Customise the Microsoft Dynamics GP Splash Screen

This is a reposting of an article I originally wrote on my Developing for Dynamics GP blog.

Even though support for a splash screen was added to Dexterity v3.00, Great Plains Dynamics v5.50 was the first version to include a splash.bmp file and Microsoft Business Solutions – Great Plains v8.00 was the last version to include a splash.bmp file. This uncompressed bitmap was displayed as a splash screen when the application was launched.  A number of partners had worked out that the splash.bmp file could be customised to add a customer or partner logo, but now the splash.bmp file is not longer used.

What is not common knowledge is that if you copy a splash.bmp file into a Microsoft Dynamics GP v9.00 (or later) system, it will still be displayed.

Microsoft Dynamics GP v9.00 did not include a splash.bmp file and does not have a splash screen at startup.  I liked the splash screens and so I created a new splash.bmp for v9.00 based on the v8.00 splash screen but with the new logo (see GP Logos through the years).  After spending the time creating the v9.00 splash screen, I might as well let others use it if they want to.

Microsoft Dynamics GP v10.00 (or later) do not include a splash.bmp file, but has a default splash screen built in.  I have grabbed a copy of this splash screen and saved it as splash.bmp.  Now if you include a splash.bmp in the application folder it will be used instead of the default splash screen. I tested this on v10.00 by saving a copy of the same image after turning it upside down. Well, I do live downunder in Australia.

Splash screen bitmaps files for v5.5, v6.0, v7.0, v7.5, v8.0, v9.0, v10.0, GP 2010 (v11.0) & GP 2013 (v12.0) are attached at the bottom of the article. Just rename the version you want to splash.bmp.

Please let me know if you find this useful.

David

01-Oct-2008: For a bit of fun, go have a look Mariano Gomez’s posting GP splash bitmap files over the years.

30-Mar-2009: While it is possible to disable the splash screen for versions prior to v10.0 by renaming or deleting the splash.bmp file, there is no method of disabling the v10.0 or later splash screen.  If no splash.bmp exists, the runtime engine will display a default built-in splash screen. Displaying the splash screen when launching v10.0 or later is needed to ensure that the main application window opens in the foreground.  There is a technical explanation why this is so, but I will not cover it here.

12-Feb-2010: Added splash screen for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 (v11.00) to the attachment.

14-Aug-2013: Added splash screen for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 (v12.00) to the attachment.

Splash.zip

This article was originally posted on the Developing for Dynamics GP Blog and has been reposted on http://www.winthropdc.com/blog.