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2026 is HERE: Is your Baan/LN strategy ready for the "2030 Countdown"?

Kathy Barthelt 0 23 Article rating: 5.0

The calendar has turned to 2026, and for Infor Baan and LN users, the roadmap ahead is more critical than ever. As we move closer to the end-of-decade legacy milestones, the status quo is no longer a viable strategy for your mission-critical operations.

What is your 2026 ERP Roadmap?

Think of your ERP strategy as a high-stakes navigation system. Without a clear plan, you risk stalling your business growth, falling behind on automation, and facing the "performance debt" of aging systems.

As you kick off the new year, ask yourself:

  • Does our legacy setup align with our 2026-2030 growth targets?
  • Are we leveraging AI and automation, or are we stuck in manual, time-consuming workflows?
  • Is our team fully trained on the latest features, or are we losing data integrity through "workarounds"?

How Crossroads RMC Can Future-Proof Your Operations

Whether you are optimizing your current system or planning a high-performance migration to Infor CloudSuite, we provide the specialized expertise that your business requires:

  • Utilization Reviews: Identify where current systems are underutilized and align ERP functionality with current and future business goals, ensuring the software evolves alongside the company.

  • Strategic Upgrades: Navigate the path from Baan or early LN 10.x) to the Infor CloudSuites to gain access to modern features such as AI-driven analytics and industry-specific capabilities.

  • Hyper-Automation: Deploy ERP add-ons that eliminate manual data entry and connect your entire shop floor.

  • Expert Training: Ensure your staff is prepared for the 2026 digital landscape with best-practice workshops.

Let’s Make 2026 Your Most Efficient Year Yet.

Don't let your ERP be a roadblock. Let’s turn it into your competitive advantage. Contact the Crossroads RMC team today to schedule your 2026 Strategy Session.

Contact the Crossroads RMC team today to schedule your 2026 Strategy Ses

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Infor LN & Baan Tips & Tricks for OPERATIONS: Blocking Operations

Kathy Barthelt 0 29 Article rating: 5.0

Note: The Blocked Operations (tisfc0540m000) session displays the blocked operations.

Introduction

Sometimes a problem occurs that must be solved before an operation proceeds. Examples of such situations are:

  • The quality of an intermediate product must first be inspected.
  • A machine is in repair.
  • A supplier cannot deliver an essential component in time.
  • A customer is late with its payments.

In these situations the operation can get the operation status Blocked.

An operation can be blocked:

  • Manually.
  • Automatically by Quality.

Blocking reasons

Every blocked operation must have a blocking reason. The blocking reason of a blocked operation has two purposes:

  • To indicate why the operation is blocked.
  • To determine which actions you can no longer perform on the operation.

Types of blocking

The following actions can be blocked by means of a blocking reason:

  • Reporting a quantity completed.
  • Reporting a quantity rejected.
  • Reporting a quantity to be inspected.
  • Reporting an operation completed.

You normally carry out these actions in the Report Operations Completed (tisfc0130m000) session.

You can define blocking reasons in the Blocking Reasons (tisfc2100m000) session.

Manual blocking

Use the Report Operations Completed (tisfc0130m000) session to block an operation. When you block an operation, you must also enter a blocking reason. If Quality has already blocked the operation, you can only enter a blocking reason, which is more restrictive than the blocking reason of Quality.

Blocking by Quality Managem

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Infor LN & Baan Tips & Tricks for TECHNOLOGY: High Contrast Skin

Kathy Barthelt 0 24 Article rating: 5.0

The high contrast skin can be activated by users who experience low vision, color-blindness, or similar visual impairments.

If the high contrast skin is active, LN UI is colored so that all controls comply with the WCAG AA norms for accessibility.

Guideline 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)

The visual presentation of text and images of text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1. For level AA, these exceptions apply:

  • Large text: large-scale text and images of large-scale text have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1.
  • Incidental: the following text or images of text have no contrast requirement:
    • Text or images of text that are part of an inactive user interface component.
    • Text or images of text that are pure decoration.
    • Text or images of text that are not visible to anyone.
    • Text or images of text that are part of a picture that contains significant other visual content.
  • Logotypes: text that is part of a logo or brand name has no minimum contrast requirement.
     
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Infor LN & Baan Tips & Tricks for FINANCE: Using Dimensions

Kathy Barthelt 0 23 Article rating: 5.0

You can independently define dimensions and use them to prepare analyses of ledger account transactions and balances. You can use up to 12

dimension types. You can define a name and an entire structure of dimension codes for each of these dimension types. There is no relationship between the dimension types.

For example, you can set up these dimensions:

  • Dimension Type 1 = Cost center
  • Dimension Type 2 = Item group
  • Dimension Type 3 = Business unit
  • Dimension Type 4 = Geographical area
  • Dimension Type 5 = Activities

You can separately define the dimension structure for each of these dimension types, in other words, you can set up a dimension structure for the cost centers, a structure for item groups, and so on.

