Infor LN & Baan Tips & Tricks for EXECUTIVES

FINANCE: Can accounts receivable invoices be uploaded into LN using Excel?
Yes, this is possible, by following the steps below:

1. Maintain a batch

2. Maintain an invoice header, export it, add an additional invoice header to the Excel file, and import it

3. Maintain an invoice line for the first invoice, export it, add additional invoice lines to the Excel file and import it
 

Below the above steps are described in detail.

1a. Open the transactions (tfgld1101m000) session and create a batch.

1b. Insert a transaction type, used for creating sales invoices, like ACR, and open it.

2a. The Sales Invoices (tfacr1110s000) session starts. Maintain the invoice header and save it. For example sales invoice ACR 4497.

2b. In the Actions menu select Export and Import -> Advanced Export (fields: All tabs).

2c. In the excel file created during previous step, add the headers for the invoices to be uploaded. Notice if for the transaction type the Documents in Fixed Sequence checkbox is ticked in the Transaction Types (tfgld0511m000) session, the document number for the not-yet existing invoices to be imported in LN should be equal to the default series for this transaction type. Otherwise, so if the Documents in Fixed Sequence checkbox is not ticked, the desired document numbers can be maintained in the excel file.

2d. In the Sales Invoices (tfacr1110s000) session in the Actions menu select Export and Import -> Settings, and make sure the Import Only in This View checkbox is NOT ticked. Then select in the Actions menu select Export and Import -> Import, select the excel file as saved in the prior step, and import it. Afterwards the invoice headers should be visible in the Sales Invoices (tfacr1110s000) session.

3a. Navigate to the first invoice, select Lines. The Transactions (tfgld1102m300) session opens. Maintain at least 1 line and save it.

3b. Open the line created in the prior step. Notice the detailed version of the Transactions (tfgld1102m300) session opens.

3c. In the Actions menu select Export and Import -> Advanced Export (fields: All tabs).

3d. In the excel file created during previous step, add lines for the header invoice numbers as available in the Sales Invoices (tfacr1110s000) session (as per step 2d).

3e. In the detailed version of the Transactions (tfgld1102m300) session in the Actions menu select Export and Import -> Import, select the excel file as saved in the prior step, and import it.

OPERATIONS: MPS Planned vs. MRP Planned
When deciding what items should be MPS (Master Production Schedule) planned and what items should be MRP (Material Requirements Planning) planned, it's crucial to understand the nature of the items and their demand sources. Here's a breakdown:

• Master Scheduled Items:

  • Master Scheduled Items are typically finished goods or service items.
  • These items receive their requirements from both Independent and Dependent demand sources.
     

• Independent Demand:

  • Independent demand cannot be calculated from higher-level demand in the product structure.
  • It is driven by forecasts or actual customer orders, primarily applicable to Finished Goods or Service parts sold to customers.
     

• Dependent Demand:

  • Dependent demand is derived from higher-level demand in the product structure.
  • It includes components, raw materials, and sub-assemblies.
  • Dependent demand items are not typically part of Master Production Scheduling (MPS).
     

• Service Parts:

  • Service parts can have both independent demand from forecasts or customer orders and dependent demand from higher-level demand if they are used in sub-assemblies or other products.
     

• Cumulative Lead Time:

  • Cumulative Lead Time is a concept used in MPS.
  • It combines the fixed lead time and variable lead time required to produce a product.
  • It represents the longest path through a Bill-of-Materials (BOM).
  • Your ERP system will calculate the cumulative lead time (Critical Path) based on MPS setup options.
     

• Infor LN Approach:

  • Infor LN does not differentiate between MPS and MRP planning.
  • It uses Enterprise Planning (EP) with one set of planned orders.
  • While you can set up items and generate orders at plan levels, it's not always necessary.
  • In theory, you could treat plan level 1 similar to MPS items.
     

• Defining Independent Demand in LN:

  • In LN terms, independent demand is demand not related to other planned items.
  • Dependent demand comes from related planned items higher up in the BOM structure.
     

• COLT (Cumulative Order Lead Time):

  • COLT exists in the purchase and manufactured planned items.
  • It considers non-critical and critical lead times based on components marked as critical.
  • Once calculated, COLT can be used to update the order and planning horizons of a planned item.

Relevant Sessions:

In Baan IV:

• Maintain Item Data (tiitm0101m000)
• Generate MPS (timps3201m000)
• Maintain Master Production Schedule (timps3101m000)
• Display Planned Inventory Movements by Item (timrp1510m000)
• Display Planned MRP Purchase Orders (timrp1521m000)

In Baan V:

• Plan Item Data (cprpd1500m000)
• Item Master Plan (cprmp2101m000)
• Time-Phased Overview (cprrp0520m000)

In Infor LN:

• Item – Planning (cprpd1100m000)
• Item Master Plan (cprmp2101m000) - Same as Master MPS if used

TECHNOLOGY: Are you running the latest Infor components?
Always good to stay on top of new releases for your various Infor components. Here is a list of knowledge base articles that you can check for the components listed below:

For the last Infor LN, Infor Baan5, and Infor Baan4 porting set see KB 22923520

For the last BaanIVc 6.1c porting set see KB 22923521 
No fixes are made based on the 6.1c porting set.

For the last Worktop set see KB 22881488
For the last BW set see KB 22881483
For the last EME set see KB 22866552
For the last Office integration set see KB 22867312
For the last Dynamic Form Editor see KB 22881485

For more information and assistance, you can contact Crossroads RMC at 800.762.2077 or via email at solutions@crossroadsrmc.com.

Kathy BartheltKathy Barthelt

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