Everest ERP Software

Everest ERP UPS Freight Rate Import Bug

2011-12-20T07:51:00.000-08:00

For those of you importing UPS rates into Everest via the Rate import utility provided by Everest. You will encounter a flaw in the import. It is not apparent until you start shipping international and more than 50lbs. What makes matter worst is that it works and does not work depending where the weights falls. First we must understand how Everest import the rates. Everest makes the assumption that every rate will be in increment of 1 lb. When in fact it does not. This is the case when it's an international rate. In the example below, you can see that UPS has increment of 2lbs for 50 and over. Note: They also change to 5 lbs increment for 100 lbs and above.

UPS Rate Table

But then you see that when Everest imports the rate from UPS, it makes an assumption that everything is in 1 lb increment. So you can clearly see that if a weight falls between, 74.01 to 75 lbs, it will not calculate the shipping rate, because it simply does not exist.

Everest Freight Rate Table

I did contact Everest before, I don't remember when, but it was a long time ago, but they have not recognize it as a bug at that time. Well it is a bug. But very simple to fix. All they have to evaluate the two rates and this way they won't make the wrong assumption. But that is Everest. So..... I am going to post the sql script to fix the problem.

Update fritrate
set docwtfrom=docwtto-1.99
where zonecode=634 and docwtfrom>50 and docwtfrom<100

Update Fritrate
set docwtfrom=docwtto-4.99
where zonecode=634 and docwtto>100

Replace the 634 with the appropriate zone. Remember this will only work for UPS format, others I do not know.

Brian
www.aimds.com

www.Speedtest.net vs. www.dslreport.net vs. command line

2010-11-15T21:52:00.000-08:00

This is a bit off the topic of Everest software discussion, but I just wanted to point out possible deceptiveness of www.speedtest.com. I recently received DSL service from True, ISP provider in Thailand, and when the technician test the DSL speed, they always refer to www.speedtest.com to display the result to all their customers. But I doubt the accuracy or the validity of their results. Within Thailand it seems to be accurate, but when you try to go outside of Thailand, I am really skeptical about the result. I've taken the test and posting the result in the picture below.

Note the Ping result, it's 30ms to respond from a server located in the USA. That is what made me suspicious about the truthfulness of the result. And looking at the speed, it's even more unbelievable. Just browsing the websites outside Thailand is very slow. But if you look at the result, it appears that it should be very fast.

So I took another step further and used a different site to test the speed. I went to www.dslreports.com to test the speed and here is the result.

As you can see the ping speed is a lot slower than what is reported on www.speedtest.net. And also the performance seems to be reflective of the actual web browsing experience I am having. But I know a lot of people would probably argue all sort of theory, so I took another test using just the simple command line function found in all Windows operating system. the PING function and here is what the result looked like.

Note the Ping time, it's nearly the same as www.dslreports.com. This is a built in function of Windows operating system and it's a direct test to the server in the US.

Conclusion: It appears that www.speedtest.net is deceptive in how they present their results and for a major company like True to use them as an authoritative measure of internet speed is bad business practice. Obviously, once they are caught, they will deny that they know anything about the faulty test result. I want to think about a deeper conspiracy, but would shy away from that now. I think company pay www.speedtest.net to come up with favorable speed result so that they can turn around and deceive their customers that their speed is fast as promise. But it's NOT. So be aware of ISP showing your speed test using this bogus site, for now it's bogus, unless someone can otherwise prove me wrong.

Crystal Report XI

2010-10-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

Crystal Report XI or 11 by Business Object is a very good solution for quick ad-hoc report. If you are in a crunch for timely report, this is the program to get. The cost of the product is worth it's weight in gold. I've been using it for many years now and have seen it grow from version to version. One notable feature with version XI is the ability to reference images and not have to embed it in to the report itself as an object. This is especially good for report that may have dynamic images on a page, like an order form that may include images of the product. Trying to embed all the images into it at once would be unheard of. The size of the report would grow so big and not to mention maintaining it.

You can easily reference:

Put an image object on to the worksheet.
Click Property
Select Picture Tab
And click on formula for Graphic Location
Once in there, you can enter any graphic location you want. It can be an URL, UNC directory, Physical Drive location.

