Select Page
Overcoming Epicor Cutover Challenges: A Tale of Cryptic Errors

Overcoming Epicor Cutover Challenges: A Tale of Cryptic Errors

Epicor Admin Quick Tip: Regen After a Refresh

I once had an Epicor go-live brought to its knees by an administrative snafu – as cutover weekend neared, the Epicor admin refreshed the Epicor production environment with a copy of the Epicor Pilot database. Such a step is not uncommon in an Epicor cutover. But this had not been the first time that a production refresh had occurred, and there had been subsequent customization activities developed since the last Epicor database refresh. As such, there were several Epicor user-defined fields that were present in the Pilot database but new to Production. This small discrepancy created unexpected hardship to all involved.

Epicor Cutover Database Admin

Chaos to Resolution in Epicor

The net result for the Epicor core team that was cutting over to the new system over the weekend was a litany of cryptic Epicor error messages, abysmal system performance, and a near mutiny by the Epicor user community. After roping in a few Epicor administrative experts, we were able to discern the discrepancy, regenerate the data model, and move beyond this hurdle. But the memory of that small Epicor system administration rule-of-thumb gone wrong stuck with me, long after the project had wrapped up.

One reason for this latent memory is that it finds itself refreshed by new instances – just recently, I found an end user reaching out to me over some cryptic errors in a test environment, an Epicor environment that had just recently been refreshed from a seed database. My first question: “Did you regenerate the Epicor data model after refreshing the Epicor database?” Problem solved, albeit this time, without the pitchforks and torches.

Echoes of CRC Errors 

Does this issue sound familiar? For those of us whose Epicor administrator duties go back to Epicor 905, Epicor Vantage, or some earlier Progress-based version, these issues might be likened to the familiar “CRC errors” that once plagued our Epicor custom solutions. In that case, a field had most often been added to the database, and that field caused an existing Progress-based compiled assembly to malfunction. The table structure at the database level did not match the table structure at the application level, and chaos ensued.

Sometimes, the resolution to an Epicor issue is simple. In this case, a simple Epicor admin policy would be to regenerate the data model when refreshing an Epicor environment. This ensures that you will not have any mismatch with your Epicor UD fields, and that the users can jump in without issue.

This is especially true in an environment where custom solutions are being developed, as is the case with many Epicor implementation projects, where changes are most often occurring. This can also be the case in Epicor projects that are heavy in the use of the Epicor Product Configurator module, or longtime Epicor customers who have undergone a significant amount of Epicor customization.

Post-Model Regen

Now that you’ve regenerated the data model, don’t forget the subsequent step of retrieving a copy of the Epicor database’s data model, so that the application server in question can store it locally, for use by the application itself. At a minimum, the Epicor admin should recycle the application pool for the application server instance in question – this is accomplished from the administration console. Now, I’ve had some administrators tell me that it is preferable to start and stop the ERP application pool, rather than simply recycle it. The difference between stopping and recycling an IIS application pool demands its own article, so I will stop at mentioning this controversy for the time being, without discussing its resolution.

Epicor Regen After Refresh

Epicor Cutover Success

The art of efficient Epicor system administration often boils down to steering clear of preventable pitfalls. The instance described here serves as a prime illustration of a minor adjustment that can avert substantial issues. By ensuring the proper regeneration of the data model and taking the necessary steps to maintain database consistency, ERP administrators can fortify their systems against disruptions.

Do you need help with your Epicor cutover or are you looking for more admin tips?

If you find yourself seeking guidance in the realm of ERP administration, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our Epicor Kinetic consultants can assist you in navigating the intricacies of your ERP environment, ensuring smooth operations and enhanced productivity for your organization. EstesGroup brings your company functional, technical, and custom solutions for Kinetic ERP. Manufacturers will benefit from our full-suite of services and solutions, including on-premise expertise and 24/7/365 IT and ERP consultants. From third-party integrations to private cloud and hybrid cloud managed services, Estes provides everything your team needs to succeed before, during, and after go-live.

Best Practices for Evaluating a Next-Generation B2B Platform

Best Practices for Evaluating a Next-Generation B2B Platform

How to Think about E-Commerce as a Manufacturer

E-commerce continues to be a pivotal topic in the manufacturing world – distributors caught on to e-commerce comparatively quickly, as the demand for streamlined processing became a core competency. But in the manufacturing world, where product complexity is many times greater than the items delivered over traditional distribution channels, the acquisition and fulfillment of complete, complex, and high-dollar products becomes much more complicated.

B2B E-Commerce

Manufacturing companies that successfully leverage e-commerce as part of their overall go-to-market strategy do so in a variety of ways and seek to achieve a variety of benefits. That said, I thought it would be beneficial to cover some of the ways in which manufacturing companies are successfully leveraging e-commerce solutions to the benefit of their bottom line and their strategic initiatives.

