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EstesGroup Interviews Dan Aldridge: A Journey Through ERP

by EstesCloud | Jan 25, 2024 | Business Consulting, Cloud, Distribution, Epicor, Epicor 10, Epicor Kinetic, ERP, ERP Consulting, ERP Implementation, Hosting, Prophet 21, Sage, SYSPRO

Celebrating 20 Years with EstesGroup

For two decades, EstesGroup has been immersed in the world of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), aiding companies in harnessing technology for their organizational advancement. In honor of EstesGroup’s 20th anniversary, we embark on a series of interviews with friends and colleagues who have shared in our remarkable journey.

On January 12th, Brad Feakes, President of EstesGroup, sat down with Dan Aldridge, a prominent figure in the ERP community and a burgeoning social media influencer in the realms of digital transformation, change management, and Enterprise Resource Planning.

Begin with Baan

Dan brings a unique perspective to the ERP landscape, having actively participated in ERP since the late ’90s and directly witnessing the Y2K ERP boom and its aftermath. Having gained experience with Baan’s Tier 1 ERP solution at its peak, he observed its subsequent decline and eventual integration into Infor’s comprehensive suite of ERP solutions. One could say he has witnessed it all.

Network Equals Net Worth

Dan’s career is characterized by the relationships cultivated along the journey. Colleagues from past ventures became the foundation for new endeavors. When it was time to expand the team and venture into new territories, his network provided invaluable support. Reflecting on the past, Dan finds new connections emerging based on shared business cultures that transcend their original brands.

Inbound and Outbound Strategies

In marketing and business development, Dan emphasizes the transformative power of relationships. Rather than conforming to algorithmic preferences, he advocates for informative and educational content that fosters genuine connections. “Network equals net worth” underscores the organic growth nurtured by meaningful relationships. Dan’s approach to content marketing aligns with his organizational goals while building his personal brand. In the ERP space, inbound marketing is inherently relational, focusing on solving problems and building connections that drive business growth.

Scaling, Impaling, and Prevailing

Dan’s insights into business growth and operations extend from his experiences as a business owner and a leader tasked with growing an ERP organization in the US market. Scaling organizations presents unique challenges that extend beyond implementation activities. Navigating growth requires tailored approaches in sales and marketing, particularly when transitioning from a smaller market to a larger one.

Solutions vs. Services

A notable challenge in the ERP space lies in the disparity between selling ERP solutions and selling implementation services. Selling ERP solutions emphasizes software capabilities, while selling implementation services focuses on demonstrating domain authority and expertise. As a consultant, selling services is often more straightforward due to the control over delivery, unlike the uncertainties associated with software sales.

Navigating the Future: Cloud ERP and Composable ERP

Cloud ERP dominates the horizon as on-premise models become obsolete. Dan explores the concept of Composable ERP, envisioning dynamic ERP architectures built atop legacy infrastructure without necessitating underlying system upgrades. This approach offers large organizations the flexibility to create common business processes across divisions with disparate systems, heralding a new era in ERP adaptability.

Next Steps: More EstesGroup Interviews to Come!

As the year unfolds, EstesGroup will continue celebrating its 20th anniversary by reflecting on the journey alongside the friends and colleagues who have been part of this remarkable story. We look forward to sharing more EstesGroup interviews with you along the way.

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The Power of AI Automation in Sage ERP

by EstesCloud | Jan 24, 2024 | Cloud, ERP, ERP Consulting, ERP Implementation, ERP Selection, Sage

AI Automation is Redefining Sage ERP Dynamics

Gone are the days of clunky, siloed ERP systems. Today, the future of enterprise resource planning (ERP) is infused with intelligent automation, powered by the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI). And for users of Sage ERP, this presents a game-changing opportunity to streamline operations, boost efficiency, and gain a competitive edge.

