Teresa,
Take a look at Spreadsheet Server by Global Software. Spreadsheet Server is
an Excel add-on and is real time (no data loads). It's definitely worth a
look. Since it's Excel, it seems very intuitive for Finance as they seem to
prefer using Excel anyway. It works with AM Financials as well as IFM.
Two of my clients that currently use FRx are in the process of purchasing
Spreadsheet Server (and are planning to stop using FRx). I saw the demo with
them and it looks very slick. Their contact at Global is Deana
Mitchell-Tavolacci who could give you more info about it if you are
interested: Deana.Tavolacci@xxxxxxxxxxx
I haven't used the product myself yet, so I can't give you first hand
knowledge. One of my clients has started their pilot and can't stop talking
about how wonderful it is. He says he wrote more reports in 3 hours than he
has written in FRx in a year, so I'll be taking a closer look at it!
Infor never created a real-time load for FRx Reporter, so you have to run a
load (full or delta) to a SQL database each time you want updated
information (like when you are entering journal entries at month end and
trying to get updated financials quickly). FRx is an excellent product once
the data is there, but the load is a pain and is somewhat finicky. I have
some clients using the product that are very happy with it but I also have
some that are looking at alternatives like Spreadsheet Server. Just do some
research and decide which is best for you.
One more tidbit - FRx was purchased by Microsoft and has been absorbed by
them. Microsoft has a new reporting package called Management Reporter. The
last time I checked, Infor had not decided if they would write the interface
to the new product. I have heard that FRx Reporter will be supported but not
enhanced by Microsoft. They are trying to move their direct customers to
Management Reporter.
Vanessa King
IFM and FRx Reporter Consultant
-----Original Message-----
From: mapics-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mapics-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Kevin.Gerard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2008 5:25 PM
To: MAPICS ERP System Discussion
Cc: 'MAPICS ERP System Discussion'
Subject: Re: [MAPICS-L] Accounting
I would agree w/ all the comments made so far, and add a couple things
myself. We all "dream" of the time AMPLUS will be fully implimented in
Power Link (not Browser! Hate that term!) I think it was a huge mistake
on
Infor's part to move development away from AMPLUS and focus only on
clientizing IFM. Having said that inquiry into the information is there
and w/ some clever things in Integrator you can extend the functions to
some transaction (for example managing Invoice/PO halts and doing payment
selectionsl building work bench/work flow beteen Accounting and
Purchasing, etc..). You can combine G/L Current and History and build
some extremely slick functions around drill-down, and reviewing the
transactions, and really some slick integration into related areas.
FRx is an amazing tool and the integration is already there. Bit of a
learning curve but pretty robust. World class really. I installed
this at a company 3 years ago when they hired a new Controller who
"hated"
Mapics. This won him over. I also saw a demo a few months ago from a
company that has an Excel solution (Global Software Solutions?) and it
was
quite impressive. However I have never directly used or installed this so
maybe others can comment on if this is a good gap filler or not. (would
love to hear feedback if this solutions works well or not w/ XA from
other
XA customers?). Maybe others have heard of simliar solutions. I think
necessity tends to drive some of this innovation to fill gaps in the core
applications.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents and good luck with your challenges whatever is
chosen!
Kevin
-------------------------------------------
Kevin Gerard, Senior Technical Consultant
TriMin Systems, Inc. - Infor Channel Partner
Direct 309-932-3103
Mobile 309-883-1689
www.triminmfg.com
"We are committed to helping manufacturing companies improve their
Visibility, Productivity, Growth and Profitability"
-----mapics-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote: -----
To: "'MAPICS ERP System Discussion'" <mapics-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
From: "Kevin Fox" <kdfox@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent by: mapics-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: 04/11/2008 01:27PM
Subject: Re: [MAPICS-L] Accounting
Teresa,
I cannot imagine that a demo with PowerLink, IFM with FRx Report Writer
and
EBI would find any product than can compete.
I know that the labs are busily working on the new graphical IFM
applications that include many charts and graphs built into the
process.
Release 7.8 which is very close to being released will have the first
versions of these.
Frx Report Writer is recognized as one of the leading report writers
for
financials. It is owned by Microsoft and licensed to Infor for XA. I
would
suspect that Microsoft will not publish anything unless it is
"windows".
Did your Infor Affiliate demonstrate FRx? Did they demonstrate a
preview of
7.8?
If not, get with them and request they do.
Just as a point of reference. I am an independent consultant that has
successfully implemented SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards (World and One World),
PeopleSoft, Epicor, Axapta (Microsoft), Dynamics (Microsoft),
NetVision,
XA
(AM, AM+, IFM), Syteline (XL).
I can assure you that the XA financial applications (all modules
including
EBI) compete very favorably with all of the above. While each has its
own
limitations and quirks so do all the other systems.
I hope this helps.
