People were practicing virtualization long before computers. Architects were drawing buildings, contractors were making detailed sketches and engineers were developing their systems; all with a pen and paper. Today, we can do far more than the simple 2-D drawings of the past. Virtualization allows us to build complete cities, in high detail 3-D imagery, then with a click of the mouse, decimate and rebuild in a completely different manner. Not to mention, virtualization is starting to become a mega-trend in the health industry. Doctors and health care professionals are able to create life-like replicas of situations and see the possible side effects and outcomes of different procedures.

In the computer world, virtualization has the same connotation, but with different aspects. For instance, instead of mapping out cities or hearts, Information Technology workers are creating virtual workstations, servers, operating systems and network resources.

There are a wide variety of virtual specialties, including Operating Systems, network, server, hardware and even storage. Let’s take a look at what each discipline entails.

Hardware Virtualization

You probably know a little about virtualization if you have ever decided to partition your hard drive into logical divisions, creating basically two hard drives in one. This is hardware virtualization. This discipline is tasked with partitioning the computer’s memory into separate and isolated virtual machines to simulate multiple machines within one physical computer.

Operating System Virtualization

This type of virtualization allows the computer to take a step back and act as a simple display for different operating systems; much like Apple started doing a few years ago. This uses software to allow a piece of hardware, such as a computer, to display different operating system windows at the same time because it is not tied to either of the two systems.

Network Virtualization

Network virtualization combines all of the available resources in a network by splitting up the available bandwidth into channels. Each of these channels is completely independent of each other and can be devoted, or reassigned, to a particular server or individual in real time. This allows the complex network to be separated into manageable parts that can be worked on or devoted to different tasks without affecting the other ones.

Storage Virtualization

This type of virtualization pools physical storage locations from multiple devices within a network and allows it to act as a single storage device. If you have a single drive to save all of your documents where you work, this would be an example of storage virtualization.

Server Virtualization

Bandwidth is a large issue for companies; a hot commodity within the IT world of corporations. Server virtualization hides the identity of each user from the physical server and keeps users from having to understand and manage the ever-daunting task of server resources. It also increases the ability to share resources and gives the company the ability to expand in the future.

Conclusion

While we have been working with virtualization before the digital age, the technology we have access to now changes the entire game. These categories of virtualization can actually lead the way into autonomic computing; where IT teams will be able to manage the systems based on perceived activity and resources used, allowing clients to only pay as resources are needed. Let me know what you think, leave a comment below.

Virtualization is a post from: Cost Control Software

Related posts:

1. Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 Announcement
2. Inventory Accuracy with Automatic Cycle Counting

Example: Customer Credit Limit, E-Mail Address, Payment Terms, Item Type, Starting Date, Manufacturer Code, or Item Number.

Just flag the Page’s field with “Off, Low, High” to set the Protection Level. You can even specify Must Contain or Can Not Contain to further define your criteria. I invite you to watch Ben’s Video to see Mandatory Fields Setup and Daily Processing. 

Click the article title to submit a Comment.  We want to hear your opinion.

Mandatory Fields for Microsoft Dynamics NAV is a post from: Cost Control Software

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1. Why Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009?
2. Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 Announcement

“Job Manager Class at Directions 2011″

DATE: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
TIME: 08:00am – 5:00 PM
FEE: $295 for Room, Teacher, and a great Lunch
LOCATION: The Peabody Hotel

REGISTRATION: http://costcontrolsoftware.com/about/job-manager-training-class/

“Meet the Cost Control Staff” 
 DATE: Wednesday October 12 & Thursday October 13
TIME: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
LOCATION: Expo Hall – Table Top
REGISTRATION: None Required!

 ” Job Manager for R2; What’s New” 
DATE: Thursday October 13, 2011
TIME: 9:15 – 10:15 am
LOCATION: ISV Session #104
REGISTRATION: None Required
TOPICS: Come to this session to see Job Manager in action: Chart Wizard, Bin Support in Job Journals (FG & RM), Completed Job’s Cost True-Up to Actual Cost, Utilization of Tree Maps and Time Line Visualization, Remote Time Entry, MS-Project Connector, Commission Calculations, Inventory Valuation Detail Reporting, and Automatic Cycle Counting. Who Should Attend: Salespeople, Implementers, Developers, and Owners. Spend 60 min with Rick and Ben as they take you through the R2 Enhancements to Job Manager.

