Click here to forward to a colleague

November 2004

Isn't it time you replaced this slow and outdated technology? Lawson's new Par and Cycle Counting may be the answer. Last year, Lawson acquired Apexion Technologies, makers of software for surgical instrument and mobile supply chain management. Since the acquisition, Lawson has taken these products--previously PeopleSoft-specific--made them Lawson-centric, and re-branded them as:

- Mobile Par & Cycle Count (MPC)
- Receiving and Delivery Tracking (RAD)
- Surgical Instrument Management (SIM)

• Uses the Microsoft Windows CE/Pocket PC operating system
• Symbol 8846 - Pocket PC
• Dolphin 7400 - Windows CE
• Wireless (802.11b) technology, supporting 128-bit encryption
• Supports multiple transmission modes, including real-time wireless, intermittent wireless and cradle-based synching
• Handhelds can be used for any Windows-CE application-they aren't dedicated to Lawson
• Lawson 8.0.3 Environment
• Lawson 8.0.3 Applications

The Bottom Line

This product may be the toughest one for Lawson to sell. Sure, it's slick and much more productive than the old handheld terminals (HHT) it aims to replace. The loudest objections I've heard, though, are that healthcare organizations have too much invested in HHT to replace them.

But, I say that the HHTs are out-dated, likely are fully-depreciated, and it's time to re-invest. Look at the other technologies you have around you. Are you still using CRT monitors, or have you upgraded to LCDs? Are you still using line printers, or have you switched to laser? Likewise, maybe it's time to move from HHT to MPC.

Once you see it, I'll bet you'll agree.

In this month's installment of our on-going reporting series, let's turn our attention from looking at individual reporting products solutions, and instead look at your report development project. If you're like most organizations I come across, your reporting project charter is to replace an existing reporting system-be it a formal existing system, or a simply a list of user requirements if you had no previous formal system. Regardless, you need to develop and use a process that focuses on satisfying the report requirements when implementing a new reporting solution.

Remember the "Big Picture"

Looking back a few months (see http://www.danalytics.com/guru/letter/archive/2004-05.htm), remember the characteristics that I laid out for a comprehensive reporting solution. As you develop the report design process, keep in mind that the process itself needs to encompass a lot of these areas:
 

When you're done, your matrix will look something like this:

Categorizing your Reports

Here are some things to think about when categorizing reports:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
- QUOTE OF THE ISSUE -

"On account of being a democracy and run by the people, we are the only nation in the world that has to keep a government four years, no matter what it does."
- Will Rogers
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We've found some limitations using the Excel Add-In's Upload Wizard in Asset Management because Additions, Adjustment, Transfers and Disposals often prompt new forms after the first record is entered onto the first form.

Our way around this is to not use the standard entry forms, but some alternate forms.

For additions, use AM15.1 instead of AM20.1 or AM20.2. You'll be required to enter Vendor and Invoice information, but usually this is available or you can use something generic. Once you have added your assets, run AM115 to interface them to AM20 screens.

For disposals, use AM45.1 instead of AM40.1. This is the mass disposal screen, so you will need to define a Selection ID, you company, Function Code field (=A for each record) and Asset Number. I was surprised but very delighted to find that this worked when we recent disposed thousands of assets (that couldn't easily be grouped on AM45 using the conventional method. Once the assets have been added to the Selection ID, run AM145 to process the mass disposal.  I haven't tested, but this should work for transfers as well (AM35).