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I must be incredibly lucky. Seriously, I can't say I have ever been left
hanging by MAPICS on a problem. Sometimes I don't like the answer I get,
as in "it's functioning as designed" when the design doesn't match what I
want, but that's why they have user exits and off-line loads. I figure
that's the balance to using packaged software - I don't have to write
everything and reinvent the wheel, I just have to add on what I need.
I do generally keep current on application levels, mostly because I have
gone on the scenario that the most recent version is more than likely the
most accurate version. I have had to back off to earlier versions of
specific programs a couple of times in the last couple years, but for me
that has definitely been the exception, not the rule. As a (former)
programmer, I don't blame MAPICS for not particularly wanting to support
out-of-date versions of code within a general release level. At one time
in my past, I headed a development team, and we gave no option - if you
used our software, you stayed current or didn't get support. My department
simply didn't have the resources to support multiple versions.
I am much more cautious on Browser builds than I am on the iSeries core
applications, but I am fortunate in having a user that does a thorough
shakedown of all new builds before I push them out for general update. In
recent memory, the only build that caused me problems was .31 (I'm at
XAR6).
I read a while back a discussion on source vs. no source. In my opinion,
you have to have source. I do NOT modify MAPICS logic or any of the core
functionality like MRP and such. However, I have found the source code to
be essential when developing enhanced reports and user exits.
I have found e:Info to be an excellent resource (I can comfortably say well
over 50% of my questions and problems are resolved via No-Wait Response),
and would have to really think about when I last actually called the
Response Line. I do get calls back when I request that, but I find they
are usually very good calls as I am able to be very explicit in my request
for assistance - I really like being able enter all the information that I
think is relavent. I do wish I could do attachments, like print screens or
report images, but that isn't in their help desk package. If MAPICS reads
this - that would be an excellent enhancement to request... (hint hint).
Incidentally, I think a "user tip" web site that is searchable would be a
fantastic idea. While I really feel MAPICS Support is very good, I really
like having resources like this thread, our regional MAPICS User Group, and
some other users I have gotten to know over the years to assist me when I
need to do something "outside of the box" or things that aren't covered
under "it's functioning as designed". Contributors on this thread like
Connie, Paula, Rusty, Jeff, Bob Tenney, Joan, and Konrad (yes, Konrad
complains but has helped me on some issues over the years!) have been quite
helpful to me over the years. The experience of members on this thread is
great!
If someone does host a "user tip" web site in addition to this, I would
hope that they offer a link to this thread for postings. I also think a
"complaints and comments" section would be helpful. I would bet that
MAPICS would monitor it for suggestions and potential improvements.
I really like this thead! I get lots of good ideas, and it's interesting
reading what others are going through.
Dale Gindlesperger
Fleetwood Folding Trailers, Inc.
Rusty Jackson
<rustyjackson@xxxx To: MAPICS ERP System
Discussion <mapics-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
ast.net> cc:
Sent by: Subject: Re: MMA Deinstall
mapics-l-bounces@x
idrange.com
06/04/2003 10:09
AM
Please respond to
MAPICS ERP System
Discussion
Well said Konrad.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Konrad Underkofler" <kdunderk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "MAPICS ERP System Discussion" <mapics-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2003 9:55 AM
Subject: RE: MMA Deinstall
> Paola,
>
> You are imagining a world that does not exist anymore. MAPICS does not
> test their fixes anymore and they are indifferent to resolving any sort
> of issue. Reported bad fixes go unresolved on the catch 22 that you have
> to be at the latest level to talk to them about the problem. Once they
> find you are not at the latest level they don't do the most basic
> investigation. So we have pretty much stopped reporting issues and
> stopped applying fixes other than ones we absolutely need to continue.
> We don't have the time to play games with them with no favorable result.
> If they offered a lower license fee for not using support or not taking
> future releases we would leap at the opportunity.
