Manual fix for alias limitation in Crystal Reports XI

• The alias characters ("\" and "\\") used by the IFS Crystal Report framework
  is not supported by Crystal Report Developer XI by default.
  Due to this reason when developing reports an error message is show
  when adding a backslash ("\") as an alias character to a table or view,
  informing the report developer that the backslash is not a supported alias character.
  In order to work with the alias characters used by IFS,
  these alias characters should be manually added to the system registry.
  Add the registry key given below manually to the system registry or
  follow the steps given below to add the alias characters to the system registry
  by creating and running a script file,
  1. Copy and paste the following text to any text editor
  · Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
  · [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Business Objects\Suite 11.0\Crystal Reports\Database]
  "InvalidAliasCharList"="!(){}"
  2. Save the file by giving a name but make sure the file extension is .reg
  (e.g InvalidAliasCharList.reg)
  3. RMB on the file and select "Merge" and run the script file.
  By adding this registry key Crystal Report Developer XI will only recognize characters entered in the key as invalid alias characters.
  Also read the information about the "Alternative alias naming mechanism (characters) due to bug in Crystal Reports" further down in the list of limitations.

Failed to create Crystal Query Engine

The errors occur because Crqe.dll is not registered or is not registered correctly.
To correct this behavior, Crqe.dll must be in the correct folder and
it must be registered.
Register Crqe.dll using the Windows utility, Regsvr32.

To resolve this error message(s) in CR 9:
------------------------------------
1. Quit Crystal Reports.
2. On the Windows taskbar, click the 'Start' button and then click 'Run'.
3. Type:
'regsvr32 "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Crystal Decisions\2.0\bin\crqe.dll"'.
4. Click 'OK'.
A message appears indicating the file is successfully registered.

To resolve this error message(s) in CR 10:
------------------------------------
1. Quit Crystal Reports.
2. On the Windows taskbar, click the 'Start' button and then click 'Run'.
3. Type:
'regsvr32 "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Crystal Decisions\2.5\bin\crqe.dll"'.
4. Click 'OK'.
A message appears indicating the file is successfully registered.

The error message(s) no longer appear.

Aberdeen Report - Lean Scheduling and Execution

71% of Best-in-Class manufacturers are focusing on Lean scheduling and execution
to reduce overall manufacturing costs. Their results?
95% On Time Delivery
91%Throughput
79% Reduction in Manufacturing Cycle Time year over year

This benchmark study showcases the operational performance benefits manufacturers are currently enjoying due to the adoption of Lean scheduling and execution principles.

In the Lean universe, two of the major tenets are Continuous improvement? and Waste removal? which in the eyes of many Lean purists leaves no room for technology adoption. Fortunately, a new generation of manufacturing professionals has come of age and is, to a large extent, implementing Lean scheduling and execution principles with an entirely new set of technology applications.
These newer manufacturers are just as vigilant as their predecessors; with a laser focus on reducing overall manufacturing costs. How do they do it?

They put focus on more than the traditional pillars of Lean or TQM by concentrating on
integrating enabling technologies with ERP They synchronizing demand with execution
They smooth production schedules

In the Lean Scheduling and Execution Benchmark Report,
based on the survey responses of over 400 manufacturing enterprises:

Find out the operational performance benefits that Best-in-Class manufacturers attribute to the use of Lean Scheduling and Execution principles.
Read about Lean Scheduling key metrics and get ready to implement them.
Discover best practices in Lean implementations and how these help reduce overall manufacturing costs.

This is IFS Aurora

To IFS, Aurora serves three key purposes:

• To introduce a new design—a new look—for IFS Applications. All existing windows client forms will be available in the new design.
• To establish a user interface platform on which we can build truly innovative differentiating applications like MaxOEE and IFS/Business Analytics, today and tomorrow.
• To move the client to a modern .Net technology platform, allowing us to benefit from web based deployment and state of the art development tools. Citrix or Terminal Server will no longer be needed to achieve complete web based deployment of IFS Applications.

