Sage 100

Anyone found a good workaround or heard of an upgrade from Sage for the issue introduced in 4.4 with Inventory where standard cost fo an item can no longer be changed without posting (and requiring exclusive access)?

I haven't but if someone has figured this out, please let us know...

Probably will require someone writing a utility to do a back door change or Sage coming to their senses and modifying that requirement.....

I think that I'm understanding it correctly when I state that: Prior to 4.4 the user could manually change the standard cost field in the Inventory Maintenance screen When 4.4 released you still can change that cost but it only occurs through a posting that requires exclusive update access (aka everyone out of MAS SO, PO, etc.)

Here's the KB entry: http://www.sagesoftwareonline.com/sw_attach/kdb.asp?isresolutionconceptid=523315 I believe what's not written here is that prior to 4.4 you could change the field -- ie it wasn't grayed out. Not saying that it shouldn't have been grayed out all along but this is one area where if a customer is used to manually making changes (we had one) it can be a VERY big issue. Here's my summary on the web -- I post these on my web site because they get fed via RSS to my weekly email every Tuesday: http://www.s-consult.com/2011/09/26/how-to-change-inventory-standard-cost-in-mas90-or-mas200-4-4/

Their KB doesn't go far enough in addressing the issue. The utility works as long as it isn't locked by user activity. I completely understand their logic as the accounting department would always have to make a journal entry to account for the standards change. Most users never thought of this until they discovered that the valuation report did not tie to the GL (if it ever did). Then they wasted time trying to figure out where the wheels came off the bus. So unless Sage changes the logic (highly doubtful), we have to start telling clients that they need to schedule time to do this type of maintenance. Everything has to be updated and no one else can be in programs that don't touch costing (a lot of programs).

They have a number of places where they need to allow data entry at any time, scheduled updates after hours and logic to only update what follows the rules at the time of update.

Which, would mean John, that they get together and reengineer the process instead of recoding the broken code and then calling it a WAD...............................

You can change the standard cost if the quantity on hand is zero. If there are a smaller number items that need the cost changed (or the user is really fast on the keyboard...) you can do an inventory adjustment transaction to zero the quantity, change the standard cost and then adjust the quantity back in again. More steps but it can be done without exclusive access to the system.

You can also use VI to import into the data entry file, then just update later.

I agree you can do all sorts of fancy tricks to get the data into transaction entry. The problem is that for users doing serious Sales Order Entry there's never a good time to have everyone exit MAS so they can update the adjustment.

Oh, Wayne, everyone knows that 2 AM Sunday is pretty much always free. :-)

I have a client that I took from 4.3 to 4.5 on Tuesday while they like the better way of tracking this - they are very unhappy to be locked out during the day. He showed me a stack of 20 SKUs that needed to be fixed just in the morning. The logic of keeping them out makes no sense.

Did anyone log a case on the why this is restricted for everyone to be out?

Wouldn't it seem that if people were entering and/or updating transactions for those items that it could potentially cause some issues while the change to the standard cost is being made?

Even to get the data entered?

I am thinking is should not matter unless there is a sales order posting or receipt of goods posting process starting etc. But just because I am in inventory inquiry only should not prevent being able to post the standard cost register. If I am in sales order entry it should not matter either.

You are right. It should only restrict access to what would be directly related to the change.

By the way, sometimes my Sage hat slips back on my head and I say some really stupid things.

Perhaps the sole programmer was under the gun to get the code out the door. What is easier to do - write one line of code to restrict everone or sit and think about all the situations where where the program should be would not impact the situation? In the old days, you just determined the number of inventory units affected and then write a JE (if you remembered to do so). While I liked the thought, the approach taken is too unwieldly to implement. Again, we are bitten in the butt by unintended consequences............. Personally, I think every Sage engineer (better yet MANAGER) should work in the field for a period of time so that they actually undestand how people use the system.

That concept happens on ""Undercover Boss"" -- the CEO, etc. goes out to work in the field for a while and sees what really happens.

I can really see Pascal on the show. Instead of giving gifts of appreciation to everyone he worked with during the week, I am visioning lumps of coal..........

I logged a case - they know about the issue - seems to by design - I could not get an answer as to why it needed to be designed this way to prevent users from doing their job the whole day. When you have 25 users in 3 buildings it is unrealistic to think people are not in the system all days long. It is embarassing to hear across the loud speaker all day - ""please exit MAS 200"" so they can make these adjustments.

speaking of standard cost adjustments - can anyone explain why the same item with the same costs would have different variances? one a positve and one a negative - the future entry for this month was from the conversion. But I would think the variances would calc the same way. See attached image

Johnny - Could it have something to do with the historical cost rather than the current standard cost. Maybe it is making the adjustment based on that. The detail trans register using historical cost might give you a clue.

Well - I think we have figured it out - the quantity is displaying a positive when in acutality it is a negative - so the report is not displaying negative quantities. I need to check the work table to confirm also.

Well, of course - I always display my negatives as positives, too. Good for morale.

You are SUCH a Polly Anna!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, and I sometimes only bill a client 15 minutes to add a field to their Crystal Report, too. :-) But I did remove the hours from my invoice forms... I know you'll be expecting to see me in petticoats next time we meet.

Quit being a tease...............