IDII Software Newsletter

16 Insider Tips to Help the Smart CFO Save Money on ERP Software

Critical issues in software purchases are real and must be addressed.    To not address these issues, is a critical mistake, as these directly impact initial and ongoing maintenance costs.

The second issued raised in the white paper (which is a huge contract issue) is “Software Licensing”. 

Ask: Is the system priced by concurrent users or named users?

“In our opinion, concurrent user pricing is usually the most cost effective option.
This means, if you have 10 people who use the system, but only 5 of them need access at the same time, you only need to pay for 5 licenses. (For example: Microsoft Dynamics GP has a concurrent, user-based pricing model.)”

Many insights are shared that are very thoughtful.   Besides inquiring on how maintenance is calculated and what is included on maintenance – what about the following:

Ask: What is the policy or penalty if I let my maintenance plan lapse and want to join again later?

“You might be tempted to let your maintenance contract lapse with plans to sign up again when the next version is released. Make sure you understand any penalty fees involved so you can determine whether this will really save you money.

Remember, if you cancel your maintenance plan you may not be eligible for promotions offered. If you are using payroll modules make sure you can still access annual payroll and tax updates if you let your plan lapse.”

The tips that are included in this paper are smart!  For example

Save: You have the best chance of getting a discount from the vendor at the end of their fiscal year. (For Microsoft, this is June. For Sage, it is March.)

There is much more!   Check out the full, detailed white paper at http://www.calszone.com/16tips - it is well worth the time if you are a buyer of new software – whether it is WMS, TMS, CRM, or ERP.    IDII thanks Cal Business Solutions for using their white paper.   

Second Edition "Selecting Warehouse Software from WMS and ERP Providers - Expanded Edition" New content in all areas plus new detailed implementation chapter. 205 pages. IDII

Useful & Interesting Sites

Technology & Software Product News

The V3.3 release adds some asked-for options to the already rich solution:
• Enhanced Dynamics GP Manufacturing support
• Serial expiration
• Supply chain intelligence
• Multi-user picking See Accellos

*** Accellos announced Accellos One Warehouse Version 6.1, the latest iteration of their highly successful warehouse management system.   Accellos One Warehouse is an end-to-end suite of products aimed at increasing the productivity, efficiency, and visibility of activities that take place in a company’s warehouse and distribution operations. Seamlessly integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX, GP, SL and NAV, Accellos One Warehouse provides rapid ROI for companies with from two to several hundred warehouse workers.

The V6.1 release adds some asked-for options to the already rich solution:
• Voice-directed picking
• Improved advanced ship notice process
• Advanced dock door scheduling
• Supply chain intelligence
• Multi-client configuration capability

With Version 6.1 we accomplish: (1) delivering on our promise of "continuous improvement" by enhancing existing capabilities within the system and (2) offering new capabilities that take advantage of the latest advancements in Microsoft technology, like .NET 3.5 and Silverlight, said Ross Elliott, Accellos CTO.

*** Descartes has acquired Scancode Systems. The acquisition 500 new companies to the Descartes Global Logistics Network. See Descartes aquistion article on The Four Hundred

*** I.B.M. withdrew its $7 billion bid for Sun Microsystems, one day after Sun’s board balked at a reduced offer, according to three people close to the talks. See NY Times article.

*** LOG-NET announced LOG-NET version 6.5, the latest version of the leading international supply chain (SCM) and global trade management (GTM) application. The next generation software includes new features for active supplier portals, intelligent order version management, configurable supplier events, integrated carrier processing and direct importer security filing options.  LOG-NET version 6.5 brings a new level of sophistication to international logistics in an intuitive, easy to use platform.

Supplier portal, one of the new features of LOG-NET version 6.5, transforms the management of international supplier and logistics processes. LOG-NET 6.5’s intelligent supplier management automatically interprets orders from ERP or order systems, determines their processing and transport needs and coordinates this activity with suppliers and service providers.  LOG-NET’s supplier portal advises suppliers of order changes and versions then provides the ability for the supplier to collaborate on their fulfillment process.  Suppliers receive orders and milestone instructions specific to their type of order, mode of transport and production processes even if the ERP application does not handle these types of international transactions.  As they receive instructions and update status information, transportation, customs, importers and end customers have their work processes initiated and coordinated seamlessly in real time.   All of this comparative analysis is performed through user configured rules based engines that automatically analyze the international purchase orders in the new Order Version Management module.  This exciting new capability is not part of any ERP system today and is an exclusive capability of LOG-NET 6.5.

Just in time for the new U.S. Customs regulations, LOG-NET version 6.5 integrates Importer Security Filing (ISF). LOG-NET ISF allows importers, or their agents, to file the required importer data elements directly to U.S. Customs from anywhere in the world. LOG-NET’s ISF capability can be used as a standalone application or integrated into the LOG-NET suite.  When completely integrated in the full LOG-NET suite, the LOG-NET system is capable of building the ISF document without user input.  LOG-NET 6.5’s ISF feature has gone through rigorous testing with U.S. Customs over the past year and is now certified for production filing directly to Customs.  With LOG-NET, dozens of ISFs can be created and responded to by Customs within thirty seconds to two minutes.  Because LOG-NET is rated as one of the most efficient and accurate methods for filing ISFs, processing labor costs and penalty producing errors are minimized.
 

*** Tech Mahindra, a joint venture between India's Mahindra Group and U.K.'s BT Group, is the new owner of scandal-tainted tech firm Satyam Computer Services.    See Forbes article.

*** RedPrairie has launched the latest release of its Warehouse Management solution, Warehouse Management release 2009.1 to help retailers. . E-commerce retailers will be able to take advantage of the new release’s ‘Optimised outbound repacking’ tool, aimed at sites that send out one or two products to a large number of end customers, where efficient packing is crucial to maximise profits. This dedicated, specialised parcel packing module will result in reduced packing time.  It also enables integration with multiple carrier systems to provide labelling and carrier selection, reducing delivery costs.

The upgraded solution has improved functionality, including support for hanging garments.  The system allows clothing to be hung and tracked on and off rails, within user designed zoning and dimension constraints such as weight, length and drop, leading to greater efficiency throughout the supply chain.

Rules to optimise repacking have been added, to manage how packages are combined and scheduled for delivery, reducing handling and carrier costs. The integration with RedPrairie’s Duty Management application allows more accurate tracking of duty to comply with regulations as well as enabling deferment of duty payments.

 Warehouse Management 2009.1 is fully web-enabled, allowing external systems to carry out transactions such as querying inventory and placing orders in real time.  Users can benefit from low upfront investment and fast deployment, crucial at a time when companies need to reduce cost and increase productivity.

Glossary of Supply Chain Terminology

Glossary of Supply Chain Terminology spans warehousing, transportation, purchasing, manufacturing, RFID, EDI, EDIFACT, computers, business, standards, organizations, government, Incoterms, and more! Learn the many languages of the supply chain! Order from Amazon.com

Scripture to Ponder

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.     2 Timothy 1:7

Famous Quotes For Business & A Better Life!

Make a game of finding something positive in every situation. Ninety-five percent of your emotions are determined by how you interpret events to yourself. -  Brian Tracy