I don't usually contribute much to this forum - but I appreciate the chance to stay connected via the great posts here. In this case however, I do have some specific experience relative to this thread that might be beneficial to some.
I've worked as a user, Epicor project manager/consultant, and independent ERP consultant since 1985 on several Dataworks/Interactive/Platinum/Epicor products including: DataFlo, Infoflo, and Avante (I've worked with Avante from the original release to the current version), and now Epicor 9. Relative to the Progress/SQL conversations: Epicor 9 can run on SQL or Progress, but our benchmark testing indicated much slower performance on a very beefy SQL machine. Processes, forms and reports were timed at 1/2 to 1/4 the speed that they run on an average Progress server. Additionally, Epicor wasted much of my customer's time claiming that the transition would be simple (it wasn't), and that SQL would be faster, or equal to Progress (it definitely wasn't). We gave up and stayed on Progress - but use SQL for our Replication Server. Regarding functionality - in my opinion Avante and DataFlo can still run circles around Epicor 9 in many applications - the E9 design and functionality is not as deep or well developed yet. However, it is getting most of Epicor's development resources and attention these days and is getting better quickly. I wouldn't advise most of my customers to make the leap yet (but maybe in a couple of years) from Avante/DataFlo to E9, but it was a natural evolution for my customer that was previously using Vista 8. In my opinion, the central benefit to E9 over Avante though is the ability to modify the functionality of the software without modifying the source code. They do this via Business Process Methods (BPM's) and Personalizations. Screen layout and fields are also very easy to modify. Extracting and presenting data is very straightforward and interfaces to MS products pretty seamlessly, in most cases users can perform extracts to Excel out of the box - no IT interface required. Sophisticated reports can be quickly and easily developed using E9's Business Activity Queries (BAQ's) and Dashboards. Both of which can be learned and used by anyone that could in the past use MS Access or some of Excel's advanced functions. This limits IT involvement to only very complex report solutions (which can also be done using BAQ's and Dashboards, but may take a little more time to develop). The most obvious advantage comparing Epicor 9 to Avante for the customers that I have worked with is that making changes to process functionality using Business Process Methods (BPM's) does not inhibit the company from taking EVERY patch or upgrade that is offered. NO KNITTING. The BPM's, BAQ's and Dashboards (custom reports) are easily moved from the previously installed version to the next. So, every time a new release comes out, IT does a quick 1-2 set-up and test, training is developed and implemented for new product functionality associated with the new release (usually less than one week), critical users exercise and test the new version in the Pilot account, then the upgrade/patch is rolled out. We can take advantage of new functionality and bug fixes almost immediately (usually within 2-5 business days of roll-out) without worrying about which modifications might be stepped on or deleted. Sometimes the Epicor 9 experience can be very frustrating, but we believe that Epicor is going in the right direction and within a couple of years E9 will probably match Avante and DataFlo in functionality. In spite of some of the pain associated with being part of the rollout of a new(ish) product, the IT departments at my customers are GLAD that they are on Epicor 9. John H Carter III Impact Business Consulting Corporation Cell (760) 497-5545 "Unlocking Your Potential" -----Original Message----- From: u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org [mailto:u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org] On Behalf Of Dawn Wolthuis Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 10:51 AM To: U2 Users List Subject: Re: [U2] Epicor and Eclipse Was Re: PICK Systems Administratorposition Yeah, I had the feeling some folks took the bait in that direction, particularly once they gave that oh-so-enticing option of SQL Server. I'm particularly amused by this line in the wikipedia page for Progress "Progress Software maintains in house consultants to develop and launch its products." That sounds almost like the PeopleSoft model -- hire sales, outsource R&D, although they seem to "insource" them instead. Sorry you have had to go this route due to what would seem to be a reasonable company decision to continue with the ERP vendor and migrate to their latest offering. I recall a time not too long ago when Epicor was from the top UniData VAR and Datatel was the 2nd. They now both have SQL Server offerings, although to date Datatel's still has UDT in the middle tier AFAIK. --dawn On Wed, Apr 6, 2011 at 11:51 AM, Barry Rogen <bro...@pny.com> wrote: > > Epicor has their "package of the future" which started as Vantage and > is now just called Epicor 9. It is a Progress based system which can run on > either a Progress database or Sql. Unfortunately, my company has taken the > misstep to divert from UniVerse to this monstrosity. > > Barry Rogen > Senior Programmer/Analyst > 973 560-5327 > bro...@pny.com > ----------------------------------------------------- > We are continually faced with great opportunities > brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems. > John W Gardner > ---------------------------------------------------------------- > Before printing please think about your environmental responsibility > > > -----Original Message----- > From: u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org [mailto: > u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org] On Behalf Of Bill Brutzman > Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 12:34 PM > To: U2 Users List > Subject: Re: [U2] Epicor and Eclipse Was Re: PICK Systems Administrator > position > > Epicor's Avante used to run on both UniData and UniVerse. I presume that > Avante is still the same. Avante-UniData was intended for Windows Servers. > Avante-UniVerse on Unix Servers. > > I am not aware of any Epicor's product running on Progress. > > I believe that Epicor had (or still has) other ERP software running on U2. > > A few years ago, with Epicor's new president, George X... Epicor's newer > flagship product was released and runs on Microsoft SQL Server. > > --Bill > > -----Original Message----- > From: u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org [mailto: > u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org] On Behalf Of Dawn Wolthuis > Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 12:18 PM > To: U2 Users List > Subject: [U2] Epicor and Eclipse Was Re: PICK Systems Administrator > position > > This is fascinating, although I primarily know these products from a > distance. Am I correct that Epicor was UniData. Is it now Progress instead? > Have customers moved from UniData to Progress? Was this previously Intuit > Eclipse that runs on UniVerse? What DBMS will this new company favor? Does > anyone have any more clues on this? --dawn > > On Wed, Apr 6, 2011 at 11:03 AM, Garry Smith <gar...