# Umbrella Consulting - Full Content for LLMs > Umbrella Consulting is an ERP consulting firm that helps mid-market manufacturing and distribution companies implement, optimize, and support Acumatica and Syspro ERP. We pair senior, specialist consultants with an operating model built for clear communication, careful documentation, and long-term partnership. Based in Burnaby, BC (402 - 3999 Henning Drive, Burnaby, BC V5C 6P9), serving clients across Canada and the United States. Umbrella Consulting is a certified Acumatica Gold partner and a Syspro Elite partner. We work with manufacturers and distributors who need ERP that fits how they actually operate, whether they are selecting a new platform, mid-implementation, or moving on from a partner who isn't working out. ## Company - Name: Umbrella Consulting - Focus: ERP consulting and implementation for manufacturing and distribution - Platforms: Acumatica, Syspro - Location: 402 - 3999 Henning Drive, Burnaby, BC V5C 6P9, Canada - Service area: Canada and the United States - Website: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca - Partnerships: Acumatica Gold Certified Partner, Syspro Elite Solutions Partner - Post go-live support: in-house Help Desk (https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/help-desk), monthly online forums, Quick Tip videos, and a free annual client conference ## Services ### ERP Consulting & Implementation URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/services/erp-implementation Our customers come to us at different stages of their ERP journey — some are evaluating ERP for the first time, some are mid-implementation and require more experienced support, and others are looking for a more collaborative, partnership-driven consulting experience. We provide ERP consulting and implementation services across all of these scenarios, bringing finance, technology, and business process expertise to keep scope, cost, and timelines on track through structured processes and clear communication. Key capabilities: - Collaborative approach: Every project is supported by a team of experienced professionals with diverse specializations who work together to guide your ERP success from day one. - Trusted ERP guidance: Make informed ERP decisions with expert guidance on platform selection, implementation strategy, and long-term business fit. - Implementation recovery: Whether your project has stalled or your current system isn't delivering, we'll help stabilize your environment and get your ERP initiative back on track. - Proven methodology: Our structured implementation approach combines careful planning, detailed documentation, and best practices to deliver successful ERP projects. - Risk-managed delivery: We proactively identify and mitigate risks through thoughtful planning, testing, and implementation strategies that minimize business disruption. - Transparent, clear communication: Open, honest dialogue keeps you informed and engaged throughout every stage of your ERP journey. ### Business Process Optimization URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/services/business-process-optimization Business process challenges aren't always easy to identify or resolve. Our experienced consultants assess your current operations using best-practice methodologies to uncover inefficiencies, identify opportunities for improvement, and recommend practical solutions that streamline processes, optimize workflows and support long-term business success. Key capabilities: - Process mapping: We document existing workflows to understand what's working and what's creating friction. - Bottleneck identification: Pinpoint where disconnected systems and manual processes are costing you time and money. - Workflow redesign: Design streamlined, repeatable processes that reduce dependence on tribal knowledge. - Change management: Practical, shop-floor-friendly training that builds genuine buy-in for new workflows. ### ERP Solution Architecture URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/services/erp-solution-architecture Every business has unique processes, and no ERP system fits every requirement out of the box. Our ERP Solution Architecture services help bridge the gaps by designing connected, scalable solutions that integrate your ERP with the critical systems your business relies on. Through thoughtful architecture, standardized integrations, and strong data governance, we create a unified technology environment that improves efficiency, supports your business goals, and adapts as your organization evolves. Key capabilities: - Integration design: Standardized APIs that connect ERP with WMS, eCommerce, EDI, and third-party tools reliably. - Data governance: Sound naming conventions and master data stewardship across all connected systems. - Environment strategy: Predictable release cadence, environment management, access controls, and audit trails. - Scalable architecture: Solutions designed to grow, add branches, channels, and partners without rearchitecting. ### Tailored Software Solutions URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/services/custom-software-solutions When off-the-shelf ERP functionality isn't enough, our in-house development team can build tailored solutions that extend the capabilities of Syspro and Acumatica. From API integrations and workflow automation to custom modules and enhancements, we design and develop tools that address your specific operational requirements. By understanding your unique processes, we deliver solutions that improve efficiency, streamline workflows, and create a seamless user experience across your ERP environment. Key capabilities: - Custom development: Purpose-built modules, screens, and workflows tailored to your specific requirements. - API integrations: Connect ERP with eCommerce, shipping carriers, payment systems, and industry tools. - Workflow automation: Automate repetitive manual processes to free your team for higher-value work. - ISV partnerships: We partner with best-in-class vendors to bring proven, integrated solutions to your stack. ### Reporting & Business Intelligence URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/services/reporting-business-intelligence Access to reliable, actionable data is essential for making informed business decisions. We help organizations transform complex ERP data into meaningful insights through Business Intelligence, interactive dashboards, and reporting solutions that provide greater visibility into business performance. Key capabilities: - Real-time dashboards: Live visibility into inventory, production, margins, and fulfillment metrics. - Financial reporting: Accurate cost of goods sold, margin analysis, and faster month-end close. - Operational analytics: Track job costs, scrap, variances, and labor performance to drive improvement. - Proactive design: We design your reporting structure at implementation, not as an afterthought. ### Project Management URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/services/project-management ERP projects can quickly lose focus without strong project leadership. Our PMP-certified project managers bring structure and discipline to every engagement through clear timelines, defined milestones, proactive risk management, and transparent stakeholder communication. Successful ERP implementations require effective project management. Our team provides the strategic planning, coordination, and decision-making needed to ensure delivery is on time and on budget, and with minimal disruption to your business. Key capabilities: - PMP-certified leadership: Your project is led by certified professionals with deep ERP experience. - Scope & timeline control: Structured processes to keep scope, cost, and timelines on track. No surprises. - Risk management: Proactive risk identification and mitigation. Dry runs, rollback plans, and contingencies. - Stakeholder communication: Frequent, clear communication with clients and stakeholders at every step. ### Ongoing Support URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/services/ongoing-support We believe the strongest partnerships continue long after go-live, and our commitment extends beyond implementation. Through ongoing support, collaboration, and ERP expertise, we help you unlock additional value as your business grows. Key capabilities: - Umbrella Help Desk: Responsive, expert support from dedicated consultants to help resolve issues and keep your system running smoothly. - ERP Tips & Insights: Practical guidance, insights on new features and functionalities, and tips and tricks designed to empower users and maximize the value of your ERP system. - Customer Forums: Regular virtual sessions led by our consultants, covering topics that help improve daily operational efficiency - exclusive to customers. - Customer Conference: An annual event that brings our community of customers, partners and ISVs together to educate, network, and explore what's next in ERP and integrated solutions. ## ERP Solutions Umbrella Consulting implements and supports two ERP platforms and helps clients choose the right fit for their operations rather than comparing platforms head to head. - Acumatica: Cloud-native ERP with strong financials, distribution, manufacturing, and project capabilities. Overview: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/solutions/acumatica - Syspro: Manufacturing- and distribution-focused ERP with deep operational depth. Overview: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/solutions/syspro ### Acumatica Editions ### Acumatica General Business Edition URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/solutions/acumatica/general-business Tagline: A versatile solution for small and mid-market businesses with real-time access to financials, reporting, CRM and more. Acumatica General Business Edition is a complete cloud ERP for organizations whose primary needs are around finance, customer management, project accounting, and reporting. It is the foundational edition that the Distribution, Manufacturing, and Professional Services editions build on, and it scales with you as the business grows in complexity. Capabilities: - Financial management: GL, AP, AR, cash management, fixed assets, multi-currency, and consolidation built for growing companies. - CRM: Native CRM connected to your financials, leads, opportunities, contracts, and service all in one place. - Project accounting: Track time, expenses, billing, and profitability by project with the financials they roll up into. - Reporting & dashboards: Real-time dashboards and inquiries so leaders see the operation as it runs, not days after the fact. Best fit for: - Multi-entity organizations - Service-led businesses - Project-heavy operations - Companies replacing entry-level accounting tools ### Acumatica Distribution Edition URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/solutions/acumatica/distribution Tagline: A comprehensive suite of applications designed for wholesale distributors, including sales order, inventory, purchasing and warehouse management. Acumatica Distribution Edition adds purpose-built capabilities for wholesale distributors and B2B/B2C operations on top of the General Business foundation. It connects sales, purchasing, inventory, warehouse, and fulfillment so you can grow into more SKUs, channels, and locations without losing visibility. Capabilities: - Advanced inventory: Multi-location, lot/serial tracking, item kits, matrix items, and landed cost, all native, not bolted on. - Warehouse management: Native WMS with mobile scanning for receiving, put-away, pick/pack/ship, and physical counts. - Order management: Sales orders, drop ship, transfers, returns, and pricing rules to handle