Expanding Your Spare Parts Business

As a consultant, I once noticed an interesting trend when it came to system configuration – customers routinely spend an inordinate amount of time configuring their ERP system around their finished goods. And then they go live, and we all realize that the vast majority of their orders are not for finished goods but rather for spare parts. In many organizations, these orders amount to a significant revenue stream. Why is that? The margins achieved by service parts, replacement parts, spare parts, and related value streams are generally much higher than they are for finished goods. When a customer is in a bind, their machines are down, and product is not getting out the door, the demand for simple components goes way up, and as a result, the asking price similarly climbs.

To that end, e-commerce systems can streamline the process for finding the right part you need and expediting the fulfillment process, getting the order in the queue, without the need to chase down a customer service rep.

Expedited Warranty Processing

The flip side of the spare parts business is the world of warranty. In these cases, customers need some form of service part to address an issue covered by the original product’s warranty, often at no cost. Deploying your warranty parts to your e-commerce system allows your customer base to get a hold of the parts they need as soon as possible and helps cut down your own warranty costs by reducing the degree of human interaction. The net result is a better overall service offering, without the increase in overhead.

Finished Goods Acquisition

While our discussion has thus far centered on the acquisition of component parts, many manufacturers have extended their e-commerce offerings to include finished goods. I’ve seen customers readily deploy their highly standardized and stocked finished good products to their e-commerce systems, and in doing so, provide another avenue for customer service and order taking. This can be of great value to organizations that cater to both a B2B and B2C community. It can also service the lead-time needs of existing customers – in cases where companies are short-staffed on the order entry / customer service front, an e-commerce connection allows your customer base to get “first in line” when placing an order. In many industries, such a priority can shorten order-to-deliver lead times, which can be of great value to a given customer.

Customer Portal

The ability to stay on top of your orders has become of increasing importance to customers in B2B relationships. This includes but is not limited to orders that were placed online. When a customer places an order, they often expect online status information, to be able to track their orders through the fulfillment process. This can be important both for quick-turn items, where delivery timing is of the essence, or for large, long lead time items, where status at various stages becomes critical to know. E-commerce solutions provide a natural way to provide customers with updates to order status, whether the order was placed online or through a customer service representative. This allows you to provide an easy means of constant status to your customers while saving your own team.

Dealer Interaction

One important customer channel for many manufacturers is the dealer-distributor network. Dealers and distributors are a strange blend of outside sales and end customers, and their needs overlap the two. A goal for many organizations is to make their dealer-distributor network as much an extension of their own organization as possible. How is this done? Through seamless communication, often fostered by an e-commerce-enabled dealer portal. Dealer portals often combine elements of traditional e-commerce with elements that betray the intimacy that dealers need and expect from their manufacturing partners. Are you looking to better service the needs of your dealers and distributors? Give e-commerce a try.

24/7 Customer Service

As you might have noticed, many of the above circumstances have referenced difficulties in getting your order placed. This is surprisingly common, and I am forever shocked and surprised by the challenges many companies have in finding reliable customer service and order processing resources. Customer service is a difficult business, and many workers who might have posted for these roles have found other options. That said, the time it takes for your customers to get their orders into your system and “into the queue” can be a deal maker or a deal breaker. 

Providing an easy means to enter orders and get them immediately into the fulfillment cycle can be an enticing option. Also, in our increasingly remote world, where employees routinely look to get tasks done at odd hours, the ability to provide 24/7 customer service can be of great value to many organizations. When your customer is in a pinch due to an emergency or machine downtime, the ability to immediately get in front of you can be of immense value.

Separating the Best from the Rest

As you can see, e-commerce has grown in breadth and depth over the years to cover an increasing number of avenues and solve a variety of problems for customers. But now that we know what a world-class e-commerce solution can do for you, the question remains: what are the best practices for evaluating a world-class e-commerce solution? In our webinar on October 25th, 2023, our friends at Parttrap can help you see what you need to look for when evaluating an e-commerce solution.

B2B
How to Handle Unknown Processes in SYSPRO

How to Handle Unknown Processes in SYSPRO

Handling Unknown Processes in SYSPRO as an ERP Administrator

In SYSPRO, an “Unknown Process” is the result of a SYSPRO client having lost its connection to the host server prematurely. When an unknown process is detected, it means that a process is still running on the host server despite the client connection having been disconnected. Unknown processes can occur in the event of network disruption or a SYSPRO client shutting down unexpectedly.