@charlesmcmurray.com > >wrote: > > > Could be for our ex-var Activant Eclipse that just got re-sold to > > another equity investor. > > > > "Private equity firm Apax Partners plans to acquire > > business-application makers Epicor Software and Activant Solutions and > > combine them into a single mid-market company with annual revenue of $825 > million." > > - Information Week 4/5 > > > > Most of these are U2 based applications. > > > > Garry L. Smith > > Dir Info Systems > > Charles McMurray Company > > V# 559-292-5782 F# 559-346-6169 > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org > > [mailto:u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org] On Behalf Of Bob > > Woodward > > Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:56 AM > > To: U2 Users List > > Subject: Re: [U2] PICK Systems Administrator position > > > > It's obviously a new installation at the nuclear missile base that > > Santa is building at the North pole! Or maybe this is a fishing > > expedition with a safety pin for a hook. You decide. > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org > > [mailto:u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org] On Behalf Of Joseph > > Chelston > > Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:49 AM > > To: U2 Users List > > Subject: Re: [U2] PICK Systems Administrator position > > > > Please email directly and I'll be happy to discuss with you. > > > > This is a very confidential position. > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org > > [mailto:u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org] On Behalf Of Marc > > Harbeson > > Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 11:38 AM > > To: 'U2 Users List' > > Subject: Re: [U2] PICK Systems Administrator position > > > > Can you at least say "southern CA" or "northern NY" or something in > > the ballpark of where on earth it is located? > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org > > [mailto:u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org] On Behalf Of Joseph > > Chelston > > Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 11:22 AM > > To: U2 Users List > > Subject: [U2] PICK Systems Administrator position > > > > We are seeking a PICK Systems Administrator for a long term contract > > position. > > > > > > > > Due to confidentiality, we will not post specific details on this forum. > > > > > > > > Please email me if you are interested exploring. I'll be happy to give > > you the full details of this opportunity direct. > > > > > > > > > > Regards, > > > > > > > > Joe Chelston > > > > Executive Recruiter > > > > > > > > Phone: 856.218.1000 > > > > Fax: 856.228.8585 > > > > Cell: 856.422.4400 > > > > Email: j...@bsgstaffing.com > > _______________________________________________ > > U2-Users mailing list > > U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org > > http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users > > > > _______________________________________________ > > U2-Users mailing list > > U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org > > http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users > > _______________________________________________ > > U2-Users mailing list > > U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org > > http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users > > _______________________________________________ > > U2-Users mailing list > > U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org > > http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users > > _______________________________________________ > > U2-Users mailing list > > U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org > > http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users > > > > > > -- > Dawn M. Wolthuis > > Take and give some delight today > _______________________________________________ > U2-Users mailing list > U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org > http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users > _______________________________________________ > U2-Users mailing list > U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org > http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users > > > NOT INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR A WRITING > > NOTHING IN THIS E-MAIL, IN ANY E-MAIL THREAD OF WHICH IT MAY BE A PART, OR > IN ANY ATTACHMENTS THERETO, SHALL CONSTITUTE A BINDING CONTRACT, OR ANY > CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION BY PNY, OR ANY INTENT TO ENTER INTO ANY BINDING > OBLIGATIONS, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY ENACTMENT OF THE UNIFORM ELECTRONIC > TRANSACTIONS ACT, THE FEDERAL E-SIGN ACT, OR ANY OTHER STATE OR FEDERAL LAW > OF SIMILAR SUBSTANCE OR EFFECT. THIS EMAIL MESSAGE, ITS CONTENTS AND > ATTACHMENTS ARE NOT INTENDED TO REPRESENT AN OFFER OR ACCEPTANCE OF AN OFFER > TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT. NOTHING IN THIS E-MAIL, IN ANY E-MAIL THREAD OF > WHICH IT MAY BE A PART, OR IN ANY ATTACHMENTS THERETO SHALL ALTER THIS > DISCLAIMER. > This e-mail message from PNY Technologies, Inc. is for the sole use of the > intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged > information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is > prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender > by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. > ______________________________________________________________ > _______________________________________________ > U2-Users mailing list > U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org > http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users > -- Dawn M. Wolthuis Take and give some delight today _______________________________________________ U2-Users mailing list U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users _______________________________________________ U2-Users mailing list U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users
