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eCMS Construction ERP Software

ANNOUNCING: eCMS v.4.1 Service Pack 2 Fix Pack 5

eCMS v.4.1 Service Pack 2 Fix Pack 5 is now generally available for installation into production environments. This fix pack requires CGC installation and a dedicated environment.

  • Fix Pack 5 includes several new IDI menu options, new modifications and enhancements to eCMS, and the most recent bug fixes. Refer to the Release Notes for details.
  • Release Notes are available on the Customer Support Website .
  • Hosted Customers: If you would like priority installation of Fix Pack 5, please submit a ticket requesting it. Otherwise, Fix Pack 5 will be installed as scheduled by CGC.
  • Non-Hosted Customers: Please submit an incident asking to be added to the schedule for installation of Fix Pack 5. CGC will then contact you to schedule the installation.
  • Scheduling preference was given to customers registered to attend Customer Focus 2018 so those returning from the conference can immediately implement the new things they learn.
  • Migrations to eCMS v.4.1 from prior CMS/eCMS releases will be upgraded to the FP5 release level.

Supported Releases

The policy of Computer Guidance is to support each release level until a later service pack or fix pack has been available for at least 90 days. CGC will continue to help resolve issues at earlier release levels, but part of the solution will often be to upgrade to a supported release level.

eCMS v.4.1 SP2 Fix Pack 3 and later are supported. The most current release level is Service Pack 2 with Fix Pack 5 (5/24/2018). 

eCMS v.4.0 SP3 Fix Pack 13 and later are supported. The most current release level is Service Pack 3 Fix Pack 14 (4/17/2017). No additional Fix Packs are planned for eCMS v.4.0 except 2018 Quarter-End Fix Packs. Unless other arrangements are made, eCMS v.4.0 customers should work with CGC to upgrade to eCMS v.4.1 before year end.

eCMS v.3.7 SP12 Fix Pack 4 and later are supported. The most current release level is Service Pack 12 Fix Pack 4 with Hot Fix 401 (1/27/2017). No additional Fix Packs are planned for eCMS v.3.7 except Year-End and Quarter-End fix packs.

Year-End/Quarter-End Updates: The most current year-end fix pack level is the 2017 Year-End Fix Pack (Y74, 12/21/2017) with 2017 Year-End Hot Fix (Y75, 1/4/2018).  The most current quarter-end fix pack level is the 2018 First Quarter-End Fix Pack (Q81, 4/2/2018). NOTE: The YE/QE updates are normally included in the next regular Service Pack and/or Fix Pack created after the release of the YE/QE updates.

Supported Releases for the 2018 Second Quarter-End Fix Pack

An eCMS/CMS environment must be at one of the following release levels in order to install the 2018 Second Quarter-End Update, which will be July 13.

NOTE: If not already installed, the 2017 Year-End Fix Pack or a release Fix Pack that includes the Year-End Fix Pack must first be installed.

  • eCMSv.4.1 Service Pack 2
  • eCMSv.4.0 SP3 Fix Pack 13 or 14
  • eCMSv.3.7 SP12 Fix Pack 4
  • CMS v.3.4.3 SP14 Fix Pack 3

Installing eCMS Updates 

To improve our ability to install customer updates in a more timely manner, Damon Stoll was hired by CGC last fall . Many of you have already interacted with him. While Penny Muzzy will continue to schedule installation of release and service pack upgrades, Damon will schedule most fix pack updates as they become available. Damon will also perform most of the upgrade/update installations for both hosted and non-hosted customers. Upgrade installation into production environments of hosted customers will normally be scheduled after-hours. Non-hosted customers requiring after-hours installation of any updates must schedule them with Penny and will require a Statement of Work (SOW) agreement.

If you are on an unsupported release level or would like to upgrade to a more recent release level, first check the Customer Support Website  for available announcements and downloads. Most updates require CGC personnel to install. If you do not find the update download, you need or want CGC to assist or install it, or it requires CGC installation, please submit a ticket requesting the upgrade. CGC will then contact you to schedule the update installation. Your Account Manager is always available to assist.

IBM Withdrawal of Hardware and Software

IBM has announced that they will withdraw service on some Hardware and Software, which may affect some CGC Customers. The CGC green-screen ABOUTCMS command or the About eCMS top menu option displays the machine type and model and the operating system release for your system. Your Account Manager will be happy to provide options and help you decide whether to upgrade or move to the CGC Cloud.

