RE: Mapics XA and Syteline

Mike,

I only say MAPICS XA is a dead end because to truly get to a nice OO
implementation it will require a complete database replacement getting
rid of all the duplication and bad structure inherited from 30 + years
of development in many different development paradigms. Having ITEM
NUMBER as the key to item master is not a real current design anymore.
Multi-segment keys go against current practice and stop them using
current tools. Finally the Synon influence needs to go for the mess it
has made.  

And when all that does change it will not be MAPICS XA anymore. But it
will be more economical to develop, more reliable and more supportable.
The $64,000 question for MAPICs is has anyone already done it that will
lock out their potential market share?

I do wish them luck tho, it is real tough to do and they have already
put forth the good effort to do it several times. 

Regards

Konrad

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Crawford [mailto:mikec@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2003 2:41 PM
To: MAPICS ERP System Discussion
Subject: RE: Mapics XA and Syteline


MAPICS XA a dead end?  Interesting opinion...  Watch the lines begin to
blur between Syteline and MAPICS XA in the next 2 years.  At least under
the covers.

You are right about one thing, Linux + Java are the way to go, but you
can substitute ANY DB, Oracle, DB2, Sybase... take your pick. If MAPICS
continues to develop along their current path???  The Browser will be
100% Java compliant, (Release 8?) meaning it will run on any major 
OS.
Update the DB engine to Java based, EJB most likely.... all database
access to be SQL complaint.  This is already being done, right?  That's
what we're being told.

Now, translate the business logic into a stand-alone XML based
component, ERP is ERP, right?  So, it shouldn't matter what the platform
is, nor 
should it
matter what the database is, as long as the access is there.  Throw that
behind your client of choice.  Like I said, the lines between the two
products are going to blur.

Mike


Michael Crawford <mikec@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Director of Information Systems
United Titanium, Inc.   330-264-2111


At 9/17/2003  02:12 PM, you wrote:
>Since MAPICS XA is a very dead end I would like to eventually see the 
>functionality that Syteline or whatever incorporates to include it in a

>comparison with other contenders for modern functional ERP systems. 
>Given their cost structure I am not sure it would be much less 
>expensive to continue with MAPICS or just move to a new vendor. Every 
>generation of hardware and OS seems to produce a leader in applications

>to support it as the old leaders remain too tied to their existing 
>customer base to prosper and survive.
>
>As far as technology goes... I am not sure .Net is really ready for ERP

>primetime yet. I would bet on J2EE being the better investment for the 
>next couple of years at least. Linux + Oracle + J2EE is the sweet spot 
>right now. With M$ you get the joy and the horror :) What the MRP run 
>blue screened? It is not able to continue? It wants to report its 
>problem???
>
>Long term I would bet most of the functionality will be incorporated in

>code generators doing either Java or .Net. Everybody will be able to 
>roll their own custom package with fewer fixes, few workarounds, far 
>less add on applications and less cost.
>
>Regards,
>
>Konrad
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Vinh Pham [mailto:vip7346@xxxxxxxxx]
>Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2003 1:39 PM
>To: mapics-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Mapics XA and Syteline
>
>
>Hi List:
>See below and ..... any comment ?
>
>
>Tuesday  Sep 23 2003 11:00AM ET Presented By:
>Neil Valois, MAPICS
>
>Register for this Webcast:
>http://cmh.mapics.com/touchpoint2/
>
>
>For customers of:
>  SyteLine
>  Extended Systems Roadmap and Migrating to Syteline 7
>
>This session will walk Extended Systems customers
>through the product roadmap covering release 8,
>release 8.5, and the SyteLine 7 upgrade options.
>Customers have the choice of remaining on Extended
>Systems and maximizing the ROI they receive from their business system 
>through new enhancements, new modules, and MAPICS support services. 
>Additionally, customers have the option of migrating to SyteLine 7, 
>which is built on Microsoft .NET technology and delivers
>breakthroughs in personalization, user efficiency, and
>low total cost of ownership. The intention of the
>session is to provide customers with enough
>information about upcoming releases to ensure they
>properly plan their system upgrades.
>
>
>
>__________________________________
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