MAPICS
Encyclopedia
MAPICS is commercial ERP software
used to control the operations of manufacturing companies. Its name is an acronym for Manufacturing, Accounting and Production Information Control Systems. MAPICS was created by IBM, International Business Machines, but the product is now owned by Infor Global Solutions
and branded 'Infor ERP XA'.
Originally all MAPICS code ran only on IBM
midrange systems like the IBM System 34, 36, and the AS/400, via succeeding versions of the platform - the IBM iSeries, System i and now Power Systems. Early versions were written in IBM RPG, augmented with Control Language[CL] programs. IBM's version of SQL
is also utilized. Recent development efforts have added object oriented components written in the Java programming language, which extends a portion of the XA product to servers running Java
.
However, the XA product still requires the midrange IBM iOS platform. The Java components provide an application runtime which allow user customizations, a rich user interface, an optional web-based interface as well as support for XML
interfaces.
Enterprise resource planning
Enterprise resource planning systems integrate internal and external management information across an entire organization, embracing finance/accounting, manufacturing, sales and service, customer relationship management, etc. ERP systems automate this activity with an integrated software application...
used to control the operations of manufacturing companies. Its name is an acronym for Manufacturing, Accounting and Production Information Control Systems. MAPICS was created by IBM, International Business Machines, but the product is now owned by Infor Global Solutions
Infor Global Solutions
Infor Global Solutions is a privately held U.S. software company that specializes in enterprise software ranging from financial systems and resource planning to supply chain and customer relationships.-Company overview:...
and branded 'Infor ERP XA'.
Originally all MAPICS code ran only on IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
midrange systems like the IBM System 34, 36, and the AS/400, via succeeding versions of the platform - the IBM iSeries, System i and now Power Systems. Early versions were written in IBM RPG, augmented with Control Language[CL] programs. IBM's version of SQL
SQL
SQL is a programming language designed for managing data in relational database management systems ....
is also utilized. Recent development efforts have added object oriented components written in the Java programming language, which extends a portion of the XA product to servers running Java
Java (programming language)
Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
.
However, the XA product still requires the midrange IBM iOS platform. The Java components provide an application runtime which allow user customizations, a rich user interface, an optional web-based interface as well as support for XML
XML
Extensible Markup Language is a set of rules for encoding documents in machine-readable form. It is defined in the XML 1.0 Specification produced by the W3C, and several other related specifications, all gratis open standards....
interfaces.
Timeline
| 1977 | IBM develops and markets MAPICS |
| 1993 | IBM sells MAPICS to Marcam |
| 1997 | Marcam splits into two companies and MAPICS Incorporated is created |
| 2000 | MAPICS Inc. acquires Pivotpoint (for its MS Windows based Point.Man ERP system) |
| 2003 | MAPICS Inc. acquires Frontstep (for its Progress and .NET based SyteLine ERP system) |
| 2005 | MAPICS Incorporated is acquired by Infor. MAPICS is renamed Infor ERP XA |