Re: ERP or not?

Robert,

In a message dated 2/15/00 4:39:08 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
Robert.M.Mack@sgcna.com writes:

> This is probably dumb question, but I'm going to ask anyway.  Is BPCS
>  considered an ERP system?  I've been on a couple of websites today and
>  whenever a reference was made to ERP systems, SAP, PeopleSoft, BAAN and
>  JDEdwards were mentioned.  Are they omitted because they are not big 
enough,
>  or don't they have a true ERP system.

BPCS _IS_ considered to be an ERP system.  The problem is probably platform 
related.  Other than JD Edwards, the others started (and still run primarily) 
on platforms other than the AS/400, the latter of which is perenially 
under-represented on "the web".  I also have yet to find an ERP related 
website that discusses all products and all available packages for them in an 
unbiased manner.  Yes, BPCS runs on the HP, but my last solid numbers put HP 
users at 16% of the BPCS community and it appears that HP users have all but 
abandoned this forum -- probably due to a lack of knowledgeable postings from 
technical professionals familiar with BPCS on the HP.

There are no stupid questions, only those that are too arrogant or afraid of 
being called stupid to ask in the first place.  This was a good one.  Keep 
'em coming!

Your post begs several good questions -- what is BPCS, where is it headed, 
and what is SSA's future?  How will SSA reverse its' fall from grace in the 
ERP industry?  The ERP industry in general is hurting financially, and SSA's 
already tainted reputation hasn't helped it any.  Personally, I would like to 
see SSA bring in some folks from this list to discuss the issue, rather rely 
on their "big" clients (which are actually a small portion of their overall 
revenue) to determine direction.

Do we want 6.2.00?  The consensus seems to be no.  What we _WANT_ is a 
working copy of BPCS (6.1.01?) before SSA moves on to something else.  This 
was probably Steuk's best plan.  How about a GA (to clients) copy of ODW, or 
BPCS being ported to a more well known tool?  Make the interface consistent, 
remove the <OK> button from panels where it doesn't work, make client screens 
appear maximized instead of hiding crucial data (did anyone up there actually 
_USE_ this stuff?)

Developers don't want another proprietary development tool (a la AS/Set), 
users don't want new features when the old ones don't work, and everyone 
wants SSA to succeed.  I say fix the Windows interface (including "lock ups" 
on '95/'98 clients), test for performance with databases more representative 
of what the clients run and ship "performance" logical files with the 
product, and quit pricing BPCS like a car -- charging those willing to pay 
more than those that are willing to negotiate...

JMHO,

Dean Asmussen
Enterprise Systems Consulting, Inc.
Fuquay-Varina, NC  USA
E-mail:  DAsmussen@aol.com

"A country is not judged by its' ability to make war, but it's ability to 
maintain peace." -- Gene Roddenberry
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