User training for moving from 3.0 to 4.0

Yahoo Archive
1
Sarah,

I believe it pulls from all the FOB fields, in all the tables that have one,
and creates a FOB table of it's own. I ended up with a very long list.
However it was not as bad as the Country field was.

I can't help but think, what field will be next?


Ron Newell

-----Original Message-----
From: sarah.vareschi@... [mailto:sarah.vareschi@...]
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2001 2:01 PM
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Vantage] User training for moving from 3.0 to 4.0

Ron, Do you know where the FOB data pulls from? Is it EVERY Vendor master
and Customer master FOB (we would have hundreds - each Vendor's FOB is their
city, usually)

Thanks, Sarah


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2
How much and what type of training will our users need to move from 3.0 to 4.0? We also plan to move from Average Cost to Standard cost, if that makes a difference in training.

Does anyone have implementation/upgrade documents that you used when you went to 4.0 that you'd like to share? Did you have someone from epicor come in? Did you send anyone away for training? Are the changes in 4.0 simple enough to just figure out?

I have a boss who would like some answers to these questions.

Troy Funte
Liberty Electronics


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
3
Troy:

I attended a couple of Road Shows, one at Epicor and one at our users' group
meeting. The major thing aesthetically is the menu structure has been
reduced in size. Maybe not actually reduced, more like combined according
to function. You've probably already seen it if you've been doing any
testing. I didn't hear too much grumbling from my users other than the fact
that "I can't find anything on this new menu". After about a week that
quieted down.

I received a document from someone - I don't remember who sent it now,
thanks again, you know who you are. Reply to me offlist and I'll be happy
to fax it in the morning. I used it to set a game plan, had the
administration people meet two straight mornings to go over it and we all
worked over a weekend. The approach we took that was different than most
migrations to 4.0 is the fact that we started a completely new company,
pretending as if we never used Vantage before. Complete with all new master
files, new g/l structure, the whole nine yards. The other users never
really knew the difference other than the aforementioned grumbling.

I suggest you memorize the installation instructions for what's new. Before
we went live and for about a two to three month period I loaded the client
on everyone's computer with specific instructions to test drive it for
themselves, get familiar with the menus, see what's new or different. That
covered me so no one could say they weren't ready.

All in all, our move to 4.0 went very smoothly. The major thing I
experienced was with our custom reports. You've probably already been down
that road, too so I'll not go there.

I can't really speak to the costing issue. I'm not an accountant type,
although I do know you must carefully document the difference between your
ending inventory at average cost and beginning inventory at standard cost.
It's an auditor thing, I guess.

If you have any more questions, feel free to call.

Terry L. Williams Chipsco, Inc. 9936 Liberty St. Ext. Meadville, PA
16335 814-333-6331 fax: 814-337-2548 tlw@...
<mailto:tlw@...> www.chipsco.com <http://www.chipsco.com/>

-----Original Message-----
From: Troy Funte [mailto:tfunte@...]
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 6:35 PM
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Vantage] User training for moving from 3.0 to 4.0

How much and what type of training will our users need to move from 3.0 to
4.0? We also plan to move from Average Cost to Standard cost, if that makes
a difference in training.

Does anyone have implementation/upgrade documents that you used when you
went to 4.0 that you'd like to share? Did you have someone from epicor come
in? Did you send anyone away for training? Are the changes in 4.0 simple
enough to just figure out?

I have a boss who would like some answers to these questions.

Troy Funte
Liberty Electronics


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
4
Thank you Terry for a thorough explanation. I take it from what you are saying that the everyday user, once they find out how to get where they used to go (as far as menu structures), will find familiar ground once they get there. For instance, the order entry people will see pretty much the same screen? The shipping/receiving folks will see familiar fields, etc? And so on?

It's just the IS department (me) that has the homework to do, it seems. That's good news for the company.

Any quirks in using Standard costing after having been on average costing for two years? (Besides rewriting a bunch of reports, once again).

