Re: Mapics Browser -- MAPICS-L

Since you already have PDM+ you are already aware of the challenges 
associated with change,
and that most time saving expectations will be delayed as the learning 
curve can be long for many.

IT can assist by spending time with users to determine the best way 
information should be presented,
this includes creating views & subsets geared to make a department more 
efficient.

I mention department for two reasons, part of our success in going from 
green to gui was that we
chose to migrate by department and firmly establish a gui based process 
for their needs, and that
definitions (view, subsets, templates) should not be viewed as 'one size 
fits all'.

Out of the 30+ people using Browser, only about 2-3 can manage their own 
views and such.
That ratio actually exceeded my expectations, but was nonetheless the 
impetus for our approach.

Also, we don't use EPDM, so we can balance gui & green very nicely, not 
because we want to, but due
to the limitations of Browser encompassing the full MAPICS DB we need to.

We could not use Browser with any success without Integrator.  This was 
critical in combining/linking
subsystems to facilitate the flow of information.
In turn we could not fully use Integrator successfully without ASNA's AVR 
tool to allow us to create worthwhile
API's to really get the full benefit. (We use it to manage the data passed 
from Integrator to Word, Email,
drawing retrieval, etc.)

There is much value in Browser, just make sure you can separate comments 
about benefits/caveats
from user's other gui installs such as CSM, EPDM, INTEGRATOR, and OBPM as 
often their situations
relate specifically to those applications and not really Browser.

We have typical core apps similar to you, except we don't have IFM, but we 
do have CSM.  We are R6.

Overall it has been a positive transition, and the benefits are real.  But 
I also know the success was
directly linked to having a support person in IT that knew the product and 
could demonstrate easily
to users how it can really speed up their enquiries by linking information 
as opposed to using 13 group
job screens and writing down numbers just to enter them in another screen. 
 That IT person was core
to our success and it wasn't me!

Feel free to contact me directly if you desire more specific information.

Regards.....james




"Walter, Regina" <RWalter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent by: mapics-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
03/02/2004 08:17 AM
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Subject
Mapics Browser






We are currently using Mapics XA6 modules COM, PUR, IM, PDM, PDM+, CRP, 
PCC,
MRP, and IFM.  We are considering purchasing the Mapics Browser but would
like information about its functionality, productivity gains, support
issues, etc. that does not come from a Mapics affiliate's sales pitch.
We're particularly interested in pros and cons of using it over COM.

Please let me know what you think of the product and over which modules 
you
are using it.  I am also interested in lessons learned on the 
installation,
training, and maintenance of the Browser.

Thanks, 
Regina Walter
Senior Programmer/Analyst

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