Maintaining your ERP System

ERP Systems like Epicor Vantage, Epicor Vista, and DBA Software (classic) require maintenance to keep them in top working order. Here are some typical maintenance items:

• Installing ERP Patches. Most ERP Systems provide a steady stream of patches which incorporate the latest minor changes. You should evaluate the changes then install them to keep current.
• Installing ERP Version changes. Most ERP Systems release a new version about once a year. Before installing, have you analyzed the impact of the change on your equipment, or current reports, or custom software? What about the additional training required for your users.
• Installing new users, laptop installations, setting up users for remote access, or just addressing the chronic one or two workstations that are slow/won't print/etc.
• Backup. Backup. Backup. It is important enough to repeat. Do you have a backup plan? Is your ERP data backed up while it is running? If so, do you periodically restore your ERP data to a test database just to CHECK the adequacy of your plan?
• As conditions change you should tune the ERP server to run most efficiently for your current conditions. This can often save you from investing in a new server.
• Protect your data by limiting user rights to only include rights necessary to operate your ERP system. Many ERP installations instruct you to provide Full Control rights to all users that operate the ERP system. That means that any user can go into Windows Explorer and inadvertently wipe out all your ERP data.
• Backup. Backup. Backup. It is worth repeating. Do you have a backup plan?. Do you do online backups?. Do you test your backups monthly by restoring them to a test database?
• Periodically run ERP diagnostics and react accordingly.
• Periodically maintain the ERP database files, to include truncation, dump and loads, and other techniques to assure the database is running most efficiently.
• Maintain hardware, including the Server and workstations.
• As conditions change you should periodically tune the ERP server to run most efficiently for your conditions

If you do not have an IT department or just feel more comfortable having someone with experience handle your maintenance, give us a call. Whether it is "call us when you need us", or allowing us to propose a maintenance plan for you, give us a call.

Manufacturing Systems Services
PO Box 251
Medina, OH 44258-0251
1-800-875-4654 · 330-725-0043 · Fax 330-725-0080