Troy Funte
Liberty Electronics

----- Original Message -----
From: Terry Williams
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 11:53 PM
Subject: RE: [Vantage] User training for moving from 3.0 to 4.0


Troy:

I attended a couple of Road Shows, one at Epicor and one at our users' group
meeting. The major thing aesthetically is the menu structure has been
reduced in size. Maybe not actually reduced, more like combined according
to function. You've probably already seen it if you've been doing any
testing. I didn't hear too much grumbling from my users other than the fact
that "I can't find anything on this new menu". After about a week that
quieted down.

I received a document from someone - I don't remember who sent it now,
thanks again, you know who you are. Reply to me offlist and I'll be happy
to fax it in the morning. I used it to set a game plan, had the
administration people meet two straight mornings to go over it and we all
worked over a weekend. The approach we took that was different than most
migrations to 4.0 is the fact that we started a completely new company,
pretending as if we never used Vantage before. Complete with all new master
files, new g/l structure, the whole nine yards. The other users never
really knew the difference other than the aforementioned grumbling.

I suggest you memorize the installation instructions for what's new. Before
we went live and for about a two to three month period I loaded the client
on everyone's computer with specific instructions to test drive it for
themselves, get familiar with the menus, see what's new or different. That
covered me so no one could say they weren't ready.

All in all, our move to 4.0 went very smoothly. The major thing I
experienced was with our custom reports. You've probably already been down
that road, too so I'll not go there.

I can't really speak to the costing issue. I'm not an accountant type,
although I do know you must carefully document the difference between your
ending inventory at average cost and beginning inventory at standard cost.
It's an auditor thing, I guess.

If you have any more questions, feel free to call.

Terry L. Williams Chipsco, Inc. 9936 Liberty St. Ext. Meadville, PA
16335 814-333-6331 fax: 814-337-2548 tlw@...
<mailto:tlw@...> www.chipsco.com <http://www.chipsco.com/>

-----Original Message-----
From: Troy Funte [mailto:tfunte@...]
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 6:35 PM
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Vantage] User training for moving from 3.0 to 4.0

How much and what type of training will our users need to move from 3.0 to
4.0? We also plan to move from Average Cost to Standard cost, if that makes
a difference in training.

Does anyone have implementation/upgrade documents that you used when you
went to 4.0 that you'd like to share? Did you have someone from epicor come
in? Did you send anyone away for training? Are the changes in 4.0 simple
enough to just figure out?

I have a boss who would like some answers to these questions.

Troy Funte
Liberty Electronics


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
Click Here to Find Software Faster
Click Here to Find Software Faster
<http://rd.yahoo.com/M=162801.1342103.2934627/D=egroupmail/S=1700007183:N/A=
599089/*http://www.knowledgestorm.com/jump_white.html?c=Yahoo&n=eLert_Comput
ersInternet_Software_WhiteGridOptions&t=ad>


To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and
Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/. Note: You must have already
linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access.

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service
<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> .


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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Click Here to Find Software Faster


To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/. Note: You must have already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access.

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
5
Troy Funte,

This is my personal check list for upgrading from Version 3.0 to Version
4.0. I checked off these items as I also go through vantages installation
document. A heads up for you any junk you typed in the country field in any
table, sales, employee, payroll, etc... will get put in the master table for
country in 4.0. You should at least clean up sales addresses some others you
may be stuck with. Ignore item "Security Alarm Training" I always make sure
the people working for me have access to our building. Also you shop
licenses are separate now so if someone wants more than Data Collection, Job
Tracker, Part Tracker you may have to pay to upgrade from a SHOP to an
OFFICE license.

My comments such as "Make Backup if Possible" during an upgrade you are
always guessing when to pick a backup point verses the time it takes. I
skipped most of them when I converted.

I have found 4.0 just as stable as 3.0 and like what I see in the Quality
Module.

Hope this helps all users back on 3.0

Hope this helps Epicor to see the big picture.

Sorry if this is more than you asked for Troy.