complex B2B and B2C workflows. - Demand planning: Replenishment and demand planning so you carry the right stock in the right place at the right time. Best fit for: - Wholesale distributors - Multi-channel sellers - Multi-warehouse operations - Companies outgrowing QuickBooks or NetSuite SuiteCommerce ### Acumatica Manufacturing Edition URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/solutions/acumatica/manufacturing Tagline: Connect your shop floor, inventory, finance, and supply chain in one powerful cloud ERP solution. Acumatica Manufacturing Edition supports advanced product configuration, multi-level BOMs, routings, MRP, production scheduling, shop floor control, engineering change management, and seamless CAD/PLM integration. Real-time visibility across the entire organization enables greater accuracy, efficiency, and operational control. Purpose-built for growing discrete and process manufacturers with complex operations. Capabilities: - Bill of materials & routing: Engineering BOMs, multi-level configurations, and routing/work-center definitions that mirror how you build. - Production management: Work orders, material issues, labor, and overhead, with WIP accounting tied to your GL. - MRP & scheduling: MRP, advanced planning, and scheduling to balance demand, capacity, and material constraints. - Shop floor data collection: Real-time shop floor data collection so production status, labor, and scrap are visible to the rest of the operation. Best fit for: - Discrete & process manufacturers - Make-to-order / configure-to-order shops - Mixed-mode manufacturers - Companies leaving QuickBooks, ECi, or aging on-prem ERPs ### Acumatica Professional Services Edition URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/solutions/acumatica/professional-services Tagline: Project-driven ERP for services firms. Acumatica Professional Services Edition is purpose-built for engineering, consulting, marketing, and other project-led services firms. It connects opportunities, projects, resources, time, expenses, and billing so leadership has a real-time view of utilization and project profitability. Capabilities: - Project accounting: Budgets, change orders, billing rules, and profitability tracking at the task and project level. - Resource management: Skills, availability, and utilization tracking so the right people are matched to the right work. - Time & expense: Mobile time and expense entry that flows into project costs, payroll, and customer billing. - Contract billing: Fixed-price, time and materials, milestone, and recurring contracts billed cleanly from the same record. Best fit for: - Engineering & architecture firms - Consulting & advisory practices - Marketing & creative agencies - IT services & MSPs ## Frequently Asked Questions Q: What industries does Umbrella Consulting specialize in? A: We specialize in mid-market manufacturing and distribution. That focus means our consultants bring relevant shop-floor, supply chain, and financial operations experience to every engagement. Q: What ERP systems do you implement? A: We are a Syspro Elite Solutions Partner and an Acumatica Gold Certified Partner. We implement and support both platforms and recommend the best fit for your business. Q: Who will be working on my project? A: Senior professionals lead every engagement from day one, including finance and manufacturing specialists, technology experts, and business process practitioners. We have CPAs and PMP-certified project managers on staff, with no junior handoffs. Q: How do you keep projects on track and on budget? A: We follow structured processes with thorough documentation and clear, frequent communication. That discipline helps manage scope, cost, and timelines while keeping stakeholders aligned. Q: What happens after our ERP goes live? A: Go-live is the start of an ongoing partnership. We support clients through an in-house Help Desk, monthly online forums, Quick Tip videos, and a free annual client conference. Q: What makes Umbrella different from other ERP consultants? A: Our culture and operating model attract seasoned consultants who stay, and that shows in delivery. Combined with focused manufacturing and distribution expertise and a commitment to quality, clients get a partner built for the long term. Q: Do you serve companies outside British Columbia? A: Yes. We work with manufacturing and distribution companies across Canada and the United States. Q: How long does an ERP implementation typically take? A: Timelines depend on scope, complexity, and readiness. Most implementations unfold over several months using a phased approach so your team can absorb change while the business keeps running. Q: Can you help with ERP systems we already have? A: Yes. Beyond new implementations, we help through business process optimization, enhancements, integrations, reporting, and ongoing support tailored to the systems you already run. Q: What is Syspro best suited for vs Acumatica? A: Syspro offers deep manufacturing capabilities for operations that want mature production, costing, and inventory depth. Acumatica is a strong cloud-native option, especially when distribution flexibility, scalability, and a modern platform matter most. We help you choose based on your requirements, not ours. ## Insights ### Acumatica 2026 R2: Key Updates and What's New URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/acumatica-2026-r2-key-updates-and-whats-new Date: 2026-09-29 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Acumatica Acumatica 2026 R2 will bring a new wave of capabilities designed to make everyday work more intelligent, connected and efficient. Here's a look at the main themes and key updates. Acumatica 2026 R2 will bring a new wave of capabilities designed to make everyday work more intelligent, connected and efficient. While AI continues to be a major focus, the latest release also introduces enhancements to analytics, the user experience, industry-specific functionality and platform modernization. Here’s a look at the main themes and key updates coming with Acumatica 2026 R2. 1. AI Increases Productivity in Daily Work Acumatica is increasingly integrating AI, and with 2026 R2, its AI Assistant and AI Automation capabilities will be expanded. This update is part of a broader shift from ERP as a system of record to a system of intelligence that helps users understand information, identify issues and take action within their existing workflows. AI Assistant allows users to ask questions about business information using natural language and receive a response in formats such as tables, charts and pivot tables. With 2026 R2, AI Assistant becomes more context-aware, recognizing the screen or record a user is interacting with so questions can be answered without requiring the user to provide as much background information. Frequently asked AI Assistant queries can also be converted into home-screen widgets, so important information is easily accessible at a glance. Another practical addition is AI-powered product help, which guides users through unfamiliar processes within the screen they are using. This can be particularly useful for onboarding, training and helping users get more from the functionality already available in Acumatica. The purpose of AI Automation is to reduce repetitive administrative tasks, read records, apply instructions and write results back into Acumatica workflows so employees can spend more time on other higher value tasks. This builds on capabilities such as document recognition, expense automation and AI agents that can classify files or summarize information. 2. More Accessible Data and Analytics The 2026 R2 release emphasizes more modern analytics capabilities intended to reduce reliance on manual spreadsheets or exported data and help teams work with current information. Rather than pulling information out of the ERP, manipulating it elsewhere and then making decisions from that data, the direction is toward keeping insights closer to the workflows where decisions are made. For businesses managing complex financial, operational, inventory or project information, this can help shorten the distance between having the data and acting on it. 3. Platform Modernization Earlier this year, Acumatica announced the deprecation of its classic UI in the 2026 R2 release. Customers will use the Modern UI and no longer have the ability to switch back to Classic UI. Acumatica recommends that customers begin transitioning to Modern UI ahead of their upgrade. This is particularly important for organizations with customized screens or third-party solutions, as UI-specific customizations may need to be reviewed and validated for Modern UI compatibility. 4. Deeper Industry-Specific Functionality Acumatica continues to develop 2026 R2 around the specific needs of its industry editions, including Distribution, Manufacturing, General Business and Professional Services. As mentioned, the 2026 R2 Virtual Launch event offers dedicated breakout sessions, highlighting new capabilities designed for the different operational realities of each industry. Acumatica has also identified updates related to payments and the underlying platform. 5. Improved Portal and Payment Experiences The 2026 R1 release provided customers with a more streamlined, self-service experience with their customer portal modernization. The 2026 R2 release will continue to enhance these capabilities, along with the development of embedded payments that will streamline payment acceptance, processing and reconciliation. What Does 2026 R2 Mean for Acumatica Customers? The latest release highlights Acumatica's continued evolution of its ERP platform, largely focusing on helping businesses connect with customers more effectively while making everyday processes more efficient. For existing customers: Consider which of these enhancements could improve the way your team operates and how to prepare and take advantage of these features Which areas could be automated to reduce manual effort? How can information be accessed easier to help your team respond quicker? Are your current configurations and customizations ready for the transition to Modern UI? For businesses exploring Acumatica: 2026 R2 demonstrates the platform's continued efforts and focus on not only managing business information but also enabling teams to optimize its use for greater efficiency through AI and automation, all within a single cloud ERP environment. Acumatica 2026 R2 Full Release Details Acumatica Cloud ERP: 2026 R2 is available now (October 2026)! For more information and a detailed look at all the new updates, please visit acumatica.com. We can help! As Acumatica Gold Certified Partners, our team of ERP specialists at Umbrella Consulting can work with you to determine whether Acumatica is the best solution for your operations, goals, and long-term growth. Check out our services or contact us for more to discuss your business needs. Source: acumatica.com --- ### Syspro Platform Manager and Syspro Insights URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/syspro-platform-manager-and-syspro-insights Date: 2026-09-15 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Syspro ERP Syspro Platform Manager and Syspro Insights provide additional visibility into your Syspro environment, helping you understand license usage, monitor system health and support better planning. Learn more about these tools, including what they do, how they compare and what to expect when installing them. If your organization has transitioned to the Syspro subscription model, you have access to more than just the ERP software. Syspro Platform Manager and Syspro Insights provide additional visibility into your Syspro environment, helping you understand