RE: RE: Mapics data extract

Greg,

That does get to the bottom of it. In partial answer to Dale as well.

1) Think of what they could have done with all that effort to actually
ENHANCE and COMPLETE function. OFFLINE COM is a good start but it is so late
and needs to be completed. Serial number support please :)
2) I would love to NOT HAVE TO SEARCH support for fixes. Doesn't anyone have
any better thing to do? For every fix I think of the customer that was
inconvenienced to have to report it, argue about it, stomp their feet and
finally squeeze out a solution. 
3) Adequate testing and release control is the foundation of a successful
software vendor. Not being able to delete an item in EPDM because of a bug
at any level is so far unacceptable as to be silly. Regression testing is a
valid software development concept. 
4) Phone support isn't what it used to be.

Regards

Konrad

PS MAPICS can be fixed, just install real QC, develop real releases, add
missing function with charging for a new application everytime and play
better with the external world.  

-----Original Message-----
From: Greg Novak, Momentum [mailto:gnovak@xxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 10:38 AM
To: 'MAPICS ERP System Discussion'
Subject: RE: RE: Mapics data extract


Mapics has invested both time and money to create those 4600+ PTFs.  I find
that commitment preferable to another company that has only a few PTFs and
worse support.  No application is perfect, nor ever will be - that is the
reality of software development.  You say 4600+ PTFs like it's a bad thing
<g>.

Just my $.02,
-Greg

Gregory Novak
Manager North American Technical Services
Momentum Utilities Pty Ltd
(630) 985-1736
gnovak@xxxxxxxxxx
www.jacana.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Konrad Underkofler [mailto:kdunderk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 7:49 AM
To: 'MAPICS ERP System Discussion'
Subject: RE: RE: Mapics data extract


Oh well, I just have to Paola...

> It is a good solid product
  PTF 4600+ and counting. R7 dead in water. We just had to download Rev 33
of the client so we could delete an item in EPDM! This is a product that has
been out for several years, how can it not delete items? 

> and is continually being updated as business needs change.
  I think I missed that. COM needs a complete rethink and rewrite. The last
real MAPICS app was REP done back in 90 or 91? Otherwise the functionality
is the same as it was this past decade. Most of the goodness resides in the
Mfg area, but flexibility is not included.

> On the other hand, with MAPICS you have a full customer support team
> to
help guide you through problems, training, and issues.  So even though you
have employees coming and going over the years, you still have the support
team at MAPICS to help support your users. 

If they have not been laid off yet. MAPICS XA is clearly not MAPICS Inc
strategic application set anymore following years of effort, all
semi-successful to get off green screen AS/400 and its associated costs. I
believe most MAPICS development is being done in India now. 

So, in answer to the data extract question. 

1) Whatever version of MAPICS you have is probably just like the current one
in function with the exception of COM replacing OEI. My advice stick with
it. Depending on what release you are on, the upgrade path may be brutal. In
any case the older versions (ie pre COM) are good efficient machine users
and do not require outlandish CPW ratings to function.

2) Extracting data is more practical if you just get the customer and items
(ie CUSMAS and ITEMAS) and then cut over and start again. Run the existing
system till all transactions have cleared while bringing up the new one
merging the results on paper. 

3) Custom programs are far easier now than they used to be if you
requirements don't fit MAPICS well. You will easily spend enough in license
fees, upgrades, mods, consulting to make the custom solution doable in a lot
of cases. 

Regards

Konrad



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