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F.A.Q.
What
technology does AgileWare ERP™ utilize?
[top]
Corporate headquarters are located in Grand Rapids MI; detailed contact information can be fond here. [top]
AgileWare ERP™ is the next generation of ERP software for small to mid size manufacturing companies. What makes AgileWare ERP™ unique is that it was developed TO BE customized to ensure greater success for ERP installations and a greater value to the organization. Furthermore, AgileWare ERP™ was created to reduce the costly ownership of traditional ERP packages. For more information on AgileWare ERP™ click here. [top]
ERP (enterprise resource planning) is an industry term for the broad set of activities supported by multi-module application software that helps a manufacturer or other business manage the important parts of its business, including product planning, parts purchasing, maintaining inventories, interacting with suppliers, providing customer service, and tracking orders. ERP can also include application modules for the finance and human resources aspects of a business. Typically, an ERP system uses or is integrated with a relational database system. The deployment of an ERP system can involve considerable business process analysis, employee retraining, and new work procedures. [top]
What Benefits will I get from ERP? The benefits to an integrated ERP System are limitless. Eliminating double data entry, automating manual processes, having tighter control over inventory levels and accuracy are some of the common benefits. Here are some others: 1) The demand
management functionality of the master schedule will enable more reliable
delivery promises and so increasing the on time in full delivery record
to 98% or better with the best possible lead time. This should lead
to an increased share of the available business. [top]
To Calculate your Return on Investment add up your estimated savings for an ERP system, oftentimes this will include hard costs (reducing labor steps, eliminating manpower) and also soft costs (creating efficiency and streamlining business processes), divide those estimated savings by the estimated cost of an ERP System. ERP systems should pay for themselves in months, not years. [top]
In short, there is very little real functional difference between MRPII (Manufacturing Resource Planning) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning). Cynics would say that changing the "badge" from MRPII to ERP enabled software vendors to sell MRPII programs to non-manufacturing companies. In many cases ERP has built better integration and some new functionality onto the basic MRPII system. The additional features often include human resource functionality, maintenance, and project planning and document management. I prefer the term ERP rather than MRPII as it implies, correctly, that use of the system involves everyone in the whole enterprise. In conclusion, the difference between MRPII and ERP does not justify changing systems. You problems are more likely to involve the people than the system.APS (Advanced Planning Systems) are another variation on MRPII. An APS program, in addition to MRPII functionality, must include the ability to optimize a manufacturing plan where the sequence in which jobs are carried out effects the set-up time (finite capacity planning). The program must also be able to adjust a plan where there are multiple constraints (e.g. labor and equipment), preferably with the ability to simulate changes rather than run MRP. APS is therefore required for companies with a large number of orders on short lead times where the sequence in production is important. [top] CRM (customer relationship management) is an information industry term for methodologies, software, and usually Internet capabilities that help an enterprise manage customer relationships in an organized way. For example, an enterprise might build a database about its customers that described relationships in sufficient detail so that management, salespeople, people providing service, and perhaps the customer directly could access information, match customer needs with product plans and offerings, remind customers of service requirements, know what other products a customer had purchased, and so forth. [top]
An application service provider (ASP) is a company that offers individuals or enterprises access over the Internet to applications and related services that would otherwise have to be located in their own personal or enterprise computers. Sometimes referred to as "apps-on-tap," ASP services are expected to become an important alternative, not only for smaller companies with low budgets for information technology, but also for larger companies as a form of outsourcing and for many services for individuals as well. [top]
What are the advantages of a Hosted solution? For specific requirements, a Hosted Application can provide significant and cost effective advantages. Assuming the ASP has the proper hosting infrastructure and redundancy to support mission critical applications. A hosted solution can provide the following advantages: 1) Eliminate the
need for an in-house server and IT staff to support it. [top]
I'm looking at many ERP packages why is AgileWare ERP™ a top ranked ERP system? AgileWare ERP™ is a top ranked ERP Package for many reasons including: Customization
/ Personalization: AgileWare ERP™ has virtually unlimited
customization and personalization capabilities. AgileWare ERP™
enables the software to be mapped to any business process. Customizations
are tailored to client's specific requirements and as the requirements
change, so does AgileWare ERP™. Agility: Flexible and adaptable, AgileWare ERP™ not only conforms to clients specific requirements but it also provides an agile enterprise that grows and changes with a client's business. Technologies such as Bar Coding / Scanning, RFID, EDI, Business Intelligence can be integrated seamlessly in AgileWare ERP™ providing unlimited future capabilities and scalability. [top]
How much does AgileWare ERP Cost? Installation cost varies, depending on the level of customization and uniqueness of specific customers. Basic installations start around $40,000 - larger installations can reach upwards to $200,000.00. However, AgileWare
ERP™ offers a very low cost of ownership compared to other systems.
