About the Authors

Belinda Allen is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional for Dynamics GP (MVP) and a GPUG (GP User Group) All-Star. Belinda is currently the Business Intelligence Program Manager for the new Azure Cloud-based SaaS ERP offering, PowerGP Online. This is an amped-up version of the GP we all love, running in the Microsoft Azure Cloud. In this role, she helps both Partners and Customers design and implement BI methodologies, allowing businesses to make decisions based on timely and accurate information.

Belinda was one of the co-founders of Smith & Allen Consulting, Inc. (SACI), a New York City based firm with over 25 years' experience specializing in business intelligence, analytics and ERP software. On April 1, 2016, SACI joined forces with Njevity, Inc. (www.NjevityToGo.com). Now she gets to spend time in her favorite place, the world of Business Intelligence (BI). NjevityToGo offers solutions for ERP, CRM, BI, and much more in the cloud. Njevity is also the force behind PowerGP Online.

Belinda's first book, Real-world Business Intelligence with Microsoft Dynamics GP was co-written with Mark Polino. It's a pe into where to Implementing a Business Intelligence Methodology with Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Currently a member of the Credentialing Council for the Association of Dynamics Professionals, Belinda was the first Council Chair. In this role, she led a team of community leaders providing guidance and insight in the delivery and development of credentials for both Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

Belinda is also an inaugural member of the Board of Advisors for PBIUG (Power BI User Group.) In this role she provides her experience to the User Board Members, while they create the foundation for this new organization. The goal is to make Power BI a critical tool in the user's organizations.

Belinda began implementing ERP systems so long ago that Windows was not an operating system but an application. And at that time, larger businesses used main frames with monitors that projected green type on black backgrounds, and smaller business did their accounting by hand. Having seen the evolution that has taken place over the years from sheets of paper to integrated analytics, Belinda still gets excited every time she helps a business improve.

Belinda is also well known for her blog, www.BelindaTheGPcsi.com. On her blog, she shares really useful information about the product quickly and succinctly. She has earned the nickname GP CSI because she excels at reviewing GP problems and figuring out what went wrong… and why. With followers from all over the globe, she is able to share knowledge and achieve her mission--"To improve the lives and business success of my followers." Belinda has just started her new blog, www.BIbelinda.com, which is devoted to Microsoft Power BI.

When not delving into GP problems and spearheading business success for clients, Belinda enjoys sailing, crochet/knitting, sewing/quilting, reading, and turning wood.

For all the good things in my life, I would like to thank my husband, Richard Allen. He's been my best friend and the love of my life for close to 30 years. He's one of the few people I know who loves learning as much as I do. Besides that, he gets my odd sense of humor.

I'd like to thank Mark Polino for trusting me to update his words and ideas. I'm not only honored by this trust, I'm grateful for the opportunity. Counting you (and Dara) as my friends is something I cherish.

Finally, I'd like to thank my parents. Their support for me has only grown stronger as time goes by. I'm thankful they taught me to think for myself, love to learn new things, and laugh.

Mark Polino is CPA, with additional certifications in financial forensics (CFF) and information technology (CITP). He is a Microsoft MVP for Business Solutions and a GPUG All Star who has worked with Dynamics GP and its predecessors since 1999.

He works as the Director of Client Services for Fastpath, and he runs the DynamicAccounting.net website dedicated to all things Dynamics GP. He is a regularly featured speaker at Dynamics GP related events.

This is Mark's tenth book, and his seventh GP related book with Packt Publishing. His work includes eight technology-focused books and two novels.

He is also the author of the best-selling Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 Cookbook, the spin off Lite edition, and a co-author for updated GP 2013 and 2016 editions, all from Packt Publishing.

First, a huge thank you to Belinda Allen for taking on this project and extending it into places I wouldn't have had the courage to go. You were the driving force behind making this book a reality.

Second, to all my friends in the greater GP community, thank you for putting your trust in me through the website, presentations, and books like this. It is not something I take lightly.

Finally, to my wife, thank you again for your infinite patience as you listen to me blather on about book projects I'm working on.