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Resellers - the differences 1
- Thread starter blester
- Start date
Any Macola Progression user can purchase source code. Macola ES does not offer modified source code. Some resellers are philosophically opposed to modified source code, others make their living off of it.
What specifically are you trying to do? Unless you want to change the data structure or the core processing of Macola, almost anything is possible with Flexibility, SQL triggers, event manager, etc. without modified source code.
Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports
What specifically are you trying to do? Unless you want to change the data structure or the core processing of Macola, almost anything is possible with Flexibility, SQL triggers, event manager, etc. without modified source code.
Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports
This question usually scares the BEJESUS out of me. As Don stated you should really examine your needs and first address if flex (Macolas implementation of VBA behind the scenes) can solv your business problems.
Once on some modified source code you are kind of stuck with
a. The code changes you get.
b. The Reseller you have that does the mods.
c. The lack of being able to utilize updates from Macola.
d. A very hard time ever converting to newer versions of Macola.
Andy Baldwin
"Testing is the most overlooked programming language on the books!
Once on some modified source code you are kind of stuck with
a. The code changes you get.
b. The Reseller you have that does the mods.
c. The lack of being able to utilize updates from Macola.
d. A very hard time ever converting to newer versions of Macola.
Andy Baldwin
"Testing is the most overlooked programming language on the books!
- Thread starter
- #5
I guess my thing is this. I am IT manager for our company. Our company is but 1 of 7 and 3 of the companies include ourselves sell inventory from consignment. I believe that our Corp was oversold on what Macola could do for us and it appears to be just a out of the box software that has little modifications, just our data added. I just don't think either the package we brought and the fact that Macola was over sold to the point that the software could Fly meaning it had sperical powers and it could do everything or be made to do everything, but on rollout it appears that again it is just an out of the box software that we have to figure out how to work around our issues.
With that said, I believe the resller as no ablity to adjust to change the standard menus or funtions. Recently I asked about a PO reciever that would update the sales order without having to going into Billing select process. The answer from the reseller was very shocking. He thought that Macola was fixing it for the Spring update but he didn t see it in the 5/6 release notes and if it is to be in the Spring updates then on 5/19 release notes may contain the fix. I just find that interested because this seems so easy to do that it blows my mind why are great reseller can not get the change done.
At the begaining of each mouth we have to send a report to the manufacture with certain information on a per transaction base. Some of the information is non standard data which Macola doesn't have fields. Data is why the part was needed, the model of machine that the part was used, the serial number of the machine and where the part was sold as warranty or 50 percent exchange or a straight 100 percent sell. The manufacture also wants old parts back if the sells was a warranty or 50 percent sell. So we have to track old part going back to the manufacture to make sure we get our credit. Our profit margin is only 20 percent and we sometimes don t get all old parts back. That is why we need to not only track the new sell but also track the return of the old part. It is apprent to me and others within our company that corp that has basicly screwed up and purchasing Macola and it so far is unable to meet our needs - We are one of seven companies.
Bottom line is this
The Macola software purchased form a reseller doesn't meet our needs, which the very important features of tracking both the new sell and tracking the old part uages is not easyly done. Since we have to track the new sell and take the information from that new sell, including information listed above. It seems that our problems will not be solved with Macola software.
Help
With that said, I believe the resller as no ablity to adjust to change the standard menus or funtions. Recently I asked about a PO reciever that would update the sales order without having to going into Billing select process. The answer from the reseller was very shocking. He thought that Macola was fixing it for the Spring update but he didn t see it in the 5/6 release notes and if it is to be in the Spring updates then on 5/19 release notes may contain the fix. I just find that interested because this seems so easy to do that it blows my mind why are great reseller can not get the change done.
At the begaining of each mouth we have to send a report to the manufacture with certain information on a per transaction base. Some of the information is non standard data which Macola doesn't have fields. Data is why the part was needed, the model of machine that the part was used, the serial number of the machine and where the part was sold as warranty or 50 percent exchange or a straight 100 percent sell. The manufacture also wants old parts back if the sells was a warranty or 50 percent sell. So we have to track old part going back to the manufacture to make sure we get our credit. Our profit margin is only 20 percent and we sometimes don t get all old parts back. That is why we need to not only track the new sell but also track the return of the old part. It is apprent to me and others within our company that corp that has basicly screwed up and purchasing Macola and it so far is unable to meet our needs - We are one of seven companies.
