Re: Performance and Number of Databases

In message <852565CC.005C42F9.00@mta.adrus.com>, estevens@adrus.com
writes
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>My company is preparing to implement BPCS in an AS/400 environment.  We
>have several manufacturing plants scattered across the US.  Currently, we
>have a raging debate over whether to configure a single large database or
>multiple databases by plant.  Each choice has trade-offs but so far,
>nothing has surfaced that has been sufficiently compelling to tip the
>scales one way or the other.

The choices are :-
1)Each site has its own 400 and BPCS environment.
FOR
Resilient, Simple
Politically easier especially if each site has to commit its own
capital.
AGAINST
Less cost effective hardware purchase.
Multiple OS and application licenses
More operators required, and they are dispersed.
You will need integration tools if you want to do multi site planning
and accounting.

2)One central 400, seperate BPCS environments for each site.
FOR 
One set of OS and application licences
More efficient hardware purchasing
Fewer operators centrally based.
Still politically good as each site "owns" its own environment.
AGAINST
You will need integration tools if you want to do multi site planning
and accounting.
Not resilient, lose one lose all.
3)Central 400, single environment, each site set up as a Company and/or
facility.
FOR
One set of OS and application licences
More efficient hardware purchasing
Fewer operators centrally based.
Integrated.
AGAINST
Politically contentious, particularly if the project is perceived as an
extension of central control.
Can be complex to configure and implement.
Not resilient, lose one lose all.


Try and analyse what the sticking points are. If it is to do with
accounting and reporting bear in mind the following.
a)With the existence of ODBC,replication tools, Cognos, Showcase etc..
BPCS report programs are not always the optimal way to deliver
information and reports.
b)It is unusual for a legal entity to prepare its published accounts
from its transaction system. Usually the financial director takes the
data into the backroom and works his voodoo with PC and spreadsheet. The
stated advantages of integrated multi-site accounting often do not match
with what the real world does.
-- 
Michael Ozanne (Also ozannem@pacific.co.uk)
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