Kevin Fox
-----Original Message-----
From: mapics-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mapics-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Teresa Biby
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2008 11:01 AM
To: MAPICS ERP System Discussion
Subject: Re: [MAPICS-L] Accounting
We've been using the browser at Release 6 for years--he's seen the new
PowerLink--we will have NetLink as well. Essentials only +EPDM--his
issues are with accounting--I'm under the impression that AM+ is
additional package? (We don't have that for Browser)
XA did NOT blow him away with any of the rest--his previous position
was
recommending ERP systems to companies--(guess which ERP systems!)
Thanks--and we really are glad you've stayed on this list. Hope the
new
position is working well for you!
-----Original Message-----
From: mapics-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mapics-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Gindlesperger, Dale
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2008 1:52 PM
To: 'MAPICS ERP System Discussion'
Subject: Re: [MAPICS-L] Accounting
Teresa,
OK, you really, Really, REALLY need to do a visit to an account running
R7 with Browser, or even R6 with a company that is heavily using
Essentials, and all the rest. XA will blow him away with EPDM, OBPM,
MM, Procurement, CSM, and all the rest. If you get an R7 shop, that's
the best (especially if they are running NetLink).
Do all you can to INSIST that you see all the new stuff before you let
your company spend a ton of money moving off an outstanding ERP
package,
running on the most stable platform out there, just because someone
sees
a Client Access screen and thinks "old". Once he sees all that Browser
can do, his tune will change.
The interfaces from inventory and the rest of manufacturing are
automatic, and can be controlled. At Fleetwood, we had order entry
(CSM, COM, and COM_Net) just go to the MTHACT files and we summarized
them and did journal entries, we didn't need all the detail in GL (it
was available in COM history). Ditto for manufacturing/inventory (I/M
history and the M/O history contained all the detail. However, we did
have the interfaces active for A/R and A/P. That's one of the neat
things about XA, it's all there! You can control what you want to see,
and what you want automated.
Dale "Cork" Gindlesperger
Midrange Account Manager
Link Computer Corporation
Stadium Drive
Bellwood, PA 16617
Phone: 814-742-7700 Ext. 351
Fax: 814-742-7900
Cell: 814-442-1291
-----Original Message-----
From: mapics-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mapics-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Teresa Biby
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2008 1:35 PM
To: MAPICS ERP System Discussion
Subject: [MAPICS-L] Accounting
To the group:
In addition to turning on MRP and going live with Release 7-we have a
new CFO here that is of the opinion that Mapics is old and should be
replaced with a "Windows" software.
So far we've seen demos on Epicor Vantage and ABAS. More to come.
We are at REL 6 with only AM in green screen-his biggest issue.
My question to you all is-how many of you use the Mapics financials?
Did
you go to IFM? Do any of you have separate packages for Accounting?
If
so, what are they and how easy is it to send Manufacturing/inventory
and
customer order data to them?
I realize I'm using up all my "consulting" hours in two days-THANKS SO
MUCH for all the help!
Teresa
_______________________________________________
This is the MAPICS ERP System Discussion (MAPICS-L) mailing list
To post a message email: MAPICS-L@xxxxxxxxxxxx
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change list options,
visit:
http://lists.midrange.com/mailman/listinfo/mapics-l
or email: MAPICS-L-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Before posting, please take a moment to review the archives
at
http://archive.midrange.com/mapics-l.
_______________________________________________
This is the MAPICS ERP System Discussion (MAPICS-L) mailing list
To post a message email: MAPICS-L@xxxxxxxxxxxx
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change list options,
visit:
http://lists.midrange.com/mailman/listinfo/mapics-l
or email: MAPICS-L-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Before posting, please take a moment to review the archives
at
http://archive.midrange.com/mapics-l.
This email was Anti Virus checked by VPC's Astaro Security Gateway.
http://www.astaro.com
_______________________________________________
This is the MAPICS ERP System Discussion (MAPICS-L) mailing list
To post a message email: MAPICS-L@xxxxxxxxxxxx
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change list options,
visit:
http://lists.midrange.com/mailman/listinfo/mapics-l
or email: MAPICS-L-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Before posting, please take a moment to review the archives
at
http://archive.midrange.com/mapics-l.
_______________________________________________
This is the MAPICS ERP System Discussion (MAPICS-L) mailing list
To post a message email: MAPICS-L@xxxxxxxxxxxx
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change list options,
visit:
http://lists.midrange.com/mailman/listinfo/mapics-l
or email: MAPICS-L-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Before posting, please take a moment to review the archives
at
http://archive.midrange.com/mapics-l.
_______________________________________________
This is the MAPICS ERP System Discussion (MAPICS-L) mailing list
To post a message email: MAPICS-L@xxxxxxxxxxxx
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change list options,
visit:
http://lists.midrange.com/mailman/listinfo/mapics-l
or email: MAPICS-L-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Before posting, please take a moment to review the archives
at
http://archive.midrange.com/mapics-l.
midrange.com
