On-line in Instant-Time
e-DISTAC -
All transactions immediately update all affected databases the instant
they are posted. This information is in turn immediately available
to all other users.
Other Systems - Actual
updating of all affected databases is accomplished during batch
processing at end of day. Thus, information is not available to
all users until such batch processing runs are completed. Top
Single Screen
to Perform Order Entry
e-DISTAC -
Each operational activity such as Order Entry or Receipt of Customer
Payments is performed through one screen.
Other Systems -
These same activities require no less than three screens and some
systems require as many as ten screens to accomplish the same thing
that e-DISTAC does with one screen. Top
Multi-Windows
for Data Access
e-DISTAC -
Working screens such as Order Entry allows access to the Customer
Database as well as to the Inventory Database, all while entering
an order and all information remains visible. Not to be confused
with “Pop-Up” windows that overlay information on top
of other information hiding if from view.
Other Systems -
Each activity, Order Entry, Search Customer Database and Search
Inventory Database require separate screens meaning you must flip
from one screen to the next or overlay information to accomplish
the same thing that e-DISTAC allows you to do with one completely
visible screen. Top
Do more than One Function
on a Screen
e-DISTAC -
All input transaction screens such as Order Entry allow the user
to perform SEARCHES, ADDITIONS, CHANGES, and DELETIONS on a single
screen.
Other systems -
Each function, ADD, CHANGE and DELETE are performed on separate
screens, meaning if you want to add a new invoice and then must
change it you will have to use one screen to add then go to a second
screen to make the change. Top
Movement Between Screen
is Free of Menus
e-DISTAC -
The user may select any screen and can go to this screen without
going through a series of menus.
Other Systems -
The Menu hierarchy that was followed to get to a given screen must
be followed in reverse when going from one screen to another. This
means you must go through menus each time you go from one screen
to the next. Top
Unrestricted Access
to All Data Fields on a Screen
e-DISTAC -
On any data entry screen, such as Order Entry, all data fields are
accessible and may be changed simply by moving the cursor to the
particular field you wish to change.
Other Systems -
Data Fields are displayed and assigned an identification number.
To change the contents of a field, that field’s ID number must
be entered followed by the new data that you want to go into that
field. You then transmit this to the computer. This process must
be repeated for each field that requires a change. Notice, only
one field at a time may be changed. Top
Incomplete Data
Search (Partial Key Search)
e-DISTAC -
You enter as much of the data item as you know, such as part of
a stock number or part of a stock description or part of a customer
name, and e-DISTAC will get as close to the exact item as possible.
If at first the exact item is not displayed, you can continue to
press the Search Function Key until you find the particular item
you want. The more complete your input, the closer you will get
to the item you want on the first search.
Other Systems -
They allow what they call “Partial Search”, but this is
not the same as e-DISTAC where you enter incomplete data. In these
systems you have a smaller field for a customer name, but this smaller
field must have the complete information or you will get nothing
back. For example, the Customer Name Field is 30 character positions
long, and the Partial Name Field is only 10 characters. In order
for you to get a particular customer, you must enter 10 characters
or you get nothing. Where as e-DISTAC allows you to enter part of
the data or less than the full 10 characters. Top
Information Access
in Multi-Sequences
e-DISTAC -
All Databases such as the Inventory Database or Customer Database
have more than one sequence that is used to find information. For
example, you can locate a particular customer by the account number
or by name.
Other Systems -
When more than one sequence is required, the data is sorted into
some ordered sequence before being presented on a screen or printed
on a report. The difference here is the time required to perform
the sort. In e-DISTAC there are no sorts, thus the information is
available immediately. Top
Multi-Locations and Multi-Companies
e-DISTAC -
There can be 36 separate companies with each having 36 different
locations. The difference between different locations within the
same company and different companies is a company with more than
one location has only one Database for Accounts Payable and one
database for Accounts Receivable, where as the separate companies
each have their own separate Payables and Receivables. Within a
company, all its locations have their data stored in the same database
but can still identify the location number the data belongs to.
