WHAT IS SYTELINE?

BEST-IN-CLASS ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING SOLUTION

ECI’s popular SyteLine ERP FAQ page is used by many ERP users, both new and experienced, to find out what this powerful business software solution can do for their organization. From integration aspects to recent upgrades, most of your questions about Infor’s SyteLine ERP (now called CloudSuite Industrial) can be answered here.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact an ECI SyteLine expert today; our ERP consultants are always ready to help!

WHAT IS SYTELINE?

SyteLine is a mid-sized Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software package, by which you can efficiently manage an entire global business operation. SyteLine is created and sold by Infor, who recently purchased MAPICS. The newest versions of SyteLine (SL7 and SL8) are created on a Microsoft SQL backend, with COM+ components in the middleware (for SyteLine 7), and a Visual Basic User Layer – and Crystal Reports for reporting. So, in short, SyteLine is a conglomeration of multiple technologies, each chosen to be the strongest at its purpose, to bring your organization to success!

WHAT IS THE TIMELINE TO IMPLEMENT SYTELINE?

A typical SyteLine implementation will take between 3 and 12 months, depending on a huge variety of factors – such as budget, resources, company decisions, access to decision-makers, and technical abilities of the implementation team. Once a Project Plan is created, we can accurately predict the timeline commitment for your SyteLine Implementation.

WHAT ARE THE ADD-ONS AVAILABLE?

There is a huge, and growing, list of add-ons available to SyteLine7, many of which are being updated to bolt on to SyteLine8. Please view our list of popular SyteLine Add Ons or contact your Infor Affiliate, or an ECI representative to discuss your specific needs and whether there is a packaged solution, or if it will require a new programming solution.

COMPARE DEVELOPMENT IN SQL SYTELINE TO DEVELOPMENT IN PROGRESS SYTELINE…

Admittedly, there are differences in the development tools and also in programming ideologies!  In Progress, the developer had the ability to not only choose what records to do ‘things’ to (FOR EACH, etc…), but could also tell the processor what to do (display, etc…).  That has been split out in SyteLine7 and SyteLine8 to have SQL do the ‘What Records’ and Crystal Reports (or VBA/VB.Net) do the ‘What Action’ part.  Obviously, SQL still does a good bit of Action also, but in general the mindset will need to shift to think in terms of RecordSets.  For more on this, please see this article on SyteLine Forums (http://www.syteline7.com/showthread.php?t=22).

WHAT DOES THE INFRASTRUCTURE TYPICALLY LOOK LIKE?

Typically, you will have one SQL database server, one Utility Server, one APS server (optional), one WorkFlow server (optional, can be combined), and then your Citrix machines (2 – 3)…for a company with less than 200 system users.  We suggest adding another Utility server, or enforcing machine separation with the APS &/or Workflow servers, once you go above several hundred users. With Syteline8, there is a very usable web-based client, so a terminal server or citrix server is no longer required.

HOW MANY CONSULTANTS DOES A TYPICAL SYTELINE IMPLEMENTATION REQUIRE?

We have had as many as six consultants on a SyteLine implementation where many customizations were needed, two front end consultants were needed at different sites, and there was heavy data manipulation.  We have also had as few as one or two consultants on a project where there was less of a demand and a higher IT headcount internally.  So the true answer is that it depends, although for most projects we have less than 3 involved at least part time.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SYTELINE 6 AND SYTELINE 7 (OR SYTELINE 8)?

While there are truly too many differences to list…we will list a few we have found most beneficial for our clients:
APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling) – think of this as intelligent MRP, with forward looking abilities to help you intuitively operate your shop floor. (more info)
Get CTP – many ‘intelligent’ features are built in such as the instant ability to be able to Commit to a Ship Date at the time of placing the Customer Order
VBA/VB.Net functionality – without getting too technical, this gives each user the ability to interactively and immediately create custom queries and lookups…reducing IT development cycle time, as the demand for custom reports and queries will be greatly reduced.
Navigation – finally, a true Windows look and feel.  If you have ever used Microsoft Windows, you can use SyteLine 7 or 8!

HOW WILL SYTELINE 7 OR SYTELINE 8 HELP MY BUSINESS?

The updated versions of SyteLine allow you to:
 Increase customer satisfaction
 Plan and schedule order-by-order
 Minimize error-prone manual steps
 Deliver orders on time, every time
 Improve production accuracy
 Leverage innovative technologies

HOW DOES SYTELINE ADDRESS MANUFACTURING NEEDS?

SyteLine provides: customer service and order management, production and control, planning and scheduling, materials and inventory management, business process management and automation, and many other relevant features. It should also be noted that all of these features are fully customizable to your specific needs.

WHAT IS SYTELINE 7’S TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM?

Infor’s SyteLine 7 is built and deployed on the Microsoft.NET technology platform, including SQL Server 2000, Exchange Server 2000 and Windows 2000 and 2003. It presents data in a Microsoft-like interface that has the data management abilities of standard Microsoft productivity applications like Microsoft Office.

WHAT ARE THE CORE FEATURES FOR SYTELINE 7?

 AP / AR and GL
 Audit controls
 Costing based on work orders and/or periods
 Crystal reports
 Enterprise reporting and consolidation
 Fixed asset management
 Multiple and alternative currencies
 Project management and control
 Standard or actual costing
 Tax calculations
 Treasury and cash management

WHAT IS SYTELINE 8’S TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM?

Infor’s SyteLine 8 is built and deployed on the Microsoft.NET technology platform, including SQL Server 2000, Exchange Server 2000 and Windows 2000 and 2003. It presents data in a Microsoft-like interface that has the data management abilities of standard Microsoft productivity applications like Microsoft Office.  SyteLine 8 was the true shift to .Net technology on both the front and back end of the system.

WHAT ARE THE CORE FEATURES FOR SYTELINE 8?

 AP / AR and GL
 Audit controls
 Costing based on work orders and/or periods
 Crystal reports
 Enterprise reporting and consolidation
 Fixed asset management
 Multiple and alternative currencies
 Project management and control
 Standard or actual costing
 Tax calculations
 Treasury and cash management
 Improved Microsoft DDE Copy/Paste (Excel, Outlook, etc.)

HOW WILL SYTELINE HELP ME MANAGE MY COMPANY’S FINANCIALS?

SyteLine provides a fully-integrated set of financial functions which coordinate all financial and costing transactions with production operations. This is a single integrated solution that defines the financial position and ties to inventory quality records and shop floor costing, as well as WIP (Work In Process) Valuation.

WHY SHOULD I CHOSE A VENDOR INDEPENDENT RESOURCE?

The most important benefit of using a vendor-independent consulting group is significant cost reduction.  In a typical project, there is the cost of licenses, maintenance, support, add-ons products, training, and custom programming.  A vendor-independent group, such as Eclipse Consulting, Inc. can be the supplier of choice for all training and custom programming needs.  Our resources have all been either a part of the Infor team, or a part of a Business Partner, Service Provider, or Affiliate.  Therefore, we employ the same programming and training standards as Infor resources, and deliver consistent quality and expertise.  But, at a fraction of the cost.  Our resources typically bill at 70% of Infor or Affiliate cost…plus we can usually accomplish the same task in less time.  Significant savings!

HOW DO WE CREATE A PROJECT PLAN?

A Project Plan is an essential tool for any project which will take longer than a week – especially an ERP upgrade or migration.  There are many factors involved in creating a project plan, or in simply knowing all the details to be handled.  If your group does not have an internal project manager – or would simply like guidance and help from someone who has traveled this road before – we have several project managers on staff happy to assist!