Bottom line is this
The Macola software purchased form a reseller doesn't meet our needs, which the very important features of tracking both the new sell and tracking the old part uages is not easyly done. Since we have to track the new sell and take the information from that new sell, including information listed above. It seems that our problems will not be solved with Macola software.
Help
On the PO receiver issue, which if its the same question I remember, I replied that this isan easy fix with Flexibility (not source code mods).
Beyond that issue, what is it that Macola is not doing that you need it to do?
Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports
Beyond that issue, what is it that Macola is not doing that you need it to do?
Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports
I guess one question we didn't ask is are you running Progression (SQL or Btrieve) or Macola ES. Also, do you own esynergy or have you looked at it.
The Macola software is not a fit for every company. A good reseller will not push the software into a bad situation because in the end, the client won't be happy. The reseller will probably lose money on the deal and since employees move to other companies eventually; they won't buy Macola because they've had a bad experience with it.
Having said all of that. The client needs to make sure they have reviewed their needs well enough to determine whether the software they are purchasing will meet them or will they have to make some modifications / changes out of the box.
Most likely, non of the software systems that were reviewed did exactly what you are looking for and Macola was the closest fit factoring in price, and timing as well.
Looking at your PO receiver question. Don's correct that you could definetly do that with Flexibility. However, it's open to discussion whether the system should do it automatically. Not everyone uses, the OE to PO functionality and of those that do, they all don't automatically ship the product once it's received. I think with the current updates, Exact's been focusing on some security concerns with stronger passwords which most companies feel is more important.
There are plenty of ways to track additional data. One, again using flex is to create a seperate table that is keyed along with the item master table. You could then have as many fields as you wanted and flex could write to it with a pop up screen while in item master maintenance or something along those lines. Since the table would be part of your existing database, it would be easily accessable on all external reports. There is also the item notes table whch could be used as well.
Kevin Scheeler
The Macola software is not a fit for every company. A good reseller will not push the software into a bad situation because in the end, the client won't be happy. The reseller will probably lose money on the deal and since employees move to other companies eventually; they won't buy Macola because they've had a bad experience with it.
Having said all of that. The client needs to make sure they have reviewed their needs well enough to determine whether the software they are purchasing will meet them or will they have to make some modifications / changes out of the box.
Most likely, non of the software systems that were reviewed did exactly what you are looking for and Macola was the closest fit factoring in price, and timing as well.
Looking at your PO receiver question. Don's correct that you could definetly do that with Flexibility. However, it's open to discussion whether the system should do it automatically. Not everyone uses, the OE to PO functionality and of those that do, they all don't automatically ship the product once it's received. I think with the current updates, Exact's been focusing on some security concerns with stronger passwords which most companies feel is more important.
There are plenty of ways to track additional data. One, again using flex is to create a seperate table that is keyed along with the item master table. You could then have as many fields as you wanted and flex could write to it with a pop up screen while in item master maintenance or something along those lines. Since the table would be part of your existing database, it would be easily accessable on all external reports. There is also the item notes table whch could be used as well.
Kevin Scheeler
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1
- #8
JeffMachine
MIS
blester - do you work for a machine tool distributor? If so, we may represent the same manufacturer. I think the other part of the problem that no one has addressed is that your inventory is actually consignment inventory. We have had Macola for 5-6 years and I created a system that uses half Macola and half VB (actually Access) to track our consignment (service van and in house) inventory.
IF you do represent the same manufacturer we do, then the process for ordering, tracking, and reporting parts usage to the manufacturer is alot more complicated than you even described. Does multiple item numbers for the same parts ring a bell?
Let me know if this is the case, we can have a lot more drawn out conversation about the process and Macola.