This allows for one set of customer records and one set of vendor
records per company. In contrast, when separate companies are used,
each company stands alone and there is no inter-company activity.
Other Systems -
In the true sense these systems have only multi-company capability.
Each separate location they speak of is actually a totally separate
company which does not share any part of Accounts Payable or Accounts
Receivable. Thus, each location, as they call it, has it’s
own set of customers and own set of vendors. This means that a customer’s
activity at one location cannot be related to activity at any other
location. At statement time a customer will receive a statement
from each location that he had activity with. Furthermore, the customer
is expected to pay each location separately according to the statement
from the respective location. Top
Control Customer Credit
Across Multi-Locations
e-DISTAC -
By the fact that e-DISTAC has true Multi-Locations as described
above, a customer has a single line of credit. Regardless of the
quantity of different locations through which a customer may transact
business, he has a single line of credit to which all purchases
are applied. He receives a single statement each month which identifies
each location and the charges that were processed through each location
during the last period. Thus, a customer cannot bypass a credit
hold by simply going to a different location.
Other Systems -
Due to the fact that these systems have separate company accountability,
a customer has a separate line of credit at each location. At no
time do these different credit lines come together within the system.
Therefore, a credit problem at one location will not be reflected
at all other locations. Top
Security Control by
Screen and by Screen Function
e-DISTAC -
To insure system security, each user is assigned a password and
a screen function level number. In order to use a given screen the
user’s password must be cleared for that screen. The function
level determines what activity can be performed on the screen such
as Add, Change or Delete. Through the password and function level
numbers, access to all screens and all functions on each screen
can be controlled to whatever level needed.
Other Systems
- These systems use the password only. This restricts a person from
using a screen or allows them access depending on the capability
assigned to a given password. In reality this method of security
either restricts usage or over allows usage. The importance of Security
is not realized until critical data is lost or company confidential
information gets into the hands of a competitor. Top
Subsystems Integration
e-DISTAC -
Distribution Software is comprised of a series of subsystems including
Order Entry, Inventory Control, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable
and General Accounting. The type of relationship between these subsystems
determines the amount of work a user must perform to get information
to flow between each subsystem. e-DISTAC is a totally integrated
system, meaning all information is passed to each subsystem automatically
as it happens. As mentioned before, even though these different
subsystems are there, e-DISTAC treats them as one. Their individuality
becomes transparent to the user. This means the user does not perform
any activity to get, for example, an invoices’s data to go
from Order Entry to Accounts Receivable for posting the customer’s
account. It is done automatically by e-DISTAC when the invoice is
posted in the Order Entry Subsystem.
Other Systems -
Other Systems require the user to group invoices into batches, calculate
a control total for each batch and then post each batch from Order
Entry to Accounts Receivable. Then another batch posting is required
to move from Accounts Receivable to the General Ledger. Not only
is batch posting time consuming, but it is also prone to human errors.
This creates a greater expense to the company, due to the additional
man-hours required to correct the errors. With e-DISTAC this entire
batch posting and transfer of information from one sub-subsystem
to another is eliminated. Top
Data Protection
for the Same Record being Updated by more than One User
e-DISTAC -
e-DISTAC utilizes file protection techniques that assure data protection
even when more than one person is updating the same information
record. For example, if an invoice was being posted and at the same
time a receipt was being entered for the same customers, both would
be processed accurately, and the customer’s record would reflect
the results of both operations.
Other Systems - Most
systems allow only one user at a time to update a record. In the
above example a second user must wait or is locked out until the
first user is finished updating the record. This means the system
will slow down and the response time will be in minutes instead
of seconds. Top
No Batch Processing Required
e-DISTAC -
As described above, the common method of getting information from
one subsystem into another is through the batch processing method.
Due to the time required to perform batch processing, it is done
after normal work hours when no one else is using the computer.
This means two important things; first, today’s activity is
not available in the different subsystems until tomorrow and secondly,
additional off-hour manpower is required to perform the batch work.
With e-DISTAC you have neither of these, no additional manpower
is required, and information is immediately available to all users
and to all databases the instant it is entered into the system.