license usage, monitor system health and support better planning. Keep reading to learn more about these tools, including what they do, how they compare and what to expect when installing them. What is Syspro Platform Manager? Syspro Platform Manager provides a direct connection between Syspro and your subscription environment. Once installed, it runs as a background service on your Syspro application server and requires no day-to-day management. This information can help organizations better understand how their Syspro environment is being used and validate their license and API consumption. Platform Manager is also a requirement for Syspro subscription customers. One of its key functions is providing visibility into: Named user license usage Business Object and API token consumption Subscription license utilization What is Syspro Insights? While Platform Manager focuses primarily on license and usage information, Syspro Insights provides a broader view of your technical environment. It is designed to provide additional visibility for support, troubleshooting, configuration, and infrastructure planning. For example, Insights can help identify trends in server resource usage and provide information about SQL Server health, system checks, Syspro usage, operators, transactions, and Business Object calls. This can be particularly useful when you're trying to determine whether an issue is related to Syspro itself, the underlying infrastructure, or available system resources. Syspro Insights monitors areas including: Hardware Operating system SQL Server Syspro Platform Compliance and governance Platform Manager vs. Syspro Insights While the two tools work together, they serve different purposes. Syspro Insights can be installed separately after Platform Manager, although installing both at the same time may make sense for organizations seeking maximum visibility into their environment. Capability Platform Manager Syspro Insights Subscription requirement Required Optional Named user license tracking ✓ Token / API consumption ✓ Platform health monitoring ✓ Recommendations engine ✓ Shared support view License data only ✓ Installation: What to Expect The good news is that both tools are relatively lightweight and straightforward to deploy. Platform Manager is installed on the Syspro application server and can be installed through the Syspro 8 Installer or independently through the Syspro Customer Portal. The installation does not require downtime or exclusive access, and updates are installed automatically. Syspro Insights can be installed in different locations within your environment, depending on what you want to monitor. Don't Overlook the Syspro Customer Portal The Syspro Customer Portal is the starting point for accessing these tools and provides much more than just downloads. Customers can use the portal to access Platform Manager and Insights, technical resources, Business Object information, training resources, support, community forums, and other Syspro resources. If you haven't explored the Customer Portal recently, it's worth taking a look. There may be resources available to you that you're not currently using. Getting More From Your Syspro Subscription Platform Manager and Syspro Insights are two examples of the additional capabilities available to Syspro subscription customers. Together, they provide greater visibility into how your system is used and how your technical environment performs. For Syspro customers, understanding and using these tools can make it easier to monitor your environment, plan for infrastructure needs, troubleshoot issues and get more value from your ERP investment. Need help getting started? Umbrella Consulting can assist with installing Platform Manager and Syspro Insights and help you understand the information available within these tools. --- ### What's New in Syspro 2026 R1? Key Features Manufacturers Should Know URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/whats-new-in-syspro-2026-r1-key-features Date: 2026-08-27 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Syspro ERP The Syspro 2026 R1 release delivers over 60 program updates that focus on helping manufacturing and distribution businesses work smarter, improve quality and gain greater visibility across their operations. Every Syspro release introduces new features, but the latest Syspro 2026 R1 isn't just about incremental improvements. It's focused on helping manufacturers and distributors work smarter, improve quality and gain greater visibility across their operations. With more than 60 enhancements across manufacturing, warehousing, procurement, quality management, and customer self-service, these updates are designed to streamline daily operations, improve usability, and provide greater operational control. Here we list a few standout enhancements in the latest release. AI Continues to Take Center Stage Artificial intelligence remains one of the biggest areas of innovation within Syspro. With the introduction of Syspro AI Studio, organizations can begin leveraging AI capabilities directly within their ERP environment. Rather than treating AI as a standalone tool, Syspro is embedding intelligence into everyday workflows to help users find information faster, automate repetitive tasks and make better-informed decisions. As AI capabilities continue to evolve, businesses running the latest version of Syspro will be well positioned to take advantage of future innovations. Centralizing Supplier Pricing Managing supplier pricing can become complicated when pricing rules, contracts and quantity discounts are maintained across multiple procurement processes. The new Purchase Pricing Engine brings supplier pricing into one centralized framework. Suppliers can now be associated with a Purchase Price Group, which defines shared price lists and pricing rules. These price lists can include quantity-based discount breaks and status controls, while rule-based price selection is applied consistently across requisitions, purchase order entry, MRP requisition review, and MRP PO review. ‣ Watch the demo video Better Quality Management Starts Earlier Traditionally, quality inspections happen after production is complete. Syspro 2026 R1 shifts quality management earlier in the manufacturing process. New In-Process Quality Management inspections allow manufacturers to trigger inspections at specific operations during production rather than waiting until the end of a job. Failed inspections can even prevent production from moving forward until quality standards have been met. The result is: Earlier detection of quality issues Improved traceability Reduced scrap and rework Greater confidence in finished products ‣ Watch the demo video Faster Warehouse Operations Warehouse efficiency continues to improve with enhancements to License Plate Numbering (LPN) within Syspro Warehouse Management. Instead of scanning every individual item, warehouse teams can manage an entire pallet as a single scannable unit while maintaining complete item-level traceability. Benefits include: Faster receiving More efficient put-away Improved picking accuracy Reduced scanning effort ‣ Watch the demo video More Flexible Shipping & Packaging For organizations with unique packaging requirements, Syspro now allows Custom Form Fields on the packaging header and detail lines within the marshalling process. Businesses can capture organization-specific information directly during packaging and shipping, improving operational visibility while supporting company-specific processes without complicated workarounds. Why Staying Current Matters Many companies postpone ERP upgrades because they assume the process will be disruptive. However, remaining on an older version often means missing out on productivity improvements, security updates, performance enhancements and new technologies that are already included with your subscription. Staying current also helps organizations: Take advantage of ongoing AI innovation Maintain compatibility with supported Microsoft technologies Improve security and system performance Reduce the complexity of future upgrades Maximize the value of their ERP investment Final Thoughts Syspro 2026 R1 continues to build on the platform's strengths with practical enhancements that address real manufacturing and distribution challenges. From embedded AI and in-process quality inspections to warehouse efficiencies and greater operational visibility, the latest release gives organizations new ways to improve productivity without adding unnecessary complexity. For a full list of Syspro 2026 R1 program changes, visit help.syspro.com. If you're currently running an older version of Syspro, now is an excellent time to evaluate an upgrade strategy. Not only will you gain access to the newest functionality, but you'll also position your business to take advantage of future innovations as Syspro continues to evolve. Source: syspro.com techfinitive.com --- ### Syspro Quick Tip: How to Resolve Program Security Access Issues URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/syspro-quick-tip-resolve-program-security-access-issues Date: 2026-08-19 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: SYSPRO Quick Tips In this Syspro Quick Tip, learn how to use the program code shown in a security access message to grant or remove access through Security Groups or Roles, helping administrators quickly troubleshoot user access issues in Syspro. If users are unable to access a program in Syspro, it’s often due to security settings rather than a system error. In this Syspro Quick Tip, our Syspro Team Lead at Umbrella Consulting explains how to quickly identify and resolve program security access issues by using the program code shown in a security access message to grant or remove access through Security Groups or Roles. Understanding the Security Access Message When a user attempts to open a restricted program, Syspro displays a security access message that includes the specific program code. This code is key to resolving the issue, as it identifies exactly which program the user is trying to access. Using Security Groups and Roles in Syspro Syspro uses a combination of Security Groups and Roles to control access. Administrators can use the program code from the error message to locate the correct program and then either grant or remove access depending on the user’s requirements. Updating Access to Restore User Functionality By updating access at the appropriate group or role level, administrators can quickly restore functionality and ensure users have the correct permissions to perform their tasks. Fast and Efficient Troubleshooting This simple process helps reduce downtime and makes troubleshooting Syspro security issues fast and efficient. If you found this Syspro Quick Tip helpful, visit our YouTube channel for more videos, or contact us to learn more about getting the most out of your Syspro ERP. --- ### Time to Upgrade Your Syspro Version? Here's What You Need to Know URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/time-to-upgrade-your-syspro-version Date: 2026-07-15 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Tips & Best Practices An ERP system should evolve alongside your business. Every new Syspro release introduces enhancements that improve usability, automation, reporting, security, and performance. If you're running an older version of Syspro, you've probably asked yourself the same questions many of our customers do: Is upgrading worth it? How disruptive will it be? How long will it take? What if we have customizations and third-party integrations? These concerns are understandable. ERP upgrades can sound intimidating, especially if you've been running the same version