Unknown Processes in SYSPRO ERP Admin

While SYSPRO generally catches common disconnects and clears these processes gracefully, in some cases, a process may linger and be declared as a “runaway” process. From an administrative point of view, it is important to stay on top of unknown processes as they can hog up valuable resources for others and can cause general instability if they are not terminated on a regular basis. Additionally, unknown processes can even consume user licenses which can affect other operators’ access to SYSPRO if you have an environment with limited user licensing.

To monitor and terminate any current unknown processes, you can use SYSPRO’s “Users” (IMPUSN) program. You can access the program by going to Main Menu > Administration > Logout Users. This program displays a list of all currently signed-in operators using SYSPRO. On the left-hand side, there is a “Processes” pane that you can filter for “Unknown”. A list of unknown processes will be displayed in the pane once selected. If you have any unknown processes in your system, the “End All Unknown Processes…” button will be enabled. Clicking it will clear the hung processes on the application server, and the previously hogged up server resources will once again be available.

SYSPRO Unknown Processes

To monitor operators seeing frequent disconnects, you can use the built-in Client-Server Diagnostic program (IMPDG5). Note that this program can only be run from a client machine. You can also make use of the System Audit Query program (IMPJNS) where you are able to filter for various system-related events such as client-server disconnects. These tools are sure to provide you with detailed information about any potential operator seeing frequent disconnects or unexpected client shutdowns.

SYSPRO ERP System Audit Screen

Please be aware that terminating unknown processes is only a temporary solution to the potential problem that is causing them to begin with. Be sure to monitor the specific client machines or operators encountering frequent disconnects.

Here are some helpful tips to reduce the number of unknown processes seen in your SYSPRO environment:

  • Educate your users about the importance of exiting SYSPRO “gracefully”. Unless SYSPRO is unresponsive, do not shut down Windows or use the Task Manager to kill SYSPRO. 
  • Set a “timeout” value against operators so that SYSPRO disconnects the user after a given time of inactivity. This can be done through the “Operators” program (IMPBOP). 
  • Schedule a task that performs a logout of all users in SYSPRO at a time where the system is not in use (generally overnight). 
  • Stay up to date with available SYSPRO hotfixes and the latest SYSPRO product releases to remain within SYSPRO’s product support. New hotfixes are usually only developed for the latest versions of SYSPRO.  

Looking for help with your SYSPRO ERP environment?

As an ERP Administrator handling Unknown Processes in SYSPRO, you know it’s crucial to vigilantly manage and terminate these processes to prevent resource depletion and licensing issues. The “Users” and “Client-Server Diagnostic” programs offer valuable tools for monitoring and addressing disconnects and unexpected shutdowns. However, it’s essential to address the root causes by educating users on proper exit procedures, setting timeout values, scheduling logouts during system downtime, and staying updated with SYSPRO hotfixes and releases to maintain product support and stability. Proactive management ensures the efficient operation of your SYSPRO environment.

If you find managing SYSPRO ERP processes and maintaining system stability a challenging task, consider reaching out to our team at EstesGroup. With our expertise in SYSPRO ERP consulting and our comprehensive suite of managed cloud and IT services, we can provide the support you need to streamline your operations, optimize performance, and ensure the smooth functioning of your SYSPRO environment. Don’t hesitate to leverage our experience and solutions to enhance your ERP management and IT infrastructure. Trust us at EstesGroup to help you navigate the complexities of SYSPRO with confidence.

Unlocking the SYSPRO System Audit Query

Unlocking the SYSPRO System Audit Query

System Audit Query – A SYSPRO ERP Administrator’s Go-To Report for SYSPRO Security Events

Being an administrator of an ERP system is no easy task. Thankfully, SYSPRO ships with several convenient programs that allow an administrator to actively monitor important events that are taking place within the system. One especially useful tool that stands out is the System Audit Query program (IMPJNS).

SYSPRO System Audit Query

SYSPRO System Audit

What You’ll Find in the SYSPRO System Audit Query Program

SYSPRO creates security logs automatically as events take place throughout the ERP. These logs are created to assist system administrators to better manage and review security related incidents in SYSPRO. The System Audit Query program is the place where these logs can be retrieved and analyzed. The program allows you to filter a time period for various security and system health-related events such as:

  • Access having been denied to a company or a program
  • Any security changes made to Groups, Roles, or specific operators
  • Logins attempted and any related error messages
  • Multi-Factor authentication changes or errors
  • System setup changes and activity related to licensing

Along with information about these events, the report can tell you which operator triggered the event, any notes associated with the event, as well as the name of the computer where the activity took place.

SYSPRO Security System Audit Query

One particularly important event that the System Audit Query program can identify for you is client-server disconnects. These are common problems reported by SYSPRO users and they can be highly complicated to investigate. SYSPRO generally has limited information about these events so the System Audit Query log is one of the few places where you can obtain valuable information about when/where they occur.

