Author: David Kidd, Delivery Director, Cooper Software
In my latest Power Plays post, I explore how we've solved one of the most requested features from IFS customers migrating to Cloud – bringing back the beloved Sticky Notes functionality that was lost in the transition. Power Plays is our new series highlighting the strategic developments and solutions from Cooper Software that deliver real value to IFS customers.
When IFS moved from Apps 9/10 to IFS Cloud, one piece of functionality that didn't make the journey was Sticky Notes – digital post-it-style messages that users could attach to IFS records for informal contextual communication. For many customers, this wasn't just a minor inconvenience; it was a change in their daily workflow. Recognising this need, Cooper Software has developed and delivered an enhanced solution for IFS Cloud called Stickies that not only replicates the original functionality but significantly improves upon it.
The Problem: Lost Functionality, Real Impact
Sticky Notes in IFS Apps 9/10 provided a simple but powerful way for users to communicate informally within the system. Finance teams could flag customer approval issues, engineers could leave notes about equipment maintenance, and project managers could share quick reminders – all directly on the relevant records where the context mattered most.
These weren't just convenience features; they were integral to how many organisations operated. We've worked with customers who had tens of thousands of sticky notes across their IFS records, representing years of accumulated knowledge and communication patterns that had become embedded in their business processes.
Working without this functionality has created a genuine business challenge for some. Teams find themselves reverting to emails, separate communication tools, or paper notes – effectively moving backwards in terms of system integration and information accessibility.
The Cooper Software Solution: Enhanced and Auditable Stickies
Rather than simply recreating what existed before, we've engineered a native IFS Cloud solution that delivers all the original functionality while addressing its limitations. Our enhanced solution offers:
Core Functionality Restored:
Significant Enhancements:
Real-World Applications
The versatility of our Stickies solution means it serves multiple use cases across different departments:
Finance Teams: Flag pending approvals, highlight unusual transactions, or share customer-specific payment terms and conditions directly on invoices or customer records
Operations: Engineers can leave equipment-specific maintenance notes, share safety reminders, or document non-standard procedures directly on work orders or inventory parts
Customer Service: Representatives can quickly share customer preferences, document previous issues, or flag special handling requirements without navigating away from the customer record
Project Management: Team leads can provide temporary instructions during system transitions, highlight dependencies, or share quick status updates that are immediately visible to all project stakeholders.
Migration Made Simple
For customers transitioning from Apps 9/10, we've developed comprehensive migration scripts that transfer all existing sticky notes to the new system. This ensures that years of accumulated knowledge and communication history aren't lost in the move to Cloud.
The implementation process is remarkably straightforward – typically completed within a single day. We handle the technical installation, migrate existing data where applicable, and provide the necessary training to ensure teams can immediately benefit from the enhanced functionality.
For customers already on IFS Cloud, the solution can be deployed as a new capability, often revealing use cases that teams didn't know they needed until they experienced the functionality firsthand.
Strategic Value Beyond Functionality
This initiative exemplifies Cooper Software's approach to customer partnership. Rather than accepting that certain functionality was no longer available, we invested in developing a solution that not only restores what was lost but improves upon it significantly.
The auditable nature of Stickies addresses one of the key limitations of the original functionality. Organisations can now maintain informal communication and context sharing while meeting compliance and governance requirements – a crucial consideration in today's regulatory environment.
It’s available today, and easy to deploy. Get in touch with our team for more information.
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