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STURGIS LOCATION:
118 South Monroe
Sturgis, MI 49091
269.651.1080 • 800.253.4871 |
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PORTAGE LOCATION:
269.329.0605 • 800.253.4871 |
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OUR SOLUTIONS: |
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If you are familiar with the product you are
looking for or if you are an existing customer looking for resources,
please click the appropriate logo below. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is System Needs Analysis?
A System Needs Analysis is a review of your present systems
and your future needs. The goal is to obtain defined specifications
that help you fairly evaluate all vendor offerings and analyze
the return on investment they will generate. The following resources
are used during a System Needs Analysis:
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A project team made up of management,
operations, and Automation Plus technical staff that is
committed to uncovering the organization's competitive
advantages. |
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Defined methodology provided by
Automation Plus to identify key questions that must be
asked and answered. |
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Resource analysis used by Automation
Plus to compile, organize, and prioritize the results
of the work performed by the project team. |
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A project leader from your company
that keeps the team focused on the critical objectives
of the project. A project leader also evaluates the tangible
and intangible benefits that could be derived from the
project. |
What is Software Installation?
Software installation is the transfer of application software
onto your computer hardware. If the software is Saas (Software
as a service) then software installation is not required because
the programs reside on the hosted server of the software provider.
The users then access the system through their internet browser
software.
If software is to be installed on your system we preplan the
install by confirming your hardware specifications match the
author’s system requirements.
Why do we plan? Planning minimizes delays and frustrations.
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To insure that the changes that
take place during the transfer procedure will not cause
existing software programs to malfunction. |
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To create standard directory structure
so future services can be performed fast and accurately,
thereby minimizing future expense. |
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To insure maximum performance of
the system, so you get information on demand. |
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Check security settings to make
sure people have access to the system and functions as
desired by the organization. |
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After installation is complete,
we go the extra mile to test to insure that the software
functions as expected. |
What are Software Programs?
Automation Plus, Incorporated represents award winning accounting,
manufacturing and distribution software for the small to medium
business. Whether you are in need of a basic accounting package
for your small business or a complete Enterprise Resource Planning
(ERP) program for the entire operation, A+ can meet your needs:
(click on the software names below to learn more from the
author's website)
Small Business Accounting and Manufacturing:
• QuickBooks
Enterprise
• Fishbowl Inventory
Mid-sized Business Accounting and Job Costing:
• Sage Pro Series
Mid-sized Manufacturing (integrates with the Sage Pro Series
for a full MRP package):
• Alere Business Systems
Full Enterprise Resource Planning:
• SYSPRO
Other Software Applications:
• Customer Resource
Management (CRM)
• Swiftpage
• Contact Management
System
• F9 - Data Interchange
Program
• Riata Shop
Floor Data Coolection System
• Riata
Physical Inventory
• Clickbase
• Stonefield
Query
• Unity Shop Floor
Data Collection for Alere
• APlus
Popup Notes
• APlus
Bill of Lading System
What is System Conversion?
System Conversion is the updating of an existing software application
to a new version of the software. The conversion options include
(1) manually keying data into the updated system or (2) electronically
taking the data files from the old version and migrating it
into the new data files. System Conversion includes several
steps:
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Conversion planning - Planning
prior to conversion by Automation Plus' technician to
identify any modifications that may need to be reapplied.
In this stage, specifications of the existing computer
hardware are checked to insure it can handle the updated
software requirements. |
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Preparing the old system - Preparing
for conversion by performing all housekeeping functions
(such as running reports from the old system so they can
be compared to the updated system) to insure accurate
conversion of all data files. |
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Electronic conversion and programming
- Using technical skills to perform the actual conversion
of the programs and files. |
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Balancing after conversion - Running
reports in the new system to compare old and new system
totals. |
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System problem solving - Debugging
and resolving problems where figures do not agree. This
is performed using an Automation Plus programmer and operations
person. |
What is Training?
(As defined by the computer industry)
Training is the process of instructing your staff the features
and operating procedures of the selected software application
using a sample company.
(As defined by Automation Plus, Inc.)
Training is the process of instructing your staff in front of
a computer with hands-on computer interaction so people can
practice the software functions. Functions are taught from an
operations point of view, and your staff is allowed to practice
the software procedures they are taught. Training services are
scheduled at your site or in our classroom. Automation Plus'
training covers:
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A review of each application software
function from an operational stand point. |
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Interface considerations through
the logical flow of the system. |
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Instructions for set-up procedures
to make the software function. |
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Methods of retrieving information
from the system such as inquiry, printing and displaying
of reports. |
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A review of period-end closing
and archiving procedures, when applicable. |
What is Implementation?
Implementation is the process of preparing your team to use
the software programs in the running of your business. Implementation
is where the rubber meets the road and makes for success or
failure.
Implementation Services include:
• Project Management
• Project Timeline development
• Process Review
• Tailored Training
• Data Conversion & System Loading
• Pilot Run
• Go Live Assistance
What is System Planning and Design?
System Planning and Design is the process Automation Plus uses
to define the scope of a custom software project and establish
a written vision of what the software must look like when the
project is complete. The vision must match your specific requirements
and functions. A custom designed project is broken into two
major sections - Programming Services and Planning and Design.
