Post #77,926
1/29/03 5:30:55 PM
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Re: Well, i's pretty evident . .
Andrew wrote:
Well, i's pretty evident you haven't a clue what Act! is or does if you think an LDAP contact list will suffice to replace it.
Contact manager, similar to Goldmine. And your pronouncement without any knowledge of the front-end and the schema is obviously in utter ignorance.
But I'm really not surprised that (even more) erroneous assumptions turn out to be (thus) "evident" to you.
The reason Linux need equivalents of popular Windows programs is that these programs have been developed over an extended period of time to provide the functions businesses need in a manner reasonably compatible with the way businesses work. That's why they have been successful.
Sounds a whole more like "Grygus wants" than "Linux needs". And so you're trying to troll other people into doing your software research for you, for free. As noted, I'm not playing.
There are many people whose Linux software questions I will research for free, in order to advance the state of knowledge among the community, among other reasons. But people who pose them the way you do don't get squat. Stick with MS-Windows.
Rick Moen
rick@linuxmafia.com
If you lived here, you'd be $HOME already.
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Post #77,931
1/29/03 6:07:34 PM
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Lemme second an opinion...
...because you are severely underestimating ACT! by suggesting that it can be functionally replaced with an LDAP contact manager.
I can manage contacts and store info in Evolution. That doesn't give me anyting near the capability of ACT!
ACT! provides forecasting ability, links to the 2 primary so/ho accounting packages to become a very effective CRM tool. Used properly, ACT! is much more than storage of business card info.
If simple contact management were the goal, noone would need anything further than Outlook...which has a Linux alternative.
You were born...and so you're free...so Happy Birthday! Laurie Anderson
[link|mailto:bepatient@aol.com|BePatient]
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Post #77,975
1/29/03 9:26:09 PM
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Re: Lemme second an opinion...
bepatient wrote:
I can manage contacts and store info in Evolution. That doesn't give me anyting near the capability of ACT!
Raises the obvious question, of course, of what functionality the customer's business processes actually call for. As I've already pointed out, [link|http://www.softorchestra.com/pipermail/linux-consultants/2003-January/000164.html|rational requirements analysis] just doesn't revolve around application dicksize wars. Thus my suggestion that this stuff, which you are now proving to be as fond of as Andrew was, would be better moved to comp.os.*.advocacy, where it was presumably intended to go in the first place.
Rick Moen
rick@linuxmafia.com
If you lived here, you'd be $HOME already.
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Post #77,985
1/29/03 10:24:20 PM
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Generally it is safe to presume . . .
. . they need at minimum the functionallity they are currently using on a daily basis.
[link|http://www.aaxnet.com|AAx]
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Post #77,987
1/29/03 10:35:34 PM
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Re: Generally it is safe to presume . . .
Andrew wrote:
Generally it is safe to presume they need at minimum the functionallity they are currently using on a daily basis.
Like Solitaire, for example.
Not to mention [link|http://www.softorchestra.com/pipermail/linux-consultants/2003-January/000164.html|embodying crucial business practices in Excel spreadsheet templates].
I get it! Never mind what the business needs to do, to earn a living. Let's just perpetuate whatever capabilities, foibles, and misfeatures their current software has, regardless of whether those are related to the job it should be doing. Quirk-for-quirk compatibility!
Rick Moen
rick@linuxmafia.com
If you lived here, you'd be $HOME already.
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Post #77,998
1/29/03 11:19:08 PM
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It's the height of arrogance . .
. . to presume you know better the needs of a business than the person(s) who made that business successful. It's also the height of foolishness, 'cause your tenure will be real short.
If a company abuses spreadsheets, they're generally quite open to replacing them with something faster and safer - but if your "better" method doesn't provide the current functionality, you'll be politely reminded where to find the door.
Anyway, I can't recall any small businesses abusing spreadsheets for practically a decade - that's an entertainment for corporate boys. One of my more successfull clients (sales about $70,000 / day) is still quite happy with SuperCalc 3 DOS for all his spreadsheet needs. I installed that for him in 1988. Most of my clients don't use spreadsheets at all.
[link|http://www.aaxnet.com|AAx]
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Post #78,005
1/29/03 11:45:03 PM
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Re: It's the height of arrogance . .
Andrew wrote:
It's the height of arrogance to presume you know better the needs of a business than the person(s) who made that business successful. It's also the height of foolishness, 'cause your tenure will be real short.
