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Konrad,
You have some good points! I would have loved to had built-in serial
number support, especially for components. We had to write our own. Now,
if MAPICS provided it, I probably wouldn't use it since I already wrote one
specifically tailored for my industry, and integrated it with MAPICS.
There were add-ons available (AVE had one, for example), but they didn't
support my requirements. But that was in the 1980s.
I would also like better testing, especially for Browser stuff. You had a
problem with build 33 on deletes (we didn't, for some reason), we had a
problem with 33 in that we suddenly lost the ability to change item class.
We got a fix very quickly (under 4 hours), but it was an odd thing to have
happen. That isn't unusual, either. I have a willing guinea pig in
Engineering that tests all my Browser build PTFs prior to my posting them
for installation. He probably has me hold on 1 out of every 10, maybe more
occasionally. Incidentally, that is one of the big problems I have with
relocating development away from the main company into a different time
zone. I would like better QA. I am still holding off on 4140 (still at
3196), as I am encountering no problems so far, and I'm quite concerned
with the feedback I got on 4140 on this thread. I was not happy to find
that Paula and her group was cut (not as unhappy as they were, I'm sure).
However, in MAPICS' defense, I hear that in my own company. We are #1 in
our market, but we still get too many complaints. 97%+ on customer
satisfaction for us, but those 3% can be vocal! Economics may make the
world keep running, but it can be a serious pain. I understand the
situation, but like our customers, sometimes I go "I paid this much money
for this?". Overall, I think it's well worth it, but sometimes.... (an
advantage of the thread to me is that I usually get to think about it.)
On support - I only look for fixes for specific problems we encounter. I
usually cut and paste the error message and get an answer immediately
(usually a couple). The vast majority of my questions/problems are handled
that way. I can't complain there. I only use phone support for unusual
questions or problems that I need to discuss with a knowledgable tech. I
have no complaints with those people, either. But better QA would be good.
I like this thread!
Dale @ Fleetwood
Konrad Underkofler
<kdunderk@xxxxxxxx To: "'MAPICS ERP System
Discussion'" <mapics-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
i.com> cc:
Sent by: Subject: RE: RE: Mapics data
extract
mapics-l-bounces@x
idrange.com
03/28/2003 11:43
AM
Please respond to
MAPICS ERP System
Discussion
Greg,
That does get to the bottom of it. In partial answer to Dale as well.
1) Think of what they could have done with all that effort to actually
ENHANCE and COMPLETE function. OFFLINE COM is a good start but it is so
late
and needs to be completed. Serial number support please :)
2) I would love to NOT HAVE TO SEARCH support for fixes. Doesn't anyone
have
any better thing to do? For every fix I think of the customer that was
inconvenienced to have to report it, argue about it, stomp their feet and
finally squeeze out a solution.
3) Adequate testing and release control is the foundation of a successful
software vendor. Not being able to delete an item in EPDM because of a bug
at any level is so far unacceptable as to be silly. Regression testing is a
valid software development concept.
4) Phone support isn't what it used to be.
Regards
Konrad
PS MAPICS can be fixed, just install real QC, develop real releases, add
missing function with charging for a new application everytime and play
better with the external world.
-----Original Message-----
From: Greg Novak, Momentum [mailto:gnovak@xxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 10:38 AM
To: 'MAPICS ERP System Discussion'
Subject: RE: RE: Mapics data extract
Mapics has invested both time and money to create those 4600+ PTFs. I find
that commitment preferable to another company that has only a few PTFs and
worse support. No application is perfect, nor ever will be - that is the
reality of software development. You say 4600+ PTFs like it's a bad thing
<g>.
Just my $.02,
-Greg
Gregory Novak
Manager North American Technical Services
Momentum Utilities Pty Ltd
(630) 985-1736
gnovak@xxxxxxxxxx
www.jacana.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Konrad Underkofler [mailto:kdunderk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 7:49 AM
To: 'MAPICS ERP System Discussion'
Subject: RE: RE: Mapics data extract
Oh well, I just have to Paola...
> It is a good solid product
PTF 4600+ and counting. R7 dead in water. We just had to download Rev 33
of the client so we could delete an item in EPDM! This is a product that
has
been out for several years, how can it not delete items?
> and is continually being updated as business needs change.
I think I missed that. COM needs a complete rethink and rewrite. The last
real MAPICS app was REP done back in 90 or 91? Otherwise the functionality
is the same as it was this past decade. Most of the goodness resides in the
Mfg area, but flexibility is not included.
> On the other hand, with MAPICS you have a full customer support team
> to
help guide you through problems, training, and issues. So even though you
have employees coming and going over the years, you still have the support
team at MAPICS to help support your users.
If they have not been laid off yet. MAPICS XA is clearly not MAPICS Inc
strategic application set anymore following years of effort, all
semi-successful to get off green screen AS/400 and its associated costs. I
believe most MAPICS development is being done in India now.
So, in answer to the data extract question.
1) Whatever version of MAPICS you have is probably just like the current
one
in function with the exception of COM replacing OEI. My advice stick with
it. Depending on what release you are on, the upgrade path may be brutal.
In
any case the older versions (ie pre COM) are good efficient machine users
and do not require outlandish CPW ratings to function.
2) Extracting data is more practical if you just get the customer and items
(ie CUSMAS and ITEMAS) and then cut over and start again. Run the existing
system till all transactions have cleared while bringing up the new one
merging the results on paper.
3) Custom programs are far easier now than they used to be if you
requirements don't fit MAPICS well. You will easily spend enough in license
fees, upgrades, mods, consulting to make the custom solution doable in a
lot
of cases.
Regards
Konrad
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