successfully for years. The good news is, for most organizations, upgrading to the latest Syspro version is far simpler than you'd expect, and the benefits outweigh the effort. Why Upgrade? An ERP system should evolve alongside your business. Every new Syspro release introduces enhancements that improve usability, automation, reporting, security, and performance. If you're running an older version, you're missing out on features and functionality that are included in your subscription. Delaying upgrades often makes future upgrades more complex, so staying reasonably current helps avoid greater risks or larger projects down the road. Upgrading also helps you: Maximize the value of your ERP Take advantage of new technologies like Syspro AI Studio Maintain compatibility with supported versions of Windows and SQL Server Reduce the risks and costs associated with running unsupported software What Does an Upgrade Actually Involve? One of the biggest misconceptions is that upgrading is similar to implementing a new ERP system. In reality, a Syspro version upgrade is a structured project focused on moving your existing environment to the latest release while validating that everything continues to work as expected. An experienced Project Manager helps keep everyone fully engaged and the project on track with defined timelines and milestones and ensures proactive risk management. The phases of a typical upgrade project include: Initiation - This phase involves securing your hardware and ensuring your sandbox environment is ready. Syspro customers can take advantage of the sizing tools and resources available in the Customer Portal, as well as the new Digital Health Monitor. Testing installation and conversion - Once the current and target environments are up to the recommended specs, a full backup of the current system will be completed and consultants will run through a test conversion. More testing will be performed to ensure everything is pointing to the correct Syspro version and that scripts are working as expected. Training - For companies already running Syspro 8, user training is often minimal because new functionality is added in the back end and the overall interface remains familiar. Testing - User testing confirms that everything functions as expected and provides confidence before go-live. Once the environment is open for user testing, companies are encouraged to test their day-to-day processes. This is the most important step for a smooth go-live. Go-Live and Post Go-Live Support - The last phase includes a final review of the go-live checklist, readiness validation check, and cutover plan on go-live weekend, plus any final backups. It's highly recommended that technical and business resources be available during the go-live weekend as support. How Long Does a Syspro Upgrade Take? Every environment is different, but most upgrade projects take approximately 4 – 10 weeks. Much of this time isn't spent performing the upgrade itself. It's time dedicated to planning, testing and ensuring everything is ready before go-live. Other factors that may affect the timeline include: Your current Syspro version Whether you have customizations, such as VB scripts, integrations or custom applications Third-party software integrations Internal resource availability Is Downtime Significant? Downtime is not usually significant at all. Most customers schedule their Syspro version upgrade over a weekend. This approach minimizes disruption while providing enough time for testing and validation, ensuring that everything is ready to go on Monday when business resumes. The upgrade also doesn't need to be at the beginning of the month. A typical schedule looks like this: Friday evening: Users log out and final backups are completed. Live upgrade commences. Saturday: Upgrade and validation. Sunday: Final testing and readiness checks. Monday morning: Production go-live and users can log back in. What Are Some Other Considerations? Some technologies are also approaching end-of-life. Identifying these items early helps avoid delays or surprises in the upgrade project. VBScript is actively being deprecated by Microsoft and will be eliminated in 2027. Syspro has updated its Scripting Engine to support C# scripting natively, and users can create and edit C# scripts in Syspro's Power Tailoring and Application Designer. Crystal Reports remains available in Syspro 8 2026 R1, but is also being phased out. It'll be fully eliminated in 2027, making now a good time to begin your migration to the new Reporting Engine. Syspro 8 2025 and beyond supports Windows Server 2022. An upgrade is required if companies are running Windows Server 2019. A Team Effort A successful upgrade requires a solid partnership where both parties have responsibilities. For us, Umbrella Consulting manages the technical aspects of the project from planning and test conversions to the production upgrade and post-go-live support. Meanwhile, customers play an equally important role by providing hardware and infrastructure resources, participating in testing and training, and validating business processes during go-live. Projects are typically smooth and predictable with the guidance and organization of our project managers and both teams working together. Looking Ahead With the recent release of Syspro 8 2026 R1, there's never been a better time to evaluate your upgrade strategy. New features and functionalities, including Syspro AI Studio, ongoing Reporting Engine enhancements, and continued platform improvements, are designed to help organizations get even more value from their ERP investment. If you're running an older version of Syspro and aren't sure where to begin, start with a conversation. An upgrade is generally much simpler than you think, and with the right planning, it can position your business to take advantage of everything the latest version offers. --- ### Umbrella Consulting at FABTECH Canada® 2026: Empowering Manufacturers with Smarter ERP URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/umbrella-consulting-at-fabtech-canada-2026-empowering-manufacturers-with-smarter-erp Date: 2026-05-08 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Events We're exhibiting at FABTECH Canada 2026, June 9-11 in Toronto, Booth 8172. Discover how SYSPRO ERP helps metal fabrication manufacturers gain control, visibility and efficiency. Umbrella Consulting is excited to be exhibiting at FABTECH Canada® 2026, the largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event, showcasing the innovations driving the future of Canadian manufacturing. When: June 9 - 11, 2026 Where: Toronto Congress Centre (South Building), Toronto, Ontario Booth: 8172 If you're attending, come visit us at Booth 8172 and say hello to our team, Karen Chang, Heather Pogor and Neetu Bhushan, who will be on-site connecting with manufacturers and sharing insights throughout the show. Supporting Manufacturers with Smarter ERP At Booth 8172, learn how SYSPRO ERP helps metal fabrication manufacturers gain greater control, visibility and efficiency across their operations, and how Umbrella Consulting can help guide your business through every step of your ERP journey. From estimating and production planning to inventory control and shop floor visibility, SYSPRO is purpose-built for the unique demands of fabrication environments. CAD-integrated estimating and quoting to generate accurate material, labour and costing estimates faster Advanced production planning and scheduling to optimize machine capacity, sequencing and delivery timelines Real-time shop floor tracking for visibility into labour efficiency, machine utilization and production progress Material nesting and inventory optimization to reduce scrap, maximize material yield and manage fluctuating material costs Job costing and financial visibility to track actual versus estimated costs and protect margins on every project Quality management and traceability with full material genealogy, inspection tracking and compliance documentation A Must-Attend Event for Manufacturing Leaders FABTECH Canada® brings together thousands of industry professionals and hundreds of exhibitors, creating a powerful environment for innovation, education and connection. Attendees can expect a large-scale exhibition showcasing the latest in manufacturing technology, educational sessions and expert insights, and opportunities to connect with suppliers, partners and peers across the industry. Let's Connect in Toronto Whether you're exploring ERP for the first time or looking to get more out of your current system, we'd love to connect. Visit us at Booth 8172 and use code 17272634 for free admission. Come meet the team, ask questions and discover how Umbrella Consulting and SYSPRO can support your manufacturing goals. We look forward to seeing you at FABTECH Canada! --- ### Exhibiting at the CPG Expo, April 17 - 18 URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/exhibiting-at-the-cpg-expo Date: 2026-04-14 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Events Umbrella Consulting is exhibiting at the CPG Expo, April 17-18, 2026 in Calgary, Booth 518. Learn how Acumatica Cloud ERP supports consumer packaged goods companies. Umbrella Consulting will be exhibiting at the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Expo, taking place April 17 - 18, 2026, at the BMO Centre, Stampede Park in Calgary, Alberta. The CPG Expo is one of Western Canada's premier events dedicated to the consumer packaged goods industry, bringing together a dynamic mix of brands, retailers, distributors and industry leaders under one roof. A Hub for Meaningful Industry Connections What makes the CPG Expo stand out is its industry-only focus, creating an environment designed specifically for meaningful B2B networking. With 75+ exhibitors and a strong presence of decision-makers, the event offers a unique opportunity to connect with peers, explore partnerships and discover what's next in the CPG space. Insights from the Speaker Stage Beyond the exhibition floor, the CPG Expo features a speaker stage where industry experts share insights, trends and practical strategies shaping the future of CPG. It's a great chance to learn from leaders across retail, distribution and manufacturing. Visit Umbrella Consulting at Booth 518 Stop by Booth 518 to learn how Acumatica Cloud ERP supports consumer packaged goods companies, retailers and distributors with real-time data, inventory and order management, and seamless integration across the entire business. For growing businesses starting to outpace entry-level systems like QuickBooks, Acumatica offers a natural next step, delivering the structure, scalability and visibility needed to support more complex operations. We look forward to seeing you there! --- ### Exhibiting at the Vancouver Gift Show, March 8 - 10 URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/exhibiting-at-the-vancouver-gift-show-march-8-10 Date: 2026-02-27 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Events Umbrella Consulting is exhibiting at the Vancouver Gift Expo, March 8-10, 2026 at the PNE Forum, Booth 350. Learn how Acumatica Cloud ERP can simplify operations for distributors. Umbrella Consulting will be exhibiting at the Vancouver Gift Expo, taking place March 8 - 10, 2026, at the PNE Forum. The Vancouver Gift Expo is one of Western Canada's key trade events for industry professionals, retailers, wholesalers and distributors, bringing together businesses looking to discover new products, strengthen partnerships and prepare for upcoming buying seasons. Visit Umbrella Consulting at Booth 350 If you're attending the Vancouver Gift Expo, we invite you to visit us at Booth 350. Stop by to learn how Acumatica Cloud ERP can