The graphic setting location works fine when running from my desktop, but when deploying the report to a website, well that a whole different story. What I used was URL location as a reference for the image, but that will not work. I am not sure why, but I am not going to try to figure it out, but somehow the image will not show up when the report runs from the website. The only way for me to get it to work is to use UNC or Physical Address(ie. C:/). A little tip, if you are trying using the .net and trying to pass the parameter for UNC or Physical Address, you need to put an extra "\" on to the "\". Example: UNC "\\ComputerName\Directory\Image.jpg" when sending parameter to Crystal Report XI, you would form it as "\\\\ComputerName\\Directory\\Image.jpg.

Everest 5.0.2.5 with Paypal Paypro Flow 4.0

2009-12-01T14:35:00.000-08:00

As usual, Everest has several issues with their deployment procedures. When installing a new application server, be sure to install .Net Framework or Pay flow pro will not work. You may get the following message when processing ecommerce orders:

"PayFlow Pro files are missing OR not installed properly"

Everest just needs to include a script to perform a prerequisite check for all necessary components.

SDK 5.0.2.5

2009-09-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

Not sure what is going on with Everest, but I have a feeling that they rush this product out to meet the deadline for Paypal integration. But in doing so, have compromise the installation of SDK 5.0.2.5 If you run the API browser to obtain session key, you will notice that an error message will appear.

Could not login because there is version mismatch between the current version of your Everest application and the Everest business server
800200AE

The solution is to overwite the following dlls with the correct ones. You can contact me for it or contact Everest.

AIM Data Service

SDK 5.0.2.5 install failure

2009-09-23T08:54:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed when you try to install SDK 5.0.2.5 you are getting an error.

Apparently Everest must be missing some important object or it's corrupted. The work around that works is to download SDK 4.0.1 from the support website and install that first. Once that is done, then install SDK 5.0.2.5.

If anyone finds out a different way let me know.

There is yet another problem when running the SDK 5.0.2.5. It will give a mismatch error. Please read my next blog for the solution.

As of 3/14/2011, the problem still remains the same. I have a feeling that if you did a fresh install with 5.0.2.5, you will not have this problem. It's only when you upgrade from previous version. And that is why Everest does not see any problem with it.

Paypal Pro and Everest

2009-08-12T13:59:00.000-07:00

There is a confusion out there with all Everest Customers using the Everest Advanced product and Payflow Pro. As you know Paypal is upgrading it's Payflow Pro product for higher security. But Everest is requiring that all Everest user register their Paypal account with them in order to use the new 5.0.2.5 version. An excerpt is found below. It's a bit unusual as I am not sure why we would need to do that. It seems that Everest wants to link their client Paypal account with theirs, which I think can be a privacy issue.

So I asked an Account rep at Everest to confirm the requirement and found out that as of today, it's no longer needed.

Excerpt from Everest site 08/12/2009:

Will my existing Payflow Pro accounts be impacted?

Paypal’s announcement caught us by surprise along with many of our customers. We didn’t know how many customers were impacted so we had to use a survey to better understand the scale of the impact. To eliminate this scenario in the future, Everest has partnered with Paypal in order to provide a better customer experience and more comprehensive product communications. This partnership requires that Everest customers create new Payflow Pro account(s) in order to use Everest Advanced and the new Payflow Pro integration. You need to contact Everest to create the accounts. Existing accounts and new accounts created by Paypal or their other partners will not work with Everest Advanced. The new accounts will not change how customers use Payflow Pro.

RESOLUTION:

If you already have an existing Payflowpro processor, just change the processor type from "Payflow Pro(legacy)" to "Payflow Pro". Then in the host change it to "payflowpro.paypal.com"

Note: Make sure you have upgraded to 5.0.2.5 or else you won't see the option.

AIM Data Service

Everest acquired by Versata

2009-08-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

We knew it was coming but just didn't know when. In the past couple of months, Everest's poor performance was due to the fact that they were either running out of funds or they were ready to sell the company. Well I guess we found out today. I hope Versata will inject some needed management and mind set of the old Everest and continue to grow this product into a world class product.

Here is an excerpt from Everest. You can also read down below:

Versata Enterprises Acquires Everest Software
Acquisition of Business Management Software Leader Strengthens Versata’s Enterprise Portfolio

AUSTIN, TEXAS, August 7, 2009 - An affiliate company of Versata Enterprises, Inc. (Versata), a leading provider of enterprise software solutions, announced today the acquisition of Everest Software, Inc. (Everest), the leading provider of retail and wholesale business management software. Everest’s fully integrated business application suite, Everest®, addresses the challenges of growing small to medium businesses (SMBs) by allowing them to dramatically increase their efficiency and profitability with a solution that provides a remarkably rapid return on investment. Updata Advisors, Inc. acted as financial advisor to Everest on the transaction.

