SSA Updates OS/400 ERP Product

Published: June 13, 2006

by Alex Woodie

SSA Global last week announced a new release of its ERP product for iSeries servers. In addition to delivering enhancements in the area of security, user interfaces, and order-to-cash processing, as well as several new industry-specific capabilities, the Chicago software company says ERP LX version 8.3.1 provides a direct upgrade path for BPCS and PRMS users. The company also announced Talent Management 4.5.

The delivery of ERP LX version 8.3.1 represents a "key milestone" in the development of the product, SSA says, because it provides a direct upgrade path for users of older versions of SSA's ERP products, including all BPCS releases since V405CD and PRMS version 8.4.

However, will moving to ERP LX version 8.3.1 help users prepare for what may come now that SSA is being merged with Infor? That's difficult to judge, since the companies haven't talked publicly about their product plans. However, staying current couldn't hurt, an SSA spokesperson says. "Users will benefit by staying current on ERP even today with SSA Global. Integrations to extension products typically occur on the current version of the go forward ERP platform," the spokesperson says.

In the meantime, BPCS and PRMS users can look to ERP LX version 8.3.1, which is also known as ERP LX FP1. This release brings a redesigned order entry process, enhancements to its Web-based interface designed to minimize key strokes, simplified navigation, and a more intuitive process flow.

Security has also been improved. For example, ERP LX users can now completely segregate the various aspects of their businesses, such as facility and warehouse data, within a single installation of the solution, while allowing full visibility across the enterprise, the company says.

In terms of industry-specific functionality, this release features enhancements in the areas of: order entry, labor and machine utilization, back order management, and work-in-process quality management.

Also announced last week was SSA Talent Management 4.5, the latest piece of its human capital management (HCM) puzzle. The Java-based workforce management solution runs on Windows, Linux, and mainframe operating systems, and is typically targeted at mid size to large companies. Talent Management will integrate with any ERP products, and will be fully integrated with SSA's ERP LN (Baan) product by early next year, a company spokesperson said.