Imitation the Sincerest Form of Flattery

We recently visited one of our competitor's web-site and found substantial differences in their look and feel since we had last visited -- all changes that served to mimic the MISys look and feel, even down to the use of a very familiar gear-like logo we've all come to know and love. Terms had been changed to sound more like MISys as well. What remains missing are such staples of manufacturing as WIP, Master Production Schedule-based MRP, Shop Floor Control and much much much more. If you really want a MISys "lite" we recommend the real thing -- MISys Basic Mfg with Purchasing -- you'd still get WIP, and you can add Shop Floor and MRP when the time is right!

Made in America?

Please support American manufacturers.
According to Moody's Analytics, if every American spent an extra 1 cent per day on US-manufactured goods (18 cents a day) that would allow for the creation of 200,000 new jobs.

What is an ERP system?

Since Sage started branding their mid-market accounting software as an ERP system some years back, Accpac business partners have been asking me these questions:

Is an MRP system a kind of ERP system?

Is an ERP system a kind of MRP system?

Is an ERP system an ERP system if it doesn't have an MRP component?

What does an MRP system need to make it an ERP system?

I've often wondered whether there is some universal definition of an ERP system that I would use to bolster my answer to the questions.

According to Wikipedia, "an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is an integrated computer-based system used to manage internal and external resources including tangible assets, financial resources, materials, and human resources."

So it sounds like one of the tasks of an ERP system is to manage material assets (possibly manufacturing inventory?). This is what a Material Requirements Planning (MRP) system does, right?

Digging further, I found the following definition in webopedia's glossary:

"Short for enterprise resource planning, a business management system that integrates all facets of the business, including planning, manufacturing, sales, and marketing. As the ERP methodology has become more popular, software applications have emerged to help business managers implement ERP in business activities such as inventory control, order tracking, customer service, finance and human resources."

This makes it clear that an ERP system binds several business management tasks together, including manufacturing (MRP).

The next time I'm asked "Is an ERP system a kind of MRP system?" I'll know to answer "No, but an MRP system is a component of an ERP system."

I'll have to mull over the answer to the question "Is an ERP system an ERP system if it doesn't have an MRP component?"

Hmmmm.... What do you think?

Service

When is service rendered? …when the end user gets what he/she wants? …when the need is met? …other? Our approach at MISys is to facilitate meeting the end user’s need by ensuring that the software is functioning as it was written, in the user’s application.

This facilitation may involve a coordination of the efforts of the Technical Support Team, the Sure Start coaches and the Training staff. We may even access the skills of one of our Partners to assist in getting resolution to an issue when the demand on internal resources is high. We understand that typically, time is of the essence for our users.

We regard a matter as concluded when the user feels that it is. Sometimes an issue is resolved in a way that the user couldn’t anticipate. The resources at our disposal accommodate thorough exploration of matters. Service may involve several people who all recognize that the software must perform as promoted.

Visit us online at www.misysinc.com

Webinar Series: Essentials of Integration With Accpac version 6.0

We have just finished a series of four 1-hour webinars focusing on the integration between MISys Manufacturing SBM and Sage ERP Accpac version 6.0. The topics were:

Integration with Accpac General Ledger 6.0

After creating a chart of accounts for MISys Manufacturing to use and exporting those accounts to Accpac General Ledger, we created a number of stock transfers and examined the journal entries resulting to better understand the function of the manufacturing subledger. We performed a MISys Period End and tracked the manufacturing subledger entries into a corresponding Accpac GL Batch.

Integration with Accpac Accounts Payable 6.0

We enabled the PO Invoicing function in MISys and received some material on a purchase order in the sample data. Pretending we had just received an invoice for this material, we invoiced the PO in MISys and followed the transaction all the way to an Invoice Batch in Accpac Accounts Payable 6.0.

Integration with Accpac Inventory Control 6.0

Following a discussion of the reasons why manufacturers should segregate their finished goods inventory (managed by Accpac Inventory Control) from their raw materials inventory (managed by MISys), we experimented by performing a number of Sales Transfers that moved inventory back and forth between manufacturing and sales. We finished up by completing a work order and transferring the resulting material to sales.

Integration with Accpac Order Entry 6.0

We wrapped up the series by exploring three different ways MISys Manufacturing responds to sales orders created in Accpac Order Entry version 6.0. Highlighting the session with a look at the Material Requirements Planning module, we created a sales order for 5,000 desk lamps due to ship next Christmas and with just a few clicks, we planned the required purchasing and production activities.

Streaming Videos Coming…

Because a number of Accpac users and business partners were not able to attend every session of this series, we have agreed to publish four streaming videos for the covered material. Keep an eye on the MISys website at www.misysinc.com/accpac for links to these instructive videos.

MISys to Exhibit at TPAC in Vancouver, March 6-8

Last fall I had the pleasure of visiting Vancouver, BC for the Simply Accounting Conference. In a couple of breaks from the conference I had the chance to explore the city a little bit, including a run through spectacular Stanley Park. http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley. Great place.
In just two weeks we go again.
MISys will be exhibiting the MISys Manufacturing software and networking with other software developers at the Third-Party Advantage Conference (TPAC) March 6-9, 2011 at the River Rock Casino Resort in Vancouver. http://www.tpac.biz/. This gives us a great opportunity to demonstrate the continued commitment of MISys Manufacturing to the Sage ERP Accpac accounting system. As the very first third-party developer for Accpac software, we have quite a story to tell to the resellers and developers who attend.
And maybe, just maybe, there will be a chance to put on some running shoes and head to Stanley Park again.

Appropriately Serve

In my last post I used the term “appropriately serve” in reference to MISys’ objective relative to its end users. In this context, the term “appropriately” can have a variety of definitions. Each would necessarily reflect the perspective of either the end user or the software provider.

Having much experience as an end user of integrated software, primarily in a manufacturing environment, I can relate to all approaches. Also representing the software provider makes for interesting deliberations when an end user has an extraordinary request.

Searching for the right solution for all considered can go beyond the Customer Service team to Technical Support and Sales. Every effort is made to get sufficient input to meet the end user’s need as efficiently and satisfactorily as possible.

We do attempt to place ourselves in the user’s shoes with each interaction. If we were calling regarding the integrated system that we use, what interchange would we appreciate?

Visit us online at www.misysinc.com