IT Sysadmins - Vendor to run processes?

[I-Hate-Hulse]

So one of our accounting systems at work (a shartty one at that) requires a process to be run nightly that moves transactions to the General Ledger. It's a simple sequence of events that involves kicking people out, running the process, waiting for it to run, and then sending reports to someone in accounting. The reason eludes me, but I think they've looked at scripting this with no success (something to do with the kicking of people out).

Problem is that it must be run at night outside of operating hours and we are a cross country operation so timezones make things worse. Right now some guy has to run this at 10pm every night taking up 1.5 hours of his time every business night (unpaid overtime).

My IT operations group does not work 24 hours so they are running like the wind from this one. Anyone know of a shop that will run processes like this for you (via VPN or something) on an outsource basis?

[Bill Bumface]

Probably not a helpful answer, but there HAS to be some way to automate this, no? Even if it costs a bit to get a utility developed or something, it will pay for itself in the long run as you're likely looking at $150/night and upwards to have this run.

[Rathji]

Why cant you kick people out? and what are they kicking them out of? Thier workstations?

If they really don't care about automation and just need someone to do it, I think I can help you. Sent you a PM,

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Scripting this was my first reaction and I still see no reason why this can't be done that way. Unfortunately my IT guys are putting up a wall like Tim Thomas on a Sedin. Not entirely sure it's a technicaly reason.

I'm hoping to find a 3rd party to potentially use them but also to illustrate the costs for doing so and hopefully gain some leverage with IT.

[sclitheroe]

I'll do it for $80 bucks a night

[-TC-]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

So one of our accounting systems at work (a shartty one at that) requires a process to be run nightly that moves transactions to the General Ledger. It's a simple sequence of events that involves kicking people out, running the process, waiting for it to run, and then sending reports to someone in accounting. The reason eludes me, but I think they've looked at scripting this with no success (something to do with the kicking of people out).

Problem is that it must be run at night outside of operating hours and we are a cross country operation so timezones make things worse. Right now some guy has to run this at 10pm every night taking up 1.5 hours of his time every business night (unpaid overtime).

My IT operations group does not work 24 hours so they are running like the wind from this one. Anyone know of a shop that will run processes like this for you (via VPN or something) on an outsource basis?

where are you?

I might be able to help you.

[psicodude]

Longview is doing a lot of this type of work now. http://www.longviewsystems.com/solut...egic-sourcing/

[photon]

$79 a night!

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Thanks everyone, I think Longview does do some work for us. I will do battle with the IT crowd tomorrow for hopefully a scripted solution armed with some costly alternatives (like some guy named Photon)

EDIT - $79 an hour? Does that come with a side of hookers and blow?

[malcolmk14]

I'll do it for $78 a night.

[Jedi Ninja]

1) Have you tried contacting the vendor of the accounting software for advice? Whatever they say should have some "street cred" against whatever excuses your IT department is coming up with.

2) PsKill

[Bill Bumface]

I'll do it for $300 a night.

[burn_this_city]

$10,000 a night plus expenses for my helicopter.

[Jedi Ninja]

For that kind of money you should be able to make the "problem" dissappear permanently. Just PM him their name.

[Hack&Lube]

I will license my linux backup script to you for a 10-year agreement for a one time payment of $281,050

[Coys1882]

What kind of photos do you have of the guy doing the 1.5 hours of unpaid OT every night??

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

What kind of photos do you have of the guy doing the 1.5 hours of unpaid OT every night??

And if you don't have any photos, it's time to install some cameras and hire some of the guys from the do up my fly thread.

[mykalberta]

We are on call 24hrs where I work but I wouldnt be on on call for much longer if I had to spend 90 minutes a night every night especially for some piece of accounting software that isnt directly related to the IT group.

[ericschand]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

So one of our accounting systems at work (a shartty one at that) requires a process to be run nightly that moves transactions to the General Ledger. It's a simple sequence of events that involves kicking people out, running the process, waiting for it to run, and then sending reports to someone in accounting. The reason eludes me, but I think they've looked at scripting this with no success (something to do with the kicking of people out).

Problem is that it must be run at night outside of operating hours and we are a cross country operation so timezones make things worse. Right now some guy has to run this at 10pm every night taking up 1.5 hours of his time every business night (unpaid overtime).

My IT operations group does not work 24 hours so they are running like the wind from this one. Anyone know of a shop that will run processes like this for you (via VPN or something) on an outsource basis?

I've seen applications with a similar process to the one you are describing at many many companies. Not just for accounting, but for inventory, billing, and others. Everywhere I've ever been, this is an Accounting issue, and as such, they are responsible for making it happen. It's their application, and if they didn't take into account such procedures (and/or deficiencies), IT should not be on the hook for it. IT is only responsible for SLA defining uptime(s), hardware provisions, backup/restore, and so on. Never has IT been responsible for the process.

Why are your IT guys using their personal time for this? Accounting dept should be handling it. If they can't, they better figure out a way.

If something goes wrong with the application, do *you* really want the responsibility for missing transactions, incorrect ledger, and many other things that could go wrong? Again, Accounting chose the application, they are responsible for all failures of it, including this process.

Having said that, what OS is this on? Windows? Unix? Other??

ers

[I-Hate-Hulse]

We sure as hell didn't pick this POS - we inherited this via acquisition.

IT's awesome solution today? Have some entry level IT dude in the North Carolina office do it.