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Version 10.0 and its individual windows

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David Meego - Click for blog homepageOne of the major changes to the Microsoft Dynamics GP user interface occurred with the release of version 10.0. This change was from the MDI (Multiple Document Interface) to the SDI (Single Document Interface). 

Version 9.0 had a single application window in which multiple child (document) windows could be opened. This single application window would show as a single entry in the Windows Start Bar.

Version 10.0 has a main application window, however now all the child windows open as independent windows which show on the Windows Start Bar. Each single window (document) has its own interface.

Here is a explanation of SDI and MDI from an MSDN article:

SDI applications allow only one open document frame window at a time. MDI applications allow multiple document frame windows to be open in the same instance of an application. An MDI application has a window within which multiple MDI child windows, which are frame windows themselves, can be opened, each containing a separate document. In some applications, the child windows can be of different types, such as chart windows and spreadsheet windows. In that case, the menu bar can change as MDI child windows of different types are activated.

Now that we understand the differences between MDI and SDI, the big question is why was this change made.

There are a few reasons that I can think of that explain this change:

  1. With the user interface design being made to match the look and feel of Microsoft Office, the behaviour we have in v10.0 is more like the way in which Microsoft Outlook works.  ie. A main window which opens child windows when needed.
     
  2. Also, for functionality like workflow to be able to extend child windows (such as Sales Transaction Entry) we needed to expose the child windows to the outside world, so they could be surrounded with a .Net wrapper.  This wrapper is exposed as a Form Factory which can be accessed by a .Net developer.
  3. Part of the enhancements for v10.0 was to extend the functionality of the homepage, such as the series area pages and the lists.  For this to be useful, we needed to make sure the application background was not covered up with child windows.  Note: The homepage is no longer optional as it was in previous versions.
     
  4. By allowing the child windows to be outside of the main application window, it provides a better use of the available screen real estate by being able to access the entire desktop. You can even use multiple displays.

Love it or hate it, this change is here to stay.  Let us know your thoughts.

David

Comments

  • Anonymous
    August 20, 2009
    Posting from DynamicAccount.net http://msdynamicsgp.blogspot.com/2009/08/version-10-windows.html

  • Anonymous
    August 20, 2009
    David, This is very informative, thanks!  I have to admit I was not one of the early adopters on this one, but as I have been using GP 10.0 more and more, it's actually grown on me and I now like it quite a bit. -Victoria

  • Anonymous
    August 21, 2009
    at beginning, i'm very frustrated with GP 10 UI design. But, since after a year plus. I start get use on it.

  • Anonymous
    August 22, 2009
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    August 22, 2009
    Posting from Vaidy Mohan http://www.vaidy-dyngp.com/2009/08/gp-100-mdi-to-sdi.html

  • Anonymous
    December 13, 2010
    This is complete rubbish. Its slowing down our accounting team. Plus, when working with 2 different companies simultaneously, it makes it very tough with all the windows open. Also, the scroll wheel on the mouse no longer works for some items in GP10, such as when viewing a customer statement/invoice! GP10 is a downgrade from GP9.

  • Anonymous
    December 14, 2010
    Hi Robert The Scrolling Wheel issue was fixed in a service pack. As for using multiple companies, install the Support Debugging Tool as this allows the title of minimised windows to be tagged with the current company. The Support Debugging Tool also adds a Raise All Windows option to bring windows above the main application window. Another hint is to not have the main application window maximised, it works better. I completely understand your feedback, but there are things you can do to make the new window style work better for you. David