Cost Control at Directions 2011 Conference is a post from: Cost Control Software

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1. Cost “True up” to Actual Cost
2. True cost of a Job
3. Inventory Accuracy with Automatic Cycle Counting

In an effort to continue to provide end-users of NAV the very best “Starter Database” on the market, we have added the following new features:
1. Small Business Role Center with new Alerts Section

2. Improved Security Setup

3. Kitting Enhancements

4. “Template Company” for an instant new company launch

5. Improved Over/Under Shipping options

6. Simple Bill of Lading on Posted Shipmnet Documents

This puts Foundation Pack at 58 Database Enhancments. What a great way to start every new customer. All development is now being done in the Role Tailord Client. There will be no Form Stretches or Changes to the Classic Client. This prepares us for the removal of Forms when Version 7.0 is released in 2012.

To help you better understand what the 58 Embedded Features are, I have created a large document that shows every single feature. Before you invest  $1,700 in Foundation Pack, I want you to know what is included and why the Value is twice what we charge for Foundation Pack. You can get a copy by just leaving a comment below. 

All of us at Cost Control Software apreciate the support of the NAV Channel Partners and the End-User Community. As we complete our R2 releases of “Job Manager”, “Manufacturing Plus”, and “Reports Pack” I will announce their availabity here.  Thank you, Rick Baxter

Foundation Pack R2 is released is a post from: Cost Control Software

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Yet is seems so simple: Receive into Inventory and the Qty goes up. Sell out of Inventory and the Qty goes down. So what is the problem? 99.9% of the time it is a human problem.

Potential errors:
a. Wrong Items are entered. (+ or -)
b. Wrong quantities are entered.
c. Receiving to the wrong Location or SKU.
d. Item Usage not being recorded.
e. Location Transfers not getting entered.

If you are doing “write down” of Inventory each year, the real problem is that usage is not getting recorded as you go.  So at the end of the year during a physical a big discrepancy is discovered and COGS takes a big one time hit to make it right. I submit to you, it is better to catch it early and fill the leak.

If you are doing “Cycle Counting”, let me recommend Cost Control’s “Automatic Cycle Counting” Granule. This Granule will enable you to spot problems much earlier. Don’t wait until year end, do a weekly quick count of the next 40 items. Let Auto Cycle Count tell you what items need to be counted, do the count, record the adjustment, and then try to figure out why there were any discrepancies.

Inventory Accuracy with Automatic Cycle Counting is a post from: Cost Control Software

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You can set up planning lines for each job task on the job. If you have agreed with your customer that he should pay one total amount for the entire job, regardless of the usage on the individual job tasks, you only have to set up one job planning line of type Contract for the entire job.

Only planning lines of type Contract or Both Schedule and Contract can be invoiced. Planning lines of type Schedule are regarded as not chargeable.

The confusing part is that a “Planning Line” can have multiple uses:
a. BOM
b. Task Cost Estimate Details
c. Billing information

We recommend to our Project/Job customers that you setup lines as either Schedule (Estimate) or as Contract (Price), but not both. Both is too confusing, make two separate entries to make it easier to track.

To assist in the process we recommend you setup tasks for each type of work that you do, to further separate the job allocations. Example: Welding, Painting, Installing, Developing, Training, CNC, or Demolition. Under each of these tasks add your “Planning Lines” to hold the detail estimate of that task.

If your business is project/job oriented you can view a video that shows how a well placed task line can clarify your work breakdown structure.

Job Planning Lines is a post from: Cost Control Software

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1. Manufactruing Tip: MPS or MRP?

•    MPS is defined as the calculation of a master production schedule based on actual demand and the production forecast. The MPS calculation is carried out for end items that have a forecast and/or a sales order line. These items are called “MPS items” and are identified dynamically when the calculation starts.

•    MRP is defined as the calculation of material requirements based on actual demand for components and the production forecast on the component level. MRP is calculated only for items that are not MPS items. The overall purpose of MRP is to provide time-phased formal plans, by item, to supply the right item at the right time, in the right place, in the right quantity.

The planning algorithms used for both MPS and MRP are identical. The planning algorithms concern netting, reuse of existing replenishment orders, and action messages. The planning system process looks at what is needed or will be needed (demand) and what is on-hand or expected (supply). When these quantities are netted against each other, the program provides action messages. Action messages are suggestions to create a new order, change an order (quantity or date), or cancel an order already on order. The term “order” includes production orders, purchase orders, and transfer orders.

Proper planning results depend on the set up done on Item Cards, Production BOMs, and Routings. When you are first setting up NAV,test the effects of changes on the item card’s parameters as it relates to the results of the planning worksheet’s recommendation.

Manufactruing Tip: MPS or MRP? is a post from: Cost Control Software

Related posts:

1. Job Planning Lines