I have a client who runs a large manufacturing/engineering business.
At present they use an old piece of software called AS400 to control the stages of development.
I would like to try and find some alternatives for this that can combine the project costing, stock, scheduling stages and all other elements of development within a package that can also run or link to the accounting records, rather than using separate systems and entering everything twice i.e. an Enterprise Resource Planning system (ERP).
If anyone has had any experience in updating from AS400 to a new system or can recommend a package it would be much appreciated.
Regards
Replies (10)
Please login or register to join the discussion.
AS400
As 3569787 said AS400 is actually a computer operating system and not a package. A bit like saying someone running Sage is using Windows as thats the OS it runs from.
Which package they may be able to move to on a Wintel (Windows/Intel) platform will really depend on the name of the actually package they are running on AS400 and how much bespoke development work has taken place as all of that may need to be redone.
DO you need to change
Its a long time since I worked with AS400s, but they were / are very highly regarded and there are a large number of UK based software houses writing software for them.
IF your client moves away they will find it a bit of a culture shock.
There are large number of software houses in the Wintel sector providing manufacturing software and a surprising number of inexpensive specialists.
I did an exercise a few years ago and identified a number of credible options in the £25k - £20k bracket.
As already said
As far as I know the AS400 was a model of computer, the next offering after the IBM system 36. Is the client looking to find alternative software to run on this or are they willing to invest in a network system (keeping in mind that they may already have a PC network in place)? If the latter then I would have a serious look at Exact Globe/Synergy. As I have said in the past Exact have been a bit (sic!) naughty in the past and released product to market that was far from fit for purpose. However their Gloobe 2003 product, which was the last version that I worked with, was, by the time I left, a very good, user friendly system. I used it in a manufacturing business, making capital machinery that was sold all over the developed world. It has the wonderful advantage that ALL transactions are held in just one table and each transaction carries every possible piece of information about it, so report generation is a doddle. I have worked with several similar products since and have come to rue the day I had to leave my Exact!
Whatever you do
DON'T get 'Lawson Smart Office' which is, I think, an American product and, although very comprehensive, is an absolute nightmare to work with (compared to others I have used).
Globe Next ERP to replace AS400
The AS/400 (Application System/400) was first introduced on June 21, 1988 and later renamed to the eServer iSeries in 2000. As part of IBM's Systems branding initiative in 2006, it was again renamed to System i. The IBM System i is IBM's previous generation of midrange computer systems for IBM i users, and was subsequently replaced by the IBM Power Systems in April 2008.
There is obviously some ERP/Manufacturing software on your client’s machine but is has to be at least 13 years old!!
Globe Next is the latest ERP/Manufacturing software from Exact. Whether this (or any other product) is suitable for your client will very much depend on what their requirements are and their available budget for the project.
In order to discuss further please contact me on [email protected].
.