All installations include the following: [top] Yes. But most modules require other modules to completely work. Many of the efficiencies created by an ERP Systems are based around all information and data is driven from a single database. Implementing different software modules and creating multiple databases, support different processes and business functions will create a complicated environment with a very high-cost of ownership. [top]
Basic ERP installations can be completed inside of 12 weeks, larger projects can range anywhere from 6 - 8 months. We're being quoted prices from under $10,000 to over $250,000. How much should we spend on an ERP System? First of it will
depend on what packages you are looking at. Tier 1 packages will be
very expensive and have a very high-cost of Ownership throughout the
lifecycle of the software. Tier 2 and Tier 3 ERP Packages will generally
have small fees and small on-going commitments. [top]
What industries and company sizes is AgileWare ERP™ suited for? Current installations range from $5 Million - $25 Million companies. Because of the
customization abilities within AgileWare ERP™, it has been successfully
installed and used in a variety of manufacturing types and industries
including: [top]
AgileWare ERP™
was developed utilizing UNIX based technologies; around a powerful
open-source SQL Database. ODBC Connections enable customers to utilize
any flavor of SQL database; however venux.net strongly recommends
Postgres SQL
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Will AgileWare ERP™ run locally on corporate LAN? Yes, AgileWare ERP™ does not need to be hosted by an ASP. Hardware would need required software and have the proper back-up and redundancy in place. [top]
Can AgileWare ERP™ handle Multi-Company, Multi-Division and Multi-Plant Requirements? Yes, built-in
functionality can handle the various aspects for a corporate structure
and operations. [top]
Can AgileWare ERP™ handle multiple locations or Multi-Locations? Yes, including multiple ship-to and bill-to locations of your customers and venders. [top]
Does AgileWare ERP™ offer any E-Commerce Capabilities? AgileWare ERP™
is browser-based, we offer a full range of add-on Web Modules to extend
your enterprise direct to your business channels. Web Modules include
the following: [top]
Can Venux.net handle global commerce issues like multi-currency and sales taxes? Yes, any particular need would be full integrated into AgileWare ERP™. [top]
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What technology does AgileWare ERP™ utilize? AgileWare ERP™
was developed using the following technologies: [top]
Having an application that is 100% browser-based has many- many advantages, depending on how the application is used and the environment the system is being used in. Some main advantages to a browser-based application are: 1) Eliminates the need for a Wide Area Network (W.A.N.). Since AgileWare ERP™ can securely run over the Internet, companies with multiple office and factory locations can use the Internet as their information backbone instead of deploying their own private and costly network. 2) Built-in Remote
Access capabilities. The native environment of a browser-based application
means that hosting the system on the Internet easily and securely
allows users to access the application from any PC in the world. Remote
Access is done without any 3rd party application and the infrastructure
that goes along with it. 3) Provides E-business
capabilities out of the box. The environment of AgileWare ERP™
makes it perfect as a foundation for any e-business functions. With
additional E-business modules, AgileWare ERP™ enables companies
to give timely service to the customers and clients which automatically
increases the customer base, brings repeated customers. 5) Higher Profit: Browser based brings all the single details of the functions of an enterprise into a single database. It increases productivity, as a result increases the profit for a company.Browser-based applications can be both offline and accessible online. Hence in a globalized market, the CEO is given the convenience of instant access even in his hotel room, or the comfortable home desk, his convenient office table just by hooking up his laptop to the net. 6) Adaptable: Browser-based systems are offline, being accessible via an Intranet network. 7) Lower Cost: AgileWare ERP™ can be maintained by venux.net - online. So it becomes more effective and best possible service is guaranteed to all buyers. Browser-based systems yearly maintenance is far cheaper then traditional systems. ERP Systems are highly technical and it takes lot of work to customize it to specific customers needs. Hence after much time and money spent on implementation, the people who did it have to be hired at high price for further yearly maintenance. Cost of Ownership shoots up and can become unmanageable for the companies. [top]
