Friday, April 07, 2006
Dumping NetSuite?
That was one of the future possibilities I heard today.
But why - so soon after using it (MTI only came on board with NetSuite in December, less than 6 months ago).
For not a not-considerable sum of money, NetSuite was touted as the answer to all prayers about linking accounting with customer service and sales. Now, it looks as though it was oversold.
Hmmm....how much BaseCamp again? For Project Management, it can't be beat.
But why - so soon after using it (MTI only came on board with NetSuite in December, less than 6 months ago).
For not a not-considerable sum of money, NetSuite was touted as the answer to all prayers about linking accounting with customer service and sales. Now, it looks as though it was oversold.
Hmmm....how much BaseCamp again? For Project Management, it can't be beat.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Awesome Tests with Horizon/SQL
One of the challenges that had not yet been addressed with Horizon/SQL was how to handle multiple databases on a single server. While a fairly simple thing to deal with , the implementation had not been completed while we focused on the core database.
Today, this challenge was met and with it, better support for connecting via connection strings instead of ODBC Data sources. This was also done in conjunction with the new Database Upgrade utility.
I copied over my main Horizon folder which is the desktop version and ran the upgrade utility on it. I created a new database named Horizon2. With this account, I decided I was no longer going to rely on sa access (system admin) and created a user named mti.
I then created a Data.ini file with the connection string for the user.
Upon starting the system, it prompted for the password for the user and then went into the new database.
I followed up by running the desktop version and the older Horizon SQL database version (found in Horizon/sql)
I then updated the assignments to see how the data updated. All were separate.
I realize this is a fairly minor victory and not that "oooh, ahhhh" but it's good to be able to run the upgrade and then connect into a brand new directory with minimal effort.
The Upgrade utility also has a Remove Source which actually removes the physical files during the upgrade process. Doing this should remove a LOT of the data issues customers are facing.
What a great way to finish an otherwise dull day.
Bummed Over NetSuite
MTI switched from BaseCamp over to NetSuite a few months back since it provides more CSR and accounting details. The place where it really falls apart though is on project management. At least with Basecamp, I could link two tasks together and thus when one got delayed, the other got pushed ahead by the same number of days.
With NetSuite, there's no such feature. I like to create a lot of tasks to ensure nothing slips between the cracks. As a result, you either spend a lot of time updating tasks (what a time waster) or leaving them "as-is" until they get updated.
The solution? Keep task due dates down to every two weeks or less. It's a bit harder to plan long term - but at least it keeps the information up to date.
This information is not the official position of MTI or Melton Technologies or its affiliates.
With NetSuite, there's no such feature. I like to create a lot of tasks to ensure nothing slips between the cracks. As a result, you either spend a lot of time updating tasks (what a time waster) or leaving them "as-is" until they get updated.
The solution? Keep task due dates down to every two weeks or less. It's a bit harder to plan long term - but at least it keeps the information up to date.
This information is not the official position of MTI or Melton Technologies or its affiliates.
Status Update April 5th 2006
As I have told _____ numerous times before, the code is all checked in as changes are made to it. I have requested a meeting with Peter twice now in as many weeks to review the revised interface with nary a response except to say "too busy - can't do it".
As a result, I have posted a document that outlines several of the interface changes. I will start checking in the individual executables now as well into a separate folder under the Horizon/Next source called Builds (This was done as of 11 AM this morning)
This will include all items that have been converted and ready for testing.
Until work that involves others gets completed, there's no point in having a group meeting. Since everyone is busy, asking about the status of items that are already assigned to them in NetSuite is nagging that isn't required.
As for my individual project tasks (all accessible via NetSuite):
Priority List for Upgrading Applications (still in progress) but the current list is 1. Trip Interface - particular link to ProMiles (initial piece complete - updating ProMiles link)
2. Circle of Service
3. Message Monitor items.
4. ExecView.
2. Circle of Service
3. Message Monitor items.
4. ExecView.
Run Benchmark Tests on SQL / Identify Dispatch Benchmark Results
Cannot be completed until the benchmark tool has been written which was assigned to Todd. I hope to get to it after the other work gets completed.
In addition, two standard environments were requested to be set up by Peter for 3/15. To date, I have not heard of this being completed and the Netsuite task remains untouched. While it may appear to be a rather simple thing to do, it will be required to do structured testing as we move forward.
Identify Performance Goals
Until we have benchmark tests on it, real performance goals cannot be identified. The requested goals from MTI has resulted in the following four items (noted in Netsuite under Performance Improvement Areas):
Build Data Installer/Upgrader
Still in progress. I have created a clean environment here on this end to run tests on and expect it to be completed this week.
Review New SQL Data Structures
A scheduled meeting with Todd to review data structures was put off as he was unable to attend. I am re-assigning to Todd so he can arrange it around his schedule.
New Documentation Structure / Test Strategy
The initial Test strategy is to go through steps based in the documentation. Since the final doc outline has not been identified from Susan, I had made the immediately noted changes and made it available (noted to both Susan and Peter in emails) on http://www.mtihorizon.com/horizon.chm. All of her comments are noted in NetSuite although she noted the revised structure may have more changes after she reviews it. However, all noted documentation has been completed in it.
Since NetSuite doesn't allow tasks to be linked to other tasks, it makes it difficult to push ahead all of a project's deadlines when a task is not completed. However, any task that I do start gets updated to In Progress and updated as I make changes to it.
In the NetSuite Project Plan, here are all of the overdue items (I numbered them to identify the prerequisites)
1. Milestones for Sales Process (Chuck)
2. Setup Test Environment (Peter)
3. Priority List for New Apps (Andrew - In progress)
4. Dispatch Benchmark Tool (Todd)
5. Documentation Outline Strucutre (Susan - in progress)
6. Run Initial Benchmark Tests (dependent on 4)
7. Identify Results (dependent on 6)
8. Identify Performance Goals (dependent on 7)
9. Test Strategy (Andrew - in progress, dependent slightly on 5)
10. Cleanup Content (Andrew - in progress , dependent on 5)
11. Identify Converted Applications (Andrew - checked into Builds folder this morning - the original list was done on BaseCamp last year - the actual checked in apps should be sufficient to move forward with it)
12. Build Upgrader / Installer ( Andrew - In progress - scheduled for this week)
13. Review new structures (Todd - reassigned to Todd since it's dependent on his schedule moreso than mine)
14. Redo Documentation Strucutre (in progress - dependeont on 5)
15. Convert Trip Interface (Andrew - in progress- scheduled for next week)
16. Convert Circle of Service (Andrew - In progress - scheduled for April 21)
Let me know if there are any questions.
Thanks
From: Chuck Melton [mailto:chuckmel60@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 9:59 AM
To: amacneill@mtihorizon.com
Subject: Update
Andrew,
I need a written update of where you are. Also, I really need a process where you check your code in daily down here. xxxxxxxx has requested this several times.
Chuck