It's the height of online gamesmanship to stipulate that whoever's found to be running crucial business practices out of Excel spreadsheet templates is "the person who made that business successful". More likely, the business might be successful despite that person's efforts to shoot it in the foot.
If a company abuses spreadsheets, they're generally quite open to replacing them with something faster and safer - but if your "better" method doesn't provide the current functionality, you'll be politely reminded where to find the door.
Hey, don't forget to re-implement those Excel AutoOpen viruses, for example.
"Current functionality" often as not, upon examination, turns out to be a trick the secretary found in Excel for Frightfully Clever Persons that has not a lot do do with the job at hand. But I suppose uncritically copying-and-pasting to the sheet of requirements is easier than thinking.
Anyway, I can't recall any small businesses abusing spreadsheets for practically a decade - that's an entertainment for corporate boys.
It was, of course, an example of a broader pattern of customer missteps that alert consultants to business can and should watch for, rather than, for example, perpetuating them as you propose.
This is of course, why I found hysterically funny the claim of your cheerleader "tseliot" that I'm a dyed-in-the-wool status quo man.
Rick Moen
rick@linuxmafia.com
If you lived here, you'd be $HOME already.
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Post #78,007
1/30/03 12:38:32 AM
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Your ability to descend into absurdity is truly amazing!
I take it this is a survival ploy similar to birds that fake a broken wing to distract predators away from their nest?
[link|http://www.aaxnet.com|AAx]
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Post #78,047
1/30/03 9:19:06 AM
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Ow....
That hurt... I felt/heard the thump HERE in Michigan...
Yeah, sure Rick gets under people's skin... but then again so do you sometimes Grygus... heck for that matter I get under people's skin...
I am guessing what really is the begging question here... If that customer of your understands his/her business... does that person really understand the faults aligned with hte current "Spreadsheet" solution? Would they be willing to re-address the solution... and perhaps find another tat fits better but doesn't *DO* it exactly that same way... but results are the same?
Both of you, on one hand, are good at cutting to the chase, on the other hand both of you two seem to be able to beat and chant around the proverbial "Burning Bush" rather well, hoping for rain...
| [link|mailto:curley95@attbi.com|greg] - Grand-Master Artist in IT | | [link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry/|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] [link|http://pascal.rockford.com:8888/SSK@kQMsmc74S0Tw3KHQiRQmDem0gAIPAgM/edcurry/1//|ED'S GHOST SPEAKS!] | Heimatland Geheime Staatspolizei reminds:
These [link|http://www.whitehouse.gov/pcipb/cyberstrategy-draft.html|Civilian General Orders], please memorize them.
"Questions" will be asked at safety checkpoints. |
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Post #78,112
1/30/03 3:39:59 PM
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Re: Ow....
That hurt... I felt/heard the thump HERE in Michigan...
Well, I didn't. It was just the expected descent into content-free verbal abuse. After all, It's Easier Than Thinking!<tm>
I am guessing what really is the begging question here... If that customer of your understands his/her business... does that person really understand the faults aligned with hte current "Spreadsheet" solution? Would they be willing to re-address the solution... and perhaps find another tat fits better but doesn't *DO* it exactly that same way... but results are the same?
Good question. I would say it's properly the job of an IT consultant to bring up exactly such questions (where appropriate), among others.
Rick Moen
rick@linuxmafia.com
If you lived here, you'd be $HOME already.
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Post #78,123
1/30/03 4:29:06 PM
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Simple Question
Name a good Linux accounting package I can get for less that $10 grand, which is the current investment in Great Plains (not my choice, I inherited it).
-drl
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Post #78,127
1/30/03 4:40:15 PM
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Remember to include
the price of setting it up (in time; time IS money) and training employees to use it.
Imric's Tips for Living- Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
- Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
- Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.
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Post #78,128
1/30/03 4:42:53 PM
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ps. Of course
cost savings inherent in licensing differences, etc. should be included, too.
Imric's Tips for Living- Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
- Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
- Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.
|
Post #78,138
1/30/03 5:00:17 PM
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call Andrew and get his
will work for cash and other incentives [link|http://home.tampabay.rr.com/boxley/resume/Resume.html|skill set]
"The Mafia was preferable to the state, because it survived by providing services people actually wanted"
Murray Rothbard
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Post #78,141
1/30/03 5:04:01 PM
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OK
This whole thing is now officially Boring As Shit.