How Sage ERP Systems Get Smarter with AI in the Cloud

Imagine freeing your team from tedious tasks like invoice processing, data entry, and error checking. AI-powered tools can handle these repetitive processes with robotic precision, allowing your staff to focus on strategic initiatives that drive real value. However, to fully unlock the potential of AI automation, it’s imperative to upgrade to private cloud hosting urgently. The enhanced security, scalability, and customization offered by private cloud environments ensure that your AI applications run seamlessly, guaranteeing not only efficiency gains but also safeguarding sensitive data. In a rapidly evolving business landscape, the urgency to stay competitive and innovative makes the transition to private cloud hosting a strategic imperative for companies aiming to harness the true power of AI automation.

AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data from sales, inventory, and market trends to generate accurate forecasts. This translates to reduced stockouts, optimized inventory levels, and a proactive approach to supply chain management. Unfortunately, this can also translate to increased security and privacy risks. Private cloud hosting for ERP systems provides a dedicated environment for a single organization, ensuring a higher level of security and control over sensitive AI and automation processes. This is crucial in protecting valuable data and algorithms. Cyber threats are a constant concern. AI can be customized by IT experts to serve as your vigilant guard, analyzing user behavior and system activity to detect suspicious patterns and prevent security breaches before they happen. But AI in a public cloud environment can quickly introduce new risks. Since a private cloud is exclusive to one organization, it minimizes the risk of these new, external threats. An isolated, private infrastructure helps protect AI models and automation workflows from potential security breaches or unauthorized access, keeping you in control of your data.

AI Automation in Sage ERP Brings Touch-of-a-Button Insights

Buried beneath mountains of data are hidden gems of actionable insights. AI can unlock these treasures by identifying patterns, anomalies, and correlations that human eyes might miss. This empowers you to make data-driven decisions, optimize workflows, and identify potential risks and opportunities early on.

Reliable uptime and availability in private cloud hosting play a pivotal role in empowering Sage ERP users with actionable insights. The robust service level agreements (SLAs) associated with private cloud environments guarantee consistently high levels of system availability. This reliability is particularly critical for AI automation processes integrated into Sage ERP, ensuring that data processing, analytics, and reporting functions operate seamlessly without disruptions. With uninterrupted access to the ERP system, businesses can generate real-time, accurate insights from AI-driven analytics. This reliability not only enhances decision-making processes but also allows organizations to extract timely and actionable information, facilitating a more responsive and agile approach to strategic planning and execution within the Sage ERP framework.

The Future of Sage ERP in the Cloud is Intelligent

AI is not just a buzzword. Artificial intelligence, coupled with new cloud technology, is the transformative force shaping the future of Sage ERP. By embracing these intelligent capabilities, businesses can quickly benefit. Here are a few things you can expect to accomplish after your upgrade to AI automation in a private cloud environment like ECHO (EstesCloud Hosting).

Increase operational efficiency while lowering risks: Freeing up resources and reducing errors with automation in the most secure environment available to businesses.
Boost profitability while lowering IT spend with cloud solutions that grow seamlessly with your business: Optimizing inventory, maximizing demand forecasting, and minimizing operational costs, while keeping your data available and secure.
Gain a competitive edge while ensuring a strong reputation with your employees and customer: Making data-driven decisions, delivering personalized customer experiences in an infrastructure that will keep your customer data private and safe.

Ready to unlock the full potential of your Sage ERP system? Contact us to talk to a trusted Sage consultant to explore the available solutions and start your journey towards an intelligent, future-proof enterprise.

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EstesGroup Champions Data Privacy Week 2024

by EstesCloud | Jan 22, 2024 | Cloud, Disaster Recovery, Managed IT Services, Security

EstesGroup proudly announces its commitment to Data Privacy Week 2024 as a Champion. This initiative underscores the importance of educating businesses on best practices for data collection that respect privacy and promoting transparency in data handling.

Security Means Privacy

In addition to its commitment to Data Privacy Week, EstesGroup reinforces its dedication to data security through SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) certification. Achieving SOC 2 compliance is a testament to EstesGroup’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in information security, confidentiality, and privacy. This certification assures clients and partners that EstesGroup has implemented rigorous controls and procedures to safeguard their sensitive data.

With SOC 2 compliance, EstesGroup not only prioritizes data privacy but also demonstrates a proactive approach to ensuring the security and integrity of the systems and services it provides to all business, including the most complex manufacturers and distributors. This certification further underscores EstesGroup’s unwavering commitment to delivering reliable and secure IT and cloud solutions to its clientele.

Data Privacy Day vs. Data Privacy Week

Data Privacy Week 2024, an extended effort stemming from Data Privacy Day, takes place from January 21 to 27, 2024. The primary objective of this week-long campaign is to raise awareness about online privacy for both individuals and organizations. It aims to empower citizens by highlighting their ability to manage their data while emphasizing the significance for organizations to responsibly steward personal information

In today’s digital age, data is the lifeblood of success. At EstesGroup, we are not just embracing Data Privacy Week, we are championing it because we recognize the critical role data plays in driving business growth. Our commitment goes beyond compliance – it’s about empowering businesses with the knowledge and tools to safeguard their most valuable asset: the people behind the data. By participating in Data Privacy Week 2024, we affirm our dedication to being stewards of your trust. Together, let’s navigate the digital landscape with confidence, ensuring that your data remains secure and your business poised for lasting success.

How to Take Control of Your Business Data

As part of our commitment to Data Privacy Week, EstesGroup encourages individuals to take control of their data. In an era where online activities generate extensive data trails, it is crucial to be mindful of the information shared. This includes personal data such as Social Security and driver’s license numbers, as well as health data collected by devices like smartwatches. While complete control over data processing may not be possible, individuals have the power to make informed decisions about sharing their data.

EstesGroup offers the following steps to empower individuals in managing their personal information:

Be Informed: Understand the types of data collected about you.
Review Privacy Settings: Regularly check and update privacy settings on websites and apps.
Limit Data Sharing: Be selective about sharing personal information and consider the necessity.
Protect Passwords: Use strong and unique passwords to enhance data security.

Data Privacy Week is a reminder that digital transformation is a necessary step toward maintaining privacy and security in a world where ransomware is becoming more prevalent. EstesGroup recognizes the value of personal data and encourages everyone to be discerning about data management.

EstesGroup offers a comprehensive suite of managed IT services designed to equip businesses with the essential tools needed to thrive in today’s dynamic digital landscape. Our services encompass a wide range of critical areas, ensuring holistic support for optimal IT performance.

From robust cybersecurity measures and data backup solutions to proactive network monitoring and efficient cloud services, EstesGroup tailors its managed IT services to meet the unique needs of manufacturers and distributors. Our expert team collaborates with clients to implement cutting-edge technologies, streamline operations, and enhance overall IT efficiency.

By providing services such as IT infrastructure management, software updates, and responsive technical support, EstesGroup empowers businesses to focus on their core operations while maintaining a secure and resilient digital environment.

With our comprehensive suite of managed IT services, EstesGroup stands as a trusted partner in navigating the complexities of the modern digital landscape and ensuring sustained success for our clients.

For more information about Data Privacy Week and how to get involved, please visit Data Privacy Week.

About EstesGroup

EstesGroup is a prominent ERP, IT, and cloud services firm, dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions for manufacturers and distributors. With a commitment to excellence, EstesGroup empowers businesses with innovative technologies to drive growth and success.

About Data Privacy Week

Data Privacy Week originated as Data Privacy Day in the United States and Canada in 2008, extending the celebration of Data Protection Day in Europe. Commemorating the signing of Convention 108 on January 28, 1981, the week is an annual effort led by the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) to promote privacy and data protection awareness.

About the National Cybersecurity Alliance

The National Cybersecurity Alliance is a non-profit organization on a mission to create a more secure and interconnected world. Advocating for the safe use of technology, the NCA educates individuals on protecting themselves, their families, and organizations from cybercrime. For more information, please visit National Cybersecurity Alliance.

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Unlocking Automation with SYSPRO® Business Objects

by EstesCloud | Jan 18, 2024 | Business Consulting, Cloud, ERP, ERP Consulting, ERP Implementation, Hosting, SYSPRO

SYSPRO® Business Objects – The Basics

If you are looking to automate or customize data processing in SYSPRO® then business objects will be your best friend. A business object in SYSPRO® is a program that does not have any user interface. Instead, they rely on defined schemas to take in data, transact with SYSPRO®, and return status messages. Both the input and output are based on XML.

SYSPRO Business Objects Unlocking Automation

The latest versions of SYSPRO® ship with a significant list of available business objects to use. Each object serves its own purpose and can be used for specific types of transactions. They follow a similar naming convention to SYSPRO’s usual user-interface programs in the way that they all have codes. For instance, you can use SORTOI to create sales orders, APSTIN to post invoices, and INVSST to add, delete, modify stock codes.

Business objects exist to allow for safe, reliable automation of data transactions. While you may be familiar with the SYSPRO® SQL database, you should never use direct SQL to modify SYSPRO data. Business objects allow you simply choose your object based on the type of transaction you seek to perform, fill in the schema details, and let SYSPRO® perform the heavy lifting in the database to post the transaction.

SYSPRO®  Business Object Groups

All business objects in SYSPRO® are categorized into one of four types of objects:

Query – Objects intended to retrieve and query data (“Get” functions).
Setup – Objects used to create or modify data such as suppliers, stock codes, or customers. This type requires additional parameters to specify whether you intend to add, modify, or delete.
 Transaction – Used to post transactional data to SYSPRO®. Examples such as creating sales orders, posting invoices, or receiving inventory.
Build – Objects that can be used to retrieve information to better build transaction-type posts.

Business Object Schemas and Sample XML Data

Business objects have a pre-defined “schema” containing the various fields and parameters that can be used in the object. Transaction and Setup type objects have an XML parameter file in addition to the XML-In data. As an example, below is the default sample schema XML for the INVTMB business object. This object is a Transaction-type object used to post bin transfer inventory movements.

INVTMB Parameter XML

INVTMB Input XML

INVTMB XML Output (Sample)

The parameter file contains “Settings” to apply for the overall transaction. While these settings vary based on the business object, common parameter tags are TransactionDate, ValidateOnly (testing only versus committing to the post), ApplyIfEntireDocumentValid (Post only if all items are valid). Note that Query-type objects do not use parameter files and will not need parameter XML passed for them to work.

The input XML (XML-In) is the item-specific data to supply the object. For this object, this is where we provide the stock code to transfer, source/destination bin, and the number of units to transfer. For many objects, it is possible to supply several “<item>” entries at a time to bulk-post transactions.

Each business object provides a “response” in the shape of an XML-Output file. In the case of the INVTMB object seen above, the output contains journal and key details about the successful inventory transfer. Most objects will have a summary of the transaction stating how many items succeeded and how many failed (if any). The XML-Out for Query-type objects will be the search results based on what you requested.

Licensing

All business objects are freely available for use if they are called and transacted within SYSPRO®. This means any script or program developed within SYSPRO® itself. If you intend to use a business object outside of SYSPRO®, you will have to purchase and update your licenses. Business objects are bundled together and grouped by modules so that you only pay for business objects that you need. For instance, if you intend to automate sales order-related data, you can license sales order business objects specifically.

The best place to learn and use business objects is the e.net Diagnostics tool. This is a program you can install using the Installer on either the server itself or on the client machine.

Elevate your business to new heights with EstesGroup’s unparalleled managed IT and cloud services for SYSPRO® ERP.

Experience a transformative approach to technology management, ensuring optimal performance, security, and scalability for your operations. Our expert team at EstesGroup is dedicated to delivering tailored solutions, seamlessly integrating managed IT services and cutting-edge cloud technology. From proactive maintenance to advanced cybersecurity measures, we provide a comprehensive suite of services that empower your business to thrive in the digital era. Trust EstesGroup to be your strategic partner, guiding you towards efficiency, innovation, and sustained growth through our top-notch managed IT and cloud services.