Versata has almost two decades of experience partnering with hundreds of large enterprises to enhance and simplify critical IT operations. The company maintains a persistent focus on decreasing customers’ IT spending by reducing hardware and associated maintenance, leveraging open source technology, and accelerating value delivery to business customers. As one of the only companies in the industry with a focus on total cost takeout, Versata has established a reputation as a true ally to the IT department.

The company will operate Everest as a stand-alone entity with a dedicated customer service and product team. Everest joins the Versata portfolio consisting of multiple enterprise software companies acquired and integrated over the past four years. Integration will begin with implementation of Versata’s Customer Success program, designed to emphasize Versata’s intense focus on successful customer relationships and alignment of product development investments with customer priorities.

“The acquisition by Versata provides an outstanding path forward for Everest’s customers and products,” said Edwin Miller, Everest’s CEO. “In the past two years Everest grew the top line of the Company 26% while simultaneously restructuring expenses by over 50% - all while consistently improving the customer experience. Through Versata’s highly respected Customer Success program, we will continue to build upon the past two years of consistent improvement. Everest will be a stronger company and in an even better position to be a leader in the SMB space.”

Versata veteran Danielle Royston will assume a leadership position for the Versata-Everest team. “Everest has one of the best customer bases in the industry and we're excited to work with those customers to help grow their top line and help cut their costs especially in today's challenging times. We will continue to work with Everest’s customers to enhance Everest and deliver even more value to their growing businesses. Edwin Miller and his team have done a great job of building an integrated business software company and we are excited to have them as part of the Versata family.”

About Everest Software, Inc.
Everest® Software, the leading software provider for retail and wholesale business, enables companies to manage every function of their business more effectively. This fully-integrated business management software addresses the challenges of growing SMBs. Everest Software is the proud winner of numerous awards including the SIIA Codie Award for “Best Business Software Product.” For more information, visithttp://www.everestsoftwareinc.com.

About Versata Enterprises, Inc.
With a global presence covering 45 countries, Versata Enterprises solves the most complex business problems for the world’s largest organizations. Versata Enterprises comprises a number of leading enterprise solution providers, including Versata, Inc., Artemis International Solutions Corporation, Nextance, Inc., Gensym Corporation, Clear Technology, Inc., Tenfold Corporation, eCora Software, Inc., Evolutionary Technologies, Inc. and AlterPoint, Inc. Versata distinguishes itself in the software industry by focusing on customer priorities as driven by value delivered. Versata’s market-leading Customer Success Program ensures customer involvement in product decisions and business priorities and provides twice-yearly opportunities for customers to score Versata’s performance against commitments. Versata’s world-class engineering capability ensures substantive and valuable product releases, thereby ensuring customer success. Versata also offers customers the opportunity to leverage Versata’s global efficiency by offering a menu of services to help customers lower the cost of technology services across the enterprise. Versata’s relentless focus on customer priorities, coupled with an unmatched global engineering capability, provides Versata customers continuous innovation and repeatable value propositions. For more information, visit http://www.versata.com.

About Updata Advisors
Based in New York, New York and Reston, Virginia, Updata Advisors is a leading investment bank specializing in mergers, acquisitions, private placements, fairness opinions and corporate restructurings for the information technology industry. Since 1987, the firm has advised on over $15 billion in transactions for application and infrastructure software, internet, security and IT services companies. For more information, visit http://www.updataadvisors.com.

AIM Data Service

CA Resale License Verifier

2009-08-03T21:45:00.000-07:00

The state of California requires that each company collect the proper sales tax for all merchandise sold in California. Exempt customers must have a valid license when the transaction occurs. With the AIM Resale License verifier you will be able to check on all the licenses on file to ensure that they are still active. Some of the features are:

Date the license was checked on.
Automatically deactivating Exempt status from Customer profile.
Check sales Document for the status keeping a due diligence on the licenses.
and more....

If interested, please contact sales@aimds.com for more information.

Client: Decky Company, Rapid Dominance, Vol Apparel

AIM Data Service Everest Shipping Worksheet

2009-08-03T20:53:00.000-07:00

Ever wished that your Everest software can calculate Oversized Surcharge or Large Size surcharge. Avoiding those overcharge from UPS at the end of every month. If your system is not calculating the shipping charge based on dimensional weight, it's time to look at "AIM Shipping Worksheet 1.0" for your answer.

