Sage X3 is a Global ERP System, utilizing 24 multiple time-zones from across the globe. For this
reason, Sage X3, manages all transactions by timestamping these transactions, using UTC time.
This Blog is written to answer a few questions on the use of UTC time inside Sage X3. We will add
to this Blog in the future to make the use of UTC time inside Sage X3, clear and understandable.
What is the UTC time?
UTC is an abbreviation for Universal Coordinated Time. Sage X3 uses UTC time by design.
All transactional values for the field UPDDATTIM inside Sage X3, is stored in UTC time.
The westernmost time zone uses UTC−12, being twelve hours behind UTC; the easternmost
time zone uses UTC+14, being fourteen hours ahead of UTC.
UTC is used in many Internet and World Wide Web standards. The Network Time Protocol (NTP),
designed to synchronize the clocks of computers over the Internet, transmits time information
from the UTC system. If only milliseconds precision is needed, clients can obtain the current
UTC from a number of official internet UTC servers. For sub-microsecond precision, clients can
obtain the time from satellite signals.
How does this work inside Sage X3?
The short answer is, UTC is a time-zone used inside Sage X3, to cater for the correct
synchronization of all the different time-zones from around the world.
The field UPDDATTIM, is set within Sage X3 for all transactions to be equal to the UTC time.
How will I manage calculating transactional time inside
my reports for GMT+2 or other time zones for that matter?
For reports, requiring the exact transactional time, using the UPDDATTIM field.
The GMT+2 transactional time may be calculated together with the UPDDATTIM field,
using the method explained below.
To display the correct transactional time for GMT+2, using the UPDDATTIM field.
UTC time can be converted programmatically to GMT+2, by adding two as an integer
value to the recorded UTC time stored inside the UPDDATTIM field.
UTC = GMT, therefore, for GMT+2 for example, two hours has to be added onto UTC time
to calculate the equivalent GMT+2 time. For GMT+6, six hours has to be added onto the
UTC time, and so on. For GMT-3 , three hours have to be deducted.
Is the use of UTC time, unique to Sage X3?
No, it's not. Lots of other ERP Business systems also use UTC time.
Examples of other, ERP Systems also using UTC time, is SAP, Epicore, Netsuite and Oracle.
--- At the time of writing this Blog --- X3 online help inside Sage X3, offered
the below explanation around UTC time:-
|
Use this function to define world time zones. World time zones are used to convert dates and times sent to Production Scheduler to the UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) is the equivalent of GMT/GT (Greenwich Mean Time/Greenwich Time). The rules that determine when Daylight Saving Time (DST) starts or ends can change, and for
You must maintain and ensure the accuracy of your time zone data. |
Sources used inside this Blog:-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordinated_Universal_Time#:~:text=The%20time%20zone%20using%20UTC,was%20the%20point%20of%20origin.
https://online-help.sageerpx3.com/erp/12/staticpost/time-zones/?highlight=utc+time
Although extremely brief at this stage. We hope that this Blog, offered clarity around the use
of UTC time inside Sage X3.
Specifically how the UTC time-zone, relates to the UPDDATTIM field inside Sage X3.
Renier