IF you do represent the same manufacturer we do, then the process for ordering, tracking, and reporting parts usage to the manufacturer is alot more complicated than you even described. Does multiple item numbers for the same parts ring a bell?
Let me know if this is the case, we can have a lot more drawn out conversation about the process and Macola.
- Thread starter
- #9
Jeff - yes we are a machine tool distributor. They are addressing the consignment inventory moves but its window dressing. I to have designed a Access database that we still using to get the information that the manufacture wants in order to replenish the consignment. For now they (Reseller) is not wanting us to give that system up. Because they can not produce the same results.
There is talk of a Field Service module that once (4 or 6 months) installed they think we will be able to create the same results. We are also getting eSynergy and have cystal reports. We have Crystal Reports but can only open existing reports and can not create.
I guess the key is that our corp which is made up of many companies but only a few do the consignment inventory.
It has turned into a great custer - because our company will for the most part not only have to do more work to made one sell but also we have to double efford on consignment orders, plus not to mention the fact that we also have to keep another Access database that has our commissions calulations because Macola can not do it the way we need it done. Both Access databases have been up and running for many years. And the hope was that we could go into just one system.
There is talk of a Field Service module that once (4 or 6 months) installed they think we will be able to create the same results. We are also getting eSynergy and have cystal reports. We have Crystal Reports but can only open existing reports and can not create.
I guess the key is that our corp which is made up of many companies but only a few do the consignment inventory.
It has turned into a great custer - because our company will for the most part not only have to do more work to made one sell but also we have to double efford on consignment orders, plus not to mention the fact that we also have to keep another Access database that has our commissions calulations because Macola can not do it the way we need it done. Both Access databases have been up and running for many years. And the hope was that we could go into just one system.
JeffMachine
MIS
Blester - we have the same problems. Our company is also made up of many entities, including distribution centers (HFOs) and we have a couple of companies that manufacture machine tools. If Haas is the manufacturer you are describing, the company I work for is the largest distributor for them in the world. We are even opening some HFO's in China. If Haas is correct, what is your territory?
The system I created uses a combination of Lotus Notes, Macola, and Access. All of the transaction records and inventory quanties reside in our Macola SQL database, I had to create some new tables to track these. There is no data stored in Access, I just use it as a front end for all of the processes we do outside of Macola, which is everything after billing. There is no duplicate efforts and most of the processes are automatic or can be done with just a few clicks. It even creates the upload file for the purchase orders, so we're ready to go with that if Haas ever gets it working.
As for commissions, ours are also very complicated, I created a Crystal report for them to use and then they are calculated manually.
You definately need to get license for Crystal so that you can create (or modify the Macola reports) reports. It's not expensive. Good luck and let know if you'd like more info on what we are doing to work around Macola with this system.
The system I created uses a combination of Lotus Notes, Macola, and Access. All of the transaction records and inventory quanties reside in our Macola SQL database, I had to create some new tables to track these. There is no data stored in Access, I just use it as a front end for all of the processes we do outside of Macola, which is everything after billing. There is no duplicate efforts and most of the processes are automatic or can be done with just a few clicks. It even creates the upload file for the purchase orders, so we're ready to go with that if Haas ever gets it working.
As for commissions, ours are also very complicated, I created a Crystal report for them to use and then they are calculated manually.
You definately need to get license for Crystal so that you can create (or modify the Macola reports) reports. It's not expensive. Good luck and let know if you'd like more info on what we are doing to work around Macola with this system.
- Thread starter
- #11
We have Ohio, Kentucky, Indania and some parts of WV. And as you guessed it we are a HFO as well. We do have licenses I believe but they will not allow us access to the source files so that we can run our own reports. His reasoning was that we wouldn't be able to find the right fields since the field names has no conversion, they just have the same fieldname that came from Macola.
We are a phase 2 company but the phase 1 company is still doing a lot of things outside of Macola - its a HFO company as well.
Talk to you later
We are a phase 2 company but the phase 1 company is still doing a lot of things outside of Macola - its a HFO company as well.