The standard Everest shipping estimator utility that comes with Everest only provides calculation based on weight alone and does not take into account dimensional weight or oversize surcharge causing undercharged calculation for shipping. As a result the company undercharges the customer and ends up paying for UPS chargebacks. This can amount into Thousands of Dollar in unplanned shipping cost and lower profit margin.

AIM Data Service, an Everest solution integrator and business consultant, has the answer to your shipping problem. Our software integrate seemlessly with your Everest software. Utilizing Everest SDK product we are able to provide a more robust shipping calculation solution. It's customizable for your business needs. Some of the features include:

Fuel Surcharge
COD Calculation
Option to include COD into the shipping charge or as a separate Non-Inventory Item.
Residential Surcharge detection
Automatically calculates and insert charges for Oversized Item.
Automatically calculates and insert charges for items larger than 60".
Provides accurate calculation for nestable items.
"Pack Separate" Item Wizard. Automatcally calculate shipping charges for items that must be packed separately.
Calcualtes Canadian shipping charges based on Canadian Zip Code.
And many more....

The AIM Shipping Worksheet provides the most accurate shipping calculation saving you time and money. Providing your customers with consistent shipping charge and avoiding over charging or under charging your customer. If interested, please contact sales@aimds.com for more information.

Client: National Gym Supply

Sales Rate Import Misstep

2009-07-21T16:26:00.001-07:00

SALES RATE IMPORT ERROR

Client: National Gym Supply
Sales Rate import does not import weight correctly. It only imports in an increment of 1. This is an excerpt from a UPS Rate table. First Column is the weight as it is setup in UPS.

All the numbers to the right of the first column is the charges. But this is irrelevant.

46 46.40 48.40 53.55 63.85 66.95 72.55

47 47.15 49.10 54.35 64.85 68.15 73.90

48 47.90 49.95 55.30 65.85 69.40 75.30

49 48.70 50.75 56.00 66.80 70.15 76.20

50 49.50 51.50 56.95 67.75 71.40 77.55

52 51.00 52.80 58.40 69.25 73.10 79.80

54 52.40 53.90 59.80 70.60 75.25 81.65

56 53.70 55.10 61.20 72.00 77.30 83.90

58 54.80 56.00 62.60 73.45 79.30 86.10

60 56.00 56.95 64.00 74.80 81.35 88.30

As you can tell, Everest Freight rate import has no problem inserting weight that is in increment of "1". But notice weight after 50 becomes an increment of "2". This is where the problem is. The rate import will skip and bring in 52 as 51.01 to 52, basically omitting 51.01-51. The program must be assuming that everything is in the increment of "1" when it should actually start the weight from previous weight to current weight. So if it's 52, then it should import as 51.01-52.0 This becomes apparent when the product weight 51lbs. As that is not in the boundry. Causing the freight to be miscaclulated.

July 22, 2009 Everest Responded with the following:
*******************************
"The program has been written keeping in the mind way the rate file is published by UPS and FedEx.
We reviewed the samples we have from UPS and all of them have the weights defined in the sequential order and in increments of 1.

If you recevied the files which are not in the same order then most likely the formats have been changed.

Please send us the file which are in increments of more than 1 and we will have our Product
Management team review and decide on the next steps."
*********************************
Provided them with the link to UPS and as of Aug 6, 2009 still waiting on their solution.

Brian Chow

Everest Software Consultant.
www.aimds.com

Everest SDK 5.0.2.1 Failing

2009-07-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

SDK Error on Everest 5.0.2.1

When running the API Object Browser and trying to open a session. We are getting the following error:

Could not login because there is version mismatch between the current version of your Everest application and the Everest business server
800200AE

Tried updating the SDK getting error trying to install it. Would not us install SDK patch for 5.0.2.1

I've uninstalled SDK completely and ran the following install:

1. Everest Advanced SDK 5.0.1.msi
2. 5.0.2(08052008)
3. Ran the SDK patch found in 2544217_5.0.2.1.09058.CumulativePatch.zip but returns with ta message:

"Currently you have a lower version of Everest SDK installed. Please upgrade your Everest to 5.2027.000000.227.00000.227.00000 version and then apply this Update. Setup will Terminate now."

We are ready to implement SDK on Everest, but are now getting the following error. Will post an image as well. The custom SDK application works on the development machine but is not responding the same on our Dev-e5 server.

"oSession.Open:Retriving the COM clas factory for component with CLSID{D492928A-61BC-41BD-AEB1-B748DCA80277] failed due to the following error: 80040154. Can Open Session"

Tried solving the problem by installing SDK on to the server but SDK will not install. But running SDK solution normally does not require the server to have SDK installed.