Can we end it?
Peter
[link|http://www.debian.org|Shill For Hire]
[link|http://www.kuro5hin.org|There is no K5 Cabal]
[link|http://guildenstern.dyndns.org|Blog]
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Post #78,148
1/30/03 5:43:43 PM
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Sorry, Desit asked for replacement of Great Plains
and I have spoken to Andrew about his product for one of my customers in the past, it was just a straight reccomendation not persuant to the main discussion. Which appears to a a squeekfest.
thanx,
bill
will work for cash and other incentives [link|http://home.tampabay.rr.com/boxley/resume/Resume.html|skill set]
"The Mafia was preferable to the state, because it survived by providing services people actually wanted"
Murray Rothbard
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Post #78,207
1/30/03 8:50:41 PM
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AppGen
[link|http://www.appgen.com/index.html|Appgen Business Software, Inc.]
Appgen\ufffd Custom Suite...
[link|http://www.appgen.com/products/appgen_custom_suite.html|Starting @~$995US] somewhere ~$4000US for all functionality and 25 users.
Appgen\ufffd MyBooks Professional
[link|http://www.appgen.com/products/mybooksprofessional.html|Starting @$249US] for 2 concurrent users. $799 for 10 users... scalable to Custom Suite with 100's of users...
Appgen\ufffd MyBooks
[link|http://www.appgen.com/products/mybooks.html|Starting @$99US] Single user small business wth limited needs.
[link|http://www.appgen.com/products/mybooks_pro_quickbooks.html|Comparison] of MyBooks Pro to Quickbooks and QB Value pack
| [link|mailto:curley95@attbi.com|greg] - Grand-Master Artist in IT | | [link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry/|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] [link|http://pascal.rockford.com:8888/SSK@kQMsmc74S0Tw3KHQiRQmDem0gAIPAgM/edcurry/1//|ED'S GHOST SPEAKS!] | Heimatland Geheime Staatspolizei reminds:
These [link|http://www.whitehouse.gov/pcipb/cyberstrategy-draft.html|Civilian General Orders], please memorize them.
"Questions" will be asked at safety checkpoints. |
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Post #78,225
1/30/03 10:01:04 PM
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Re: AppGen
Does it work? Bottom line.
What database options?
-drl
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Post #78,228
1/30/03 10:19:02 PM
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Yes... it does work.
Order the $7 CD and look at it. ($$$ Mainly for shipping 2nd Day FedEx) Well worth the $7.
Three customers have looked at it now, three are switching to it. Every companies accountants like it alot. Easy to use, easy to check (audit), easy to backup... There are options. It connect vis ODBC if you want therefore it should connect or work on any DB supporting it's requirements... (obviously MS-SQL isn't the DB of Choice).
I have looked at it on Windows95, Windows98, Windows2K, WindowsXP, Linux (three distros so far)...
It just worken so far...
| [link|mailto:curley95@attbi.com|greg] - Grand-Master Artist in IT | | [link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry/|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] [link|http://pascal.rockford.com:8888/SSK@kQMsmc74S0Tw3KHQiRQmDem0gAIPAgM/edcurry/1//|ED'S GHOST SPEAKS!] | Heimatland Geheime Staatspolizei reminds:
These [link|http://www.whitehouse.gov/pcipb/cyberstrategy-draft.html|Civilian General Orders], please memorize them.
"Questions" will be asked at safety checkpoints. |
|
Post #78,232
1/30/03 10:21:57 PM
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Give the Gryg a call I am sure he would be willing to answer
any questions you may have. Go to his web site on the bottom of his posts and the contact info is there. He has used it successfully for many years with his clients.
thanx,
bill
will work for cash and other incentives [link|http://home.tampabay.rr.com/boxley/resume/Resume.html|skill set]
"The Mafia was preferable to the state, because it survived by providing services people actually wanted"
Murray Rothbard
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Post #78,244
1/30/03 11:12:46 PM
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Appgen Custom Suite . .
. . was not at all related to the MyBooks product (which was purchased). I'm sure Appgen has been working to bring them closer, but the transition phase between the two may not be entirely smooth.
Of course, unless you are quite big, or need extensive customization (even whole new modules can be written), you'd opt for the MyBooks product.
