Can Macola Import & Export??

[pscopilot]

Hi - I am a programmer's assistant and help maintain our client's networks and order process when he is out-of-town. We have a client who needs to switch to VendorNet per the retailer and has a choice of WebForms or a FTP EDI solution. They need to be automated, but use Macola, and don't have any IT people on-site. I'm told if they don't somehow automate this, the order entry person has to hand-enter everything into Macola for their record-keeping. This is too tedious for the staff on hand during certain times of the year when they can get 300+ orders from this one retailer. Can anyone tell me, if we can set up an order file tranfer via FTP which VendorNet will host, if we can import that into Macola to process 850s(PO),856s(Advance Ship Notice), and 810s(Invoice)? If so, how can I find out how to set this up in Macola? The preference is to set this up so they don't need the programmer's help pulling orders each day. We want to give them the ability to be more independent. Thankx so much for your feedback!!!

 

[dgillz]

You need to purchase and implement the Macola EDI module. Your best course of action at this point is to contact your Macola business partner and initiate a discussion of your needs. In preparation for this get a list of all trading partners that you will want to import orders for as well as all of the documents you will need to work with.

I don't know much about VendorNet, Macola uses GenTran from Sterling Commerce as its EDI integrator. Please note - do not purchase any templates from Sterling, get them from Macola or your business partner.

Good Luck!

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Exact Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports
askdon@srhconsulting.com

http://www.srhconsulting.com

 

[pscopilot]

Hi - Thanx for your reply. They really are not in a position to do a major upgrade right now. The reason we are looking into this is because 1 retailer just began using VendorNet as their VAN so we need to set them up on either webforms or their version of EDI which they said was an FTP flat file transfer.

 

[crystalreporting]

The Macola table structure is relatively intuituve, and it is ODBC compliant, so you could always develop your own 'EDI' style app. However, I think you'd be much better to bite the bullet and use Macola's standard EDI module as dgillz suggests.

Peter Shirley

http://www.linkcorp.com

 

[kscheeler]

Sterling has a secure FTP client. I use it at a client to pick up orders from Michael's. They host their own FTP site. Your retailer might be set up the same way. You would then use Gentran director to bring in the orders and transfer them to Macola's EDI module.

Kevin Scheeler

 

[pscopilot]

Hi everyone - Appreciate your input The issue with the VAN is that this company wants all their vendors on VendorNet. They have paid for it, so it is free to us if we can get set up. That is one main reason for not using a Sterling FTP solution or GenTran. So the only way to import into Macola is with the EDI module?? And is that module compatible with older versions of Macola? How long has it been out? Exact won't help because there is no maintenance contract. I am not a programmer, so my goal is to migrate them myself with the help of VendorNet C.S. and whatever knowledge I can gain along the way. Thx for any further solution/ideas.

 

[dgillz]

You can import a flat .txt file into macola.

Go to System Manager, processes, Import Distribution, Order entry files. The 3 files you are ultimately looking to import are the Order header (OEORDHDR_SQL) Order line (OEORDLIN_SQL) and possibly order comments (OELINCMT_SQL).

The layout of these files are available on the partner portal, I am not sure if you can get to them as a end user.

If you can get VendorNet to build these .txt files you can then easily import the new records to the files. However the layout is very critical and you will most likely need to spend some time with your reseller to accomplish this.

This is not EDI per se as you won't be able to send outbound documents to the trading partner, but you will eliminate the manual entry of the orders. Does this help?

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Exact Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports
askdon@srhconsulting.com

http://www.srhconsulting.com

 

[crystalreporting]

OEORDHDR_SQL and OEORDLIN_SQL are the primary files that are updated when an order is entered, but there are A LOT more files that are touched e.g. IMINVLOC_SQL gets updated for each item on an order to reflect allocations. To duplicate the order entry function and update every file correctly is a big task. Another option is to bring the orders into Macola as quotes (Q order types). Quotes do not create allocations or update near as many files - in fact a quote is pretty much restricted to updating the files that dgillz mentioned. All the customer would need to do then is convert the quotes to orders, using built in Macola functionality.

Peter Shirley

http://www.linkcorp.com

 

[kscheeler]

You have a few issues that need to be addressed. You mentioned that the client doesn't have a maintenance contract with Exact. I'm not sure if you really meant a maintenance contract or a support contract. The difference is that a maintenance contract allows you to get upgrades from Exact and use the customer web portal to access FAQ documents or other information. A support contract is just that, phone support. If you really don't have a maintenance contract, you can't purchase additional modules (EDI) without bringing your maintenance current.

Macola's EDI module has been out for years (at least 10) and some clients may bring in 90% of their orders that way. You can import 850's into Macola and you can send/export 856's ASN's and 810's Invoices. Macola will create .txt files that would normally be imported into Gentran Director. These .txt files may or may not meet the requirements of VendorNet.

Along with the EDI module, you would also purchase the mappings for each trading partner. If the trading partner had been previously mapped, it would be a fixed cost to cover all future changes for those maps. If this was the first time Exact was creating the maps for the trading partner, there would be a cost depending on which maps (810, 856) that you needed.

You mentioned that you may do 300 orders some days. That would turn into 300 ASN's and 300 Invoices that have to get sent back. You would either enter the information manually on VendorNet's website or program or you would use the Macola EDI module to create the .txt file that you would send back.

If you have the CD for the version of Macola you are on, you could install the EDI module from the CD, along with a new registration file from Exact and not really upgrade at all.


Kevin Scheeler

 

[pscopilot]

Thanks a lot for all the detailed info. I will take this to the retailer EDI dept and VendorNet and see what I can work out.

I'll let you know what happens.

Da Copilot

 

[MacolaHelp]

You really do need macola EDI. I've seen multiple botched EDI import attempts in my day. Using the EDI from Macola will update all 35 files or whatever it is these days. You can import into EDI from a flat file: editdfo. Specs exist for it & I have had a programmer write a conversion from an ftp file to the proper EDI format. You will have to find out what it will cost to get your maintenance up to speed as previously written. If you are willing to purchase someone else's code you can save yourself a lot of time, energy & frustration. Probably money for the client as well. Then you could tweak it for your unique needs. If you want to discuss more off line, pass on a phone number or email & I can tell you what we did & you can think about it as a solution.