Global Shop Solutions ERP vs. Infor VISUAL

We need an all-in-one ERP system, and it suits basic needs. If you are looking to utilize reporting or utilize the CRM you will have to learn to format the information you are able to pull to make it manageable and easier to read. This ERP uses a Crystal Reports system that needs to be converted into Excel or another software program to sort and identify anything. There are a lot of advantages and I am sure the issues we are having are because of how our staff is using this system or has set up this system for our needs.

Incentivized

I struggle to identify a scenario where VISUAL is an appropriate solution. We used VISUAL because it was a legacy system and the cost/complexity of changeover seemed daunting. The user interface is poor as is the interconnectedness of the various screens and menus. This might be an acceptable piece of software for a continuous manufacturing environment with little variation of basic design, but we have had to write multiple add-on macros in order to get VISUAL to work effectively for us.

Incentivized

• We have recently upgraded to the latest version and it moves pretty quick going from screen to screen.
• It is able to capture labor dollars per work order as well as materials to each job well.
• You can track the flow of materials pretty easily.

Incentivized

• Infor Visual has a standard way of addressing business operations: sales orders, invoicing, reporting. It is easy to train operators used to using a manual or other ERP system.
• Material control is easy for production runs, R&D material lists and repairs. The process of receiving, issuing and returning material to inventory is facilitated by standard interfaces that are easily learned by material control operators.
• Engineering changes to bills of material are facilitated by the "engineering Master" flexible editing capability. The version control for the BOM's can be as detailed or vague as the process designed dictates. One item of a BOM or the entire BOM can be changed quickly and approved for production that day.

Incentivized

• Our Accounting department is the power user and they use it for dozens of applications
• We track depreciation and run time, as well as inventory for IT
• We use it's backend tables for budgets and financial forecasts

Incentivized

• VTA has been extremely unreliable. I would not recommend it. It is not customizable at all. There is no logical way to handle shift differentials which is a huge issue with a company that runs 24/7.
• If you do not have a schedule set up, they cannot clock in. This poses a problem for anyone that gets called in on a shift they don't normally work on.

Incentivized

Good Technical and Customer Support during and after implementation tasks. Good Project Plan and Management support for implementation and post implementation. Financial functionality could be more comprehensive particularly with Budgeting and Cash Management. Inventory Management capability was adequate but could be more comprehensive as well. "Out of the Box" functionality was adequate but requested add-ons and enhancements seemed to be a bit pricey.

It standardizes our processes, it helps keep things moving financially, as stated previously the asset tracking and inventory functions alone are priceless. This has really been a fantastic tool and helpful across the board with both our accounting, IT and even helping leadership with planning, forecasts, and budgetary matters. You can literally tailor this to your needs, and it's reliable, easy to understand and logical even with their back end tables. Their software is a class act

Incentivized

Because of use cases and easy implementation and the vertical and horizontal scaling.

Incentivized

As we have seen the live environment and the use cases where we implement.

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Could have used more hands-on approach. There are multiple webinars and information sessions but until you actually use the system, these are not very helpful.

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This works the best for a manufacturing business. Any other type of business, I would look to other products.

Incentivized

We unfortunately did not evaluate any other ERP software. VISUAL was a legacy system and we determined that changing systems would be too difficult, and not cost effective. We reached out to our local VISUAL rep who knew how the software functioned, but not how to apply it more appropriately to our business model, so we continued on with what we had rather than looking elsewhere.

Incentivized

• We have used the CRM for the last 9 months to support our sales team. Now we can see interactions, followup practices, opportunities and adjustments in one section. This has allowed us to better service our customers and make sure that followup is done.

Incentivized

• I cannot comment on business impact.

Incentivized