Basic Macola Module / Inventory Valuation Questions

[62chev]

Hi from a very new (and green) Macola user. I have spent the last couple of weeks trying to digest the documentation on Macola to help get the system implemented - long story. (baptism by fire hose!)

My past experience has been with 'higher end' packages like ROI's Manage 2000 and Mapics. I use the term 'higher end' very loosely when including Mapics.

My first impression of Macola scrolling through the different menus, screens etc. was quite good. The navigation was straight forward, there appeared to be a lot of flexibility with all the different modules etc.

Digging deeper into the documentation what first impressed me (the number of modules/flexibility) began to confuse me. (Again, trying to digest 10 or 12 modules in a couple of weeks, learn a new business etc, my 4 year old can confuse me right now!).

O.K. - here come the basic (dumb) module questions:
SFC Shop Floor Control
POP Production Order Processing
Maybe it is just me but it is not clear if these two modules are mutually exclusive or if they are used together or when one is used vs the other?

We currently have the BOM bill of material and the SR Std product routing - but have not purchased SC std costing. Is it just me or is it impossible to rollup and capture cost without the Std cost module? I understand you can roll the cost in BOM (but this would be material cost only - correct?).

Also, when using the BOM module to cost a bill of material when using standard cost as your inventory valuation method you cannot 'save' the rolled up cost into the parent item. I assume the point is, if you use Std cost as your inventory valuation method you must buy the std cost module? (guess it makes sense, just want to confirm).

OK the 'bean counter' part of me will come out with this question. How can a software product that calls itself an accounting system allow average cost and last cost inventory valuation methods but when it updates these costs it makes no provision to generate a journal entry for change in inventory value of any on hand items?

i.e. Using Last Cost Valuation Method:
Part 'A' Last Cost $10.00 Qty on Hand 3 Inv Value $30.00

Receive 1 in with cost of $12.00
Stock status will now report 4 on hand at $12.00 for $48.00
While the general ledger will reflect $42.00 (original $30.00 plus $12.00 received).

(the most current documentation I read - downloaded from Progression's web site, dated 2001, which itself is a bit scary - not enough changes in the product since 2001 to justify updated documentation? sorry I digress, the documentation states no J/E is made for this situation????)

I understand when you make a value adjustment through an inventory transaction the system produces the appropriate J/E for the change x qty on hand, but in the case of average cost and last cost, the system is making the change.

Without this automatic J/E it would be impossible to ever reconcile your stock status inventory value to the general ledger (told you the bean counter would come out). Am I missing something here.

As these 'little' nuances come out in some very basic things like inventory valuation I can only imagine the nightmares that await us in MRP etc.

I guess I'm looking for some reassurance that Macola is decent package for a manufacturing company and not just a glorified Quick Books or some other low end package (because Macola's pricing is certainly not low end).

Appreciate your comments.

 

[MacolaHelp]

Will try to respond in bits & pieces as your issues go beyond a forum & more into implementation and system integration. SF & PP can both be used. If you need to report at multiple work centers, define more elaborate setup, tools, outside processes, move & queue information, you need shop floor, or if you have long mfg lead times and want to see where the production is at on the floor. Also, if you do R&D, prototypes, rework, etc, shop floor may be necessary. Shop floor does roll up all costs, not just material into the completed FG. The costed bill of material roll up in bm/processes does update the parent cost (for material only) in item location for avg, last & std (depending on which switch is in IM setup). It also does journal entries at this time as long as you click the switch to update parent cost in inventory. Without double checking, it is possible that if you have MCA, needed for SF, that std isn't updated during costed BM rollup, but it definitely is if you only use PP. The std cost module used with PP only allows you to perform a simplistic capture of all mfg costs for purposes of sales & cost tracking without the added overhead of all the data entry in shop floor. Std cost buildup will update the value in item location with all costs you defined in std cost, not just material.

 

[62chev]

Thanks for the feedback.

My mistake, I misread the documentation on when you cannot update standard cost on the item/location record when printing a costed BOM. When the standard costing module is selected not when standard costing is selected as the inventory valuation method is when you cannot update the item/location record. My error.

 

[dgillz]

62Chev-

Are you in the process of evaluating Macola? Perhaps we can turn you on to a good reseller in your area.

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Exact Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

http://www.trianglepartners.com

 

[62chev]

Actually we have Macola but have not been utilizing its capabilities. We are in the process of selecting a reseller to assist us.

Jim

 

[dgillz]

Jim,

Where are you located? There are a number of Macola resellers in this forum and I am sure we can find someone to help.

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Exact Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

http://www.trianglepartners.com

 

[62chev]

Thank you, I tried to go down the path of finding a reseller on the forum earlier and was chastised by the 'forum police' for attempting to 'recruit' members and for posting my contact information. (told it was 'inappropriate')

I asked what the 'appropriate' way was for forum members to contact each other and was told there was not one!

I have attempted to contact one of your locations but have not had any response, I will try again.

Thanks,

Jim

somewhere, USA
I_cant_tell_you_my_email@my_company.com

 

[maccrystal]

There are several publications on our web site that provide excellent information on the internal workings of Macola Progression. They include T-accounts for many of the accounting and inventory transactions.

http://www.appstratinc.com

 

[62chev]

Thank you!

Jim

 

[MacolaHelp]

Are you getting enough help here? If not, call your macola sales rep and ask for some reseller names. I'm not convinced that geographic limitations are important today with tools like webex, net meeting, etc. It really sounds like you need some education on specifics, that you generally grasp what the program should, could & might do. So some time spent with a macola implementation "expert" could be a great investment. There are some 50-100 active reseller organizations, and macola "direct", for an extra 10-15% maintenance above required licensing maintenance.

Not sure what's up with the forum police, but a more educated group makes us all better resources for each other. I see no harm in letting participants communicate with each other if they are willing to post contact information. Also, if you have current macola maintenance, you can get a user id & access to infomine/downloads as a customer with or without a reseller. I wouldn't choose that as my first resource, tho.