No end of the day activity is required.
Other Systems -
Batch balancing and posting is an expensive way to get around computer
limitations or capabilities not available in most mini-computers
and none of the personal computers. In order to interface databases
the computer must have certain built-in features. When these commands
and language capabilities are not present, the application system
must use alternate methods to accomplish certain end results. The
batch processing and posting method is one example of a “workaround”
for getting information from one subsystem into another. Such “work-around”
is not necessary with e-DISTAC due to the capabilities of Hewlett-Packard
computers and the e-DISTAC software itself. Top
General Ledger Balancing
e-DISTAC -
Due to the established default General Ledger numbers you enter
when the system is first installed, there is no way for a user to
get the General Ledger out of balance under normal use. We tell
all users if for any reason at any time the General Ledger does
get out of balance, they should notify MSSI immediately and allow
MSSI to correct the condition. No trial balance is required.
Other Systems -
Because of the amount of human activity required doing batch balancing
and posting at the different levels of accounting, other systems
must rely on the user to maintain and insure the General Ledger
is in balance. When it does get out of balance it is the user’s
responsibility to find the problem and make the necessary corrections.
Because there are no default General Ledger numbers, the user must
provide the correct General Ledger numbers with each entry going
into the General Ledger. This in itself provides a wide area for
human error that in turn causes the General Ledger to be out of
balance. Top
Prevention and Correction
of Human Mistakes
e-DISTAC -
Because we are human we will make mistakes, so the methods and procedures
for correcting these human errors are just as important as any other
part of the system. In e-DISTAC extra care has been taken to make
the entry of information as easy and flexible as possible. However,
even this will not prevent all human errors, so we have made the
correction of such errors a major design feature in e-DISTAC. For
example, if a customer payment was applied to the wrong invoice,
it can be unapplied by pressing one function key. If a total on
an invoice gets out of balance with the detail line items, the system
will tell you such has occurred and will retotal the invoice for
you. To eliminate unit-of-measure conversion errors e-DISTAC allows
you to have a different unit-of-measure for selling a stock item
from that used when you purchase the item from your vendor. You
may buy by the “case” and sell by “each”, and
this requires a conversion which e-DISTAC performs for you automatically
each time you buy or sell an item.
Other Systems -
In other systems the byword is if you don’t make the error
in the first place you won’t have to correct it, so please
be careful. Good advice but when this fails, how long and how much
work must be done to correct an error? You must delete and re-enter
an invoice in error or in the case of the miss-applied customer
payment, apologize to the customer for the error and explain that
there is too much work required to change his payment. Top
Guaranteed Successful
Implementation
e-DISTAC -
MSSI guarantees to each purchaser of e-DISTAC that the installation
and implementation of the system will perform 100% according to
our product specifications. This means MSSI will do whatever is
necessary to get the system installed and running live so that it
performs as we have represented it to perform.
Other Systems -
No other system on the market today will give that guarantee. Top
Return on Investment (ROI)
e-DISTAC - Because
we say that e-DISTAC actually makes you money, the return on investment
with e-DISTAC is both greater and is realized much sooner than other
systems. Experience shows that the total cost of e-DISTAC will be
returned within the first year of use or in less time.
Other Systems - In
view of the fact that e-DISTAC has so many features other systems
do not have, it is reasonable to assume the ROI of these systems
is much less than e-DISTAC. Top
Mainframe Capability
at PC Price
e-DISTAC -
The cost of a e-DISTAC System including hardware is no more expensive
than a PC solution with the same quantity of terminals, printers,
disk storage and main memory. Yet with e-DISTAC, you get full upward
growth potential, meaning that the software and peripheral hardware
is 100% compatible with all larger Hewlett-Packard systems that
you may grow into at a later date. You are operating under the control
of a main frame Operating System, and more importantly, you know
that in a few years you will not have to do a conversion to another
system.
Other Systems
- From the above listed differences between e-DISTAC and other systems
you can see there really is a difference in computers and software
systems. e-DISTAC is the state-of-the-art and is set apart from
the rest in a class of its own. Top
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