>
> Unfortunately for the user group this lets MAPICS knowledgebase
> gradually deteriorate. I would rather see us have a spot to identify and
> solve issues and warm users about bad fixes before they crash. Since by
> default users are concerned and loyal to their own companies I have no
> doubt that the quality of the information would be much higher than that
> provided by MAPICS where they are concerned about profitability and
> gaining market share with their newer products. I do not disagree with
> MAPICS decision to spend as little cash on XA as they can get away with,
> they walk a very fine line in encouraging users to gradually defect to
> newer products but have the benefit of a highly customized user base and
> the intense lockin that legacy ERP systems create.
>
> As an example, from the current e-info...
>
> AMPDH in Payroll has another fix. This is a small program that does the
> options for payroll checks and reports, only 434 statements with plenty
> of comments. How much trouble could they get into??? BTW We don't use
> MAPICS payroll.
>
> SH55877 ptf 173
> Then the fun begins...
> SH61996 ptf 3692
> SH62420 ptf 4082
> SH63058 ptf 4267
> SH63379 ptf 4405
> SH63979 ptf 4674
> SH64049 ptf 4756
>
> >From looking at the code I still don't think it is correct but I would
> have to run quite a few scenarios to test it with IFM or GL and without.
> In the good old days this code churn would get someone terminated,
> reassigned, etc.
>
> Back to the website thing. I sort of envisioned when I brought the topic
> up that it would be a good area to do some open source type development
> on areas that are crucial to most MAPICS customers but have never been
> seen as a priority to MAPICS because they might have a 3rd party product
> marketing opportunity. Two examples would be a mini-ISL and web COM
> orders without COM-web. There is no need for $60,000 packages with
> continuing support fees when the requirement can be handled in house
> with a purpose specific mini-application.
>
> Enough whining for one day, back to real work!
>
> Konrad
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paola Groeber [mailto:pgroeber@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 6:11 PM
> To: MAPICS ERP System Discussion
> Subject: Re: MMA Deinstall
> Importance: High
>
>
> Yes, but it is one of the best reasons to use them. They have the test
> environments and the greatest experts to do the right testing so that
> when you receive a fix or snippet of code, you have a realitively high
> certainty it will fix the problem. Can you say any other web site would
> do better? I think not. One of the main spokespersons on this subject
> and one whom I have the greatest respect is Dale. However, he does not
> know your configuration, what modules you have installed, how you have
> your system tailored, etc. Working with MAPICS Support you get that
> service and a tailored fix for your settings. There is no way in this
> world any "User" Website will ensure you get the kind of accuracy and
> service that MAPICS Support provides.
>
> Ok, now I'll step down off my soap box and quietly go back to "lurk
> mode".........
>
> Paola Groeber
>
>
>
> Rusty Jackson wrote:
>
> > Eventually! As we all know, sometimes their response time is not
> exactly
> > quick.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Paola Groeber" <pgroeber@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > To: "MAPICS ERP System Discussion" <mapics-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 5:55 PM
> > Subject: Re: MMA Deinstall
> >
> > > But isn't that what MAPICS-Support does?
> > >
> > > Paola Groeber
> > > pgroeber@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >
> > > LeLeux@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> > >
> > > > An excellent example of a tip that should be indexed on a website,
>
> > > > along with a downloadable snippet of code required to fix the
> > > > problem and a link to download the entire program object if
> > > > preferred.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks Connie!
> > > >
> > > > Connie Webb <cwebb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > Sent by: mapics-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > 06/03/2003 01:07 PM
> > > > Please respond to
> > > > MAPICS ERP System Discussion <mapics-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > >
> > > > To
> > > > "'MAPICS ERP System Discussion'" <mapics-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx> cc
> > > >
> > > > Subject
> > > > MMA Deinstall
> > > >
> > > > BEWARE all users of MTHACTE. IF you deinstall MMA, you will also
> > > > stops records from feeding to MTHACTE. See SH61742 to fix
> > > > MTHACTE. Analytics uses MTHACTE for bookings data.
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > This is the MAPICS ERP System Discussion (MAPICS-L) mailing list
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> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
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> > >
> > >
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> > >
> >
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>
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
>
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