Re: Month End

Just to add to the array of options available.

Many years ago before I arrived someone had a great idea. When someone
logs in to BPCS, a custom CL program is called. Part of the CL program
checks a data area. If the value is 'Y' then the user is presented with a
message that BPCS is unavailable. If the value is 'N' then the user is
allowed into BPCS.

I am blessed to have HelpSystems' job scheduler available. I simply make
sure that any jobs that contain dates have been updated in the scheduler.
Part of my process is to send break messages to all my users reminding
them that month end is about to start. When the time is up, the data area
is changed to a 'Y', QINTER is taken down, a stock status report is run,
then a backup of the BPCS environment. All of the month end jobs are
executed in sequence, another backup, then the data area is changed back.
I get messages sent to my cell by another HelpSystems product if and when
a job fails. I also get messages when the backups complete.

Month end for me is usually a simple process.

I also 'manually' follow the steps above to post physical inventory. That
way no one messes me up. If there is an error, then it was me.

If anyone is interested in getting more details, I'd be happy to share.

Oh, and by the way, I have nothing to do with HelpSystems other than I'm a
happy customer.

Norman K. Boyd
MIS Administrator
Keihin Thermal Technology of America, Inc

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From: "Al Mac Wow" <macwheel99@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "'BPCS ERP System'" <bpcs-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: 08/31/2012 03:34 PM
Subject: Re: [BPCS-L] Month End
Sent by: bpcs-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx



We have check lists for END-Day (Billing and General Ledger)
End-Week (Shop Order Purge, some modifications)
End-Month
Physical
Replace Standard Costs annually
End-Year for real, and General Ledger Final Close

There are some End-Fiscal steps to be taken before/after applying Physical
Inventory steps. It is all integrated. Do it in wrong sequence, and big
mess.

It is imperative that end fiscal be run at a time when we can reasonably
expect that it will be practical to keep users off the system for the
duration. In my case, that means a weekend, after mid-afternoon on
Saturday. We can vary off some connections, except the connections we
ourselves are using. If we do this from the computer room, we can end all
sub systems, then start only the sub-systems essential to end fiscal, such
as the main console, JOBQ, and PRINTERS. Then when end fiscal completed,
end all sub-systems, then restart with normal environment.

There are several habitual problem areas for us.
1. The concept of end fiscal month is understood only by
accountants.
Many people work weekends, forget that this one is end-fiscal weekend,
that
they are supposed to avoid certain behaviors that weekend. This happens
all
the time.
2. Over-time is not encouraged, so when people not finish
work at close
of day, they often finish it up next morning, but it is important to drum
into people . do not use yesterday date, use date you actually key the
stuff
in, not date of when it happened. Otherwise we do End-Month good, then
Monday, someone is keying in work with Friday date, and it messes up the
prior month totals, without that becoming obvious to the accountants until
we flunk accounting audit. This usually happens when we have turn-over and
a
break down in training the replacement personnel. It also happens
occasionally with some managers, doing corrections.
3. I do end fiscal via VPN from home, unless bad weather
means power
outage means I must go to the office. I have keys, but they change the
keys
every so often, forget to issue me the new set, and no one is home when I
phone management in middle of EOM weekend, in middle of nasty weather,
needing access to the building. This has happened several times.

Al Mac (WOW) = Alister William Macintyre
via WOW WAY.com ISP
2012 April I had a serious PC melt down, from which I am still recovering

-----Original Message-----




From: haydnchan@xxxxxxxxxxx
To: bpcs-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: 08/31/2012 12:05 PM
Subject: [BPCS-L] Month End
Sent by: bpcs-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx



Hi,

I am doing Month end for 31 Aug, 2012. But failed. I found the log in
wrksplf INV901C ended code 20. The Job exceeded end severity.

Can anyone help? Thanks