This page contains answers to common questions handled by our support
staff, along with some tips and tricks that we have found useful and presented here as
questions.
If the FAQ does not help you solve the problem you are having, then click on the
"Problem Report" button on the left. This will help you email us an urgent
request for assistance.
Note: In these answers we will follow a few shorthand conventions for
describing user-interface procedures. Key combinations will be presented like this: Ctrl+Alt+Delete,
which means that you should press and hold down the Control key, the Alt key, and the
Delete key at the same time. Menu selections will be presented like this: File->Open,
which means that you should open the File menu, and then make the Open selection.
- Why is ERPlite substantially less expensive than its competition?
- Trouble downloading ERPlite?
- Is it necessary to have Microsoft Access installed?
- Please explain SiteCodes and SiteKeys ?
- Can I get an evaluation copy of ERPlite?
- Can I get a CD-ROM copy of ERPLite?
- Why is ERPlite substantially less expensive than the competition?
- Can I view CAD drawings of parts?
- How many users does the multiuser version of ERPlite support?
- What is the minimimum hardware recommended to run ERPlite?
- Do you want to use ERPlite over a dial-up Modem?
- Will I need to customize ERPlite?
- What kind of technical support can I expect?
- Do I have to reenter my current data?
- Can I download ERPlite?
- How do I get ERPlite enabled?
- Windows Networking?
- How do I customize ERPlite?
- Is there an MRP module in basic ERPlite?
- Is there a size limit to Partnumbers?
- Can I track multiple serial numbers per line item?
- Are Purchase Order Revisions tracked by rev?
- Is there a transaction history log(audit trail) for inventory changes?
- Is there a customer service module that tracks product
(and serial number) to the customer?
- Is there barcode support?
You do not need a separate copy of Microsoft Access at all to use ERPlite. Our download page
has a version of ERPlite which includes a runtime copy of Microsoft Access. If you need to
customize reports, labels, forms etc, then you will need a full copy of Microsoft Access
but only for the user that does the customization.
ERPlite uses encrypted Sitekeys to enable the software and options. Through this
mechanism, the same copy of ERPlite can be enabled from 30 days upto unlimited time. As,
well optional modules, like the Quickbooks Link, can be disabled if the customer does not wish to
buy the option. ERPlite is downloaded with a Sitekey that disables all software except the
authorizaton module. The authorization module writes a unique digital signature on your
PC's harddisk and computes a unique encrypted SiteCode. You email this SiteCode to
support@erplite.com. Support computes an encrypted SiteKey enabling the agreed to options
(everything enabled for 30 days is the default). Support then emails you this unique
Sitekey. You copy and paste it into ERPlite, and complete the authorization process, thus
enabling your version of ERPlite
You can download a 30 day, multiuser, evaluation copy of ERPlite from
our website: www.erplite.com >
downloads. If you want to evaluate multiuser functionality, then
simply download an evaluation copy of ERPlite for each PC. See www.erplite.com
> Tech Support > KnowledgeBase > Multiuser installation tutorial for
instructions on sharing data between all users.
When you purchase ERPlite, we simply give you a new sitekey that enables
the options that you have purchased. Any data that you have entered is not
lost and does not have to be reentered.
Microsoft Access saves changes only at certain events(like close the form). We have
added triggered saves to save the data more frequently. You can trigger the early
refreshing of data in a number of ways: Click refesh on the View menu; on a multirecord
form, toggle ahead(or back) one record. Then, the data will be saved and the next
transaction will include it.
A. The data in Reports is generated by an Access Query. Often, these queries have filters
to delete unwanted data. For example, the Inventory Valuation reports are filtered to
prevent showing items that have no value. That can be because the quantities are zero, or
the standard cost is zero. If the standard cost is incorrectly set at zero dollars, change
it in the ItemMaster. Check the UserManual for a detailed list of all filters. This will
help you diaganose and fix the root cause.
B. ERPlite assumes dates in the form M/dd/yy. Some regional windows
settings (ie Canadian English default defines dates as dd/mm/yyyy.) The
solution, not suprisingly, is to make configure the date format to M/dd/yy via
Regional settings in Windows.
