upgrading to 7.6.300

[PhilPPhillips]

I am looking to upgrade to 7.6.300. I currently run 7.6.100a, Microsoft SQL, all users connect via Citrix.

Does anyone know of anyone in the Balt-Washington area that can help us with this upgrade?

We've had problems with Macola's support people on previous upgrades. When we went to SQL, they quoted 2 days and took over a week to complete the upgrade with their half-assed conversion tool. The problem arose when they wanted us to pay for 5-6 days of "consulting" (which mostly constituted the guy they sent out to us being on the phone with guys at Macola) when we only contracted for two days (per their quote). In other words they wanted us to pay them to help them debug their upgrade tool.

In the past we've always dealt directly with the Marion office because we were to be a strategic client for them, but after the buyout, they have switched us to the NJ office.

I've talked to my rep at the NJ office and I have not come way with any confidence that they can or are eager in any way to help us. I get alot of double talk and long lead times for getting information back to me. I've talked to them three times about this project and the best I've got out of them is that I'll get quote in a few weeks. Being all the way up in Jersey (only 3 hours) they are not interested in making a site visit.

I am definately interested in getting some third party help and not dealing at all with Exact/Macola.

Sorry for the Macola rant, but I'm open for any advice on how I should proceed with this upgrade. Thanks ...

P.S. Do I have to upgrade to SQLServer 2000 with this upgrade? I couldn't even extract an answer from NJ on that basic question.

 

[abaldwin]

I assume you are running MS-SQL 7? I did not think that was supported for 7.6.100a?

Can someone clarify that first is what I think you are asking.

Andy

Andy Baldwin

 

[PhilPPhillips]

Yes I am currently running MS-SQL 7. I just updated to 7.6.100a 2 weeks ago and it runs fine.

My problem is I would like to upgrade but my history with Macola "consulting" is not good, and my inital foray into this new project with them (upgrading to 7.6.300) leaves me weary of dealing with them again.

I am really just wondering if there is an alternative to using Macola's services.

 

[kscheeler]

How are your workstations? With 7.6.200, they changed how the programs are compiled and it seems to run slower on the older workstations than 7.6.100 does. Also see previous posts on real-time virus scans.

Kevin Scheeler

 

[PhilPPhillips]

Kevin - are you on the right thread?

 

[PhilPPhillips]

I see the confusion. I meant to say I want to upgrade to ES not 7.6.300 as I indicated in the original post. Duh, my bad.

I'm going from 7.6.100 to ES. Sorry...

 

[crystalreporting]

Any particular reson you feel the need to upgrade to Macola ES - is there functionality in ES that you abolutely 'have to have'? Just curious... Part of the problem you will run into is that Exact put strict conditions on their resellers, and unless a business partner/reseller is 'Macola ES Certified' they may not be able to upgrade your site without Exact's direct involvement. There are a number of good Macola resellers out there, most with good practical experience with Macola implementation and support in 'real' environments - do some research, talk to other Macola users in your area and see if they recommend anyone. If not, then either hold off on upgrading to ES, or live with Macola/Exacts consulting services....

Peter Shirley

http://www.linkcorp.com

 

[grossow]

If you plan on upgrading to Macola ES, you will need to run MS SQL 2000 SP3 or SP3A. The install checks for this. Depending on user count, I would run at least 1 gig of ram in the SQL box. Are you planning on converting just your master data, or do you want to convert everything? This answer will make a big difference in conversion time and effort.

 

[MacolaHelp]

Upgrading to ES from 7.6.xx is no small project. Training for your accounting users and changing any custom crystal reports, screensets, or flex in accounting will be a major investment of consulting and end user time. If anyone tells you it will be a two day project you should walk quickly to the nearest exit. I do believe there is a fairly large reseller in MD. Why don't you call Exact & get some names, indicating that you'd like a reseller closer to your site? If they won't help, I can probably go through my address book & find you someone.