Getting Started #
TAD brings standardization to implementations so there is no guess work. Your implementation will go through several phases and TAD has specific purposes in each one.
Implementation Phases
Code Format #
One of the first and most important decisions you make for your implementation is the Code Format. That format defines how a specific group of columns will look in Vista giving you the ability to customize Vista to your business needs. Once you start posting transactions the format cannot be changed so make a great decision!
The columns below are included in that code format decision.
- GL Account
- Contract/Job (Project)
- Phase Code (Cost Code)
- Equipment Number
- Equipment Category
- Equipment Cost Code
- Material Categories
- Phone Number
You can use the Code Format Generator to determine your formats. That generates a CSV file that TAD will use for applying into your system.
Once your Cloud Server is ready, TAD can be installed and used to apply your Code Format.
Let’s Get Setup! #
With your code format applied you can start configuring the setup tables with your data. A company configuration can contain over 250 possible setup tables and over 85% of those do not have an import template inside Vista.
TAD offers Implementation Setup templates which are configured to have the Required and Commonly Used columns at the front. Each template was reviewed and columns were rearranged in ideal orders to make loading records easier.
You can also use the Converter feature which allows you to build templates that link your source data columns to the Vista data columns. During the copy process you can strip characters, use a cross reference or sequence a column. The copy process does not change the raw data so you can practice on small datasets before applying to larger datasets.
Practice, Practice, Practice! #
“Plans are worthless, but planning is everything.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower
If you do not adequately practice your job responsibilities in Vista then you will suffer during go live and the first 6 months. Practice your job responsibilities and run reports to make sure you can get the data you need. A few items to try:
- Analyze your WIP data and complete a month-end close
- Complete a full parallel payroll
- Enter a new job to parallel for committments, projections, change orders, billings and costing.
- Make sure your can pay AP invoices
- Do you need 3rd party data? (401k providers, benefit providers, positive pay)
Similarly, if you do not practice loading your balances, you run the risk of having certain parts of your operations not functioning for weeks after go live. You do not want go live to be the first time you are looking for your data. TAD offers Implementation Balance templates which are configured to load the standard balances in a structured and simplified process.
It’s Go Time! #
A few weeks before you plan to go live you will copy your Test Company setups to a Live Company. In addition to the setup tables, you can include Vendors, Customers, Employees, Equipment, Contracts, Jobs, Phases, Work Orders, Agreements. The copy process also gives you the ability to exclude the “sample” records that come preloaded in the Test company.
If you practiced loading your balances then you can use your existing templates to load your balances. Everyone else can reference the Implementation Balance templates and Time To Go Live document.
What’s Next? #
If you made it this far then you’ve used 1/2 of what TAD offers. You can start with any of the topics below to enhance your experience with Vista.
- Reports
- Financials
- Accruals
- Automator
- Blaster