Microsoft Dynamics SL 2018 End of Support

Microsoft Dynamics SL 2018 – Available for Download

Microsoft Dynamics SL 2018 is now available for download from Microsoft Customer Source or Partner Source.  The latest version includes many product fixes as well as support for additional versions of integrated Microsoft products. Listed below are some of the key new features, links to important documents and some side notes to keep in mind during the upgrade process. Most notable is the adoption of frequent releases after the release of CU1 for SL 2018 in the Fall of 2018.

Microsoft Dynamics SL 2018 System Requirements (be sure to check Customer Source for the most up to date system requirements guide)

Frequent Releases

Roughly every four to six months an update will be released to add new features. These new frequent releases are built so existing users can upgrade to the latest update by installing over their current installation and do not require a full uninstall and reinstall.  Microsoft Dynamics SL CU1 is scheduled for the fall 2018 time frame. This will enable new features to be rolled out following the initial release of Microsoft Dynamics SL 2018.

Release Highlights

SQL Server versions supported
Support for SQL Server 2016 has been added for Microsoft Dynamics SL 2018. Support for all service packs of SQL Server 2014 continues to be available.

SQL Server Compatibility Level Change
SQL Server compatibility mode 120 is the default mode for new and upgraded databases processed by Database Maintenance (98.290.00). SQL Server compatibility mode 110 and lower is no longer supported.

Enhanced Query and Preview
Static reporting and querying are brought together to provide interactivity to the end user. Being able to query the data and view the potential output prior to releasing batches will be added to modules in Dynamics SL, based on the popular AR Invoice Preview screen. Additional quick queries will be added that are accessible remotely through Web Apps or in the standard SL screen or rich client.

Visual Studio 2015
Visual Studio 2015 now is supported for the Microsoft Dynamics SL SDK.

Search Capability in Possible Values lists
When Possible Value lists are filtered for specific values, the behavior in SL 2015 is to display all values that contain the specified filter. This behavior differed from previous Dynamics SL version – previously, the filter was applied to the beginning of the values. A new option was added to Dynamics SL to allow the user to specify the behavior. In the PV window, the user may select the Begins With button or the Contains button to apply the filter at the beginning of the value or within the value, respectively. The default setting is Contains.

Accounts Payable Approvals
A new feature has been added that allows approvals to be required for Accounts Payable batches and documents. Accounts Payable batches and documents may not be released until one or more approvers identified in system have marked them as “approved”.

Flexible Billings Invoice Enhancements
The Flexible Billings Invoice Print feature has been enhanced to include additional options. The Invoice Print screen (BI.INV.00) now will print multiple invoices without prompting between each invoice for both Preliminary and Final invoices.

New Web Apps
Three new Web applications have been created for Microsoft Dynamics SL 2018:

  • Timesheet Status
  • Project Change Order
  • Project Charge Entry

Web Apps Enhancements will continue to be released on a monthly basis.

Power BI Content Pack
Power BI is a suite of business analytics tools that deliver insights throughout your organization. Connect to hundreds of data sources, simplify data prep, and drive ad hoc analysis. Produce beautiful reports, then publish them for your organization to consume on the web and across mobile devices. Everyone can create personalized dashboards with a unique, 360-degree view of their business. The initial Dynamics SL Power BI Project content pack comes with instructions on how to connect and build reports using your SL Project data. Three Power BI dashboards, connected to Dynamics SL project data, are available

OData Services Support
OData Services provide a way to deliver a consistent connection to Microsoft Dynamics SL data. These will be used to create packages to deliver Power BI reports to Dynamics SL.

Microsoft Power Apps and Flow Support
Power Apps allows you to build apps fast with a point-and-click approach to app design. Connect your app to data and use Excel-like expressions to easily add logic. Publish your app to the web, iOS, Android, and Windows 10. Microsoft PowerApps is a service for creating and using custom business apps across platforms.

Microsoft Flow provides a way to create automated workflows between your favorite apps and services to get notifications, synchronize files, collect data, and more.

Microsoft Dynamics SL 2018 includes Power Apps and Flow built to connect to Microsoft Dynamics SL data. Initial release Power Apps include Accounts Receivable applications built for phone and one built for tablets/desktops. Initial release includes:

  • Viewing Customer Receivables Due
  • View and interact with customer information
  • Run the Customer Aging Process to update balances
  • Automated Email of Aging Results to view

Product Support Life Cycle

As of the date of this post, the Microsoft Dynamics SL 2018 product support life cycle is as follows.  Please check the Microsoft Product Life Cycle page for the most up to date information.

Product Release Date: 5/1/2018
Mainstream Support End Date: 7/11/2023
Extended Support End Date: 7/11/2028

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search?alpha=Dynamics%20SL%202018

Special Notes

New Registration Keys
Microsoft Dynamics SL 2018 requires a new set of registration keys. Before registering the product, obtain your new registration keys from CustomerSource (https://mbs.microsoft.com/customersourceapp/myprofile/product_service_summary.aspx) or contact us (acumaticasupport@swktech.com) for more information on how to obtain your registration keys.

SAP Crystal Reports
The runtime version of SAP Crystal Reports 2013 is delivered together with Microsoft Dynamics SL. The full designer version of SAP Crystal Reports 2008 is no longer delivered.

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