Re: Accounting

Teresa,



Another option for you (reporting wise) may be Crystal Reports Server.
I have implemented Crystal Reports for Mapics about 2 years ago and have
not looked back since. The report designer is very intuitive and the
cost is low ($500). The 'server' portion runs on a windows IIS server
and the users can request their own reports ad-hoc or the server can
schedule the reports to run (print/email, etc) at any time. For the
$500, you get a less then full function server, but it hasn't bothered
me yet.



Thanks,



Dean Eggert

I.T. Manager

The Masterson Company, Inc.





message: 4

date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:08:15 -0400

from: "Vanessa King" <VanessaKing@xxxxxxxxx>

subject: Re: [MAPICS-L] Accounting



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