Patrick


Specialty Screw Corporation
Information Services Department
Notes for the record. 10/26/00, Vantage 4 Installation.wpd, By Patrick
Winter

I. Vantage 4.0 Installation Notes:
A. Test Network:
1. Pick the patch level to stay at. 4.00.901
a. Download patch, source, write file, get source pass word
2. Review program Modifications:
3. Convert Report Builder Reports.
4. Convert Crystal Forms.
5. Review Security and Setup ahead of time.
6. Review Company Configuration.
7. Review the NT server AT commands for backups.
8. Security Alarm Training.
9. Backup reports, crystal forms, pictures.
B. Day before conversion.
1. Close out open packing slips. Open items etc...
2. Clean up the country table before conversions.
C. Actual Day of Conversion on Live Network.
1. Complete System Backup.
2. NT - Service Pack 6 Plus hot fix. --------------------Done
3. Stop "AT" commands for backups.
4. Stop Seagate Backup Exec backup routine & antivirus software.
5. Reboot.
6. Install Vantage & Progress from CD.
a. Install Progress 9.0B
b. Install Progress 9.0B patch
c. Install Vantage Software
d. Install Vantage Client
e. Upgrade Database From Existing Application.
(1) Install new schema
(2) Apply Schema Changes to 3.xx database
(3) Copy/Convert ------------------------------------------3-1/2
Hours
D. Make a backup copy of database if possible.
a. Signing On for the First Time:
(1) License Codes
(2) database conversions--------------------------------4 hours
E. Make a backup copy of the database if possible.
F. Get Patches upto date for Vantage and Progress.
1. Install Progress Patch 9.0B37
2. Install Latest Vantage Patch 4.00.901
a. Ran the change schema icon. ---------------------------½ hour
G. Make a backup copy of the database if possible.
1. Logon to system, will run patch schema changes.
H. Upgrade Each Client PC.
1. Shop Floor Stations, Sales, Production, Shipping, Tool Room,
Accounting, Wire Room
I. Put in all SSC Modifications.
1. Move Program modification into place.
2. Copy over Report Builder Reports and Test.
3. Copy over Crystal forms and Test.
4. Company Configuration setup for new modules.
5. Security Setup in Vantage, Groups, Users.
6. Create Tables References in Data Dictionary
7. Review Progress Backup procedure of new and old.
8. Review Seagate Backup Exec, skip new database files & bi file.
II. Issues:
A. License will lock down shop stations to 15.
B. Securing Vantage Files with NT Security. (Handout) Todds Email is
better.
C. Create Training Database.
D. Create Auditors Database.
E. Review 310-000.df files for schema changes.
F. Add additional Vantage License Codes.
G. Add -SPIN 2000 parameter
I. Add Progress Time Out Feature.

-----Original Message-----
From: Troy Funte [mailto:tfunte@...]
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 5:35 PM
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Vantage] User training for moving from 3.0 to 4.0


How much and what type of training will our users need to move from 3.0 to
4.0? We also plan to move from Average Cost to Standard cost, if that makes
a difference in training.

Does anyone have implementation/upgrade documents that you used when you
went to 4.0 that you'd like to share? Did you have someone from epicor come
in? Did you send anyone away for training? Are the changes in 4.0 simple
enough to just figure out?

I have a boss who would like some answers to these questions.

Troy Funte
Liberty Electronics


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and
Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/. Note: You must have already
linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access.

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
6
At 08:56 AM 3/21/2001 , you wrote:
>This is my personal check list for upgrading from Version 3.0 to Version
>4.0. I checked off these items as I also go through vantages installation

Wow, Great Info! Thanks, Patrick.

>A heads up for you any junk you typed in the country field in any table,
>sales, employee, payroll, etc... will get put in the master table for
>country in 4.0.

I have a PRL library with reports to check every occurrence of country in
the database for junk; can forward a copy if you like. You can clean them
all up manually, with the exception of CheckHed. Any vendor with a county
filled in, gets captured there when an AP check is written. If you have
Provision, you can clean those up with 2 lines of code.