Hardware End of Service in 2019

After the effective dates specified, IBM will no longer offer standard hardware maintenance service for the listed machine types. IBM will offer limited hardware maintenance service without lapse in coverage for select machine types.

The machines most likely to affect CGC customers are listed below. To review the IBM Services Withdrawal announcement with a complete list of all the systems affected, go to the IBM document on their website at  https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/rep_ca/3/897/ENUS917-163/ENUS917-163.PDF. If you are affected, we recommend that you consider upgrading your system or moving to the CGC Cloud (hosted system) before the end of service (EOS) dates shown. 

  • POWER6, i570 – Machine type 9406 Model MMA – EOS Date 3/31/2019
  • POWER6, Power 520 – Machine type 8203 Model E4A – EOS Date 3/31/2019
  • POWER7, Power 720 – Machine type 8202 Models E4B, E4C – EOS Date 9/30/2019

Software End of Service on April 30, 2018

Effective April 30, 2018, IBM has withdrawn service for the IBM i 7.1 operating system. For clients that need additional time to migrate to a supported release of IBM i, IBM intends to announce a fee-based extended service offering for the IBM i Version 7.1 operating system. Hardware maintenance is not affected by this announcement. To review other affected licensed programs, go to the IBM document website at http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_ca/0/897/ENUS917-080/index.html&lang=en&request_locale=en.

Although you can continue to use the unsupported operating systems, licensed programs, and hardware, IBM may be unable to help resolve any issues that may arise. In addition, some PTF updates may no longer be able to be applied. This could result in unplanned downs that could take considerable time and effort to resolve. In addition, CGC may be unable to install some eCMS updates due to operating system or Websphere restrictions thus preventing upgrade to a supported eCMS release level.

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   Customer Services Update   

Customer Focus Workshops I-III

There is still opportunity to register for Customer Focus 2018 and join the hands-on, interactive one-day training sessions along with the user conference program. We are offering in-depth training workshops where users will have the opportunity to follow along accessing their own eCMS environments learning about powerful productivity tools leveraging their data and enhancing their business processes. The workshops will be held at the Phoenician Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona on July 17 from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

For more information, visit the Customer Focus portal at cf2018portal.computerguidance.com or contact your Account Manager. 

If you cannot make it to Arizona this month, contact your Account Manager  to book your customized on-site training workshop at your location or our office. Transform your organization's daily processes and overall operational efficiency by learning more about these invaluable features and functionality!

I/O and Avnet Data Center Tour / Managed Hosting Services

Are you considering moving your IT solutions to the cloud? Do you want to see first hand where your hosted data reside and how it is managed? Do you want to learn more about security, business continuity and our hosted managed services? 

Sign up for our Managed Hosting Data Center Tour offered on Friday, July 20 during the week of Customer Focus and/or join our Technology Summit sessions to learn more. 

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   Highlighted Products & Enhancements   

EXCITING! eCMS v.4.1 Service Pack 2 Fix Pack 5 is now available for general release and it delivers the following powerful enhancements and functionality

  • New IDI Views, Launchpads and Reports
  • Time and Material Billing Modifications
  • Content Management Updates and Enhancements
  • PC2 Updates
  • Mobile Forms
  • LCPtracker Integration 
  • eMars Integration
  • Comdata Integration (Web Services)
  • Textura Integration (Web Services)
  • and more

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   In The News   

We are proud to share that Constructech magazine recognized the winners of the 2018 Constructech 50, which identifies the leading companies providing software, hardware, tools, and equipment to the construction industry, and Computer Guidance Corporation made the list.

Constructech Top 50 Article

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   Upcoming Events   


Constructech Technology Day
August 23, 2018
Chicago, IL


Constructech Vision Awards
August 23, 2018
Chicago, IL

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   CGC Update   

 A big congratulations goes out to Rick Gott on his retirement! The CGC team sincerely thanks Rick for his 34 years of service. Rick's guidance and encouragement have helped CGC thrive in a very competitive market, and we have been so fortunate to have his product and industry expertise to rely on. Rick will be greatly missed, but we wish him many wonderful years ahead with his family and friends. 

 

 

 

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