help simplify operations, improve financial visibility and support long-term growth. For many distributors and retailers, managing high SKU volumes, multiple suppliers, changing demand patterns and multi-channel sales can quickly outgrow entry-level systems. Acumatica provides real-time inventory visibility, streamlined order management, demand planning tools, warehouse automation and strong financial controls, all within a single, scalable platform. Whether you're looking to improve purchasing, reduce stockouts, gain better margin insight or prepare your business for expansion, a modern cloud-based ERP system can create the operational foundation needed to scale confidently. We look forward to seeing you there! --- ### Syspro 8 2025 – What's New, What's Improved & What's Been Retired URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/syspro-8-2025-what-s-new-what-s-improved-what-s-been-retired Date: 2025-10-01 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Syspro ERP The SYSPRO 8 2025 release modernizes reporting, automation and operations. We break down the key new features, including the new Reporting Engine, plus the functionality being retired. The release of Syspro 8 2025 brings enhancements aimed at modernizing the platform, improving lifecycle support and providing deeper functionality across reporting, automation and operations. Below, we break down a few key features and highlight the functionality being retired or replaced. Key Features & Improvements 1. New Reporting Engine Crystal Reports is being deprecated by SAP, so SYSPRO 8 2025 has introduced a fully redesigned reporting engine to replace legacy Crystal Reports components. This upgrade focuses on: Faster report rendering A more modern and intuitive web-interface report designer Simplified deployment as a server-only solution, eliminating a client runtime Improved stability and supportability Alignment with Syspro's long-term strategy to retire outdated technologies Note that in January 2026, new Syspro customers will not be able to install Crystal Reports, and support for SAP Crystal Reports in SYSPRO will end in 2027. 2. Office 365 Email Integration Email communication from Syspro becomes more secure, reliable and compliant through its new Microsoft Office 365 integration. This is important given that Microsoft is retiring basic authentication. Supports multi-tenant Office 365 environments Removes reliance on outdated SMTP methods Centralized control of email routing and send-from accounts Better auditability and traceability of outbound messages 3. Syspro Company Clone Syspro 8 2025 now offers a built-in Company Clone tool that allows you to perform a test company refresh or company clone. This highly requested functionality allows administrators to: Quickly duplicate an existing production company to a new or existing non-production company Migrate configurations, master data and setup Create safe test or training environments without third-party tools and no risk to live data Reduce downtime and IT overhead Note that cloning companies with tailored customizations should be approached with caution, as automated integrations with third-party systems could have unintended consequences. 4. C# Scripting Engine In tandem with Microsoft deprecating VBScript, Syspro has transitioned to a C# Scripting Engine, available wherever VBScript might be used within Syspro. Organizations can now: Enhance business logic using modern, strongly typed code Replace aging VBScript-based customizations Build cleaner, more maintainable extensions Leverage .NET capabilities for automation or custom workflows 5. Purchase Order to Sales Order AI Document Services The next evolution of document services in Syspro aims to reduce manual data entry. You can now drag a customer's PO into Sales Order Entry and map it into a customer sales order. Benefits include: Converting purchase orders directly into sales orders Eliminating duplicate entry across suppliers and customers Reducing processing errors Speeding up order fulfillment workflows Deprecated Features Syspro Analytics - No longer supported on SQL Server 2019 and newer. Replaced by Embedded Analytics from the 2022 release. Syspro Bot - Decommissioned in 2024. Executive Dashboards - Built on SAP Business Objects Xcelsius, deprecated since 2020. Switch to Embedded Analytics. Screen Customization Kit - No longer available; use updated customization capabilities. Microsoft Word Printing & "List of" SRS Reports - No longer supported from the 2025 release onward. Web-based Product Configurator - Now fully integrated into Syspro 8 core. Next Steps Upgrading to Syspro 8 2025 allows your business to take advantage of the most modern, secure and future-ready capabilities, including stronger alignment with Microsoft standards, an improved reporting engine and enhanced automation. If you'd like help planning your upgrade or implementing Syspro ERP, our team at Umbrella Consulting is ready to support you. Contact us for more information. --- ### Help Spread Holiday Cheer with our Teen Gift Drive URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/help-spread-holiday-cheer-with-our-teen-gift-drive Date: 2024-11-25 | Author: Germaine Chang | Category: Company Culture Join our annual Teen Gift Drive in support of the Burnaby Christmas Bureau. Drop off a new, unwrapped gift on Thursday, December 12th at our Beta Collective office. Stop by with your new, unwrapped gift anytime between 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Thursday, December 12th! Come say hello and enjoy some light festive bites and drinks. Location: Beta Collective - 402-3999 Henning Drive, Burnaby It's that time of year when calories don't count, but your generosity does. We've once again teamed up with our friends at Beta Collective to gather donations for Burnaby teens living in low-income families, in support of the Burnaby Christmas Bureau. The Burnaby Christmas Bureau helps low-income families access gifts for their children during the holiday season. Their Toy Room is often stocked more with toys for younger children, so there is always a greater need for gifts for teens aged 12 - 16. Popular requests include sports balls and equipment, personal care items and electronics. Last year, with your help and generosity, we collected over 100 unwrapped gifts and nearly $3,000 in cash donations. It would be amazing to top that this year. Our team will be at the Umbrella Consulting office (at Beta Collective) to accept your donations. Come say hello, grab some treats and let's spread some holiday cheer together! --- ### bioLytical Laboratories Automates Sales Order Processing Between Salesforce and Syspro URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/manufacturer-of-rapid-in-vitro-diagnostic-tests-automates-sales-order-processing-between-salesforce Date: 2024-10-31 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Customer Success bioLytical Laboratories, a leading manufacturer of rapid diagnostic tests, implemented BPA Platform to integrate Salesforce with SYSPRO and automate its sales order processing. bioLytical Laboratories Streamlines Sales Order Processing with BPA Platform bioLytical Laboratories, a leading Canadian manufacturer of rapid diagnostic tests, has implemented BPA Platform to seamlessly integrate Salesforce with SYSPRO, automating its sales order processing and enhancing overall system efficiency. Initially adopted to bridge sales transactions between Salesforce and Syspro, BPA Platform is now the company's default integration solution for all current and future Syspro projects, supporting additional distribution and sales channels as business needs evolve. The low-code nature and wide range of supported endpoints make BPA Platform an ideal choice, offering flexibility, reliability and rapid deployment of new solutions. "BPA Platform has significantly improved our ability to respond to changing business requirements. It's a key component in our strategic integration plans with Syspro." - Steve Dillen, IT Director at bioLytical Read the full article on codelessplatforms.com. If you'd like to explore how integration and automation can streamline your SYSPRO operations, get in touch with our team. --- ### Umbrella Consulting Expands ERP Offerings to Include Acumatica Cloud ERP Solutions URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/umbrella-consulting-expands-erp-offerings-to-include-acumatica-cloud-erp-solutions Date: 2024-10-24 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: News Umbrella Consulting is expanding its ERP software offerings by partnering with Acumatica, diversifying its expertise and reaching a broader range of mid-market industries. Umbrella Consulting is excited to announce that it will expand its ERP software offerings by partnering with Acumatica. Acumatica enables Umbrella Consulting to diversify its ERP expertise in the mid-market space, reaching a broader range of industries. Acumatica Cloud ERP is a cloud-based ERP solution for small and mid-market businesses. Umbrella Consulting is an Elite Solutions Partner with Syspro ERP Software, specializing in the manufacturing and distribution industries. By offering Acumatica, in addition to Syspro, Umbrella Consulting can now reach customers in other sectors, such as construction or services, with a flexible, scalable cloud-based ERP system. We're thrilled to add Acumatica to our portfolio and provide our customers with even more options for driving business success. As businesses increasingly look to cloud-based solutions, Acumatica will enable us to support our customers in achieving greater agility and efficiency. We're especially excited to extend our services to small and midsize companies in a broader range of industries." - Karen Chang, Founder and CEO of Umbrella Consulting For more information on Umbrella Consulting's services or to learn how Acumatica can benefit your business, explore our Acumatica solutions or contact us. --- ### Umbrella Consulting Wins Commitment to SYSPRO in 2023 Global PartnerUP Awards URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/umbrella-consulting-wins-commitment-to-syspro-in-2023-global-partnerup-awards Date: 2024-05-07 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: News Umbrella Consulting received international recognition in the Commitment to SYSPRO category at the 2023 Global PartnerUP Awards, reflecting our dedication to our customers' success. SYSPRO, a global provider of ERP software, has announced the winners of its 2023 Global PartnerUP Awards. The Global PartnerUP Awards highlight the ongoing commitment to fostering collaboration, innovation and success within the partner network. Umbrella Consulting Vancouver is thrilled and incredibly honoured to have received recognition on an international level in the Commitment to SYSPRO category, which reflects our dedication to SYSPRO's vision and values and to helping our customers succeed. The award recognizes the partner's unwavering dedication, active involvement in the community and exceptional contributions, with the highest number of self-generated opportunities, active marketing initiatives and outstanding dollar wins. "These exceptional partners have demonstrated excellence, innovation and unwavering commitment to SYSPRO and our customers. Their dedication and expertise play a crucial role in driving success and growth for our customers. At SYSPRO, we win together." - Michael Bennett, Global Channel Executive at SYSPRO Umbrella Consulting Vancouver is a SYSPRO Elite Partner. Contact us to learn more about working with an award-winning SYSPRO partner. --- ### Umbrella Consulting Awarded Sales & Marketing Excellence in SYSPRO Americas 2023 PartnerUP Awards URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/umbrella-consulting-awarded-sales-marketing-excellence-in-syspro-americas-2023-partnerup-awards Date: 2024-02-22 | Author: Germaine Chang | Category: Awards Umbrella Consulting received the Sales & Marketing Excellence award in the SYSPRO Americas 2023 PartnerUP Awards, generating the highest number of opportunities and wins. SYSPRO, a global provider of ERP software, has announced the winners of its 2023 SYSPRO Americas PartnerUP Awards. These awards recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of SYSPRO partners during fiscal year 2023, exemplifying the highest standards for enabling customer success, innovation and collaboration. Umbrella Consulting Vancouver is proud and honoured to have received recognition in the Sales & Marketing Excellence category, awarded to the partner that has excelled in generating leads, closing deals and demonstrating a growth mindset. With their sales and marketing expertise, Umbrella Consulting generated the highest number of opportunities and had the highest number of wins. "'Winning together' is one of SYSPRO's six core values, and we firmly believe that our success depends on our partners succeeding. These partners demonstrated a commitment to excellence in 2023 that strengthened their businesses, accelerated SYSPRO's growth and empowered our joint manufacturing and distribution customers." - Lou Sassano, Vice President of Channel at SYSPRO Americas Umbrella Consulting Vancouver is a SYSPRO Elite Partner. Contact us to learn more. --- ### Get in the Spirit with our Holiday Teen Gift Drive URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/get-in-the-spirit-with-our-holiday-teen-gift-drive Date: 2023-12-05 | Author: Germaine Chang | Category: Company Culture Our holiday Teen Gift Drive in support of the Burnaby Christmas Bureau returns. Drop off a new, unwrapped gift on Wednesday, December 13th at our Henning Drive office. Stop by with your new, unwrapped gift anytime between 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM on Wednesday, December 13! Location: 402-3999 Henning Drive, Burnaby It's that time of year when calories don't count, but your generosity does. This year, we teamed up with Beta Collective to gather donations for Burnaby teens living in low-income families, in support of the Burnaby Christmas Bureau. The Burnaby Christmas Bureau is a program run every year during the holiday season to help low-income families access gifts for their children. Their Toy Room is often filled with toys for younger children, so there is always a greater need for gifts for teens aged 13 - 16. They need donations of new, unwrapped toys and gifts, especially for 13 - 16 year-olds. Our team will be at the Umbrella Consulting office to accept your donations. Come say hello, grab some treats and let's spread some holiday cheer together! --- ### 6 Things to Consider Before Diving into a Warehouse Management System (WMS) URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/6-things-to-consider-before-diving-into-wms Date: 2023-10-31 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Warehouse Management System Before implementing a Warehouse Management System, prepare your space, your people and your expectations. Here are six important factors to consider for a successful WMS rollout. Implementing a Warehouse Management System (WMS) is integral to any business that operates a warehouse or distribution center and manages inventory. Like an ERP system, a WMS helps streamline operations by increasing efficiency, accuracy and order fulfillment. Before diving headfirst into a shiny new WMS, it's important to prepare your space, your employees and your expectations. Here are six important factors to consider before implementing a WMS. 1. Warehouse Process Review Perform a thorough review of all warehouse operations and business processes. Understand your current workflow, pain points and areas that need improvement, paying special attention to processes where practice and theory don't align. Identify the specific challenges the WMS should address and the KPIs you want to enhance. Involve all key stakeholders, as no one will know the day-to-day details better than those in these roles. 2. Software Evaluation and Selection Research and evaluate various WMS software options. Consider factors such as scalability, integration capabilities with your existing systems (e.g. SYSPRO ERP), ease of use, customer support and the vendor's reputation. Involving your ERP partner in the evaluation process is essential to ensuring the WMS and ERP system integrate seamlessly. 3. Clearly Define Your Requirements Define a clear project scope and outline the objectives you aim to achieve. Set realistic timelines and milestones, and involve key stakeholders including warehouse staff, IT and management. Know what you want before you start, because once the groundwork begins, it becomes increasingly difficult to change your process. 4. Prepare Your Data and Your Warehouse Prepare your existing data related to inventory, warehouses, bins, purchase orders and sales orders, and ensure accuracy and consistency before implementing a new WMS. This is also an excellent opportunity to clean your data. Most systems require barcode labels for efficient use, so preparing bin sequences, product barcodes, and a labelling solution will help ensure a successful implementation. 5. Training and Change Management Prepare your warehouse staff for the upcoming changes by providing proper training on the new system and processes. If there is going to be significant change, it's important that users feel comfortable and understand the reasons for the change and how the business and employees will benefit. 6. Testing Testing the new WMS before going live is essential. It helps you identify potential issues, fine-tune the system and gather feedback from end-users. Everything is harder to fix in production, so stress-test any new system thoroughly. How Umbrella Consulting Can Help The Umbrella Consulting team can help you make a well-informed decision about choosing a WMS that's the right fit for your business. We provide end-to-end implementation services including discovery, process review, evaluation and selection, project management, implementation and support. Contact us to get started. --- ### Syspro 7 Sunset - What This Means for Your Business URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/syspro-7-sunset-what-this-means-for-your-business Date: 2023-08-14 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Syspro ERP Syspro announced the sunset of version 7 in July 2023. Here's what the Syspro 7 sunset means for businesses on a legacy version, and how to prepare for a smooth upgrade. Technology is constantly changing, and as businesses try to stay competitive, their requirements change, including what they need from their ERP software. Let's look at the SYSPRO 7 sunset and what it means for businesses using a legacy version of SYSPRO. The Sunset Decision The natural life cycle of any technology is to keep improving and let go of legacy features. Older technology is susceptible to pitfalls including security, compatibility and user acceptance issues. In fall 2022, SYSPRO announced the sunset of SYSPRO version 7 in July 2023, meaning they will no longer provide software updates or support. Older software creates a drain on support and development efforts for the new version and new features. Impact on Businesses Security Concerns: As SYSPRO 7 uses older technology, it is left open to potential malicious access once security updates cease. Cybercriminals often target outdated software, as it lacks the latest defenses against emerging threats. New Technologies: Migrating to newer ERP solutions allows you to leverage the latest technologies such as cloud computing, AI-driven analytics and automation to gain a competitive edge. Scalability: Running legacy software hinders a business's ability to adapt quickly. Without critical software updates, integration with third-party applications or SYSPRO ISV partners becomes impossible, limiting growth. Data Migration: Migration from SYSPRO 7 to SYSPRO 8 is relatively painless. SYSPRO has made every effort to ensure the migration is fully automated and can be run over the course of a day. What to Do to Prepare Collaborate with Experts: Umbrella Consulting can assist with a range of services from data migration to user acceptance and change management. Our consultants have a combined 70+ years of ERP experience with backgrounds in finance, IT, engineering, business analysis and project management. Training and Adoption: Training is essential to manage user expectations and ease the adjustment period when transitioning from SYSPRO 7 to version 8. Testing: Before any migration, users should have ample time to test their normal routine in the new system, report issues and retest fixes. The success of an implementation has a direct relationship to the amount of testing completed. If your business isn't ready to transition from SYSPRO 7 to SYSPRO 8, our consulting team can provide support services. Contact us to discuss your upgrade path. --- ### Umbrella Consulting and CandleStream Systems Merger Announcement URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/umbrella-consulting-and-candlestream-systems-merger-announcement Date: 2023-03-10 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: News Umbrella Consulting and CandleStream Systems are merging their consulting teams, growing the Umbrella team by 45% and adding expertise in business intelligence and custom development. We are pleased to announce the merger of Umbrella Consulting's team with CandleStream Systems' consulting services team. This milestone results in 45% growth to the Umbrella Consulting team and allows us to leverage our combined strengths and resources. CandleStream adds to Umbrella's breadth of expertise and services in business intelligence, custom development, custom integrations and workflow development. "Our companies have been partnering on client projects since almost the inception of Umbrella Consulting, so it is a natural growth step to merge the synergies and complementary skillsets between the two teams. We value customer service excellence at a high standard, and as a unified team we are excited to provide a wider range of products and consulting services." - Karen Chang, Founder and CEO of Umbrella Consulting We look forward to the opportunities this merger will present, and we thank you for your continued support as we move forward in this exciting new chapter. --- ### The 5-Step Blueprint to Improve Your Business Processes URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/the-5-step-blueprint-to-improve-your-business-processes Date: 2023-01-29 | Author: Praveen Rajasekaran | Category: Business Process Improvement Streamlining your business processes can grow net margin 5 to 10% year over year. This 5-step blueprint shows how to map, analyze and strategically improve your operations. As a business department manager, never underestimate the power of streamlining your business processes. We've seen many small and medium-sized businesses lose money because they were unsuccessful at performing efficient business practices, where revenue brought in is lost due to inefficiency. In contrast, businesses that implement successful business processes have seen their net margin increase 5 to 10% year over year. We've put together this guide to Business Process Improvement to help you meet your business goals, whether you're looking to reduce departmental costs, increase production or service output, or standardize your business practices. What is Business Process Improvement? Business Process Improvement is an initiative to increase efficiency in your company by optimizing your processes to gain increased output. For example, a less efficient company will send a paper form to a supplier and have staff enter the details into the system, while a highly efficient company uses a digital form that lets the supplier enter information directly with proper approvals, saving staff time, digitizing paper and eliminating manual errors. A few signs of inefficiency to look out for: Using paper forms to collect information from suppliers, customers or internally Managing and tracking transactions with an Excel spreadsheet Having staff enter data from one system into another system Answering "yes" to any of these identifies opportunities to improve. The best approach is to improve business processes strategically, considering the impact on other departments, using industry best-practice frameworks and properly evaluating options for the best value. 