Along with the use of System Audit Query, you can investigate specific events even further by using the Job Logging Query program (IMPLOG). This program allows you to review and monitor general operator activity throughout SYSPRO.

For instance, if the System Audit Query reports technical issues relating to a specific operator, you can use the Job Logging Query program to analyze whether a specific program or user behavior is the cause of the problem. Be warned that the Job Logging Query program can take a long time to process if you choose to generate the report without filters. In a busy SYSPRO environment with a high number of daily users, the activity logs for operators will be dense and can take time to compile.

SYSPRO Job Logging Query

SYSPRO ERP Job Logging Query

A Day in the Life of a SYSPRO Admin

From the perspective of a SYSPRO administrator, actively monitoring the System Audit Query program is essential for ensuring the integrity of both the overall security and general stability of your ERP environment. The role of an ERP system administrator is undoubtedly challenging, requiring constant vigilance to ensure the smooth operation of crucial business processes.

Fortunately, SYSPRO equips administrators with a range of invaluable tools to actively monitor and maintain the system’s integrity. Among these, the System Audit Query program (IMPJNS) shines as a beacon of efficiency and reliability. With SYSPRO and its robust capabilities, administrators can confidently navigate the complex landscape of ERP management, ensuring their organizations operate seamlessly and securely.

Unlock the Full Potential of SYSPRO ERP Security with EstesGroup! Discover How Our Expert Consulting and Cutting-Edge Cloud Technology Services Can Help Your Business!

Global Cybersecurity Strengthens Digital Defense

Global Cybersecurity Strengthens Digital Defense

EstesGroup Announces Commitment to Growing Global Cybersecurity Success during Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2023

Now in its 20th year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2023 is highlighting the growing importance of cybersecurity in our daily lives and encouraging individuals and businesses to take important cybersecurity steps to stay safe online.

Global Cybersecurity Champion 2023

EstesGroup is committed to cybersecurity education and training.

What is Cybersecurity Awareness Month?

By participating in the 20th Cybersecurity Awareness Month, our IT consultants are helping increase awareness surrounding the need for increased national and global cybersecurity. Disaster recovery and backup solutions are no longer enough for businesses, especially for manufacturers and distributors. Founded in 2004, Cybersecurity Awareness Month, held each October, is the world’s foremost initiative aimed at promoting cybersecurity awareness and best practices. Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a collaborative effort among businesses, government agencies, colleges and universities, associations, nonprofit organizations, tribal communities, and individuals committed to educating others on online safety.

From mobile to connected home devices, technology is deeply intertwined with our lives. And while the evolution of technology accelerates, cybercriminals are working just as hard to find ways to compromise technology and disrupt personal and business life. For 20 Octobers and counting, Cybersecurity Awareness Month aims to highlight some of the emerging challenges that exist in the world of cybersecurity today and provide straightforward actionable guidance that anyone can follow to create a safe and secure digital world for themselves and their loved ones.

Starting this year, the new theme of Cybersecurity Awareness Month is Secure Our World, with the main messaging revolving around four key cybersecurity best practices:

  • Understanding the benefits of using a password manager and dispelling existing myths around password manager security and ease of use
  • Turning on multi-factor authentication on personal devices and business networks
  • Recognizing and reporting phishing – still one of the primary threat actions used by cybercriminals today
  • Installing updates on a regular basis and turning on automated updates

Global Cybersecurity Partnerships

Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues to build momentum and impact with the goal of providing everyone with the information they need to stay safer and more secure online. EstesGroup is proud to support this far-reaching online safety awareness and education initiative which is co-managed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Cybersecurity Alliance.

About EstesGroup

EstesGroup offers cutting-edge technology, global cybersecurity solutions, and private and hybrid cloud services and solutions tailored to empower businesses in today’s digital landscape. Our comprehensive suite of services encompasses cloud infrastructure, software solutions, and managed services designed to streamline operations, enhance agility, and maximize efficiency. Whether you’re seeking to migrate to the cloud, optimize existing systems, or harness the potential of emerging technologies, EstesGroup’s expertise and innovative solutions ensure a seamless transition and sustained growth. With a steadfast commitment to data security and compliance, our technology solutions provide peace of mind, safeguarding your valuable assets and helping you navigate the complexities of ever-evolving regulatory environments. Partner with EstesGroup to unlock the full potential of technology, accelerate business growth, and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive global market.

About Cybersecurity Awareness Month


Cybersecurity Awareness Month is designed to engage and educate public- and private-sector partners through events and initiatives with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity to increase the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident. Since the Presidential proclamation establishing Cybersecurity Awareness Month in 2004, the initiative has been formally recognized by Congress, federal, state, and local governments and leaders from industry and academia. This united effort is necessary to maintain a cyberspace that is safer and more resilient and remains a source of tremendous opportunity and growth for years to come.