How much time should it take to apply a SP1 fix

themave

I have a 4.0 non-sp1 database and I have a known error that is fixed in SP1, but I am not ready to upgrade the whole database just to get this fix.

1) Transfer Orders are Doubled from the Requisition Worksheet.Transfer Orders have 2 lines created in the Transfer Order screen when you do a Carry-Out Action Message. (PS#6136)Codeunit 333

I have no modifications to Codeunit 333, anyone have an estimate on programing time it would take to apply just the fix to the 4.0 codeunit?

Looking to see if my solution center estimate is realistic or not
I do not have the application designer license so I can not access codeunits myself.

thanks for the help

ara3n

Well if it just one codeunit and you have not modified it. The first and easiest thing to do is load the codeunit 333 and replace the existing one. compaile it and and if it compiles then Compile everything in your database and see if any relate to CU 333. If not they you are done.
Test it in testing environment.

themave

unfortunately I don't have the license to try that.

they tell me there are major differences between the 4.0 and 4.0 sp1 codeunit 333. I can't verify that, since I don't have the application license so I can not view codeunits. They also say it is too complicated to try to just use the SP1 codeunit, it would be better to integrate the changes for my problem in the existing code unit. For that they estimate time required of 2 - 4 hours at $175/hour

My major problem here is it is a know bug. I pay for Microsofts maitenance fees. and it will still cost me $300 - 600 to fix a known bug.

And if I instead try to upgrade from 4.0 to 4.0 sp1, that cost will be around $10,000, so what is the microsoft maintenance covering and is my solution center hosing me.

Thanks

Alex_Chow

Microsoft covers the software itself. What you're paying your VAR is the labor involved on implementing the fix.

Like ara3n said, if you don't want to spend any money, just try to replace codeunit 333 from 4.0 SP1 and compile it. Test the program out, if it's okay, then you just saved yourself some money.

ara3n

Ok I tried what I had suggested to you.
I took a 4.0 database and loaded CU 333 SP1 into it compiled it. Got the following errors that had to fix.

before

      ReserveProdOrderComp.CreateReservation(
        ProdOrderComp,
        PurchLine.Description,
        PurchLine."Expected Receipt Date",
        ReservQty,
        '','');

after

      ReserveProdOrderComp.CreateReservation(
        ProdOrderComp,
        PurchLine.Description,
        PurchLine."Expected Receipt Date",
        ReservQty
        );

Had to comment out the following line in function PrintTransOrder

//CarryOutAction.PrintTransferOrder(TransHeader);

Looking at these changes. I would say it's worth doing the changes and TEST it thoroughly.

It took me less than 10 min. You should spend a couple of hours testing.

themave

I understand nothing is free, I understand I have to pay Microsoft to fine bugs fixes, and I under stand to actually get those bug fixes installed I have to pay my VAR additional money. I also understand I could just go for the gusto and install the code unit in a test company and test it and hope I don't miss anything.

But my question is - Is 2 - 4 hours a reasonable amount of time to do this one fix, which is documented and Microsoft has given the instructions on what to do to the var.

Personally I can not imagine that it could take more then .25 hour to determine what needed to be done and a half hour to do it. so to me, it seems more like .75 - 1 hour to complete, not 2 - 4 hours.

They have already charged me ½ hour time to give me the estimate. This is at $175/hour, so just to give an estimate of 2 – 4 hours I already have had to pay $131.25

Seems excessive to me.

ara3n

MSg me your email and I'll send you the fob for the object with changes.

Shenpen

which is documented and Microsoft has given the instructions on what to do to the var

This is not true. All documentation is a change log telling what errors were fixed, and usually a list of objects modified. The VAR has to 1) export all related objects to a text file 2) compare them with the new objects 3) decide what change is part of this issue and what changes are for another reasons 4) analyze and think and test a lot trying to find out that if they only apply this fix alone, will it break anything.

See, the point is that nothings really documented and there are no this-way-to-go signs, this stuff is called consulting because the majority of it consists of guesswork.

2-4 hours? An optimisitc guess. I would rather give 1 or 2 days. Of course you are right that actually it can be done in 0.75- 1 hours, actually even in a quarter of hour if one is really on the haste - but the all other time is needed to 101% bullet-proofly ensure that you won't chase 'em two months later with a large club yellin' "My data is completely messed up! You pay compensation!" ;D ;D Get the point? Yeah, this is the way it's working: 95% solution is half an hour, 100% solution is two days.

Eugene

"But my question is - Is 2 - 4 hours a reasonable amount of time to do this one fix"

The amount of time needed depends greatly on your consultants expertise level, experience solving similar/same problems in the past...

One way to reduce time requirements is open competition which in most(/all) cases requires opening the source code (making Object Designer or/and Developers Tool Kit available for everyone interested)

kine

2-4 is low. If you can, pay it. You can assume - 0,5 hour communication with you, 1 hour fixing, 1 hour testing - in ideal case. For me it can take much more to fix it, there can be hidden problems doing this "partial upgrade". The string of changes can be long (there is this new parameter in this function, but this parameter is filled with this modified codeunit, and this mod. codeunit is using this modified table, this table....) and you can end with whole upgrade to 4.00SP1.

Alex_Chow

Shenpen wrote:

...but the all other time is needed to 101% bullet-proofly ensure that you won't chase 'em two months later with a large club yellin' "My data is completely messed up! You pay compensation!" ;D ;D Get the point? Yeah, this is the way it's working: 95% solution is half an hour, 100% solution is two days.

From my experience, the customer will blame the VAR irregardless of whether customer made the mistake in coding or not.

Shenpen

Of course, but assigning enough time to the task can increase the chance of nobody making any mistake.