RE: User Conference

["Shrader, Patrick" <pshrader@xxxxxxxx>]

There were a couple of neat programs that Mapics showcased at the event that
I liked. The Trilogy Opportunity Management System/Field Sales has some
advantages over other sales automation tools because it interfaced with
Mapics. Also, COM_Net for the Palm VII allows the sales reps to have instant
access to the Mapics COM information from the field. Also seeing the newer
products in person like EPDM made me excited about the new ways Mapics is
approaching the user interfaces for their modules (client server -- when it
works -- is an easier way to view and manipulate data, but not at the cost
of constant crashes and Windows BSOD!).

My biggest problem with the event was that many of the new features will
only be supported initially on release 6.0, then backleveled to release 5.5.
After undergoing a recent project to convert from DB to XA5, I am not eager
to re-review my entire set of custom reports to support yet another database
change. While I acknowledge that some fields and files need to be added to
the system to support the new features, Mapics needs to be cognizant that
there are a large number of clients who are not yet even at 5.0. Where
possible, they need to integrate the new file changes into separate files so
that the core applications don't change. 

I have not yet seen the damage report on 6.0's database over 5.0, and the
Mapics Reps were very excited to show the new features, but less so to
explain the work it will take to use these features.

Patrick Shrader
White Knight Engineered Products
Arden, NC

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