Talk to you later
MacolaHelp
Instructor
Commissions are a stumbling block in every company I have ever seen. I've never seen two companies handle them the same way. However, the data you enter into macola should be valuable for you to calculate off line if need be.
Did you ever tell us what version you are on? If ES, they have not yet incorporated the enhanced commission reporting that exists in 76300c and above that originated with Peak Data Systems Best of OE as a source code mod.
I don't think consignment inventory should be a problem, as I have people who do it today, and who track returns from their customers and products they return to vendors. It sounds like you aren't able to help your reseller understand the issues, or your reseller isn't able to analyze your processes to help you come up with a solution.
There is a great 3rd party add on for progression called service pro that is geared to the service industry. They are also a macola reseller, so they know the product databases well. It just sounds to me like you haven't been put in touch with the people to get the job done. Yes, macola is shrink wrapped software, but with a lot of switches to enable you to automate some things. Bottom line, you need to store the data somewhere in order to report it back out of macola. Or, garbage in, garbage out.
Peggy
Did you ever tell us what version you are on? If ES, they have not yet incorporated the enhanced commission reporting that exists in 76300c and above that originated with Peak Data Systems Best of OE as a source code mod.
I don't think consignment inventory should be a problem, as I have people who do it today, and who track returns from their customers and products they return to vendors. It sounds like you aren't able to help your reseller understand the issues, or your reseller isn't able to analyze your processes to help you come up with a solution.
There is a great 3rd party add on for progression called service pro that is geared to the service industry. They are also a macola reseller, so they know the product databases well. It just sounds to me like you haven't been put in touch with the people to get the job done. Yes, macola is shrink wrapped software, but with a lot of switches to enable you to automate some things. Bottom line, you need to store the data somewhere in order to report it back out of macola. Or, garbage in, garbage out.
Peggy
- Thread starter
- #13
JeffMachine
MIS
I'm not in the sales end, I'm just going on what I hear from management, so obviously they could be blowing smoke. Yeah, I know, BS from management, hard to imagine.
Yes, Jeffreys is one our our operating centers. Their territory is NC, SC, VA, AL, TN, GA, FL (panhandle) and AR. Then there is our Lance division which has MD, PA (Philly) and southern NJ, and DE.
We also just opened a HFO in Shanghai.
How long have you had Macola? What version? We are using 7.6.300. We are currently looking to replace the Macola software. I look forward to discussing our similiar issues.
Yeah, I know, BS from management, hard to imagine.Yes, Jeffreys is one our our operating centers. Their territory is NC, SC, VA, AL, TN, GA, FL (panhandle) and AR. Then there is our Lance division which has MD, PA (Philly) and southern NJ, and DE.
We also just opened a HFO in Shanghai.
How long have you had Macola? What version? We are using 7.6.300. We are currently looking to replace the Macola software. I look forward to discussing our similiar issues.
I think its great that you two found each other but PLEASE take this discussion offline. Everyone that has replied or attempted to help you is getting an email for each of these post.
Thanks in advance.
Andy Baldwin
"Testing is the most overlooked programming language on the books!
Thanks in advance.
Andy Baldwin
"Testing is the most overlooked programming language on the books!
JeffMachine
MIS
How bout turning off the email function for this thread? The last time I tried to take a discussion "off line" I got kicked off this site. I'm not going to try that again. So do me a favor and turn off the email function and save the lecture. Thanks in advance.
Hey it was not a lecture......simply a request did not know if you realized it or not. We like to leave them on so we can respond if a real question arises in this thread.
Thanks
Andy Baldwin
"Testing is the most overlooked programming language on the books!
Thanks
Andy Baldwin
"Testing is the most overlooked programming language on the books!
- Thread starter
- #18
JeffMachine
MIS
Andy , sorry about the curt response, I recognize your immense contribution to this forum. I believe you have even helped me in the past. It's just that I tried to "take it off line" in the past and that didn't work out to well for me. I guess I'm still a little fuzzy on the rules for that here so I am being a little cautious. This site is too important to me to risk being shown the door again so I may have been a little too sensitive to your post.
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