[link|http://www.aaxnet.com|AAx]
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Post #78,273
1/31/03 12:03:24 AM
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Yes... all three...
construction companies need the Job Costing Modules with BoM. They seem to all treat man-hours as inventory... depending on what they ARE doing they bill differently for hours or by the task. Also consumables are bil accordingly.
One company does straight insurance work, amazing they are busting out all over the place... I put in a Dual Athlon machine a while ago for them... they are in process to open whistle stop offices for the crews and also to allow claimants to "view", print, sign-off of quotes, billings, completions and such. Also be able to enter time-cards, print bills, accept payments and other such sundry. Biggey thing is, VPN to connect the LANs together. All going to be connected via 1.5Mb SDSL or better to the same DSL head-end making connections more reliable... at least in theory... 6 remote offices and one main...
Each end going to have a Firewall/VPN, afackup or amanda or even arkeia for backups... back to the main machine...
They have literally grown to be come the preferred contractor for 3 insurance companies in Western Middle Michigan... basically the outline is Lansing, Ludington, Lake Michigan and South Haven.
| [link|mailto:curley95@attbi.com|greg] - Grand-Master Artist in IT | | [link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry/|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] [link|http://pascal.rockford.com:8888/SSK@kQMsmc74S0Tw3KHQiRQmDem0gAIPAgM/edcurry/1//|ED'S GHOST SPEAKS!] | Heimatland Geheime Staatspolizei reminds:
These [link|http://www.whitehouse.gov/pcipb/cyberstrategy-draft.html|Civilian General Orders], please memorize them.
"Questions" will be asked at safety checkpoints. |
|
Post #78,028
1/30/03 6:34:56 AM
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Damn, now ACT! is an OS???
Dude...I >was< talking about what the company's business processes called for. We're both talking about rational requirements analysis.
In no way was I suggesting that the alternative had to look or feel just like ACT!...but it has to have the capability to match the functionality.
And some women will tell you...size does matter...especially if they can take it all :-) I've seen ACT! used to potential...I was not talking about unused capability. I was talking about ways that I've seen it used >in real life<.
Your stubborn insistance that Linux can do everything Windows can do is what belongs in comp.os.advocacy. Noone here would disagree on Linux superiority in many areas...but theres a few here who (apparently contrary to your worldly opinion) >dare< to suggest that Linux is >not< capable of fully replacing Windows in all areas. This seems to piss you off.
You were born...and so you're free...so Happy Birthday! Laurie Anderson
[link|mailto:bepatient@aol.com|BePatient]
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Post #78,029
1/30/03 7:28:15 AM
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Re: Damn, now ACT! is an OS???
Dude...I >was< talking about what the company's business processes called for.
Um, no. You still weren't. You were talking about replicating what a particular piece of software does. If you can't tell the difference between that and a business process, I can't help you. Consult a cognitive therapist.
Your stubborn insistance that Linux can do everything Windows can do...
I of course made no such claim. Argue with imaginary debate points much?
Rick Moen
rick@linuxmafia.com
If you lived here, you'd be $HOME already.
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Post #78,031
1/30/03 8:07:31 AM
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Figured as much.
So, without knowing the need fulfilled by a piece of entrenched software (how do you think it >got< that way)...you've decided that noone else but yourself knows anything about needs analysis and software solutions to match against said needs.
All the while linking to something you wrote that says, in essence ...of course you can't compete with Windows >directly<...there's too many applications.
And you defend this position by claiming that noone else seems to know how to do a proper needs assessment...and that most of your customers are idiots.
And you are doing this to debate against Andrew (who has successful customers that he does >not< think are idiots) and anyone else (who has seen applications fullfil process needs...and in fact greatly improve said processes).
Ok. Great tactic. Since you seem to have no grasp of reality...most everyone will just simply quit debating the point with you. I suppose you could call that victory.
Point taken on the Linux comment...reading back you've made no such direct claim...only derided anyone for saying the opposite. I guess there is technically a difference.
You were born...and so you're free...so Happy Birthday! Laurie Anderson
[link|mailto:bepatient@aol.com|BePatient]
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Post #78,110
1/30/03 3:31:06 PM
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Re: Figured as much.
bepatient wrote:
So, without knowing the need fulfilled by a piece of entrenched software (how do you think it >got< that way)...you've decided that noone else but yourself knows anything about needs analysis and software solutions to match against said needs.
This of course I did not say, either.
All the while linking to something you wrote that says, in essence ...of course you can't compete with Windows >directly<...there's too many applications.