First, the item to be exploded must be a parent "manufactured" assembly with
child items. Also, if any of the child items are blank records or have 0 quantities, the
explosion will not work properly.
The ERPlite Data Quality Check(switchboard > Admin. > Data Quality
Check) is designed to highlight and fix most data issues that will prevent a
full BOM explosion.
Downloading large files like ERPlite over the internet can be unreliable sometimes. Try
some or all of the following:
1. Disable idle period timeout in your PC.
Note that downloading of large files over the internet may fail due to idle period
timeouts on your PC. We recommend disabling the Win95/98 timeout (Start->Control
Panel->Settings->Internet->Connection->Settings-> unclick Disconnect if
idle for x minutes).
2. Shareware Download Managers.
Shareware, like Netpal and Rascal, are widely available (www.zdnet.com) to add periodic
pinging to your dial up networking software.
As well, sharware Download Managers, like GetRight (www.zdnet.com), can recover from
disconnects and resume downloading automatically.
3. Be patient
Downloading ERPlite can take up to an hour or more on dialup internet
connections depending on network traffic etc.
Yes, a CD-ROM copy of ERPLite can be shipped to you (www.erplite.com >
Pricing). But if
you have a copy of Access, then downloading the evaluation version of ERPLite is free. If
you are having trouble downloading, see the FAQ on downloading.
If you don't have a copy of Access, the version of ERPlite that includes Access runtime
is quite large (20MB), and can take a few hours to download. Then the CD may be attractive
for evaluation purposes. Keep in mind that ERPlite is supported over the internet , thus
we encourage you to download. For example, we issue a new release of ERPlite approximately
every three weeks. Thus, while your CD is in the mail, it is likely that a better version
of ERPlite is released.
By selling, distributing and supporting ERPlite over the internet, substantial overhead
and middlelayer costs are totally eliminated
ERPlite is designed for small companies, with limited resources. It is easy to learn,
implement and use. Thus, even if you need to outsource part of the implementation, the
consulting fees will be an order of magnitude lower than our competition.
ERPlite is very flexible and easy to use. Thus, you will not need a bureaucratic army,
highly trained in the esoteric MRP arts, to use it to run your business effectively.
You will be up and running in days rather than the serveral weeks norm of market
The itemmaster and the ECO module store hyperlinks to CAD drawings. As long as
an appropriate viewer is installed, then it will be opened automatically to view the drawing.
Most CAD companies provide viewers. Also there are inexpensive 3rd part products that
provide a viewers that can displayt he most common formats. For example...
Actify's "3D View 3.5" is a CAD/CAM viewer for Windows.
where No CAD system or translation required.
View, Measure and Markup the following native formats:
IGES 2D/3D,
CATIA,
Pro/E,
SolidWorks,
Solid Edge,
Parasolid (UG),
IDEAS,
Mechanical Desktop,
Autodesk DWG/DXF,
SAT,
STL,
VDA-FS,
VRML 1.0/2.0
3DStudio and
ISO G-Code
3D View is a very useful tool for anyone that needs to
visualize, measure and markup 3D CAD/CAM models without
being required to have access to or know how to use a
full featured CAD/CAM system. It makes it easy for a
designer to share their work with many non-CAD
users (customers, suppliers, managers, sales marketing
and other engineers.
Try It. A full featured trial is available at:
http://www.Actify.com
Onhand and Available to Promise inventory counts are computed by adding physical counts and inventory
transactions that occure after the physical count data set in the My Company Information Form (switchboad >
Admin > My Company Information). If the Physical count date is set later in time than the transaction that
should have changed the inventory count then the count change will not occur. The solution is to set the Physical Count
date earlier than the transaction (or vice versa).
The basic version ERPlite is built on the Microsoft Access JET database engine, which provides
good performance upto 30 to 40 concurrent users, depending on the mix of users. For larger numbers of
concurrent users, ERPlite can be upgraded to replace JET with SQLserver.
Any Windows PC (95,98,NT,2000,XP).
You can use software such as Carbon Copy, PC anywhere,
Netmeeting or NT Terminal Server to use ERPlite over a slow connection such as
a 56k modem.