During Planning and Design a trained Automation Plus system
analysis expert reviews your vision of the end result and defines
the scope of the project. After definition of the project scope,
a detail design is planned. The data elements are identified
and entry screens are created. Planning and Design steps include:
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Creating examples of entry screens
to facilitate points of data entry. |
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Defining through-put calculations
and formulas. |
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Defining output formats and identifying
sorting requirements. |
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Creating a project proposal booklet
describing how the software will perform and what the
software program will look like. This becomes the blueprint
for program development. |
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Creating an estimate based on the
scope of the project. |
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Gathering sample data from the
client for the next phase of the project. |
RETURN TO TOP
What are Programming Services?
Programming Services is the development of software that matches
the Planning and Design specifications. This phase of the project
is broken into several stages:
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Programming - Writing software
instructions that tell the computer what actions are to
be performed. This includes creating entry screens, file
layouts to hold data, report layouts, and programs that
will perform calculations and sort the data as defined
by the Planning and Design phase. Once the programming
and initial testing is complete, the system analysis expert
and the programmer work together to test the function
of the system. |
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Pilot testing - Using sample data
that follows a "day in the life" review of the programs.
If changes are needed to the system, they are noted during
this phase of the project. All changes are tested, and
a rerun of the pilot is performed. Pilot testing is conducted
with the client's project staff. |
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Installation - Loading software
onto the client's system. |
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Training/Implementing - Training
to bring the staff up to speed on the operations of the
system. The implementation tasks are defined and the project
manager assigns resources and dates for completion of
the task. User documentation is also provided during this
phase of the project. |
What is System Control and Post Audit
Review?
System Control and Post Audit Review takes place after a software
application is installed. An experienced business manager from
Automation Plus reviews the operating procedures of your staff
to provide feedback to the management on how the system is being
controlled (assuring accuracy of the data), and determining
whether the staff is operating correctly (as trained) with the
new software system. User instruction sheets are reviewed when
applicable. The Post Audit includes the following activities:
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Daily procedure review |
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Month end procedure review |
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Quarter and year end procedure
review |
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Management meeting to report findings
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RETURN TO TOP
What is Asset Management?
Asset Management is a planned procedure for the protection of
your information systems. Asset Management can take several
forms depending on the degree of protection desired:
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Nightly system backup procedures
- The daily backup of all programs and data files. This
includes instruction on the rotation and frequency of
tapes backups, how to check to be sure the backup is good,
and how to selectively restore from a tape. |
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Off-site storage and rotation of
backup media - A plan is created to establish an off-site
location to store selected backup media. Based on the
critical nature of the assets being protected, the frequency
and rotation of media is established. |
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Cold-site system backup resource
- For processes that are considered "mission critical",
an off-site location is selected and prepared for use
in the case of a disaster. The system off-site is an exact
duplicate of the one used to operate each day. The programs
and files are updated periodically - not on a real-time
basis. |
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Hot-site system backup resource
- For processes that are considered "mission critical",
an off-site location is selected and prepared for use
in the case of a disaster. The system off-site is an exact
duplicate of the one used to operate each day. The programs
and files are updated on a real-time basis. |
What is CRM?
CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management. CRM is more
than just software. A good CRM solution builds value for your
business by opening up vital communications channels and creating
a common client database focused to better serve your clients.
A CRM system makes it easier for everyone inside your company
to work together and share critical information.
What is MRP?
MRP is defined as material requirements planning. APICS defines
MRP to be a set of techniques that uses bill of material data,
inventory data, and the master production schedule to calculate
requirements for materials. It makes recommendations to release
replenishment orders for material. Further, because it is time-phased,
it makes recommendations to reschedule open orders when due
dates and need dates are not in phase.
What is MRP II?
MRP II is an abbreviation for Manufacturing Resource Planning.
APICS defines MRPII as a method for the effective planning of
all resources of a manufacturing company. Ideally it addresses
operational planning in uints, financial planning in dollars,
and has a simulation capability to answer "what-if" questions.
What is ERP?
ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning. APICS defines ERP
as an accounting-oriented information system for identifying
and planning the enterprisewide resources needed to take, make,
ship and account for customer orders.
What does an information system cost?
There are many ways to calculate your ERP budget. Here are two
methods that can be used to calculate a budget.
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Method One: |
1% to 3% of annual sales
Annual Sales $ 5,000,000. times 1% equals $ 50,000 3%
equals $150,000. |
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Method Two: |
A = Number of staff members (active)
assigned to a new system
B = Number of Inquiry Users (List all who will use the
system - note which ones are transaction users - active
vs inquiry only. (Some vendors may charge a different
amount for active vs inquiry users)
Times
C = Per user software price for active users
D = Per user software price for inquiry users
This equals estimated software cost
Using the estimated software cost compute estimated hardware,
implementation, and annual maintenance cost
E = Hardware equals 100% of software costs (estimate)
F = Implementation equals 150% of software costs (estimate)
G = Maintenance is a % of software cost or licenses issued
Formula (A*C) + (B*D) + E + F + G
Compare the two methods they should be in the same ball
park |
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