Nor that.
And you defend this position by claiming that noone else seems to know how to do a proper needs assessment...and that most of your customers are idiots.
Nor that.
Point taken on the Linux comment...reading back you've made no such direct claim...only derided anyone for saying the opposite.
Nor that.
You done?
Rick Moen
rick@linuxmafia.com
If you lived here, you'd be $HOME already.
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Post #78,164
1/30/03 6:42:41 PM
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You didn't?
Do you >read< what you type?
Guess not.
You were born...and so you're free...so Happy Birthday! Laurie Anderson
[link|mailto:bepatient@aol.com|BePatient]
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Post #78,166
1/30/03 6:48:18 PM
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With apologies...
for the time-sucking link hole I am about to present. Read the whole thread, and apply lessons learned. ;-)
[link|http://guildenstern.dyndns.org/~karsten/IWE-archive/archive/00088425.html|Read me in MY words]...
Link courtesy Karsten; apparently he still owes me a beer.
Regards,
-scott anderson
"Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson..."
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Post #78,170
1/30/03 6:58:20 PM
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Ahh, the good ole days
Well Rick is no magic man, so he will have to do. Flame on squeek:-)
thanx,
bill
will work for cash and other incentives [link|http://home.tampabay.rr.com/boxley/resume/Resume.html|skill set]
"The Mafia was preferable to the state, because it survived by providing services people actually wanted"
Murray Rothbard
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Post #78,204
1/30/03 8:41:06 PM
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Oh dear...
...oh my...
wow...
o0o
you had to bring that up.
Thanks for the refresher.
You were born...and so you're free...so Happy Birthday! Laurie Anderson
[link|mailto:bepatient@aol.com|BePatient]
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Post #78,319
1/31/03 5:31:11 AM
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I have a bad feeling about that...
... so much so I'm not going to follow it! :-)
Besides, I've stopped paying close attention to (ahem) "this" kind of thread. Too much "I said, you said" and attempts to get the last word in... or something.
Wade.
Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
| |
Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please
| -- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne. |
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Post #78,255
1/30/03 11:36:39 PM
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Re: You didn't?
bepatient wrote:
Do you >read< what you type? Guess not.
I was actually going to say that it's above you to make shit up and attribute it to me for lack of anything more substantive to say, therefore the more parsimonious and charitable explanation is that you're hopelessly confused and not able to read correctly -- but then I realised that would be wildly optimistic.
Rick Moen
rick@linuxmafia.com
If you lived here, you'd be $HOME already.
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Post #78,394
1/31/03 12:10:33 PM
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Maybe my universal translator is broken.
my quote
And you defend this position by claiming that noone else seems to know how to do a proper needs assessment...and that most of your customers are idiots.
your quotes
Raises the obvious question, of course, of what functionality the customer's business processes actually call for. As I've already pointed out, rational requirements analysis just doesn't revolve around application dicksize wars. Thus my suggestion that this stuff, which you are now proving to be as fond of as Andrew was, would be better moved to comp.os.*.advocacy, where it was presumably intended to go in the first place.
I went on to say that customers have a tendency, if allowed, to
overdefine and mis-define the requirements. They've gotten used to tool
Foo; their horizons are narrowed; they've gotten used to what's wrong
with it and what it just can't do, and are no longer even aware that
they're working around those things. When asked what is required,
they'll often as not say "something just like like Foo". The
possibility of doing something different or better gets excluded from
discussion. 1st paragraph translation...you decide you need to tell me, without knowledge of what I processes I have seen fulfilled by a particular piece of software....that I am engaging in OS advocacy because I have seen a application that fulfills a particular business process...an application that has no Linux equivalent (at this time). And this is supposed to be translated exactly how? My take on it was exactly what I wrote...that you, without knowledge of the application (obviously), my knowledge of business process analysis nor the business in question...dismiss the need for an ACT! equivalent solution as simple OS advocacy....in other words...you arrogantly assume that I know nothing about this process and and simply engaging in application dicksize wars. This is NOT saying that the various capabilities in the business process cannot be met by hobbling together functionality from several applications under another OS. I'm certain that, with a little work, it would be possible. Would >that< be a suggestion you make to a SO/HO? Sure we can do that...it'll take us a few months to program and a few thousands of dollars in expense...but we could certainly meet the needs of your process and replace that $199 piece of software. 2nd quote block...I translate as...the customer, left to its own devices, doesn't know what they need. eg...the customer is an idiot. Now... Do I >have< to take every line of my post and break it down to match your posts? You may >think< that you are not saying these things...but damn near everyone here is translating your posts exactly that way. And with that...I politely bow out of these discussions. They have already gone nowhere...and promise much more of the same in the future. You were born...and so you're free...so Happy Birthday! Laurie Anderson
[link|mailto:bepatient@aol.com|BePatient]
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Post #78,476
1/31/03 4:29:18 PM
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Re: Maybe my universal translator is broken.
