but the trend is clear and we expect couple of more years, until we will see Integration Manager to be finalized in eConnect technology
 
3.          Advanced ODBC source query flexibility and performance.  IM has simple text data source, simple ODBC and Advanced ODBC source, where only advanced allows you to deploy advanced SQL queries and constructions, such as Unions, Group by, Having and Case clauses.  Advanced ODBC integration may look back and pool data from your legacy DB source, where you can pull data using legacy DB ODBC driver or cross platform query from linked SQL server
 
4.          Overnight eCommerce integration.  Deploying GP IM, you could schedule overnight ecommerce sales orders integration to GP, assuming that IM looks at ecommerce SQL compliant database and pulls data from there.  We understand that IM programming might be outside of your skill set and intentions , please let us know if you need help and support