Sage 100

Sage 100 Advanced - Client has acquired two manufacturing facilities and want to beef up their production planning capabilities. They have looked at Sage Inventory Advisor (which shows a lot of promise), however, it doesn't appear to provide any production planning functionality. For the lack of this feature, they are seriously looking at switching software even though Sage 100 does nearly everything else. Does anyone know of any production planning software the interfaces with Sage 100? I looked at Planetogether at one time. Is anyone happily using this? Is Job Ops a viable thought? They are running WO with Radio Beacon warehouse management software.

I have a couple of clients successfully using Valogix. It is a good product however depending on the complexity of the inventory, can require a lot of configuration and testing. Allow for a few months of setup, testing, and user training.

What kind of manufacturing? While SIA doesn't read routings (WO) if the primary vendor on a make item is the company itself and the standard lead time is filled in it can suffice sometimes for simple production planning. You might also look at ACS scheduling if the client already has work order : http://acsg.com/mascheduling.html. @JohnHoyt would let you know if JobOps is a fit based on the type of manufacturer.

@JeffSchwenk They should look at the JobOps functions, before making any final decisions. Let's schedule that conference call we were going to have with them.

Agree @MoiraGoggin ACS' WO Automation (along with WOScan) may be a good solution. I've sent him information on Valogix @DougHiggs - it is a good product, but expensive and complicated. As for JobOps, I think CEM could handle the planning side, but the Scheduling piece needs work and, as far as I know, Synergistic is not planning to update that software (sadly). @JeffSchwenk , I am taking a look at the new function of WO Automation on Monday morning. If you want to be a ""lurker"" on the discussion/show, you are welcome.

@DebThomas please update us on your thoughts after the demo. I was on the webinar yesterday for Scanforce, Starship and Multi Bin and I have to say the ACS multi-bin and Scanforce integration looks great with all the new features.

We have two clients now on the ACS WO automation and looking at a third. It works very well. I agree with @DebThomas but the scheduling for JobOps depends also on how much time they want to devote to it. Its complexity is what causes many of the problems and non-use.

Not to mention the teeny display @JohnHoyt :) Will do @DianeRuth. And Multibin works with WOScan as well if production reporting is required. I have a client that has WOScan, Multi-bin, and Scanforce all playing together in the same pond.. While there were initial glitches, they seem to be playing quite well together.

@DebThomas DIdn't you get the special glasses?

Wine glasses didn't know we had special 90 mind one's

What a great idea @DianeRuth !!

I'll take a set of those!!

Does the ACS Scheduling enhancement actually schedule or does it just display what is happening already? Does it work with MRP? I am very interested in it. Then the question becomes, how well does it play in the SWK WO enhancement sandbox for Radio Beacon????

@DebThomas - You mention Valogix is expensive and complicated.... It can be complicated to configure, but the Valogix team handles the configuration. From a user perspective, I find it easy to learn and use. I'm not sure what your interpretation is of ""expensive"", as expensive can have different meanings depending on the context and the person. I do know that depending on the number of users, and locations, Valogix can easily run in the $15K-$20K to start. However, I classify the up-front costs as investment. The real cost is not what you are spending on the software and related services, but the carrying cost of excess and obsolete inventory, and unfilled orders. If the end user has $2 million in inventory and could reduce it by 15% and increase the order fill rate by 5% after implementing a solution, $20K would seem like a bargain.

@DianeRuth @ThereseLogeais @DebThomas You are all soooo funny!

Isn't it the truth @JohnHoyt?! Isn't it the truth?

Hello @DebThomas do you have a update on what you thought about the ACS WO Automation ? Has anyone looked at ACS In-Transit Virtual Warehouse Handling? @JeffSchwenk I hear ya - I'm a little worried on how it is going to play with B to B Visions software at my clients... Oh and on a sidetrack we might have to look for glasses for the Third Annual Meeting of the Minds!!! :)

@DianeRuth - I have a client purchasing ACS Manufacturing Automation software (in concert with WOScan). However, we aren't at the implementation process yet to answer either your questions or @JeffSchwenk 's query re: the Scheduling function within Mfg Auto. But I suspect implementation within the next month or month and a half, so will have a much better picture of the world.

Valogix is fine once installed and plenty-o-data exists. If the customer has been using Sage 100 for a while you should be fine. It gets a bad name when sold with the system and no data exists.

So @GaryFeldman does Valox work with ACS Multi Bin and Manufacturing? Where do they fall in price?

I meant Valogix!

I think Valogix will work separately from ACS and depending upon the ERP can take production/work orders into consideration. Tom Glacken is the primary contact: tglacken@valogix.com 1 410-489-2716

Thanks @GaryFeldman spoke to him yesterday.