Re: BPCS Docs -- BPCS-L

We have done the COURSES and got the manuals and printed the runbooks
and I got the redbook
but none of the stuff we got is really useful.  There is information but
it is a mismash and hodgepotch.

RUNDOC is how to operate BPCS from a USER perspective.
RUN BOOKS are good and necessary but by no means complete.

BPCS has  very little or no SYSTEMS documentation, or none that I can
get hold of.

I base my next comments on IBMs MAPICs documentation.  I did not think
much of MAPICS but as the old song goes, 'You dont know what you got
till its gone.' and I still reminisce about the good/bad ole days.
[I miss MAPICS :]'

By  SYSTEMS  I  mean a,
REFERENCE manual that explains the CONCEPTS that  BPCS uses.
(MRP, COSTING,  GL  ORDER PRICING, Outbound logistics, Warehouse
Management ETC. ETC ETC)

And a TECHINICAL manual that explains to a programmer how the individual
RPG programs work and how the various Menu CL options function (the
links between the programs and files , was once called system flow
charts).

And a DATABASE manual that defines for every file, every field in the
file, what values the field carrys and what the values mean with a
reference to where they are used and why.

And EDUCATION manuals that teach people how to work BPCS.

I DO NOT mean Cross-Reference information, I can get that via a number
of other utilities.

I believe all 5 manuals should be separate and NOT combined in a single
mismash of information.

Genyphyr Novak wrote:

> 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
> >> > --
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> >
> >--
> >L. S. Russell Programmer/Analyst
> >Datrek Professional Bags, Inc.
> >2413 Industrial Drive
> >Springfield, TN. 37172
> >mailto:leslier@datrek.com
> >http://www.datrek.com
> >--
> >+---
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> >
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