You can define the number of dimension types that you use in the Group Company Parameters (tfgld0101s000) session. If you have several financial companies in a company group, the dimension types used apply to all the companies in the group.

You can name the dimension types and define linked objects in the Dimension Type Descriptions (tfgld0102m000) session. You can then define the dimension codes to be used in each company in the Dimensions (tfgld0510m000) session. You can also make multilevel dimension structures with totals and subtotals. You can build a dimension hierarchy of up to ten levels.

In the Dimensions (tfgld0510m000) session, you can define the dimensions for each dimension type, and link the dimensions to parent dimensions and child dimensions.

Dimensions are always used together with ledger accounts. For each ledger account, you can define which dimension type or types are linked to the ledger account in the Chart of Accounts (tfgld0508m000) session. For each dimension type, you must select whether the dimensions type is Mandatory, Optional, or Not Used by the ledger account.

When you enter a transaction, you must first state the ledger account. Then you must enter a dimension for each Mandatory dimension type that is linked to the ledger account, and you can enter a dimension for each Optional dimension type.

For example, the sales revenues ledger account is linked to dimension type 2 (item group) and dimension type 4 (area). The dimension type 1 (cost center) and dimension type 3 (business unit) are not used for the ledger account. The freight costs l

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Infor LX/BPCS Growth with Connected eCommerce & Tax Automation

Frank Petrasio 0 261 Article rating: 5.0

Is your current Infor LX or BPCS system holding back your growth? It doesn't have to.

In 2026, staying competitive means moving beyond manual workflows and data silos. Crossroads RMC has partnered with Aleran and Avalara to provide an integrated, end-to-end solution designed specifically for manufacturers and distributors in the Infor LX and BPCS market.

Transform Your Operations from Quote to Cash

This powerful partnership enables you to maximize your existing ERP investment without the need for a total overhaul.

  • Aleran: Modern B2B eCommerce
    • 24/7 Digital Catalog: Provide a fully branded shopping experience that connects directly to your LX/BPCS data.
    • Self-Service Portals: Empower customers and dealers with real-time access to inventory, quotes, and order history.
    • Streamlined CPQ: Simplify complex product configurations and pricing to accelerate sales cycles.
  • Avalara: Automated Tax Compliance

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Infor LX/BPCS Tips & Tricks for TECHNOLOGY: User Provisioning

George Moroses 0 241 Article rating: 5.0

This enhancement: 

  • Provides an ability for LX to integrate with Infor Federation Services (IFS) to automate provisioning of users.
  • Activates LX exit points during maintenance of LX business roles and business units to publish the SyncSecurityRoleMaster BOD which can be received by IFS as LX-specific roles in addition to the three IFS predefined LX-specific roles: LX-SystemAdministrator (corresponding to LX security type S = LX Security Officer); LX-SystemManager (corresponding to LX security type M = LX Security Manager); and LX-User (corresponding to LX security type U = LX User).
  • Enables support for LX receiving an inbound SyncSecurityUserMaster BOD (sent from IFS) and creating or revising the associated LX user (or security manager or security officer). This enhancement also supports creating an IBMi user profile which can then be defined as an LX user (or security manager or security officer).
  • Activates LX exit points during maintenance of LX users (and security managers and security officers) to send the ProcessSecurityUserMaster BOD to IFS requesting creation or revision of a user on behalf of LX.
  • Automates sending revised LX user authorities to corresponding System i Manager (SiM) tasks which can then be uploaded to System i Workspace (SiW).
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Tips:  LX | BPCS | M3

Tips: LN | Baan

Kathy Barthelt
/ Categories: Infor LN & Baan Tips, Executive

Infor LN & Baan Tips & Tricks for EXECUTIVES

TECHNOLOGY: Data Sharing Methods (Advantages and Disadvantages)

Depending on the multicompany scenario you choose, an implementation team must decide whether or not tables must be logically linked or if data must be synchronized in another way to achieve availability of data across various companies. 

There are 3 ways in which data may be shared among companies. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of each:

  1. Logical Table Linking - If two companies use the same physical data, the physical table exists, or is used, in only one company: the physical company. Each piece occurs only once: one instance of the same data. If the term logical table linking is used, users from multiple companies use a single physical instance of the data. If the company tables are on the same server, this can be accomplished by logical table linking. Access to specific data can be restricted, if required.

    • Advantages: Logical Table Linking takes place in real time; therefore, the moment a record is created or modified in one company, a record becomes available in all other linked companies as well. The setup and maintenance of logical table linking is easier than the setup and maintenance of data replication. Logical table linking is extremely reliable because this type of linking is independent of network connections and user interventions. 

    • Disadvantages: Table sharing implies that all attributes for a record are the same in all companies. Therefore, suppose you share the item table and, for a particular item in a company, the product class is XXX. In this case, in all other companies, the product class for this item must be XXX as well.