Findings:

The version numbers did not match properly because of a faulty designed upgrade patch.

Solution:

Everest finally provided a complete install package for 5.0.2.1. They have the patch but you will need to request it from Everest Techsupport.

www.aimds.com

Everest Software Free shipment setup does not work

2009-06-18T18:42:00.000-07:00

Open bug report for Everest

Client: Decky Company, Rapid Dominance, Vol Apparel

If you are trying to setup free shipment through Everest, you can not. So Everest free shipping setup is actually not free. When setting up ship rate for free shipping, the system does not recognize that the freight charge of $0.00. The work around is to put 0.0001. If you do not do this, then the shipping will not calculate correctly. As a matter of fact, it will not show up at all. This is not acceptable as it may cause other rounding off errors.

Everest finding:
Tried it on my test system in Everest V5.0.2.2 it was working fine even after providing the 2 decimal accuracy in rates it showes correctly in Everest.

Work Around:
Put .0001 in the document freight charge.

www.aimds.com

Calculating UPS shipping charge for Canada in Everest

2009-06-18T17:20:00.000-07:00

Canadian Zipcode does not follow the numeric sequence like the United States.

Example:

Canadian Zipcode format: Alpha-Numeric-Alpha Numeric-Alpha-Numeric. i.e.: V4G 1A3

United States Zipcode format: All Numeric i.e.: 90000

So you can not use Everest to calculate shipping rate. Everest calculates shipping rate based on number between starting and ending zipcode sequence. However with the introduction of Everest SDK, we are able to now include Canadian Postal Code into the Freight Estimator. AIM Data Service has developed a Freight worksheet that is more robust than the standard Everest supplied Freight Estimator.

The Everest Freight Estimator does a decent job of getting estimated weight, but does not account for what UPS consider additional Surcharge. Nor does it account for items that has to be broken down into different shippment. If you are using UPS often, you will be in for a surprise when you get your bill from Everest and notice that you maybe under charging your customer or worst paying for the extra expense out of your pocket.

AIM Shipping Worksheet enables you to:

Exclude certain items from the shippment estimation.
Account for Dimensional Weight.
Get accurate weight for nested items.
Surcharge for Package longer than 60 in.
Surcharge for Oversized Package.
Automatic selection of Residential Charge.
Automatic selection of C.O.D. Charge.

AIM Data Service

www.aimds.com

Everest Software Wrong Shipping Calculation

2009-06-16T17:25:00.000-07:00

Everest Software Bug Report.

Possible bug found with Weight and Freight Estimator. When Weight of a product is greater than 2 decimal point to the right Freight estimator ignores weight for multiple of 12.

1. Enter 0.333 or 0.3333 for weight in the item profile.
2. Add the item with the weight to a Sales Doc and enter multiple of 12's(12,24,36) into the quantity.
3. Use Everest Freight Estimator or Web based "Shipping Calculator", the weight of the item will be ignored. Causing freight not to be charged for the item. This can cause under charging of the freight charge.

AIM Data Service
www.aimds.com

Everest Finding:

This is with reference to the issue related Everest freight rates were not getting calculated when
the weight goes beyond 4 decimals. According to the update I have got from Technical team Everest does support only 2 decimal weight accuracy. When they weight gets calculated to 4 decimal there might be a chance were it will not Calculate correctly.

Kinldy reduce decimal accuracy to 2 decimal.

Corrective Actions Needed:

This is a definate bug in the program. What is happening is that the rate import program in Everest is creating starting weight and ending weight that is not consistent between the different shipping method. Sometimes it creates 1.01 to 2.00 and sometimes it creates 1.00 to 1.99. So when the total weight falls between these ranges, it will not work.

Everest refuse to see it as a bug. If weight can not be calculated for decimal accuracy greater than two, then the weight value in item profile should be limited to only 2 decimal digit accuracy. Otherwise people will inadvertently make the mistake. Righ now the weight profile in Everest allows 6 digit decimal accuracy.

Everest Software Zone Detail Bug

2009-06-16T17:24:00.000-07:00

Open Bug Report for Everest Software.

When creating Zone Detail, user can not select Zones Code if the there are more than one of the same zonecode.

The following messages comes up:

"Cannot Focus a disabled or invisible window"

Try creating a new Zone Detail and choose Zone code="Free MSRP SHIP" (ZoneCode=0)

This is a known bug since

AIM Data Service
www.aimds.com