RE: Analytical alternative for MAPICS

We developed an extremely powerful tool (Executive Information System) using 
software most of you already have on your systems:

Query/400 (queries written to summarize information and output to database file 
instead of to printer)
AS400 Job Scheduler (to schedule the series of queries that run at night)
Client Access (needed to provide the ODBC link)
MS Excel 2000 Pivot Tables & Charts (a little known feature of Excel that will 
knock your socks off!)
MS ODBC (open data base connectivity standard with Windows)
MS Internet Explorer 5.0 (web browser used to view/navigate tables & charts)

With the above mixture, we've eliminated many paper reports, provided almost 
real-time information on sales, orders, purchasing activity, headcount, labor 
hours analysis (paid,job,earned), scrap information, variance information, 
general ledger account activity, inventory trends, aged payables and 
receivables trends.  In addition, we created a few inquiry tools that the users 
love such as an inquiry screen that allows users to look at po line items (both 
history and active) with search criteria of item number, description 
(comments), requisitioner, warehouse, etc.

All accessible from an Excel spreadsheet that is linked to Internet Explorer, 
giving it the look and feel of a web page.  All charts and tables are neatly 
organized by functional area (Accounting, Human Resources, Sales ... etc.) with 
hyperlinks to other spreadsheets (pivot tables/charts).  Works great.

Downside:
- up front effort creating queries & tables and minimal pc configuration
- queries must be maintained should MAPICS databases change

Upside:
- cost
- flexibility (almost limitless number of ways to display information)
- data is in read-only Excel spreadsheet stored on server drive which can be 
copy/pasted by user into their own spreadsheet
- real-time information (almost - usually about 1 day behind)
- wealth of information at users finger tips
- homerun for users and execs feeling a little underwhelmed by MAPICS green 
screens and sometimes cumbersome navigation
- if all else fails, at least having gone through the effort you'll know what 
you need/want when buying an off the shelf system

>>> patbeil@vanguardsolutions.com 07/06/01 02:41PM >>>
Steve,
The concern of your management is not uncommon.  The PC vs. MidRange
comparisons are common throughout the midrange environment.  The issue is
complicated by assumptions and perceptions held by management.

The solutions being evaluated must not only solve the business issue, they
must also provide a positive return on the invested capital.  Until one
understands the scope, capabilities, cost and value to one's business, a
comparison of estimated prices of different solutions is a frustrating
exercise.

The price of GPS is dependent on several factors, and the entry point can be
well below the $80K level previously quoted.  The value is dependent on your
unique situation.  It is our responsibility as a potential vendor to
understand your business, present the solution, and assist you in
determining the financial benefit and impact.

Patrick Beil



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-mapics-l@midrange.com [mailto:owner-mapics-l@midrange.com]On 
Behalf Of Shurge, Stephen (MTL)
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2001 12:52 PM
To: 'MAPICS-L@midrange.com' 
Subject: RE: Analytical alternative for MAPICS: Vendor- Vanguard
Solutions Group, inc.


To Beil Patrick:

In our organization we are just starting the discuss the using of an OLAP
product for sales.

So far whenever we compare an AS/400 and Mapics offerings against a PC
product like

POWERPLAY management flips out because they can't see why the PC offerings
are under

$2,000.00 per PC compared to your price of over $80,000.00.

The difference is hard to sell to management.

Steve

Steve Shurge
850 Montee de Liese
Montreal, Quebec
H4T 1P4
Phone # 514 341 3550 ext 2655
Fax #     514 341 1292
Email :  sshurge@recochem.com 



-----Original Message-----
From: Patrick Beil [mailto:patbeil@vanguardsolutions.com] 
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2001 10:43 AM
To: MAPICS-L@midrange.com 
Subject: RE: Analytical alternative for MAPICS: Vendor- Vanguard
Solutions Group, inc.


Ed,
Thanks for the compliment.

The GPS solution is changing the way MAPICS users access the comprehensive
(!) data MAPICS captures so well.  The value to any organization is not the
data itself, but rather the knowledge and insights provided through the
analysis of the data, and being able to communicate and act upon that
information.  All in less time, with fewer resources than you had last
month.

In the discussion of the MTHACT file and order bookings, there are many
different definitions and solutions to capturing and reporting the order
activity.  Having been in the MAPICS community for 14 years, I have heard
about many creative solutions crafted to address the need.

The GPS solution offers an alternative to the "standard" way of reporting.
The analysis and flexibility it affords through the OLAP capabilities,
accessing of multiple databases, and tight integration with MAPICS may be
reason to evaluate the GPS approach to the order bookings and other MAPICS
information-access related issues.

Regarding the price, we would welcome the opportunity to revisit the
situation, and work to determine a mutually beneficial scenario.  (Sounds
like a sales guy, eh?!)

Thanks again.
Patrick Beil



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-mapics-l@midrange.com [mailto:owner-mapics-l@midrange.com]On 
Behalf Of Ed Chabot
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2001 10:21 AM
To: MAPICS-L@midrange.com 
Subject: RE: Analytical alternative for MAPICS: Vendor- Vanguard
Solutions Group, inc.


Patrick,
I agree that your product looks pretty slick but the price tag staggered us
when we looked into it.  With the "base" model starting at $50,000 and a
"generic" model with e-deployment running around $80,000, it was way out of
our ballpark!

Ed Chabot
The Marlin Firearms Company
100 Kenna Drive
North Haven, CT 06473
(203)985-3254

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-mapics-l@midrange.com [mailto:owner-mapics-l@midrange.com]On 
Behalf Of Patrick Beil
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2001 11:06 PM
To: MAPICS-L@midrange.com 
Subject: Analytical alternative for MAPICS: Vendor- Vanguard Solutions
Group, inc.



Analysis of MAPICS data, like any transaction oriented  ERP system, is
challenging at best. Access to the data through query is complex, and
requires technical knowledge and time.   As an employee of Vanguard
Solutions Group, Inc., I would suggest that you consider the MAPICS
Certified Enterprise Solution:  Graphical Performance Series (GPS) for the
analysis of that mthact information.

I don't want to make a sales pitch, but I think it may be worth a small
investment of time to look into some detail about our approach to data
access, analysis, reporting, and end-user capabilities.  I'm not sure that
we do exactly what you are looking for, but some time on the phone with our
technical folks could discern that pretty quickly.

Patrick Beil
Sales Representative
patrick@vanguardsolutions.com 
330-702-1901


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