Then look no further than ERPlite's Inventory Transfer
form. The Inventory Transfer form is the Swiss Army knife for
transferring from any location to any other, refer to the User Manual for more details...
Back to Top
Corruption is usually caused when the PC is powered down, with
ERPlite still running.
Corruption can be in the backend or the frontends.
Frontend corruption is 5 times more likely than backend corruption (probably
because there are a lot more client PC's that may get turned off or
rebooted).
Frontend Corruption
To clear frontend corruption, reinstall ERPlite from our
website onto the client PC's and the server. However, if your
frontend has been customized do not attempt the cleaning procedure above,
contact our support staff at hari@erplite.com
or support@erplite.com.
Backend Corruption
To clear backend corruption, you must import the corrupt
backend into a blank database. Here's how:
1. Make a copy of the backend, and name it DbM_be_old.mdb.
2. Open Microsoft Access
3. Create a "Blank Database", and save it as
db1.mdb.
4. Open the Blank Database.
5. Click "get external data", then
"import".
6. Import the corrupt database (i.e DbM_be_old)
7. Select all: tables, queries, forms, reports, modules,
macros.
8. Click Ok
9. Rename db1.mdb to DbM_be.mdb, and paste it into the backend
folder.
If the problem still exists, then you need to upload the
backend to us via XDrive so that we can repair it, for additional information
please email our support staff at support@erplite.com
or hari@erplite.com
Back to Top
80% of our customers use ERPlite as is, but they have
the option to change anything anytime, even if erplite.com inc ceased to exist.
Back to Top
Our knowledgebase (www.erplite.com > tech support) is available free 7*24.
You get 30 days of free email/telephone support from date of purchase. After that
you pay per support incident (ie you only pay when you need help). We also provide
onsite training. See Pricing on our homepage for the current costs.
Back to Top
We have yet to find a source of data that could not easily
be imported into ERPLite, and in most cases data can be exported to the 3rd party
application. Excel, Access, dbf, IIF, csv, txt, Lotus, Agile, Quickbooks, Peachtree, and many more file
types can be easily imported. Parts lists, BOMs, Customers and Vendor Addresses, PO's
SO's, barcode data and more. Automated importing/exporting is optionaly available for Quickbooks, Peashtree,
and Agile.
Back to Top
To download ERPlite: www.erplite.com > Downloads. We prefer
that you download, because it is efficient for you and us. If you are having
downloading problems,see a FAQ item above for help or email or phone us. If
downloading is impossible, then we can mail you a CD-ROM (for a fee).
Back to Top
ERPlite and all of its optional modules can easily be enabled by email or phone
via an encrypted sitekey. Email will be responded to within minutes during regular business hours.
Back to Top
Yes, Windows or Novell.
Back to Top
YOu need basic Microsoft Access change skills. Any of the Access for "Dummies" type
books will give you the skills that you need. Since Microsoft Access is taught in the colleges in
your neighbourhood, there will be plenty of local skilled people that you can easily modify ERPlite.
Also, we will quote on doing customization for you.
Back to Top
Yes, thee is a siimple MRP tool called MRPWhatIf? in basic ERPlite. MRPWharIf?
computes parts shortages for a single product or assembly. Quickplan is an optional full MRP tool for ERPlite which suggests
PO and WO quantities to meet demand for Sales Orders, Work ORders and a forecast. The suggested PO's and WO's can
be automatically implemented or they can be modified and implemented. MRPlitePlanner is a optional companion tool to
ERPlite that provides the Quickplan funcitonality plus capacity planning based on routing lists.
Back to Top
50 alphanumeric characters.
Back to Top
Basic ERPlite tracks as many serial numbers as will fit in 50 characters all the
way to the customer location. ERPlitePro tracks an unlimited number of serial numbers per line item.
Back to Top
In Basic ERPlite PO rev's are traced in the notes. ERPlitePro provides auto rev
tracking of Purchase Orders.
Back to Top
Yes, the Transaction history log can be printed out or exported at any time.
Back to Top
Yes, and the RMA module can be used to authorize and track the return materials..
Back to Top
Barcodes can be read from any wedge type barcode wand or downloaded from any portable
barcode reader. A turorial is provided on how to do barcode data collection.
Back to Top