bepatient wrote:
1st paragraph translation...you decide you need to tell me, without knowledge of what I processes I have seen fulfilled by a particular piece of software....that I am engaging in OS advocacy because I have seen a application that fulfills a particular business process...an application that has no Linux equivalent (at this time). [etc., etc.]
I'm sorry to hear about your utter (but, I suspect, quite willful) supposed lack of comprehension of simple English -- in as much as that is nothing at all like what I wrote -- but that is not really my problem.
Rick Moen
rick@linuxmafia.com
If you lived here, you'd be $HOME already.
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Post #78,550
1/31/03 10:16:10 PM
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whatever
You were born...and so you're free...so Happy Birthday! Laurie Anderson
[link|mailto:bepatient@aol.com|BePatient]
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Post #77,936
1/29/03 6:35:52 PM
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Sorry buddy - can't stick with Windows . .
. . we run OS/2 in this office (yes, really).
I do plenty of product research, hours per day, and I don't want you doing research for me because i believe you lack some basic concepts of what my small business clients need, especially what they would need to transition from Windows to Linux.
I've equipped plenty of clients with Linux / Samba servers, and they occasionally ask if they could use Linux on the desktop, but they can't, without far too much cost and disruption.
One client, with a Concurrent DOS system (5 terminals) I'd installed in 1986, got all new stuff for Year 2000. I put in a Linux server, a Linux based accounting system (Appgen) and Linux on the desktop with StarOffice, Netscape, etc. (later transitioned to Mozilla).
This was possible because they had no previous Windows investment. Even so, in mid 2002 I had to redo their Linux workstations to Windows (server and accounting remain Linux), because so much business was now being done with email and attachments of many virieties, many in Microsoft format.
Even with Sylpheed (very excellent email program) and StarOffice 5.2 (latest at the time) and Adobe Acrobat, it just wasn't up to handling the attachment situation (including returning complex forms in the same format they arrived in) without almost daily assistance from me.
Yes, I'm still looking for clients I can reasonably put on Linux desktops, but it doesn't seem a lot closer than it did two years ago.
[link|http://www.aaxnet.com|AAx]
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Post #77,945
1/29/03 7:14:36 PM
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AppGen...
I just began converting ovre small businesses to the Suite they have... runs on Linux, Mac, Windows.
I am wondering exactly HOW well the companies are liking it?
My initial comments back from the customer is "NICE... very"
MYOB just dropped any support for Canada... matter of fact they pulled out of that market completely. I was talking to ... Sarah I think??? She was extremely excited about the oppourtunities MYOB just *GAVE* them.
I seem to like AppGen very Well... It is easy to support, easy to backup, "It Just Runs!"
You have similar Experience with Customers and AppGen?
| [link|mailto:curley95@attbi.com|greg] - Grand-Master Artist in IT | | [link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry/|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] [link|http://pascal.rockford.com:8888/SSK@kQMsmc74S0Tw3KHQiRQmDem0gAIPAgM/edcurry/1//|ED'S GHOST SPEAKS!] | Heimatland Geheime Staatspolizei reminds:
These [link|http://www.whitehouse.gov/pcipb/cyberstrategy-draft.html|Civilian General Orders], please memorize them.
"Questions" will be asked at safety checkpoints. |
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Post #77,948
1/29/03 7:31:15 PM
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My Appgen experience is with . . .
. . their main product, which costs a few thousand $$ per installation but is highly customizable (at unusually low cost for the customs). I don't recommend it for companies that are real small and don't need customization, it's best for companies large enough that different individuals do various accounting and data entry tasks.
I haven't tried the MyBooks software (which they purchased a couple years ago) but would be happy to hear about successes with it. They were also handling MoneyDance (Java), but have dropped that.
