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System7 Adaptive Applications Suite has Been Released
System7 Adaptive Applications Suite is the first major release of accounting enhancements in over a decade. While it is not our idea of where we need to be, it is where we need to start. To make the transition to newer applications we have taken the familiar System V applications, redesigned the General Ledger main files, wrapped a new posting routine around all the modules and added COMPLETE unlimited transaction history and a financial drilldown. Internally none of the main system files other than General Ledger have been changed so the system will be very familiar. We have included a technical release document covering the new files and also suggestions on how to integrate the new methods with existing applications. It can be found in the application installation directory and also on the TOM Website in the dealers download area.
The General Ledger allows for unlimited years of financial history by period and is capable of 12 or 13 period accounting.
The new posting routine adds a batch file above all transaction files, resulting in some routines that were two level files now being three level files and single level transaction files now being two levels. A batch of transactions is assigned to a user and the user can post their batches without causing any interruption to anyone one on the system. Even if two users are entering the same type of transaction (for example, two people entering AR invoices) they can work as if they were on the system alone. Each can print, verify and post independently of the other. The post control routine allows overall control of posting. A number of batches from various users can be selected for posting, and if anything fails during the post it is logged and only that batch is rolled back before the system continues. The new posting routine traps all errors except 9X series hardware errors and logs them. This eliminates “Code on the screen…” support calls.
Genesistems wrote this application two years ago for TOM and has had it installed at 3 of its own users for over two years. Some are running just accounting and some are running full manufacturing so this is not new code to us.
This all sounds good but the issues we now face are completing documentation and training the dealers in how to integrate the new posting process into custom applications. We are writing up an addendum to the System V manuals.
Also we have not had time to even explore the possible uses for the history. Since it is a COMPLETE transaction history, even including manufacturing and distribution, the possibilities are staggering. We have written up a few other Drilldown/Inquiries as samples of what we intend to do, one based on Accounts Receivable and one based on Job Cost. Every competing system now has Financial Drilldown from a General Ledger account. But how about bringing up a customer file and showing all the items he bought, all the payments he made, what items he bought the most of, the sales and costs to date, and putting it all in a graph? All this is possible with System7.
What about being able to “Undo” a batch of transactions entered wrong? All these items are on the list as possible upgrades in the future but we did not want to hold up the basic system up given all the improvements already in the system that we all need right now.
If you are interested in reviewing a System 7 demo system, please click on one of the following two links:
As a final footnote, when we announced System7 last summer a dealer asked us why it had taken 5-6 years. Being puzzled by this comment as we had just written it less than 18 months ago we did some research. We found references and announcements that Midware and TOM had planned to resell the Kerridge REV 7 accounting application through the dealer network after changing it over for United States use. This project was quietly withdrawn a year or so after being announced. That is the only similar system we could find that could be the source of the confusion.