For years, paper work instructions have been a standard part of manufacturing. They were easy to distribute, simple to update, and familiar to operators.
But manufacturing has changed.
Products are becoming more complex. Customer expectations continue to rise. Experienced employees are retiring, while new employees often need to become productive more quickly than ever before. As a result, many manufacturers are rethinking how information is delivered on the shop floor.
The Challenge with Paper
Paper work instructions create several common challenges:
- Multiple versions of the same document
- Outdated instructions remaining at workstations
- Time spent searching for the correct information
- Longer training periods for new employees
- Inconsistent processes between operators
None of these issues may seem significant on their own, but together they can impact quality, productivity, and employee confidence.
A Shift Toward Digital Work Instructions
One trend we're seeing across the manufacturers we work with is a move toward digital work instructions. Rather than relying on printed documents, operators receive the latest approved instructions directly at their workstation, along with supporting images, videos, and other visual aids...
Cloud migration can feel overwhelming, especially for organizations that have invested years in building and refining their ERP environment.
Infor's Leap program was designed to help organizations evaluate modernization opportunities through cloud readiness planning, industry-specific best practices, and a structured implementation approach.
The most successful cloud journeys begin with a clear understanding of your business objectives, integrations, reporting requirements, and long-term growth plans.
Whether you're actively evaluating cloud options or simply planning for the future, Crossroads RMC can help you assess your current environment and understand the available paths forward.
→ Learn more about Infor Leap
→ Contact Crossroads RMC to discuss your modernization strategy
For many manufacturers, ERP has been the foundation of their business for years. It manages orders, inventory, production, purchasing, and financials. But as technology and business demands continue to evolve, many organizations are beginning to ask a different question:
Is our ERP environment ready for what's next?
For some, that conversation includes cloud migration. For others, it's about integration, visibility, analytics, or supporting future growth.
The good news is that modernization doesn't have to start with a major migration project.
Start with the Business, Not the Technology
One of the biggest misconceptions about modernization is that it begins with selecting a new platform.
In reality, the most successful projects begin by understanding the business challenges you're trying to solve.
Questions worth asking include:
Disconnected systems don’t just create inefficiencies, they limit visibility, increase risk, and slow growth.
Across Infor LN/Baan and LX/BPCS environments, we help manufacturers connect their ERP with key business platforms so data flows accurately and in real time.
Quick Insight
Integration challenges are rarely about tools, they’re about how systems are connected and how data flows between them. When integration is built around your ERP, it creates a reliable foundation for efficiency, visibility, and scalability.
Real-World Example
A leading U.S. based pharmaceutical manufacturer needed to connect their Infor ERP with external platforms to eliminate manual processes and support growing volume.
Crossroads RMC implemented an ION-based integration that automated data exchange and created a secure, bi-directional flow of information.
The result:
- Eliminated high-volume manual entry
- Reduced errors and improved accuracy
- Increased visibility into key processes
- Enabled scalable growth without adding resources
→ Read the full case study
If you’re looking to connect systems more effectively or support growth without added complexity, we’d be happy to share what’s working.
Talk with our team 1.800.762.2077
Why this matters
Many integration challenges come from systems that don’t communicate effectively. Data is often duplicated, delayed, or manually transferred between applications, creating inefficiencies and limiting visibility.
What this solves
Infor ION provides a structured way to connect applications and enable consistent data flow across your environment, helping reduce manual processes and improve how information is shared.
How it works
Infor ION acts as a central integration layer, allowing systems to communicate using standardized messages.
In Infor LN, ION is natively integrated, enabling streamlined data exchange across applications.
In Infor LX environments, ION can be used as part of an integration strategy to connect ERP with external systems and platforms.
This enables: