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SYSPRO ERP Utilities – Utilizing the Data Dictionary Viewer

SYSPRO ERP Utilities – Utilizing the Data Dictionary Viewer

SYSPRO’s Data Dictionary: Efficient ERP Database Management

Software systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERPs) consolidate so much functionality into a single application. This means that the database structure they work with is equally as encompassing and can be overwhelming to familiarize yourself with. SYSPRO alone uses over 1000 database tables and knowing exactly where to look for certain can be a tough challenge. Thankfully, SYSPRO has a built-in tool called the “Data Dictionary Viewer” that can help put descriptive labels on otherwise complicated database elements. 

You can find the Data Dictionary Viewer program in SYSPRO’s program list by going to Utilities Data Dictionary Viewer.  The program will load a list of all tables in your SQL Server database. Along with the table names and file codes, it will include descriptions to highlight what the purpose of the table is. The list is long so to help you find the exact table you are looking for you can use CTRL + F to open a “Search” tab. You can then type in parts of what you are looking for and SYSPRO automatically filters the list. 

SYSPRO Data Dictionary

Data Dictionary Going Deeper

To go a level deeper, you can highlight a table record and click the “Table Properties” toolbar button. This will open a new window with details about the table, its columns, and key structure. The information found on this screen can be particularly helpful if you are creating custom reports but can’t figure out which exact field contains the data you are looking for. 

SYSPRO ERP Data Dictionary

Leveraging SQL Querying Tools in SYSPRO for Enhanced Data Management

While the program also contains a feature to display the data found in the database table, we recommend you instead use actual database tools. The built-in tool is no replacement for proper SQL querying tools. Many tables in SYSPRO can have a significant number of columns and not to mention millions of data records based on your business’ usage of SYSPRO. Using SQL to query and filter will make it much easier to navigate this data. 

What Does the SYSPRO Data Dictionary Viewer Do?

The Data Dictionary Viewer enables both SYSPRO experts and newcomers to quickly find and learn about the database tables that contain the data held within SYSPRO ERP. Next time you build a custom report or macro script, try using this tool and see how easy it can be to narrow down a massive database to exactly the few datapoints you need!

 

SYSPRO ERP Utilities, particularly the Data Dictionary Viewer, stand as indispensable aids in navigating the intricate landscape of database structures within the system. With over a thousand database tables to contend with, the challenge of pinpointing specific data elements can be daunting. However, the Data Dictionary Viewer offers a solution, providing descriptive labels and organizational tools to streamline the process.

By accessing this tool through SYSPRO’s program list and utilizing features such as table properties and search functionality, users can gain deeper insights into the database architecture, facilitating tasks like report generation and macro scripting. While the built-in feature for displaying data may suffice for some purposes, the recommendation to leverage dedicated SQL querying tools underscores the complexity and scale of SYSPRO’s database infrastructure.

How EstesGroup Helps Customers With SYSPRO

Ultimately, the Data Dictionary Viewer serves as a bridge between SYSPRO experts and newcomers, empowering them to efficiently harness the wealth of data housed within the ERP system for enhanced decision-making and operational efficiency. Embracing this tool can unlock new levels of productivity and precision in leveraging SYSPRO’s capabilities, ensuring that users can extract meaningful insights from the vast expanse of data at their disposal.

For businesses seeking comprehensive support in optimizing their SYSPRO ERP system and navigating its intricate functionalities, EstesGroup offers a wealth of expertise and tailored solutions. Our team of SYSPRO consultants brings extensive experience in database management, including proficient utilization of tools like the Data Dictionary Viewer to streamline operations and drive efficiency. 

Beyond database management, EstesGroup provides a wide array of IT services, encompassing cloud solutions, cybersecurity measures, system integrations, and more. Whether it’s implementing customized reports, fine-tuning database configurations, or migrating to cloud-based infrastructures, our consultants are equipped to address diverse needs and challenges. With a commitment to delivering holistic support and maximizing the value of SYSPRO ERP investments, EstesGroup stands ready to empower businesses on their digital transformation journey.

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Change Management Tips for Your Epicor Kinetic Upgrade

Change Management Tips for Your Epicor Kinetic Upgrade

The Process

Is your team ready to unlock the full potential of Epicor Kinetic? Don’t fear the upgrade process – with these key strategies, you’ll guide your team through a smooth and successful transition. You can quickly elevate operations with Epicor Kinetic. But before you embark on this exciting journey, let’s address a common concern: Change Management.

Change Management Epicor Kinetic Upgrade ERP

What is change management in an Epicor Kinetic upgrade?

Change management for Epicor Kinetic is your strategic roadmap for a smooth transition from an older Epicor system to the new Kinetic platform. It involves proactively preparing, guiding, and supporting your entire organization throughout the process. The ultimate goal is to minimize disruption, ensure your employees embrace the new system, and maximize the benefits it has to offer.

How to Manage Your Change Management: Epicor Kinetic Upgrade Management

Successfully upgrading to Epicor Kinetic requires a collaborative effort. By implementing these key strategies, you can equip your team with the knowledge, ownership, and resources they need to thrive in the new system:

  • Keep employees informed about the upcoming changes, the reasons behind them, and the expected timeline is crucial.
  • Provide employees with the necessary training on the new features and functionalities of Kinetic ensures they can effectively utilize the system and its benefits. Actively involving key stakeholders and employees in the process can foster a sense of ownership and encourage participation.
  • Use your top talent at all levels to create a detailed plan that outlines the steps required to migrate data, update workflows, and adapt to the new system.

The Culture

Navigating an Epicor Kinetic upgrade requires a strategic approach. Discover how to minimize disruption, ensure user adoption, and maximize the benefits of your new system with effective change management strategies. Learn how to anticipate and address concerns, foster communication, and build a successful transition plan for your team:

  • Acknowledge and Address Concerns: Understand change can be daunting. Openly discuss potential challenges and proactively develop solutions to keep your team engaged and motivated.
  • Foster Communication and Transparency: Keep your team informed throughout the process. Share updates, address concerns, and encourage open communication to ensure everyone feels involved and heard.
  • Empower Your Team with Training: Equip your team with the knowledge and skills to navigate the new system effectively. Prioritize comprehensive training tailored to their specific roles and responsibilities.
  • Leverage Collaboration and Teamwork: Encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration between team members. Create a supportive environment where everyone can learn from each other and adapt together.
  • Celebrate Successes and Milestones: Recognize and acknowledge individual and team achievements throughout the transition process. Celebrate milestones to maintain positive momentum and reinforce the value of embracing change.

Prepare for your Epicor Kinetic upgrade with confidence.

Move quickly from your first decision to your building a team that can make the best decisions at every step:

  • Decide what you truly need from your ERP system. Collaborate to identify essential features and streamline your system.
  • Customize with purpose. Assess your current customizations, pinpoint those crucial to your workflow, and remove outdated ones.
  • Discover the power of Kinetic. Break down the new features and how they’ll benefit your specific operations.
  • Build a rock-solid upgrade plan. Develop a detailed strategy and assemble a dedicated upgrade team for a smooth transition.

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to navigating complex upgrades.

A proactive approach fosters transparency and ownership within your team, paving the way for a smooth and successful transition to the new Kinetic system. By empowering your team with knowledge, you’ll be well-positioned to unlock the full potential of Kinetic and achieve your business goals. Here are a few tips:

  • Equip your team for success: Leverage EstesGroup’s expertise to provide your team with comprehensive documentation and resources.
  • Empower them as upgrade champions: Foster confidence by equipping your team with the knowledge to navigate each step of the process.
  • Gain clarity through collaboration: During an initial consultation, EstesGroup will guide your team through the entire journey, ensuring they feel fully prepared and informed.
  • Transparency and ownership pave the way: This proactive approach fosters transparency and empowers your team to take ownership, setting the stage for a smooth transition to Kinetic.

Anticipate to Migrate

During your Epicor Kinetic upgrade process, anticipate and address potential challenges and concerns your team might have. Understand that fear of change, unfamiliarity with the new system, and perceived disruptions to workflows are common sources of resistance. Partner with EstesGroup to ease the pain and get peace of mind knowing that your project will be successful, your ROI will be bountiful, and your team will be grateful for change.

How to Use Advanced Diagnostics in SYSPRO

How to Use Advanced Diagnostics in SYSPRO

Advanced SYSPRO Debugging Tools – The “Diagnostics” Setup Option

Outside of general SYSPRO database tables in SQL and eSignatures that are not enabled by default, it can be particularly difficult to investigate custom e.net transactions and SQL issues in SYSPRO. Thankfully, an advanced “Diagnostics” tool is available. Contrary to similar administrative tools such as the System Audit Query and Job Logging programs, this tool is not a standalone program. Instead, it is a settings-related options found inside your SYSPRO’s Setup Options program. 

