eSynergy versus SharePoint 1

[spucelik]

I'm a relatively new user to eSynergy with a lot of experience with SharePoint and I'm struggling to see what the value of eSynergy is. Were running progression but upgrading to ES shortly and I have the folloing concerns:

1. If I modify eSynergy under progression, which uses classic ASP, will those modifications survive an upgrade to ES?

2. Does ES use .NET? If so the above question is answered...NO

3. How are others using eSynergy? I kind of see a fit for online ordering for parts only but if you want to use the feature item configurator it simply doesn't support it.

4. SharePoint has much more robust workflow and document management features that blows eSynergy away. For intranet type applications I'd be curios how it's being used.

If you have an opinion/experience with eSynergy please post a response.

Thanks!

 

[dgillz]

ES does not use .NET, however a change is in the works. I am sure modifications to eSynergy will survive an upgrade to ES but you may have to jump through a few hoops to make this happen.

Did you buy Interconnect? No install of eSynergy is complete without it, IMHO. I am afraid you are correct about configured items in any case.

I have a document put together by Exact that compares the 2 solutions that you can download here:

http://www.gainfocus.biz/downloads.html

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

http://www.gainfocus.biz

"What version of URGENT!!! are you using?

 

[dgillz]

Actually I just contacted Interconnect and they do offer Feature/Option item order entry for eSynergy for an extra $500 (five hundred) over the price of interconnect itself.

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

http://www.gainfocus.biz

"What version of URGENT!!! are you using?

 

[spucelik]

Thanks for the information, especially comparison document. It was an intersting read especially since I've implemented and supported multiple SharePoint instalations I just can't get over how cumbersome eSynergy is to use versus the flexibility and extensive documentation on SharePoint.

The document management in SharePoint is pretty good becuase it supports documents we draft, such as Word and Excel etc. Within eSynergy you need to create a document using their online editor meaning you will have to cut and paste from Word, which like it or hate it, it's what everyone uses, and then paste it into the eSynergy editor and clean it up. Granted you can attach a Word document but then you lose the searchability on it.

I'm still trying to understand the workflow's in eSynergy. From what I can deduce you can have it work with a role that is setup. Is there another way? Within SharePoint the workflow designer in SharePoint designer let's you do quite a bit without beign a developer. Plus you get it with your MSDN license.

I guess for internal operations I haven't seen a compelling reason to use eSynergy. Externally where customers interact with the ERP system looks compelling.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

 

[Macoladownunder]

At the size of company we were, eSynergy was OK. It served us OK for CRM and other stuff.
But in this new world of multiple regulatory compliances etc, it falls way short of SharePoint for document management and workflow. Especially when you need to introduce IRM, auditing, barcoding etc. Synergy's versioning doesn;t come close. And with no check in/check out, it makes it even harder. Metadata design and function does not compare between them.
SharePoint designer tool is better for workflow design. But 3rd party tools like Nintex and K2 Blackpearl give workflow designers more options within Sharepoint beyond designer again. Then for the developers, there is Visual Studio for the full workflow design.
We have been hearing about the .NET Synergy for quite some time. It will come one day, I guess. We have only just been advised that we can move it to SQL2005 recently.
eSynergy's failure to make conditional workflow and the need to know Event Manager also to get greater workflow advantage, makes it a hard product for business process owners to work with. It leaves the product in the hands of IT to get new automation to production - bottlenecks continuous improvement.
We are gradually rolling out Sharepoint around the globe for our organisation. The more we do, the more we find that has been developed to bolt onto the product from many more sources wanting to ride the wave of adoption of this tool.

MacolaDownUnder
Aussies using Macola