Very. AgileWare ERP™ utilizes 128 bit encryption via an SSL Certificate; this is the same technology that is used on all E-commerce and secure web applications such as Amazon.com, Ebay and Turbo Tax Software. [top]
How Many Users will AgileWare ERP™ support? AgileWare ERP™
is sold with unlimited user licenses for unlimited locations. Only
the server specifications would limit the number of users. Current
installations range from 20 users to 100 users [top]
Web Services or web applications are unusually defined as the following E-business services: Intranets: Internal web-based applications used to communicate internal information across an organization, commonly used for HR or CRM functions. Extranet: External web-based applications used to communicate external information to customers, suppliers, venders and business partners. E-commerce (B2B, B2C): Online commerce which would include both business to consumer (B2C) and business to business (B2B) transactions. [top]
What AgileWare ERP™ Management Reporting Tools are Available? Reports used on a daily, weekly or monthly basis are coded into AgileWare ERP™ to meet the needs of each customer. For ad-hoc reporting needs, AgileWare ERP™ allows for direct database queries using either Crystal Reports™ or an open source product called PgAdmin. [top]
Does AgileWare ERP™ have a proven ERP Implementation Approach? venux.net uses a 4 Phase development methodology which incorporates the following high-level task: Discovery:
High-level overview of an AgileWare installation for a particular
client. This phase sometimes includes an onsite discovery session
and multiple client meetings in order for a quote to be developed
for the complete installation of AgileWare ERP™. Design:
After project acceptance, a detailed design phase is conducted called
a Requirements Document which gets down to ground zero specifications. Development:
During the design phase all required customizations are defined and
with project approval, those changes are moved to development. Development
will include multiple Alpha and Beta releases and version updates.
Deployment: Going live with AgileWare ERP™, will include onsite project management and running of parallel systems to accomplish the proper testing and training. [top]
Does venux.net use contractors and third parties for ERP implementation? Unless unique project requirements require specialized assistance, venux.net fully supports 100% of the development and maintenance to AgileWare ERP™ using all in-house, full time staff members. In some cases such as specialized talent would be brought in for such things as VOIP integration and bar coding or RFID technologies. [top]
Yes, Data Migration is always quoted on a time and materials basis. However, AgileWare ERP™ offers several migration paths for data and we ensure the proper testing and oversight is place to maintain data integrity. [top]
venux.net offers complete support services, we work with our clients on the complete support of AgileWare ERP™, but we also assist clients with overall technology initiatives, including desktop and server support and maintainence. venux.net is a Certified Microsoft Partner with established relationships with major venders such as Dell Computer, Cisco, Citrix systems. [top]
No. In fact, if an ERP system required a full time IT person, it's not a good solution. AgileWare ERP™ offers a complete turn-key ERP package that can be hosting by venux.net to reduce the requirements of your IT infrastructure. [top]
Change Management is critical to a successful ERP installation. Our project teams work closely with our client's to ensure everyone has a clear understanding of not only how to use the application but also how the application supports this business functions. However, it is important that upper-level management is onboard with the organizational change. Users must be ready for change and ready for how they do business, to get better, easier and more efficient. [top] What happens after we go LIVE? Another great benefit of AgileWare ERP™ is that on-going updates and modifications to the system are dictated by the customer. As your business requirements change, AgileWare ERP™ changes with you. This creates a very low cost of ownership; companies are no longer obligated to pay for version updates that don't apply to their needs.
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