A few other things I have on my list to copy or re-do from your V3 install,
including some slightly obscure files:
Spell\Custom.vtc Custom entries in spell checker
Vantage.ini Any customizations, like reptlpp
Db\Vantage.pf Any customizations (-yy)
DlcSrv\Startup.pf Any customizations (-L -n)
DLL\ Update Crystal Rpt DLLs with latest
EmpPhoto\ Employ photo bitmaps
Bitmap\SPRIxxxx.Bmp Custom bitmaps for job priority icons


-Wayne Cox
7
Thanks Patrick,

Don't be Sorry. I need as much help and guidance as I can get. This is very helpful. I want to have as few surprises as possible.

Troy
Sorry if this is more than you asked for Troy.

Patrick


Specialty Screw Corporation
Information Services Department
Notes for the record. 10/26/00, Vantage 4 Installation.wpd, By Patrick
Winter

I. Vantage 4.0 Installation Notes:
A. Test Network:
1. Pick the patch level to stay at. 4.00.901
a. Download patch, source, write file, get source pass word
2. Review program Modifications:
3. Convert Report Builder Reports.
4. Convert Crystal Forms.
5. Review Security and Setup ahead of time.
6. Review Company Configuration.
7. Review the NT server AT commands for backups.
8. Security Alarm Training.
9. Backup reports, crystal forms, pictures.
B. Day before conversion.
1. Close out open packing slips. Open items etc...
2. Clean up the country table before conversions.
C. Actual Day of Conversion on Live Network.
1. Complete System Backup.
2. NT - Service Pack 6 Plus hot fix. --------------------Done
3. Stop "AT" commands for backups.
4. Stop Seagate Backup Exec backup routine & antivirus software.
5. Reboot.
6. Install Vantage & Progress from CD.
a. Install Progress 9.0B
b. Install Progress 9.0B patch
c. Install Vantage Software
d. Install Vantage Client
e. Upgrade Database From Existing Application.
(1) Install new schema
(2) Apply Schema Changes to 3.xx database
(3) Copy/Convert ------------------------------------------3-1/2
Hours
D. Make a backup copy of database if possible.
a. Signing On for the First Time:
(1) License Codes
(2) database conversions--------------------------------4 hours
E. Make a backup copy of the database if possible.
F. Get Patches upto date for Vantage and Progress.
1. Install Progress Patch 9.0B37
2. Install Latest Vantage Patch 4.00.901
a. Ran the change schema icon. ---------------------------½ hour
G. Make a backup copy of the database if possible.
1. Logon to system, will run patch schema changes.
H. Upgrade Each Client PC.
1. Shop Floor Stations, Sales, Production, Shipping, Tool Room,
Accounting, Wire Room
I. Put in all SSC Modifications.
1. Move Program modification into place.
2. Copy over Report Builder Reports and Test.
3. Copy over Crystal forms and Test.
4. Company Configuration setup for new modules.
5. Security Setup in Vantage, Groups, Users.
6. Create Tables References in Data Dictionary
7. Review Progress Backup procedure of new and old.
8. Review Seagate Backup Exec, skip new database files & bi file.
II. Issues:
A. License will lock down shop stations to 15.
B. Securing Vantage Files with NT Security. (Handout) Todds Email is
better.
C. Create Training Database.
D. Create Auditors Database.
E. Review 310-000.df files for schema changes.
F. Add additional Vantage License Codes.
G. Add -SPIN 2000 parameter
I. Add Progress Time Out Feature.

-----Original Message-----
From: Troy Funte [mailto:tfunte@...]
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 5:35 PM
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Vantage] User training for moving from 3.0 to 4.0


How much and what type of training will our users need to move from 3.0 to
4.0? We also plan to move from Average Cost to Standard cost, if that makes
a difference in training.

Does anyone have implementation/upgrade documents that you used when you
went to 4.0 that you'd like to share? Did you have someone from epicor come
in? Did you send anyone away for training? Are the changes in 4.0 simple
enough to just figure out?

I have a boss who would like some answers to these questions.

Troy Funte
Liberty Electronics


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and
Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/. Note: You must have already
linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access.

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/


Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

Click Here to Find Software Faster


To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/. Note: You must have already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access.

