Our approach to any customer system is to help our clients optimize their key processes in both office and production areas and then provide tailorable systems to support those optimized processes. The following is an overview of how we accomplish this.

PD Setup – Saros business consultants and our clients use this facility to input the reporting structure, model key company processes, and input supporting “non production” data. Once the system is setup this facility is only used for changes in the process models or reporting structure. Any setup data that will be accessed often (like inventory for example) will be accessed and maintained directly from the main PD interface called PD View. Included in PD Setup are:

• Reporting Structure and Process Modeling – PD is unique in that virtually any repeatable process can be modeled and controlled. If a process changes the applicable process model is modified and then any new jobs created against this model will automatically be updated. This eliminates the need to maintain the individual part related routings and bills of materials common in traditional MRP systems.
  
• Saros Form Setup Utility – A unique facility that controls what header fields are displayed and allows total flexibility in what is displayed in the “spread sheet” area of PD forms. It can even control what data tables and fields are linked to forms making the addition of supplementary data tables and integration to 3rd party systems relatively easy with normally no code revisions. Form Setup saves a unique configuration for each needed user screen that allows the creation of many different screens without having to create code for each screen.
  
• PD Setup Input Forms – The numerous setup screens that are accessed within PD setup are just two forms in the code that display and collect data based on unique Form Setup configurations. This means that even the setup screens themselves can be modified for handling unique customer data and process requirements.
  
• PD View menu setup – PD includes numerous built in functions that can be accessed through the PD View application menu. This menu is tailorable for each reporting area specific to the job functions in that area. One of the built in functions allows setting up auxiliary data input screens using the Form Setup utility to design the configuration for this screen. Another function allows the invoking of Information Director (ID) macros (see below). Yet another function allows the launching of 3rd party applications that may be needed in a given reporting area.

Information Director Macros – Information Director which is integrated within the Process Director system includes a set of standard macros for controlling documents, populating data into Excel templates for reporting and “what if” data analysis, uploading data from Excel templates used as input forms, creating / modifying special functions within PD modules, sending automatic emails, interfacing with up to six databases, and importing data from other data sources. These macros are tailored to each customer’s unique requirements. Each macro is self contained meaning that debugging is confined only to the individual macro being created or revised. 

Saros Web Based Reporting – This is a configurable application that allows display of key report listings needed by remote employees, customers, and/or suppliers. 

Database Design – Saros has extensive experience with relational databases, having designed our own relational database systems and having worked extensively with Solomon IV and Great Plains accounting database conversions and customizations. Should we need to add auxiliary data tables to handle unique customer requirements we can do this quickly and efficiently and make them “seamless” to the user.

VBA Script and custom programming – Saros has extensive VBA Script, Visual Basic, and web application experience and can quickly and efficiently create new VBA Script macros used by Information Director and Microsoft Office products. Should an unusual need arise requiring a new or modified Saros VB or web based application we can quickly respond to provide this service.