Electronic Signatures (eSignatures) in SYSPRO

by EstesCloud | Dec 27, 2023 | Cloud, ERP, ERP Consulting, ERP Implementation, ERP Risks and Challenges, SYSPRO

A “Signature” SYSPRO Admin Tool

Electronic Signatures (also referred to as eSignatures) is one of SYSPRO’s most powerful administrative tools. It allows you to audit and monitor transactional data against any type of event you can imagine throughout SYSPRO. In addition, it also includes “trigger” features where you can have certain events execute custom scripts, send email messages, or invoke custom reports. This section of SYSPRO has several layers of functionality. Explaining it all is difficult, so we have highlighted below some of the key features that eSignatures have and how you can use them to improve your SYSPRO experience.

Signature eSignature SYSPRO Admin Manufacturing Tool

Auditing Capabilities

The most used feature of eSignatures would be the auditing capabilities that they possess. If you have used SYSPRO for a good amount of time, you may have come to find that it is hard to track down “who did what” and “when did it happen”. SYSPRO does not natively keep much information on file about who is committing changes to the system.

For instance, by default in SYSPRO, you will have a hard time figuring out who created that one purchase order, who completed that job prematurely, or who modified the price of that sales order line. eSignatures exist to solve exactly that!

In the Electronic Signatures Setup program, you can browse on any type of event across all SYSPRO modules. Against each of these specific events, you can set up access levels, custom triggers, and detail logging of key data points relating to these events when they take place throughout SYSPRO. As an example, under the “Sales Orders” module, you can add a logging condition against the “SO add sales order” transaction to keep a log of any operator who creates a sales order in SYSPRO.

Each time a sales order is created, a log entry is then stored in the database with details about who created the sales order, when they created it, and which details the sales order was created with. You can query eSignature event logs by using the eSignature Query program later for auditing purposes.

Additionally, there are also “e.net” type transactions for the same events that track when business objects perform these events. These can be extremely helpful if your environment uses any third-party products or custom business object implementations. There are otherwise no other efficient ways in SYSPRO to monitor or track changes that are committed by business objects unless your custom integrations have been programmed to track it themselves.

SYSPRO eSignature Triggers

Triggers can be configured against an event to perform a certain action. Contrary to the logging, these are helpful if you are looking to perform an additional action when an event takes places. When setting up an eSignature Trigger, you can choose between the following trigger action types:

Email
Run a VBScript
Run any program
Run any application
Write to message inbox
Run an SRS report

You can probably already start to imagine the countless things these could be useful for. For instance, perhaps you want to receive an email whenever a new customer is created in SYSPRO. Maybe your programmer wants to run a script and perform a given activity if the event was triggered by a specific operator, roles, or group. Or maybe, you want to run an entirely custom-built program and pass it the sales order number that was just created and captured by the eSignature.

These details only scratch the surface of what is possible with eSignatures in SYSPRO. There are several additional features within this section of SYSPRO that may be worth your time to investigate and get familiar with as they can take your company’s SYSPRO experience to the next level.

Your SYSPRO Autograph

Electronic Signatures (eSignatures) emerge as a cornerstone of SYSPRO’s administrative arsenal, delivering robust functionalities to enhance the overall user experience. The auditing capabilities stand out as a pivotal feature, addressing the longstanding challenge of tracking changes within SYSPRO. By meticulously logging key data points related to various events across modules, eSignatures enable users to easily trace actions, such as the creation of purchase orders or modifications to sales order prices. The Electronic Signatures Setup program empowers users to establish access levels, custom triggers, and detailed logging, offering a comprehensive solution for auditing purposes.

Furthermore, the versatility of eSignature triggers adds another layer of efficiency, allowing users to configure actions such as sending emails, running scripts, or generating custom reports in response to specific events. As we delve into the intricacies of eSignatures, it becomes evident that the possibilities extend beyond the surface, with additional features waiting to be explored. By investing time in understanding and leveraging the full potential of eSignatures, businesses can elevate their SYSPRO experience, ushering in a new era of efficiency and control.

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