Decisions, decisions, decisions

[StanKorn]

I am facing a decision re our IT direction in the comapny. We are a medium sized trucking comapany near the Canadian border. We are currently running NT 4 server and 8 workstations to support our fleet of 70 tractors. We hauls approximately 500 loads a week and generate about 300 invoices per week.
Our current system is a Visual FoxPro 7 platform and has been in place for approx 4 years. Unfortuneately the system was not set up properly by the software company that wrote the app and it is horribly unreliable as well as difficult to administer. We have chosen to dump this system and have begun the process of searching for a new application.
I have several options at this point and am seeking some feedback on our course of action - both pro & con.
We have the potential to stay with our current acctng package (Accpac) and simply place a new vertical in front of it. This would be a VFP application that feeds the accounting sofware. We can also dump the current app and move to an integrated package which is based on either MS Access or on MS SQL. THe Access package is not quite as robust as the SQL package but the staff seems to like the way it is laid out. The SQL package is driven more by a cost accounting perspective and would provide a better view of the operations here but I am concerned about ongoing maintenance of a system like this. We have a staff of 7 that operate daily on the inbound and outbound freight business and we are projecting a minimal 10% growth rate over the next 3 years.
Current system must be restructured regardless of the final application decision so that is not in play at this time. I am concerned about long term of whatever we decide on ie. speed and capacity as well as ability to create ad hoc reports (via Crystal) as well as overall manageability. We cannot afford a DBA but if the system is set up properly from the beginning we should be able to move at least three to five years b4 we get into a situation that requires a review again.
Any thoughts on the options above would be greatly appreciated.
thanks,
stan


Remember - only dead fish go with the flow.

 

[sleipnir214]

From a general technical standpoint, I recommend an accounting system based on a database server rather than a database engine. Database servers are more robust and scalable.

I strongly recommend that you cast your net wider. Consider applications that use Oracle or even an open-source database server, such as PostgreSQL, as a backend, too. And it's not necessary to have a DBA on-staff if your area supports enough talent to be about to contract a part-time DBA to maintain your system.

The Crystal Reports consideration is a minor one. CR will can pull data from any data source for which you have an ODBC driver installed on the system.

The strongest consideration I see for

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[StanKorn]

Thanks for the feedback.
I agree that the DB server is the key. I am currently reviewing several options. One is based on AS-400 server and its related DB, two are on MS SQL server, one is based on standard Win 2000 server and two are based on NT running VFP db.
I am unaware of an Oracle platform that would provide us the Vertical app that we need but if you know of one please let me know.
Could you provide a +/- on the above server options if time permits? Your consideration in the original reply was cut off.
Thanks,
stan


Remember - only dead fish go with the flow.

 

[lespaul]

We have an AS400 and it's very different than any other DB I've ever worked with! While a lot of the problems I have with it are bad design issues (see 'The Platypus Database' thread), it's still a very different environment.

We have started using their windowsesque Operations Navigator for a few things, but it's not as friendly as Oracle or SQLServer.

I also believe you have to spend several thousand dollars extra to get the SQL add-on that allows you to write regular SQL statements instead of using the 'Query Builder' (which if you know SQL, the builder is very hard to get your head around!)

Just my 2¢!

Leslie

 

[StanKorn]

Thanks Leslie.
I am leaning towards the SQL platform. Altough I am from an Oracle world in a past life as well as an AS-400 platform at the same place, I believe that may be overkill for the current environment I am in. I do need a fairly robust application that will allow for growth but the staff here is in desparate need of a user friendly interface that makes their job easier. The current solution does not do that (primarily because of sloppy implementation) but I am of the opinion that time b4 installation should address most issues like that as well as from a reporting and analysys standpoint.


Remember - only dead fish go with the flow.

 

[sleipnir214]

No, it wasn't cut off. That's just a leftover from an earlier edit. Sorry about that.

I don't have that much experience with accounting software, and no experience at all with the accountancy needs of a trucking company, so I can only comment on implementation methodologies.


Analyzing from the standpoint of reliability, I would steer toward those solutions which are the least proprietary. You've had 4 years of problems with a proprietary system. I'd choose the one which maximized the number of people available to support it. That means you run, do not walk, away from the one that requires only W2K server: there's no telling what is going on inside that one.

I would also give more consideration to those solutions which use database servers as their backends. FoxPro is a good product, but I am usually more comfortable with database servers. They can require a little babying from time to time, but they do, in my experience, give you greater data reliability.

Another thing to think about: be sure you can get support for whatever you buy. You don't say where you are along the 4000 mile border between the continguous US and Canada, but your location can make all the world of difference in getting support. Make sure, if you do not have the talent in-house, that at least two companies in your area can support your application and infrastructure. There would be no use, for example, purchasing the AS-400 solution if you have no AS-400 experience in-house and the nearest computer support company with AS-400 experience is 300 miles away.

And if you're having problems dealing with all the technical details, hire some company in your area to help you get your information organized. Just keep in mind that it's in the best interests of the consulting company to interest you in a solution they can support -- it will give them more business down the line.

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TANSTAAFL!!

 

[flapeyre]

LesPaul:

I also believe you have to spend several thousand dollars extra to get the SQL add-on that allows you to write regular SQL statements instead of using the 'Query Builder' (which if you know SQL, the builder is very hard to get your head around!)

You can run interactive SQL if the DB2 Query Mgr and SQL DevKit is installed (GO LICPGM, option 10 to see). If you see it listed, you type STRSQL on a command line and there you are. On V5R1 and above, I think it's part of the base operating system, at no extra charge.

Every AS/400 has the SQL engine built in. If you don't have the SQL Development Kit installed, you can put the SQL statements in a source physical file and use the RUNSQLSTM command to process them.



"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth with your eyes turned skyward, for here you have been, and there you will always long to return."

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