  2. Data Replication - In this situation, each company has exactly the same data, but each company has a unique copy of the data. The same piece of data exists in multiple (physical) places: multiple instances of the same data. The process to copy the data is called data replication.

    • Advantages: Rather than using table sharing by means of the logical linking of tables, you can replicate the content of tables between companies. The advantage is that, on company level, some (non-key) attributes of a record can differ by company. For example, if the bills of materials are replicated instead of shared, for each company, you can link a different warehouse to the bill of material. As a result, the bills of materials can be the same across all companies and only the warehouses differ. Using replication, you can also make only a subset of the records available in other companies. For example, if you replicate items between companies, in a sales company, for example, by means of the item group, you can only make end items available. In addition, you can replicate only a subset of items, for example, depending on the item group. Note that replication also requires that the referenced tables are replicated or shared.

    • Disadvantages: Replication is not in real time, and therefore, for processes that require real-time integrated data as the financial integration processes, replication is not an option. For replication, you also must take into account the sequence in which you replicate. First, you must replicate the child tables and then the parent tables, and therefore first the business partners and then the purchase contracts. During the replication process, the data must be frozen. This point is of particular importance if the replication process takes a lot of time.

  3. Manual Syncronization - If only a small number of records are the same between some companies, you can enter, maintain, and keep the records synchronized manually. Note that the more dynamic data is, the more difficult this process is. This solution is strictly procedural. Therefore, depending on the discipline of the users, the solution is error sensitive: data can be forgotten, updated too late, or typing errors may occur.

  • Advantages - The main advantage is the flexibility so that only the data that really must be shared can be kept synchronized. By manually keeping data synchronized, not all attributes of a record need to have the same value.

  • Disadvantages - The main disadvantage is that this method depends on user interaction. Therefore, the method depends on the user’s time - because the method is not a real time procedure and the user may forget to update the data - and users can make mistakes.

OPERATIONS: Creating a Purchase Order with Subcontracting

To create a purchase order (with subcontracting) third party outsourcing from purchase order, execute these steps:

  1. Create a purchase order using the same data set defined in the Subcontracting Models (tisub1100m000) session.
  2. In the Purchase Order Intake Workbench (tdpur4601m200) session, click New. The Purchase Order (tdpur4100m900) session is displayed.
  3. Select the business partner in the Business Partner field, Press Tab. Note: Infor LN populates the default data for the selected business partner in the other fields of the purchase order header.
  4. Select the order type for subcontracting in the Order Type field, purchase office in the Purchase Office field, and the related order series in the Order field.
  5. Click New on the Order Lines tab and select your subcontracted price item in the second segment of the Item field.
  6. Specify the required quantity in the Ordered Quantity field, price of the item in the Price field and click Save.
  7. Click the Approve button to approve the purchase order. The purchase order Status is updated to Approved.
  8. Verify that the material to be sent to the subcontractor is updated on the Material Supply Lines tab.
  9. Select the material line on the Material Supply Lines tab and click Actions > Generate Supply Order.
  10. Select the generated supply order line updated in the Supply Order Line field on the Material Supply Lines tab and click References > Supply Lines. The Warehousing Order (whinh2100m100) session is displayed.
  11. Select the outbound order line on the Outbound Lines tab and click References > Status Overview. The Outbound Line Status Overview (whinh2129m000) session is displayed.
  12. In the Outbound Line Status Overview (whinh2129m000) session, ensure that the Generate Outbound Advice and the Release Outbound Advice activities are automatically executed.
  13. On the specific menu, click Freeze/Confirm. The Shipment Lines (whinh4131m000) session is displayed.
  14. Select the shipment line and click Confirm. The shipment line Status is updated to Confirmed on the Status tab.

  15. Verify that the Line Status is Shipped for the outbound order line on the Outbound Lines tab in the Warehousing Order (whinh2100m100) session.

FINANCE: Cash Flow Statements (tfgld 0123m100)

Use this session to define or maintain cash flow statements and hierarchical structures of cash flow reasons for cash flow statement reports. 

On the Cash Flow Reasons by Statement tab, you can select cash flow reason groups and cash flow reasons to build a hierarchical structure of cash flow reasons for the cash flow statement report.

To link a child cash flow reason group to a parent cash flow reason group:

  1. In the Parent Cash Flow Reason Group field, select the parent cash flow reason group.
  2. In the Child Cash Flow Reason Group field, select the child cash flow reason group.
  3. Leave the Child Cash Flow Reason field empty.

To link a cash flow reason to a cash flow reason group:

  1. in the Parent Cash Flow Reason Group field, select the cash flow reason group
  2. Make the Child Cash Flow Reason Group field empty.
  3. In the Child Cash Flow Reason field, select the cash flow reason.

Note: To link cash flow reasons to a child cash flow reason group, you must select the child cash flow reason group in the Parent Cash Flow Reason Group field.

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Kathy Barthelt

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