RE: BPCS Docs

I have printed this documentation and it doesn't serve my needs.  The
documentation that is included is how to run the jobs, which isn't adequate
when you are trying to resolve a problem or make in-house enhancements.  I
have a previous employee's workshop manual for concepts and applications.
There are product integration flows and setup flows, which is good.  But add
the files that are used in the process and it would be better.  Add the
programs used and that would be great.  Add such information such as when
the transaction codes on the RAR changes to a 'Z' and that would be
wonderful.  Explain about what happens when a transaction is backed out and
what it leaves in the file.  

My wish list is to have the process flows documented including the program
and file names used.  I'd also like to have a listing of the code
description for all fields holding coded information.  I'm sure there are
other pieces of documentation that I would want, but I don't know what to
ask for, because I don't know what I don't know.  Try giving the current
documentation to an experience programmer who doesn't have any BPCS
experience and ask them to figure out why something isn't working as
expected.  Time how long it takes them.  

People can be educated in many ways.  Some only need comprehensive
documentation, some need classroom education or tutorials and some need
both.  I wouldn't anticipate a loss of revenue if good documentation is
available, if anything it would enhance the product.  The company that I
work for is willing to spend the money for documentation and education.  We
just can't seem to get it from SSA.  We are going to a third party for
education, but again they don't have the documentation.

I've just finished reading Al Macintyre's reply and would like to beg him to
put together the reference material on where to find all the documentation
he has mentioned.  I've check with the local library, bookstores and
internet trying to find this information and haven't been able to.  I'm sure
I'm not the only one that would appreciate this information.





