Frustration, frustration, despite a go live date for our upgraded system of 6/3/2002 the date of the last ISTUG meeting at IBM Warwick we have been beset with a variety of problems. Guess when the next go live date was, correct 12/6/2002 I think there is a conspiracy to keep me away from meetings.

Perhaps in the circumstances, just as well. But I will give you the details of what we have achieved, and the frustrations we have suffered along the road of getting there. Keep watching this space.

I would like to thank Jim Wigmore the Technical Director of ISTUG for holding the fort in my absence, and thank ISTUG in general for some well directed support. Further thanks must go to both Jim and Carine Kriegenhofer of SES (that's them in the picture) for all the unseen effort which goes into arranging our meetings, booking rooms, organising catering, and all the other logistics required for a successful meeting to take place.

Our other Special Interest Groups (SIGs) continue to beaver away with our Distribution SIG (DSIG) recently holding a very successful Awareness Day on SOP/POP, our Finance SIG (FSIG) will be doing something very similar on General Ledger and General Ledger Reporting in the Autumn - watch out for the details.

I am also delighted to see that SES appear to be taking a more proactive approach to the existence of the user group and actually telling new customers of our existence. The user group is often asked to provide information to members of the reseller channel as part of their responses to prospective customers, we hope this will result in both new customers and new members. I believe all this to be due to the fact that the user group is now perceived by all, as a responsible, well managed, and mature organisation.

As always can I once again remind you, it is your user group, we try always to deliver what you want, but you do need to tell us - we are still working on the technique of reading minds.

This event held at SES Winnersh on 15th May was hosted by our Distribution Special Interest Group (DSIG) with the presentation being given by Roger Fluery from reseller CPiO. The picture shows Stephen Luff - Chairman of DSIG with Jim Wigmore and Roger Fluery at the start of the event.

We always knew that we were going to cover a lot of ground in the time scale allowed, and a fairly blistering pace was maintained throughout.

All who attended learnt something, with many not being aware of the enhanced versions of both SOP and POP and what these could deliver beyond the basic modules. The effects of changing system keys was covered in some detail, along with the relationships of combinations of system keys - we all want something different, and the system should be capable of delivering it.

Some very useful insights were given into the additional facilities that could be turned on by making use of some of the projects. Roger produced a chart of the projects associated with both modules - those with access to the members club will be able to look this up online.

Rogers product knowledge was superb, and the manner in which information was given was both clear and concise - those with access to the Members Club can view his presentation online, and make all the links to the ancillary information that has been produced either as a part of, or as the result of this presentation.

Roger fielded a lot of questions both during, and after, the various elements of his presentations, and was given a very well deserved vote of thanks at the end.

DSIG in subsequent meetings have already indicated they may wish to re-visit some aspects of this subject and cover the chosen items in much greater detail, we look forward to fulfilling their wishes at a later date.

View the presentation online.