Re: Real World Benefits to Mapics 7+ upgrade

Marc,

In our case we were sold by the ease with which you can customize the PowerLink 
user interface.  The ability to quickly and easily add custom data files with 
relationships to XA data, and have those files immediately available in the 
PowerLink interface via configuration (as opposed to coding) is extremely 
powerful.

Basically, you don't have to code interfaces anymore.  Using the Integrator 
product you can stick to coding business logic in user exits, and create 
interfaces for you custom data via easily understood configuration options.  
This turns power users into junior developers.

To balance out these benefits there is a list of drawbacks.  One potential 
problem is that any of your custom code will have to be moved into the new user 
exits as Jim pointed out.  Also, you may have to buy the more expensive 
Enterprise Integrator depending on your needs.  Finally, my experience has been 
that the support lags behind development by at least a year.  In other words, I 
am experiencing excruciatingly slow response times on many of my support 
requests that have to do with the Power architecture.

With all of that said, I would highly recommend an upgrade if you determine 
that bringing custom code with you will not be too onerous.  The Power 
architecture is very... well powerful.  Once the code base is solid, it will 
make development much easier, and effectively remove most barriers to 
integrating XA with diverse sources of data.

Josh Diggs
Information Systems Manager
California Fine Wire
(805) 489-5144x236



-----Original Message-----
From: mapics-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mapics-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
Marc.Rohde@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2006 11:50 AM
To: MAPICS ERP System Discussion
Subject: [MAPICS-L] Real World Benefits to Mapics 7+ upgrade


After reading all the Infor information on the topic I could get my hands 
on I though I would throw the question out to the real world.  If you have 
upgraded to Mapics 7 or higher what are the real advantages that you have 
experienced?  How was the upgrade "sold" to your management staff?

I guess the question could also apply to release 6 as well since we are 
currently at 5.5 with AP/AR (no IFM) and PDM+ (not EPDM).

The biggest win on the infrastructure side for us will be to get back into 
software/PTF support but we are looking for opportunities on the business 
side as well since it will require commitment from all departments to test 
and validate the deployment.

Your input is appreciated,
Marc Rohde
IT Manager
Pentair Filtration, Inc. & Everpure, LLC

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