The setting in question is called “Diagnostics” and can be found within SYSPRO’s Setup Options program at: System Setup General Options Diagnostics. The field is a dropdown containing a variety of input options with not-so-descriptive naming conventions such as “dev02”, “enet01”, “enetxi”, and “srsd04”. While all the items available in the diagnostics list serve an important purpose, we will focus this article on the e.net-type diagnostics that can be used to help diagnose and potentially resolve complicated transaction issues. 

SYSPRO Diagnostics

SYSPRO E.net Options

When customizing SYSPRO particularly with third party programs or VBScripts, you are likely to encounter programmatic use of SYSPRO’s business objects. In extremely rare cases, you may experience issues running these business objects. Perhaps you don’t get an XML response, or you are encountering critical system errors with limited details about the errors. In this case, the “enet” diagnostic options can be useful. The “enet01” option creates a log of all business objects that have processed in the system since the diagnostic option was turned on. It saves important information such as transaction date/time, method names (logon, logoff, get, post), and status messages of each transaction. Consider the “enet01” option the “summary” of e.net type diagnostics.

If you require more detail about your e.net transactions, you can use the “enetxx” option. This diagnostics option saves the XML-In and XML-Out details of each business object transaction. The XML-In is the data that was passed to the business object. The XML-Out is the response provided back by the object. The “enetxi” option can be used to only monitor XML-In and the “enetxo” only monitors XML-Out.

While there are several other diagnostic types to choose from, it is unlikely that the information returned by these options will be of any help to you. The remaining diagnostic types are more commonly used by internal SYSPRO staff for testing and debugging of significant errors or new programs in SYSPRO. You can open SYSPRO’s “Help” documentation by pressing “F1” to learn more about the other diagnostics options if it should be of interest. 

System Impact and Log File Growth

It is important to know that some of these diagnostics options can result in very large log files if they are not turned off after an issue has been investigated. Particularly the “enetxx” option as the XML-In and XML-Out for every business object transaction can be significantly lengthy. If you are trying to monitor automated tasks and will have to leave these diagnostics on for extended periods of time, be sure to keep an eye on the log file sizes.

Additionally, many of these diagnostic types can slow down the overall system performance. Every post and query in SYSPRO use some type of business object. These transactions will see a slight performance hit due to SYSPRO recording and logging the data input/output. When you have completed investigating an issue, be sure to clear the log files and turn off the diagnostics options that you had enabled. 

The EstesWay to Advanced Diagnostics in SYSPRO

In conclusion, navigating through complex SYSPRO issues, especially those involving custom e.net transactions and SQL intricacies, can be daunting without the right tools and expertise. Fortunately, the “Diagnostics” setup option within SYSPRO’s Setup Options program provides a valuable resource for investigating and resolving such challenges. By utilizing specific diagnostic settings like “enet01” and “enetxx,” users can gain insights into business object transactions and detailed XML data, aiding in the troubleshooting process. However, it’s crucial to exercise caution with these diagnostic options, as they can lead to substantial log file growth and potential system performance impacts if left unchecked. Nevertheless, with the support and guidance of EstesGroup consultants, businesses can effectively leverage these advanced debugging tools to overcome SYSPRO-related hurdles and optimize their operations.

Empower your users with advanced diagnostics in SYSPRO ERP today.

SYSPRO Advanced Diagnostics Tool

Follow these steps to get immediate assistance with SYSPRO ERP:

  • Contact EstesGroup consultants via chat, website, or phone.
  • Describe your SYSPRO issue and request advanced diagnostic assistance.
  • Schedule a consultation with EstesGroup SYSPRO ERP specialists.
  • Collaborate with consultants to enable and utilize diagnostic tools.
  • Implement recommendations provided by EstesGroup for issue resolution.

EstesGroup Interviews Dan Aldridge: A Journey Through ERP

EstesGroup Interviews Dan Aldridge: A Journey Through ERP

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.

Dan Aldridge Interview ESTES LIVE 2024

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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Watch EstesGroup Interviews on YouTube to Learn More about ERP in 2024

The Power of AI Automation in Sage ERP

The Power of AI Automation in Sage ERP

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.

AI Artificial Intelligence in Cloud ERP

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.

EstesGroup Champions Data Privacy Week 2024

EstesGroup Champions Data Privacy Week 2024

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.

Data Privacy Week

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.