> -----Original Message-----
> From: Genyphyr Novak [SMTP:novakg@ssax.com]
> Sent: January 06, 2000 3:29 PM
> To:   BPCS-L@midrange.com
> Subject:      Re: BPCS Docs
> 
> This information in the DOC menu is shipped with the 6.0.04 release. If
> you
> are in Full C/S it is harder to access, because there is no menu for it,
> but
> from within green screen, the DOC menu is there with RUNDOC information.
> 
> The way to print the RUNDOC in full client server  is through STRPDM
> command. Take option 3) Work with Members. Fill in the prompt as follows:
> FILE: BPCSDOC,    LIBRARY: BPCSO (Object lib) MEMBER: *ALL (enter). This
> will   display each BPCS how-to doc by member name. Use option 6 to Print
> each one individually. There are postings on OGS FAQ which describe this.
> 
> There is also a good deal of information on the PC Client software help
> text
> (Note:  to get an overview version of the .hlp file  use the Contents
> button
> rather than the F1 context sensitive help) and in the PC directory tree
> for
> documentation if you choose to install it when you install BPCS.
> 
> In addition, SSA and IBM recently published a Redbook with performance
> tuning tips in it, which are up to date for eBPCS. The URL for the Redbook
> was advertised on line here last week.
> 
> You should also be able to book training to take place on site for you
> company. This can be done by asking your account representative to contact
> SSA Services.
> The SSA Education page lists current courses on line, and has on line
> registration for North America at :
> http://www.ssaportfolio.com/company/education/
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Genyphyr Novak
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: L. S. Russell <leslier@datrek.com>
> To: BPCS-L@midrange.com <BPCS-L@midrange.com>
> Date: Thursday, January 06, 2000 1:48 PM
> Subject: Re: BPCS Docs
> 
> 
> >We are running V6.0.04, on an upgrade path from V3.1. And I found out
> >much to my dismay early in my exposure to BPCS that the very
> >documentation you speak of is lacking.
> >
> >Steve_Roncskevitz@GriffinLLC.com wrote:
> >>
> >> There id some documentation on the system.  What version are you on?  I
> am on
> >> V4.05 Rel02 and if you type DOC on the menus you can have access to the
> >> documentation that SSA ships with the software.
> >>
> >> If you want to you can send me a message online if you don't have
> access
> to it.
> >>
> >> Steve
> >>
> >> "Martin, Jerri" <JMartin@iwgid.com> on 01/06/2000 01:25:28 PM
> >>
> >> Please respond to BPCS-L@midrange.com
> >>
> >> To:   "'BPCS-L@midrange.com'" <BPCS-L@midrange.com>
> >> cc:    (bcc: Steve Roncskevitz/Griffin_Corp)
> >>
> >> Subject:  RE: BPCS Docs
> >>
> >> This is a very sad truth.  I've been trying to find documentation since
> I
> >> started using this application six months ago.  I checked at the local
> >> library figuring BPCS had been around long enough that books had been
> >> written about it, but no.  I had gotten my hopes up when SSA sent an
> >> installation CD to me and said it had documentation on it.  It turned
> out
> it
> >> was bits, pieces and supposed upgrades to existing documentation.  SSA
> then
> >> told me that the only documentation available were the course workbooks
> that
> >> you got if you attended a class.  I tried signing up for a class but it
> had
> >> been cancelled due to lack of enrollment.  Whats a person to do?
> >>
> >> I agree many other companies selling software have created
> documentation
> and
> >> look at how popular their software is!  Infinium is great in the fact
> you
> >> can access documentation via the web and get updates as soon as they
> are
> >> loaded.  SSA, their business partners and contractors needs to step
> into
> the
> >> present and future by getting documentation out to the masses.  SAP
> isn't
> >> worried about proprietary information, I was at Border Bookstore
> recently
> >> and noticed several books written about their software.
> >>
> >> > -----Original Message-----
> >> > From:   L. S. Russell [SMTP:leslier@datrek.com]
> >> > Sent:   January 06, 2000 12:45 PM
> >> > To:     BPCS-L@midrange.com
> >> > Subject:     BPCS Docs
> >> >
> >> > I am very new to BPCS, only been involved with it for about a year.
> >> > I don't hate BPCS anymore than the next ERP, but I do hate the fact
> >> > that documentation is withheld from - not only users but
> administrators
> >> > as well.
> >> > There have been many, many cases over the past year where I would
> never
> >> > have
> >> > had to call the practically worthless OGS if I had had the docs
> within
> >> > reach.
> >> >
> >> > The reason I write this is that I noticed a post from someone at
> iWorks,
> >> > formerly SSA Southeast. The people at iWorks claim to be more
> interested
> >> > in helping BPCS users get things done than their previous
> incarnation.
> >> > That being the case I was wondering if there is still a BAN on
> providing
> >> > users with DOCUMENTATION.
> >> > The reason this lack of information gripes me is that I have spent
> >> > untold hours waiting either on hold or for a call back, when with
> even
> >> > the amount of documentation provided by Microsoft might just have
> saved
> >> > me a call.
> >> > I mean, Daffron comes with docs, Optimum Solutions HR comes with
> docs,
> >> > Extol, comes with docs, HMS Monitor comes with (award winning) docs,
> >> > Infinium comes with docs!
> >> > Why can't BPCS come with docs?
> >> > If I can go to Egghead and by a copy of Windows for $98 and get
> >> > documentation
> >> > why can't I expect the same from an infinitely more expensive
> software?
> >> >
> >> > So can one of you guys there at iWorks comment on my ranting post?
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> > L. S. Russell Programmer/Analyst
> >> > Datrek Professional Bags, Inc.
> >> > 2413 Industrial Drive
> >> > Springfield, TN. 37172
> >> > mailto:leslier@datrek.com
> >> > http://www.datrek.com
> >> > --
> >> > +---
> >> > | This is the BPCS Users Mailing List!
> >> > | To submit a new message, send your mail to BPCS-L@midrange.com.
> >> > | To subscribe to this list send email to BPCS-L-SUB@midrange.com.
> >> > | To unsubscribe from this list send email to
> BPCS-L-UNSUB@midrange.com.
> >> > | Questions should be directed to the list owner: dasmussen@aol.com
> >> > +---
> >> +---
> >> | This is the BPCS Users Mailing List!
> >> | To submit a new message, send your mail to BPCS-L@midrange.com.
> >> | To subscribe to this list send email to BPCS-L-SUB@midrange.com.
> >> | To unsubscribe from this list send email to
> BPCS-L-UNSUB@midrange.com.
> >> | Questions should be directed to the list owner: dasmussen@aol.com
> >> +---
> >>
> >> +---
> >> | This is the BPCS Users Mailing List!
> >> | To submit a new message, send your mail to BPCS-L@midrange.com.
> >> | To subscribe to this list send email to BPCS-L-SUB@midrange.com.
> >> | To unsubscribe from this list send email to
> BPCS-L-UNSUB@midrange.com.
> >> | Questions should be directed to the list owner: dasmussen@aol.com
> >> +---
> >
> >--
> >L. S. Russell Programmer/Analyst
> >Datrek Professional Bags, Inc.
> >2413 Industrial Drive
> >Springfield, TN. 37172
> >mailto:leslier@datrek.com
> >http://www.datrek.com
> >--
> >+---
> >| This is the BPCS Users Mailing List!
> >| To submit a new message, send your mail to BPCS-L@midrange.com.
> >| To subscribe to this list send email to BPCS-L-SUB@midrange.com.
> >| To unsubscribe from this list send email to BPCS-L-UNSUB@midrange.com.
> >| Questions should be directed to the list owner: dasmussen@aol.com
> >+---
> >
> 
> +---
> | This is the BPCS Users Mailing List!
> | To submit a new message, send your mail to BPCS-L@midrange.com.
> | To subscribe to this list send email to BPCS-L-SUB@midrange.com.
> | To unsubscribe from this list send email to BPCS-L-UNSUB@midrange.com.
> | Questions should be directed to the list owner: dasmussen@aol.com
> +---
+---
| This is the BPCS Users Mailing List!
| To submit a new message, send your mail to BPCS-L@midrange.com.
| To subscribe to this list send email to BPCS-L-SUB@midrange.com.
| To unsubscribe from this list send email to BPCS-L-UNSUB@midrange.com.
| Questions should be directed to the list owner: dasmussen@aol.com
+---