GP Power Tools has a powerful feature called Company Login Filter. This feature was created to allow the selection of companies to be controlled based on the application configuration used to launch Microsoft Dynamics GP.

It has a number of other features such as controlling the order of the companies listed and optionally showing the database name for the company, but if configured incorrectly it does have the ability to block access to the application by removing access to all the companies.

Company Login Filter works by replacing the contents of the company selection drop down list as defined by the Profile ID that is enabled for the workstation. It can:

• Restrict access to companies based on the Launch File (DYNAMICS.SET) or the Profile.
• Reorder the companies listed based on Company Name (Default), Database Name, Company ID or a user defined custom order.
• Add the Database Name as a suffix or prefix.
• Show a disabled company as disabled or hide it completely.
• Hide the Remember this company checkbox.

The original idea for the window was to help with systems that need different product dictionaries or custom forms and reports depending on company.

For example: An international organization that need specific product dictionaries installed for local tax requirements. So, when logging in using the DynamicsUK.set which includes the VAT code, you can only access the UK company and when using the DynamicsAU.set which includes the BAS/GST code, you can only access the Australian company, but when logging in use Dynamics.set I can access the US company.

Or when logged into Company A’s application folder with its custom dictionaries, I can only access Company A’s database and when logged into Company B’s application folder, I can only access Company B’s database.

Note: You can use the options to reorder the company list and add the Database Name, but you will need to make sure that companies are enabled for the Default Filter. Not enabling any companies is what can cause problems.

Problem

An issue that can occur when the incorrectly configured is that Company Login Filter can lock you out of GP when no companies are enabled. The Company Login window will say “Company Login Filter has removed all companies“.

Or if the settings are set to show disabled companies, they will be listed but will not work to log in (the OK button will be disabled).

Below shows the settings on the Company Login Filter window which can make this happen:

The profile has been enabled on the workstation and the Default filter has no companies selected. When you save the profile, you will be warned that this can be an issue.

If you continue regardless, you can potentially lock the workstation out of Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Solution

To be able to log in again on the workstation, edit the global Dex.ini file (usually located in the application Data folder) and clear, remove or comment out (with semicolon) the MBS_Debug_CompanyFilter setting.

You will then be able to login and fix the settings in the Company Login Filter window as desired.

Note: If you hover over the Enable current Profile on this workstation checkbox on the Company Login Filter window, the tooltip will display the Dex.ini setting.

Hope this information is useful.

David

This article was originally posted on http://www.winthropdc.com/blog.