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
8
Thanks Wayne,

What kind of junk are you all referring to here. We have a couple countries represented as customers. Will each of the countries be added to the country table in 4.0? How will this affect me in 4.0?

Troy Funte
Liberty Electronics


>A heads up for you any junk you typed in the country field in any table,
>sales, employee, payroll, etc... will get put in the master table for
>country in 4.0.

I have a PRL library with reports to check every occurrence of country in
the database for junk; can forward a copy if you like. You can clean them
all up manually, with the exception of CheckHed. Any vendor with a county
filled in, gets captured there when an AP check is written. If you have
Provision, you can clean those up with 2 lines of code.

A few other things I have on my list to copy or re-do from your V3 install,
including some slightly obscure files:
Spell\Custom.vtc Custom entries in spell checker
Vantage.ini Any customizations, like reptlpp
Db\Vantage.pf Any customizations (-yy)
DlcSrv\Startup.pf Any customizations (-L -n)
DLL\ Update Crystal Rpt DLLs with latest
EmpPhoto\ Employ photo bitmaps
Bitmap\SPRIxxxx.Bmp Custom bitmaps for job priority icons


-Wayne Cox



Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

Click Here to Find Software Faster



To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/. Note: You must have already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access.

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
9
Every entry in the 'Country' in any of your master files, as well as the
'Country" field on AP/AR invoices/checks, etc. will be automatically added
to the country table. We had some zip codes, and other strange stuff in
there that is now part of our country list, there's no way to get rid of it
if it was ever used on something that was posted.
10
At 01:24 PM 3/21/2001 , you wrote:
> What kind of junk are you all referring to here. We have a couple
> countries represented as customers. Will each of the countries be added
> to the country table in 4.0? How will this affect me in 4.0?

All the tables that previously had a free-form text field for country, now
have a code field referencing the new Country table. The conversion
program rounds up any and all of those free-form country entries, builds
new Country entries, and converts the old tables.

Problem is, users put all kinds of inconsistent junk in that field,
sometimes even using it for comments or extra address info, eg: US, USA,
U.S.A, "Attn: Joe Blow". All those end up in your 4.0 Country table. You
can delete them if you remove *every* reference to them. But, in the case
of AP checks, you're stuck with anything that was on the vendor when a
check was cut, and there's no way (through Vantage) to edit them.

-Wayne
11
At 01:56 PM 3/21/2001 , you wrote:
>to the country table. We had some zip codes, and other strange stuff in
>there that is now part of our country list, there's no way to get rid of it

Country is used in all these 3.0 tables:

CheckHed
Company
CustCnt
Customer
EmpBasic
PREmpMas
ShipTo
UserFile
Vendor
VendorPP
Warehse

You can manually edit it in all of them except CheckHed. Once all the
references are gone, the country maintenance screen will let you delete the
junk entries. If you have provision, it's easy to blank the junk in
Checkhed, too.

-Wayne
12
Thanks, Wayne. Where I could, I did make changes and delete the 'odd' ones,
but most of them were on checks that were posted and I don't have provision,
so I'm stuck with it. There are 8 entries like this, cities, phone numbers,
account numbers, and zip codes. I put ZZZ in front of them so they show up
on the bottom of the list and no one will see it or use it in the future.
13
The same thing happens with the FOB field in order header when you convert
to 5.0

Ron Newell

-----Original Message-----
From: sarah.vareschi@... [mailto:sarah.vareschi@...]
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2001 12:56 PM
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Vantage] User training for moving from 3.0 to 4.0

Every entry in the 'Country' in any of your master files, as well as the
'Country" field on AP/AR invoices/checks, etc. will be automatically added
to the country table. We had some zip codes, and other strange stuff in
there that is now part of our country list, there's no way to get rid of it
if it was ever used on something that was posted.


To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and
Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/. Note: You must have already
linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access.

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
14
Ron, Do you know where the FOB data pulls from? Is it EVERY Vendor master
and Customer master FOB (we would have hundreds - each Vendor's FOB is their
city, usually)

Thanks, Sarah