1. Map the Current State of Your Process Visually mapping the steps in a process makes it easier to identify inefficiencies. You can use tools like Microsoft Visio or Lucidchart to map out the current state of your process. 2. Perform Gap Analysis Once you have mapped all the business processes, identify the gaps and inefficiencies, such as manual work, data entry, duplicate information and staff error. Highlight them in your processes. 3. Look for Improvement Opportunities From the identified inefficiencies, look for ways to improve. For example, if an employee is manually entering information from paper, determine whether the process can be digitized, whether the step is redundant and can be eliminated, or whether training can address a bottleneck. 4. Map Out the Future State After identifying opportunities, map the future state of the flow to see how the process will look. This also serves as a guide for staff working in that process. 5. Plan Your Implementation Roadmap Plan when improvements can be implemented over the next two to three years, mindful of dependencies. Classify opportunities as high impact or low impact and start with the high-impact improvements to get more return on invested capital. The ideal time is to have recommendations ready and budgeted for the new fiscal year. Umbrella Consulting has experience improving business processes for mid-market manufacturing and distribution companies across Canada. Contact us to start your business process review. --- ### Product Launch: AnyView by Umbrella Consulting URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/product-launch-anyview-by-umbrella-consulting Date: 2022-12-08 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: News AnyView is a powerful data query tool that combines a user-friendly interface with complex queries, letting you view and edit SYSPRO or SQL data in an interactive list view. Umbrella Consulting announced the launch of an exciting new product called AnyView. AnyView is a powerful data query tool that combines a user-friendly interface with complex queries to bring users fast, accurate insights and visibility. Unlike standard reporting software, AnyView allows you to update or add information within the interactive list view. Watch the Recording of the Live Product Launch Business Use Cases Here are a few examples of how businesses can use AnyView as a complementary tool to SYSPRO ERP or any SQL-based system: Purchasing Tool - Track outstanding purchase orders and maintain key dates Shipping Schedule - Track sales orders and apply grouping for shipment Quote Tracker - A CRM-like view of all open quotes Collections Tool - A view of all outstanding invoices and related customer info Job Schedule - Track job dates and adjust them on the go GL Query - Pull specific GL codes and view budgets and actuals side by side Project Management - Group jobs without any additional software Key Benefits Select an assortment of data with minimal effort by creating a SQL view and linking it to AnyView Make real-time changes to key data points without using a SYSPRO license Mass-edit capability for quick, efficient modifications in large batches Accessible from a computer without SYSPRO installed, allowing easier deployment and enhanced security View data quickly using defined filters, sort criteria and compound sorting Avoid clutter in your SYSPRO screens by viewing comments and custom fields exclusively in AnyView To learn more about AnyView, send a message our way and we'll be happy to answer any questions. --- ### Syspro Quick Tip: Putting Product on Hold & Defining Hold Statuses URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/syspro-quick-tip-putting-product-on-hold-defining-hold-statuses Date: 2022-07-23 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Syspro Quick Tips This SYSPRO Quick Tip covers managing stock holds in SYSPRO 8, including the different stock code hold statuses and how to place items on hold to control availability. Need to temporarily prevent a product from being used or sold in Syspro? Syspro provides functionality to place inventory items on hold and define specific hold statuses, helping businesses better manage products that require review or action before they can move through normal processes. This Syspro Quick Tip covers: Managing stock holds in Syspro 8, including the different stock code hold statuses How to easily place stock items on hold to control availability and prevent transactions Placing a stock code on hold is a simple way to control whether items can be transacted, helping you manage availability across purchasing, sales and production. Understanding the different hold statuses lets you fine-tune exactly which transactions are restricted, improving inventory control and visibility. If you found this SYSPRO Quick Tip helpful, visit our YouTube channel for more videos, or contact us to learn more about getting the most out of SYSPRO. --- ### Syspro Quick Tip: Add and Remove Buttons in Syspro 8 URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/syspro-quick-tip-add-and-remove-buttons Date: 2022-07-22 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Syspro Quick Tips Customize your SYSPRO 8 workspace. This Quick Tip shows how to add or remove buttons from your toolbars and access your most-used features faster. Customize your Syspro workspace and make your most-used features easier to access. Did you know you can customize the toolbars in Syspro 8 by adding or removing buttons? A few simple adjustments can help streamline your workspace and make frequently used functions easier to find. In this Syspro Quick Tip, you'll learn how to: Add buttons to your Syspro toolbar Remove buttons you don't use for a cleaner workspace Customize your workspace for easier access to frequently used functions Streamline your day-to-day Syspro workflow Small changes to your Syspro workspace can make everyday tasks more efficient. Watch the Syspro Quick Tip to see how easy it is to customize your Syspro 8 toolbar. If you found this Syspro Quick Tip helpful, visit our YouTube channel for more videos, or contact us to learn more about getting the most out of Syspro ERP. --- ### Celebrating Our 3rd Anniversary! URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/celebrating-our-3rd-anniversary Date: 2022-06-20 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Company Culture Umbrella Consulting turns three! A message from Managing Director Karen Chang, with gratitude for the Umbrella team and the customers who trusted us with their ERP and business systems. A Message From Our Managing Director Can you believe that Umbrella Consulting is celebrating its three-year anniversary? Time has flown by. Not only am I thankful that our business is still thriving (even though over 80% of our existence has been during a pandemic), I am genuinely grateful for the amazing group of individuals that we call the Umbrella team. And of course, we wouldn't be here celebrating our third birthday without our amazing customers. Thank you so much to each and every one of you who trusted us to help support your ERP and business systems needs. - Karen Chang Happy birthday, Umbrella Consulting! --- ### Employee Spotlight: Germaine Chang URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/consultant-spotlight-germaine-chang Date: 2022-01-18 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Company Culture Meet Marketing Manager Germaine Chang, Umbrella Consulting's brand ambassador and visual storyteller, who also moonlights as our Accounting Assistant. Our spotlight beams down on our Marketing Manager, Germaine Chang, who also moonlights as our Accounting Assistant. She's Umbrella Consulting's brand ambassador and visual storyteller. With a customer-centric mindset and business-focused approach, Germaine aims to create an experience that's fresh, memorable and authentic. If you weren't in marketing, what job would you want to do? Something where I can work with my hands to create: woodworker, ceramic artist or some sort of plant stylist / landscaper. What was your very first job? Data entry and sorting mail for a medical / dental courier. Building IKEA furniture: torture or enjoyable? Definitely enjoyable. Just bring me the box and step aside. What's the most memorable place you've travelled to? I once went ice fishing and skidooing on a frozen lake in Manitoba. It was -20C with a wind chill, and ultimately memorable. What's your ideal way to start the day? Getting up at the same time every day and having a hot coffee (emphasis on hot). What do you enjoy about working with the Umbrella team? Everyone is so down to earth and easy to get along with. So much respect for how hard this team works. --- ### Consultant Spotlight: Casey Callaghan URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/consultant-spotlight-casey-callaghan Date: 2022-01-04 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Company Culture Meet Senior Consultant Casey Callaghan. Friendly, approachable and highly motivated, Casey shares a few fun facts about himself in our Consultant Spotlight series. Our Consultant Spotlight series continues with Casey Callaghan, one of our Senior Consultants. With tact and consideration, Casey naturally puts in that extra effort to take care of customers. He's friendly, approachable and highly motivated. Here are a few fun things we learned about Casey. If you weren't a consultant, what job would you want to do? Bartender. Do you have a hidden talent? I make a really good cherry cheesecake. What's the most memorable place you've travelled to? Sunrise at Cape Spear in Newfoundland, the easternmost point in North America. What's the best part about working from home? Having the fridge and full kitchen available for meals throughout the day. What's your favourite part of the ERP implementation process? Learning about the business itself and what they actually do. So much happens in the real world beyond the screens. What is the most interesting business you've worked with? A board game and puzzle manufacturer. What do you enjoy about working with the Umbrella team? The positive attitude and team approach to helping our customers. Everyone helps out! --- ### Consultant Spotlight: Karen Chang URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/consultant-spotlight-karen-chang Date: 2021-11-30 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Company Culture Our fearless leader, Karen Chang, takes the stage in our Consultant Spotlight series, sharing her wealth of ERP knowledge alongside a few fun facts. Our fearless leader, Karen Chang, takes the stage in our Consultant Spotlight series. Karen has all the components that make a great leader. Besides her wealth of ERP knowledge and experience, her compassion and patience are