RE: EDI Requirements

To All,

We had the 'luxury' of having a successful implementation of a reputable
AS/400 EDI solution (Premenos EDI/400, now Peregrine Systems TrustedLink
AS400 version)  prior to our install of MAPICS COM/EC.  I am willing to give
testimony for the EC module from this approach, and that I personally
benefitted from the following:
1. As mentioned, pre-existing experience with a third-party, AS/400-based
EDI translator (to reference comments/preferences expressed previously in
this thread),
2. The ability to retain the invenstment in our choice of EDI translator
(the Premenos EDI translator was/is the model that the EC module was
developed around),
3. An appreciation for the complexity of the COM database and the value-add
of the EC module as a 'pass-through' to our choice of translator, and
4. The opportunity to attend the EC Training session as offerred via the
MAPICS University.

My condolences go out to any shop that don't share our opportunities.  I too
have had to integrate PC-based data into the AS/400-iSeries platform and I
have intentionally used features in the EDI Translator and the EC module to
bring it into the MAPICS appication.

One additional note, our previous dollar-investment in the
Premenos/Peregrine translator was not only retained, but the EC
implementation was completed with a minimal staff overhead and virtually no
contracted outside involvement.  To be completely fair, however, the EXTOL
EDI Translator also claims to be fully capable of MAPICS COM integration and
is certainly a contender as a thrid-party EDI front-end.

The only caveat that I can offer on ANY MAPICS implementation... make sure
that you don't short yourself on CPU horsepower and Memory.  Many of my
problems with the COM, EC and subsequent Peregrine Translator
implementation/upgrade arose from hosting them on an under-powered Model
600.  We have, again, been fortunate to have been able to upgrade to a Model
820 iSeries, and in the words of one of the Operations staff, "Man, this
thing RIPS!"

Hope this helps,
Thomas Ashworth
Asltec Lansing Technologies, Inc.
Milford PA  18337
(570) 296-4434


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ed Chabot [SMTP:echabot@marlinfirearms.com]
> Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2001 9:52 AM
> To:   MAPICS-L@midrange.com
> Subject:      RE: EDI Requirements
> 
> Paul,
> We have just gone through this using EC and it was a bear.  EC is not very
> well documented or very well supported.  There was a lot of trial and
> error to get where we needed to be.  I understand, that by using one of
> the third party mappers on top of the EC module, that it is somewhat
> easier to accomplish the task at hand.  Unfortunately, we couldn't justify
> the $40K for the volume of EDI that we do so we have gotten as much as
> possible from EC and are downloading the data in a format that our
> PC-based EDI system will read and are sending it off that way.  I would
> have liked to keep the whole EDI thing on the AS/400 but as I said
> earlier, it was cost prohibitive.  I know you wanted to know about the
> more successful implementations but I figured that hearing about some of
> the less successful ones could help as well.
> 
> Ed Chabot
> The Marlin Firearms Company
> 100 Kenna Drive
> North Haven, CT 06473
> (203)985-3254 
> 
>       -----Original Message-----
>       From: owner-mapics-l@midrange.com
> [mailto:owner-mapics-l@midrange.com]On Behalf Of Paul Aultman
>       Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2001 8:28 AM
>       To: 'MAPICS-L@midrange.com'
>       Subject: EDI Requirements
>       
>       
>       Our company has a requirement to setup an EDI interface to one (or
> more) of our customers.  I have been exploring some of the Mapics
> documentation on their EC product, as well as discussing the requierements
> with our local Mapics affiliate.  It looks like we have a number of
> options and I wanted to know what are some of the more successful EDI
> implementations out there.  What solutions did you use for the mapping,
> translation, network, etc?
>        
>       Thanks in advance for your help!
>        
>       Paul
>        
>        
>       Paul Aultman
>       Manager - Information Technologies
>       Hoshizaki America, Inc.
>       (770) 487-2331 x319
>        
> 
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