If we look at what is actually being delivered in the initial Aurora release we find:

• Aurora Enterprise Explorer (Aurora EE). A new user interface and working environment for IFS Applications. In addition to the new design, Aurora EE also offers better user ergonomics, seamless use of web, and many other usability innovations.
• All existing windows client screens available on new technology and running inside Aurora EE.
• An update to IFS Portal and Web Client, featuring the Aurora design and many of the new innovations.
• Tools and processes supporting new development, maintenance, and customization development.

When you look at the total usability of an application, there are three key ingredients: how the application looks and is visually designed, how the user performs common tasks, and how the particular real world problem or task has been modeled and visualized in the application. Aurora brings significant changes and improvements to the first two—design and ergonomics, and provides a platform for IFS to be innovative on the third.

Aurora itself does not change how the functionality in the IFS modules works. Or to put it simply; the customer order screen will still work like the customer order screen does today, whereas how you navigate to it, search for orders, attach documents, zoom to other screens, and much more will change.

Although at first sight Aurora will appear different, it is—as always with IFS—an evolutionary approach. Aurora builds on technology that premiered in IFS Applications 7, improves on the already good features of existing clients, and adds a few innovations of its own.

Leading Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Center in Russia has chosen IFS Applications

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- IFS, the global enterprise applications company, announced that VARZ-400 has chosen IFS Applications to manage its critical business processes.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030320/IFSLOGO)
VARZ-400 Maintenance Repair & Overhaul Center is a part of Vnukovo International Airport holding company. It has Russian and International certificates for aircraft repair and maintenance as well as aircraft engines, systems, assemblies and parts. It also provides rework and upgrading services along with project engineering.
"The company leaders don''t underestimate the significance of IT for critical business process control," VARZ-400 General Director Alexey Chernyshov said. "Management based on reliable data about company assets and liabilities gives incontestable competitive advantages. We have extra requirements from our IT systems, which must let us monitor the airworthiness of aircraft, assemblies and engines while they are serviced at our center."
The company''s senior management studied and analyzed different IT solutions, including IFS Applications, SAP R/3, IBM MRO Software and the Russian-made systems Ikar and InfoSoft.
"The major criteria of selection included wide functionality, easy implementation and good experience in the aviation sphere," VARZ-400 CIO Igor Saenko said. "IFS Applications presented convincingly on every important issue. We were impressed by IFS'' experience in the industry. World leading aircraft and defense manufacturers have chosen IFS Applications. According to international analysts IFS is a leading supplier of enterprise applications for the aerospace industry. VARZ-400 is the largest facility of its type in Russia, with more than 65 years of history. Complex enterprise applications are a powerful tool for efficient and strategic management -- allowing us to achieve new level business targets."
Commenting on the contract signing Leonid Viktorov, IFS Russia & CIS General Director, underlines that aerospace and defense is one of IFS'' targeted market segments.
"IFS has an International Aerospace & Defense Industry Team consisting of consultants with considerable experience in the aviation industry," Viktorov said. "An Aerospace and Defense Advisory Council was established in order to satisfy strict modern requirements. The Council members are senior specialists from IFS'' civil aviation customers, independent experts and IFS representatives. IFS Russia & CIS has a Civil Aviation Team working in cooperation with the International A&D Team."
IFS customers include the US, British and Norwegian defense organizations. Commercial MRO shops and operators include Finnair, Bristow Helicopters, Aero-Dienst GmbH, Hawker Pacific and Jet Turbine Services. In addition, IFS provides solutions to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the global defense industry such as General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, the Eurofighter consortium, BAE Systems, Saab and GE Transportation.

About VARZ-400
The Vnukovo Maintenance Repair & Overhaul Center No. 400 is the largest facility of its type in Russia. It is the part of Vnukovo International Airport holding company. It was set up in 1941. There are 2000 employees today. VARZ-400 has a number of International certificates.
Its industrial base and potential is further augmented by the highly qualified workforce which allows VARZ-400 to regularly increase workloads and expand the range of work and services offered on aircraft repairs and maintenance as well as aircraft engines, systems, assemblies and parts. The company also offers rework and upgrading of aircraft, systems and components to ensure their conformity with the ICAO airworthiness standards currently in force.
VARZ-400 customers are more than 50 airlines from Russia, CIS countries, Eastern Europe and others.
Source: IFS North America