Navision Retail Multiple Locations...

johnnyc313

Hi,

I was looking for the best way to network 24 shops based throughout the country? Should all shops work locally and sync at the end of the day, or should they all connect to a central server?

If they should work locally, what is the best method of synchronising, and if a central server what is the best way to connect them all?

We have just completed a job where the client had 3 sites, 2 of them use TS to login to a server at head office. I don't think this is the best way, but I am new to Navision and I'm looking for advice before I take it to my boss.

Thanks in advance for any help...

kine

If you want to use Navision on all sites, you will need TS or Citrix to connect to one Server. Navision is On-Line system and do not like off-line connections or synchronizations. Of course, there are solution for this... but it depend on how much money you want to spend and what are you expecting from the system (for example on-line system has problem if you connection to server is lost)

Dakkon

Landsteinar http://www.landsteinar.com/ has a solution that fits exactly this scenario. Their infostore solution has a multistore module that offers varying levels and times for synchronization depending on customer preference. It's worth checking out.

Shenpen

... and LS training on Iceland is necessary, as the documentation is quite bad.
There are some secret magics (for example, if you use SQL, setup a native database a replication server) that are not documented.

An online solution depends on the quality of the ISP. I know one retail network here wants to sue their ISP for more than an hours of downtime every day...

DenSter

No Landsteinar people will come to the job for training. They are actually very good about that. It is not necessary to go to Iceland.

Shenpen

Isn't that more expensive that way?

Dakkon

I would suggest offline with daily synchronizations. Read up on the infostore literature, it should describe most of the options and give you an idea of whether it will suit your needs.

aztecconsulting

We worked with Landsteiner to setup our solution. We have 22 stores with 3-4 registers at each. The registers or tills connect to a primary at each store and then they communicate back to a head office system. We are using native navision databases at the stores and a SQL server here at the head office. From our other retail systems I expected some more control and exposure on the data being replicated but it's a working solution. I am sure the Professionals at Landsteiner or other NSCs here in the states can assist you.

vanrofi3

I had some experience with the infostore.
The product is fine...if you have more than enough money, an overloaded IT departement and can live with their arrogance thinking they're the best...

I have a better feeling with Smartretail, a product of Austria.
It's not that expensive, easier to install, setup and maintain. These guys can give you a webdemo. I haven't worked with them yet, but the contacts and demo were promising!

Just don't think that Infostore is the only solution...

shanna1

Hi Shenpen!

Please can you give me those secrets magics or tips from ls retail. I'm trying to understand how its woks but the documentation as you said "is quite bad"

Thanks.

Shenpen wrote:

... and LS training on Iceland is necessary, as the documentation is quite bad.
There are some secret magics (for example, if you use SQL, setup a native database a replication server) that are not documented.

An online solution depends on the quality of the ISP. I know one retail network here wants to sue their ISP for more than an hours of downtime every day...