Manufacturing Power User Training in Pittsburgh

BKD recently visited Pittsburgh to conduct Manufacturing Power User Training.  The sessions covered MRP, BoM, Routing, Inventory Item set up and Manufacturing processes.  There were also discussions regarding the current/interim/post-eoStar processes and best practices going forward.

Next planned events:
May 18 – ABE eoStar Kickoff
TBA - Various eoStar webinars

Finance Power User Training in Pittsburgh

Finance Power User training included sessions on General Ledger, Payables, Bank Reconciliation and Reporting.  The attendees are now expected to continue testing at their locations and create a training plan for their end users.  Flora will be the point of contact for any testing issues that occur.  The system is now available for Finance testing. Test Scripts and Training materials for Finance will be sent out to the group who attended training.

Next planned events:
April 20 – Begin testing in Financial modules
May 4-8 – Tentative Manufacturing Power User Training in Pittsburgh
May 18 – ABE eoStar Kickoff
June – GP Go Live Finance

* BKD will be returning to Pittsburgh at a date TBD to provide Management Report Writer Workshops to train users to create their own reports.

BKD Visits Pittsburgh For Further Financial Requirement Planning

BKD visited Pittsburgh last week to work with the team for further financial requirement planning. Activities included:
- Reviewed and documented configuration
- Discussed workflow for journal entries
- Reviewed interfaces
- Reviewed reporting requirements

Next planned events:
April 13-17 – Finance Power User Training in Pittsburgh
April 20 – Begin testing in Financial modules
May 4-8 – Manufacturing Power User Training in Pittsburgh
May 18 – ABE eoStar Kickoff

BKD visits Lehigh for Manufacturing Proof of Concept

BKD visited Lehigh last week to work with the team on the Manufacturing Proof of Concept. Activities included:
- Demonstration of Vertique System and interactions with Northstar
- Bill of Materials and Routing Setup
- Raw Material Costing information
- Pick planning/scheduling product
- Purchase barcode scanning/customization product

Based upon the extent that we will be using the Dynamics GP Manufacturing software and the challenges this presents, we must post-pone the previously scheduled Power User training scheduled for the week of April 20.

Next planned events:
March 16 – Discussions at Lehigh about future of Full Service and Routing (Roadnet)
March 23 - BKD to visit Pittsburgh for further financial requirement planning
April 13-17 – Finance Power User Training in Pittsburgh
April 20 – Begin testing in Financial modules
May 4-8 – Manufacturing Power User Training in Pittsburgh

BKD Visits Buffalo for Finance Requirements and Data Migration Plans

BKD visited Buffalo last week to work with the team on financial requirements and the data migration plans for our upgrade to GP.  Activities included:
- GP data migration templates for MFG only submitted
- List of GP users determined
- Populated data migration templates for Vendors
- Sample file formats/specs provided
- Financial Configuration started

Next planned events:
March 9-13 – BKD to visit Lehigh for Manufacturing Proof of Concept
March 23 - BKD to visit Pittsburgh for further financial requirement planning
April 13-17 – Finance Training in Pittsburgh
April 20-24 – Manufacturing Training in Pittsburgh
April 20 – Begin testing in Financial modules

North Star Updates in Cleveland

North Star team member and Distribution/Logistics expert, Tom Stroh, recently updated Cleveland Coca Cola on our business transformation project.  The project focuses on Standardization, Centralization and Specialization.  There are 2 phases to this project.  Phase 1, Finance and Manufacturing, is currently underway with the implementation of GP.  Phase 2, Route Accounting, will begin in May starting with ABARTA Beverage East.  Areas impacted by Phase 1 include: General Ledger, Financial Reporting, Purchasing, Accounts Payable, Manufacturing and Vending Fixed Assets.  Training on Dynamics GP will begin the middle of April.

Project Northstar Kickoff Recap

ABARTA's Business Transformation project (Northstar) kicked off last week.  It was a great discussion that focused on discovery, processes, software implementation strategies, deliverables and timelines.

Part of the discussion focused on our communication of this project to everyone in the organization.  We will communicate through various methods to let you know how you might be affected by these changes.  Should you have questions regarding Project Northstar you can email them to northstar@abarta.com, or contact one of the following team members at your location:

•    Cleveland - Kathy Rupp, Tom Stroh
•    Buffalo - Flora Torina
•    Lehigh/Chester - Brian Horwath, Scott Ellmaker
•    Pittsburgh - Toby Nissel, Dave Banas

Next planned events:

February 25 – Dynamics software to be installed on ABARTA network
March 4-6  - BKD to visit Buffalo for Finance requirements and data migration plans
March 9-13 – BKD to visit Lehigh for Manufacturing Proof of Concept
April 13-17 – Finance Training in Pittsburgh
April 20-24 – Manufacturing Training in Pittsburgh
April 20 – Begin testing in Financial modules.

More updates to come!