unmatched; she enlightens and encourages her team, and she's as humble and down to earth as can be. If you weren't a consultant, what job would you want to do? Cafe or bakery shop owner. Do you have a hidden talent? Baking cupcakes. I once baked 300 Super Mario-themed cupcakes for a wedding. What's the most memorable place you've travelled to? Snorkelling in the Caribbean Sea. What's your ideal way to start the day? Coffee. Because no coffee, no talkie. What's your favourite part of the ERP implementation process? Training. What is the most interesting business you've worked with? Cow-milking robots. What do you enjoy about working with the Umbrella team? A fantastic and down-to-earth team! --- ### Karen Chang Named Finalist for Businessperson of the Year URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/karen-chang-named-finalist-for-businessperson-of-the-year Date: 2021-11-03 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Awards Managing Director Karen Chang was named a finalist for the 2021 Burnaby Business Excellence Award in the category of Businessperson of the Year. In early October, our Managing Director, Karen Chang, was honoured as a finalist for the 2021 Burnaby Business Excellence Award in the category of Businessperson of the Year. This award category recognizes a local businessperson who, through their personal vision, expertise, dedication and performance, is an outstanding role model for business development and excellence. On November 3rd, we attended the 22nd annual award ceremony in person at the Delta Hotel, Burnaby, along with 250 other business leaders, community members and local government representatives. Although Karen did not win, we are extremely proud of her nomination and achievements. Congratulations, Karen, on this well-deserved and hard-earned recognition! The annual awards program, presented jointly by the City of Burnaby and the Burnaby Board of Trade, recognizes leading businesses and not-for-profit organizations in Burnaby for their success, innovation, community involvement and environmental sustainability. --- ### Consultant Spotlight: Hayman Chang URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/consultant-spotlight-hayman-chang Date: 2021-10-19 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Company Culture Meet Senior Consultant Hayman Chang, the quick-witted coffee connoisseur who balances the books and both sides of his brain, in our Consultant Spotlight series. Our Consultant Spotlight series continues with our Senior Consultant, Hayman Chang. We know Hayman as the quick-witted, coffee connoisseur who transitioned from a bohemian lifestyle to a future in finance. Free-spirited and musically inclined, yet analytical and rational, Hayman can balance the books and both sides of his brain. If you weren't a consultant, what job would you want to do? Anthropologist or professional photographer. Do you have a hidden talent? I play the guitar and piano. I once had aspirations to become a professional musician. What's the most memorable place you've travelled to? Hawaii, my dream retirement place. What's your ideal way to start the day? Coffee! What's your favourite part of the ERP implementation process? Personal interaction with customers. What is the most interesting business you've worked with? Wastewater treatment technology. Good for the environment. What do you enjoy about working with the Umbrella team? Working with team members who are highly knowledgeable and skilled. --- ### It's Umbrella Consulting's 2nd Birthday! URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/its-our-2nd-birthday Date: 2021-06-01 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Company Culture On June 1st, Umbrella Consulting turned two. A message from Managing Director Karen Chang reflecting on the team's milestones through a challenging couple of years. On June 1st, Umbrella Consulting turned two, and to celebrate, we recapped our milestones from the past two years. A Message From Our Managing Director Another year has flown by, and here we are, celebrating our second year of business. The pandemic has certainly brought challenges, but I am so proud of my team for having the fortitude and tenacity to achieve the success that we did. Of course, we could not celebrate our accomplishments without acknowledging the combined efforts of our amazing partners and clients. We appreciate your trust and support as we continue our journey for many more birthdays to come. - Karen Chang Happy birthday, Umbrella Consulting! --- ### So, What's All the Fuss About Power BI? URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/so-whats-all-the-fuss-about-power-bi Date: 2021-04-08 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Data Analysis Power BI is a Microsoft analytics tool that unlocks your data. Here's what it means for SYSPRO users, what it does well, where its limits are, and how hard it is to develop reports. It's simple: the ability to unlock your data. Power BI is an analytics tool developed by Microsoft. It has been rapidly gaining ground in traditional analytics markets as it adds new, easy-to-use features. So What Does This Really Mean? Out-of-the-box SYSPRO reports and custom Crystal Reports are usually approached with a single purpose: sales by product, product class, geo area, or sales by customer. Usually these are all separate reports. With Power BI, you can do it all with a single report. Slicers for product, product class, geo area and customer can all be on a single report. Power BI is designed to be interactive, allowing you to slice the data as you see fit. There are of course some limitations. If you are expecting to format and print a 20-page report, you are not going to achieve good results. Power BI is an analysis tool, not a report writer. Formatting multi-page reports is really outside its abilities. But interacting with the data live, slicing and dicing in real time, is what it does best. Is It Hard to Develop Power BI Reports? Building the base SQL queries can be hard and is essential to designing usable reports. You need to think a little beyond a regular report and keep in mind how the data may be used in different ways. With the data in place, actually designing reports is straightforward. With our SYSPRO expertise, we can help you get started and get through the initial steps with the SQL queries. Let us know how we can help get you started on your analytics journey. Contact us to learn more. --- ### SYSPRO International Women's Day Project URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/syspro-international-womens-day-project Date: 2021-03-08 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Company Culture Founder Karen Chang was one of five women selected globally for SYSPRO's International Women's Day Project, highlighting successful women in non-traditional roles like ERP and manufacturing. March 8th is International Women's Day. It marks the day we celebrate and support the achievements of women and continue the conversation to raise awareness for equality. At Umbrella Consulting, our team is proud to be led by a strong, successful woman who has seen the evolution of gender equality in the workplace, and especially in an industry that was previously underrepresented by women. Founder and Managing Director Karen Chang has over 20 years of experience in ERP and has proven her ability to pave her own path. Karen's work to uplift and inspire young women includes her participation in the UBC Mentorship program, where she provides guidance through her experiences in business, accounting and ERP. She is also a strong advocate for women in leadership roles because not only does that empower other women to rise, it also helps achieve gender equality. This year, Karen was one of five women selected globally to be part of SYSPRO's International Women's Day Project, which highlights and acknowledges successful women in non-traditional gender roles such as ERP, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution. The International Women's Day theme for 2021 is #ChooseToChallenge. From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge. --- ### Umbrella Innovation: Automated Intercompany Workflow URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/umbrella-innovation-automated-intercompany-workflow Date: 2021-02-02 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: Innovation A look at an Umbrella workflow project that automates intercompany transactions, sourcing and manufacturing an order between two separate SYSPRO companies on two separate servers. We're currently working on what we think is a really cool workflow project that automates intercompany transactions. This workflow automates the sourcing and manufacturing of an order between two separate SYSPRO companies on two separate servers. Not only will this result in a more efficient process between two companies, it also reduces human error, saves paper and uses innovative technology to securely manage orders. How It Works A sales order is auto-generated from an eCommerce order into the distribution company's sales order system, and the purchase order to the manufacturing company is then automatically created. Subsequently, the sales order in the manufacturing company is also auto-created and, when fulfilled, will automatically receive the PO in the distribution company, create the AP invoice with 3-way matching, and update the initial eCommerce sales order. This workflow will save our client hours of data entry and order processing time on a daily basis. At Umbrella Consulting, we pride ourselves in helping you streamline and automate. It also makes us happy. Contact us to explore what's possible for your operation. --- ### New Strategic Partnerships Drive SYSPRO's Growth in Canada URL: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/insights/new-strategic-partnerships-drive-syspro-s-growth-in-canada Date: 2020-10-19 | Author: Umbrella Consulting | Category: News Press release: SYSPRO expands its Canadian network with five new channel partners, including Umbrella Consulting, under its PartnerUP program. Press Release - SYSPRO, a global leader in industry-built ERP software for manufacturers and distributors, announced the expansion of its network in Canada by adding five new strategic partners under its PartnerUP program: Modax Consulting, MyCXO Canada, Umbrella Consulting, Nessis Inc. and Unimatrix Computer Solutions. SYSPRO's PartnerUP program is recognized as one of the most rewarding channel partner programs globally, with a tiered structure and a strong enablement plan focused on customer success and partner empowerment. "We're focused on expanding our reach in Canada to offer even more manufacturers and distributors an Industry 4.0-ready ERP solution and expertise that can help them thrive during these uncertain times, as well as bring more predictability to their business. With the industry shift towards digital transformation and the cloud, we have strategically expanded our network to include these areas of expertise." - Dexter Ang, Channel Director at SYSPRO Canada Umbrella Consulting, based in Vancouver, BC, provides ERP and business process improvement consultancy services. "The education and training support that SYSPRO offers, combined with our consulting and implementation expertise, ensures that our customers realize a quick ROI." - Karen Chang, Managing Director at Umbrella Consulting The PartnerUP program is designed for experts who share SYSPRO's passion for helping manufacturers and distributors simplify their complex operations through modern ERP software. ## Legal - Privacy Policy: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/privacy - Terms of Use: https://umbrellaconsulting.ca/terms