[link|http://www.aaxnet.com|AAx]
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Post #77,951
1/29/03 7:49:53 PM
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Yeah... that's the one...
Job costing module is very good... very good... inventory and such too...
| [link|mailto:curley95@attbi.com|greg] - Grand-Master Artist in IT | | [link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry/|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] [link|http://pascal.rockford.com:8888/SSK@kQMsmc74S0Tw3KHQiRQmDem0gAIPAgM/edcurry/1//|ED'S GHOST SPEAKS!] | Heimatland Geheime Staatspolizei reminds:
These [link|http://www.whitehouse.gov/pcipb/cyberstrategy-draft.html|Civilian General Orders], please memorize them.
"Questions" will be asked at safety checkpoints. |
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Post #77,977
1/29/03 9:31:33 PM
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Re: Sorry buddy - can't stick with Windows . .
Andrew wrote:
I do plenty of product research, hours per day, and I don't want you doing research for me because i believe you lack some basic concepts of what my small business clients need, especially what they would need to transition from Windows to Linux.
By an utterly amazing coincidence, I'd already concluded that you either lacked some basic faculties required of someone doing rational analysis (let alone a client), or were trolling. In all charity, I've been willing to assume the latter. But I'm willing to go for either one.
Speaking of which, you'll note that I'm cleverly declining your current attempt to troll debate on "desktop Linux" in the broad sense.
Rick Moen
rick@linuxmafia.com
If you lived here, you'd be $HOME already.
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Post #78,293
1/31/03 1:08:50 AM
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Re: Sorry buddy - can't stick with Windows . .
What was your experience with AppGen?
-drl
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Post #78,302
1/31/03 2:10:09 AM
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Appgen
Remember, once again, I have experience only with the product now known as Appgen Custom Suite, not with MyBooks. Our original implementations were done in late 1999 as part of year 2000 conversions.
The product is divided into modules with full accounting controls between modules. In other words, the journals can be reviewed before posting is ordered. This allows extensive accounting control, but is not what is expected today in small businesses with a "full charge bookkeeper" doing most functions. Custom programming can be done to post modules automatically, but it is not built in. If I recall, there is auto linkage between Sales Order and Inventory Control to keep inventory up to the minute.
The product does not have as many options and reports as a hard wired package would, because some customization is presumed. This should be considered in the cost of integration, some programming may be required right off.
On the other hand, customization is very quick and economical compared with other packages, because the Appgen product was originally an Application generator for rapid development. The company bought the accounting system from a VAR who developed it using Appgen. Every Appgen VAR now has the complete accounting source and the application generator.
An example of the customization done for one of our clients is handling of inventory items that are actually retail start-up kits. The kit may be discounted at sale, and the customer needs all components individually priced to know their costs. Also, there may be shortages of a particular kit component.
At invoicing, the clerk enters one part number and quantity. If there is a discount, that is entered. The program then back calculates the discount into component prices and prints a fully itemized invoice with individually discounted component prices. Shortages are also handled, but I don't remember quite how.
This sort of thing is completely impossible with "canned" accounting software, but not difficult with Appgen.
Another thing this business does is purge the previous years inventory part numbers each year and enters new ones for the current year's catalog. This is also impossible with most accounting software.
I am no longer closely involved with Appgen because I have outsourced most of the day-to-day and programming to a highly experienced and efficient Appgen programmer at EGData. It's just much more efficient for me as I have my hands full with networking, servers, and selling stuff.
[link|http://www.aaxnet.com|AAx]
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Post #78,326
1/31/03 7:13:59 AM
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Thanks... I could not have said it better...
Actually since I haven't done the VAR thing YET... I can;t comment on it period... but that is shortly down the road...
That's a bit of a cash outlay for me *RIGHT* this minute...
They are sending me a the full package for evaluation (note this is not the Demo CD for $7)
Hopefully it's the answer I have been wanting...
| [link|mailto:curley95@attbi.com|greg] - Grand-Master Artist in IT | | [link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry/|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] [link|http://pascal.rockford.com:8888/SSK@kQMsmc74S0Tw3KHQiRQmDem0gAIPAgM/edcurry/1//|ED'S GHOST SPEAKS!] | Heimatland Geheime Staatspolizei reminds:
These [link|http://www.whitehouse.gov/pcipb/cyberstrategy-draft.html|Civilian General Orders], please memorize them.
"Questions" will be asked at safety checkpoints. |
|
