Online 3000 resource 3kworld kicked off its chat capabilities with a two-hour show featuring manufacturing expert Terry Floyd of the Support Group inc. Floyd, whose roots in 3000 manufacturing go back into the 1970s, said he’s “still very pro-MANMAN, but I think that some companies are growing beyond it. IFS is the package we have chosen to present to MANMAN users as the best replacement, if they are ready for client-server and Web-enabled solutions.” While Floyd had ready answers to questions about the capabilities of IFS, he said of MANMAN, “I still think there are a lot of things that can be done to MANMAN to enable continued use for many years to come. We did over 100 Y2K fixes and know that most companies have added something called the surround strategy to MANMAN. I think it's time to improve it, or move on to a new system.” Middleware that expands the MANMAN capabilities into client-server includes “Quantum Software’s AdvanceMan that runs with Minisoft, MB Foster’s DataExpress, Bradmark/Lee Tech, and [a] proprietary one that Quantum developed themselves. I can’t recommend one over the other. StarMAN using StarVision (from Bradmark) is the same application as AdvanceMan, but with a different middleware brand. ODBC and JDBC and ADBC are all ways to get to your IMAGE data from tools that understand SQL.” Data warehousing options include Taurus Software’s “Data Marts and Data Warehousing; they have a wonderful product on HP 3000, but it can also work with Oracle on many different platforms. It is really important to have a place to transition history from MANMAN to your next ERP package... start that now.”

IFS advice included a recommendation on a schedule for getting IFS in place. “I am partial to fast implementations — 6 weeks is ideal,” Floyd said, “so the only way to that is with Phased Implementation of large modules over a 2 or 3 year period. Take GL first and do it in 6 weeks... prove the concept and get your infrastructure together.” The infrastructure involves installing and managing Oracle on the HP 3000, administering an NT server, and making sure the network is up to handling the traffic. “The main reason I'm glad to be affiliated with IFS is that we can do slow, phased conversions ON THE SAME PLATFORM,” Floyd said.”But I'll admit that you will need an NT box to run IFS's Event Server. Phased conversions can be done in a hundred ways... slice off a piece and move it over to IFS... whatever you like least in MANMAN is where to start... there are only four interface points between OMAR and MFG.In other words, we can easily unplug OMAR and replace it with IFS's Order Entry and Billing components.”

The chat, which drew a heavy turnout that stretched 3kworld’s capacity at times, was the first in a regular series for the 3000 portal. Future chats include an Oct. 19 turnout with tech expert Chris Gauthier of Client Systems, John Saylor of Quest Software on high availability on November 16, and David Greer of Robelle on December 7. See the site at www.3kworld.com for more details, and a full transcript of the manufacturing chat event.