During the due diligence process in which Riordan acquired the operating entities in Michigan and Georgia the matter of F & A System’s compatibility was not addressed. San Jose has a license for a fully integrated Windows based ERP manufacturing, distribution and financial management software application specifically designed for plastics processors and process and assembly manufacturers. Michigan had purchased a vendor developed software application and the attendant source code for their F & A and process application. The vendor is no longer in business. The application runs on a pair of DEC Alpha’s, using the VMS operating system, VAX4000 work stations and programmed in C. Finally, Georgia had purchased a vendor (different from Michigan) developed software application and the attendant source code for their F & A and manufacturing process applications. The systems run on a pair of AS400’s, using UNIX operating system, use PC’s (Windows) as workstations, and are programmed in RPG400.
The F & A Department has been unable to achieve anything remotely resembling “seamless compatibility”. Some F & A data is provided to corporate via data files; some data is provided via hardcopy reports and must be re-entered; some data is provided via data files but must be converted (redirected) to the proper account codes and the list goes on.
References:
University of Phoenix. (2011). Riordan Manufacturing [Multimedia]. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, BSA/310 - Business
References: University of Phoenix. (2011). Riordan Manufacturing [Multimedia]. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, BSA/310 - Business Systems website.