Using SQL User Defined Functions for Sorts

February 6th, 2013

By using a UDF to manipulate your raw data during the SQL select process, you can;

  • retrieve associated values that require complex calculations,
  • perform data cross-referencing, and
  • manipulate data beyond the basic build in SQL functions.

Using traditional methods without the utilization of SQL/UDF, several steps are involved.  They include copying required data to a work file, running business logic to perform calculations (e.g. inventory age), then sorting and outputting the data in the desired format.

Through the use of a UDF,  the inventory age calculation can occur during the data selection process, eliminating the overhead and processing associated with using temporary files for this task.  This results in your selected data being fully ready for output into the final format desired.

Additionally, a UDF offers the same benefits and advantages of service programs and APIs.   The most important benefit is developing standard business logic external to any specific program, allowing it to be re-used instead of repetitively developed and debugged!  If you need help deploying this strategy on the IBM i, let us know!

IBM i and HIPAA EDI Requirements 4010 to 5010

November 4th, 2010

Silveredge is currently helping clients upgrade EDI mappings from version 4010 to 5010. By January 1, 2012, all large health care organizations are required to be compliant with version 5010 of the transaction sets to support HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ) and ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision) code set changes. Unlike previous version upgrades, the enhancements for 5010 are significant. Specific documents include: 276/277 Health Care Claim Status Request/Response, 837 Health Care Claim, 270/271 Eligibility Inquiry/Response, and 835 Health Care Payment/Advice.

Version 5010 will bring greater automation and interoperability among health care providers, hospitals, pharmacies, and payers. Organizations can leverage these EDI changes in combination with HIPAA and ICD-10 enhancements in their internal systems to reduce administrative costs.

Application Support Outsourcing

March 26th, 2010

After a rigorous vendor selection process, Silveredge was selected to provide PRMS application support helpdesk services.    We were selected over the incumbent firm as well as off-shore vendors.

We have retained this business for the last five years, due to a number of success factors.

  • Clear definition of priority issues.  We identify critical problems early and are committed to the services levels.
  • Year after year budget reductions.
  • Increased stability of the systems, substantial improvements each and every year.
  • Highly defined methodology.
  • Despite budget savings every year, clear service level improvements year over year.
  • Customer enjoys “black box” solution.

 

We can send you a detailed slide presentation of this solution, which is appropriate to any ERP system.

 

Warehouse Automation easier than ever

March 4th, 2010

Silveredge has recently implemented a full warehouse automation solution custom designed by the client utilizing LANSA as the development tool.  The wireless devices display html pages, which are easily understood by the warehouse staff.  The pages are directly generated by the IBM i, without the need for additional hardware.  The client utilizes this method for picking, receiving, shipping, and cycle counting.  While this solution interfaced with the HFA ERP solution, the approach is universal.

FAX and OCR (Auto entry fax orders)

March 4th, 2010

Some of our customers are faced with fax orders that won’t go away.  EDI just isn’t an option.  Silveredge has created a solution that automatically converts fax documents into standard EDI documents suitable for order entry.  The faxes are received on a network based fax server and retrieved.  Using Optical Character Recognition technology, the faxes are successfully converted to files.  Full success is achieved more than 90% with exceptions kicking out to the customer service department.