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Infor LX Tips, Infor LN Tips, BPCS Tips, Baan Tips, Infor M3 Tips & Infor ERP News

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Infor ERP Tips & News from the Experts

Infor LX | Infor LN | BPCS | Baan | Infor M3

It’s Mid-January, and IT’S GO TIME!

Infor LX | BPCS | Infor LN | Baan

Crossroads RMC 0 6448 Article rating: 5.0

The calendar is fresh, the resolutions are set, and the opportunities are endless!

But before you dive headfirst into tackling your to-do list, take a moment.

Pause.

Now is the perfect time to reflect and plan your ERP strategy.

What’s an ERP Strategy?

An ERP strategy is a roadmap for the steps you should take before, during, and after implementing an ERP system. It’s designed to ensure your ERP delivers on its promise of functionality and success—the backbone of running your business effectively.

Think of it like planning a road trip:

  • Which cities will you visit?
  • Where will you stay?
  • What landmarks do you want to explore?

Without a plan, you’re winging it. While spontaneity might work for a vacation, it’s risky when it comes to your ERP system.

A poorly executed road trip might waste time or cause frustration, but a poorly executed ERP strategy? That can hinder your business growth, create inefficiencies, and lead to costly mistakes.

What if:

Infor LN & Baan Tips & Tricks for Finance: Problem Invoices

Kathy Barthelt 0 47224 Article rating: 5.0

You can use a problem code to indicate that a problem exists for a sales invoice. If the invoice-to business partner notifies you about a problem with the invoice and does not pay it, you can link a problem code to the invoice.

In the direct debits procedure, problem invoices are automatically discarded. For each problem code, you can set an option to prevent linked invoices from being selected on reminder letters.

Infor LN & Baan Tips & Tricks for Technology: Using audit files in the Exchange module

Kathy Barthelt 0 47277 Article rating: 5.0

The audit server logs all database actions that change the contents of a table in so-called audit files. The Exchange module can use these audit files, which are useful in a multisite environment because the databases on all sites must have identical data. These audit files can also be used in data conversions.

Only the updates in a specific period are exchanged, which leads to an improvement in performance. Specify this period in the Export Data (Non-Regular) (daxch0233m000) and Export Data (on a Regular Basis) (daxch0234m000) sessions. Changes such as insert, update, and delete are processed and written into the ASCII files. Actions such as drop, clear, and create tables are ignored.

Audit control data is added to the resulting ASCII file. This data consists of a batchline ID, transaction ID, sequence ID, and an indicator. The control data is added at the beginning of each line and is formatted like other data fields such as the enclosing and separator characters.

An update writes two lines to the ASCII file. One line contains the key fields and old values of the updated fields. The other line contains the new values of the key fields and updated fields, even if a key field does not change.

The batchline ID is used for recognition when processing the ASCII files. The transaction and sequence IDs are used to ensure that the transactions are replayed in the same order as on the exporting site. The indicator defines the type of action that is executed on the table. Use the letter I to insert; use the letter D to delete; use the letter U to update with old values; and use the letter N to update with new values.

Infor LN & Baan Tips & Tricks for Operations: Copying EBOMs - Which copying method should I use?

Kathy Barthelt 0 51161 Article rating: 5.0

To determine which copying method you must use, answer question 1 and follow the instructions.

Question 1: Is the source component a project item (that is, is a project defined in the first segment of the item code)?

  • If the answer is yes, proceed with question 3.
  • If the answer is no, proceed with question 2.


Question 2: Is the target component a project item?

  • If the answer is yes, select copy method NonProj Item to Proj Item.
  • If the answer is no, proceed with question 4.

Question 3: Is there a relationship with the same project?

  • If the answer is yes, select copy method EBOM to Production BOM Only.
  • If the answer is no, proceed with question 4.


Question 4: Is there a relationship with the target item?

  • If the answer is yes, proceed with question 5.
  • If the answer is no, select copy method No Copy Action.


Question 5: Does the item exist already?

  • If the answer is yes, select copy method EBOM to Production BOM Only.
  • If the answer is no, select copy method Copy E-Item to Item.

Infor LX / BPCS Tips & Tricks for Finance: Inventory Period Balance Freeze

George Moroses 0 18691 Article rating: 5.0

Users can now freeze period-end balances at the end of a fiscal period. You can now store the opening/ending on hand balance for each Inventory period at the Item (IIM), Warehouse/Item (IWI) and Lot/Location (ILI) levels. This information can then be used for inventory tracking and valuation purposes, as well as other ad hoc financial and audit reporting requirements. Infor LX clients can backdate inventory transactions into the immediate previously closed period, and thus update what was saved as the opening/ending balance throughout the current open period.

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Tips:  LX | BPCS | M3

Tips: LN | Baan

Kathy Barthelt

Infor LN & Baan Tips & Tricks for OPERATIONS: What is Statistical Inventory Control (SIC) and How Does It Work?

Statistical Inventory Control (SIC) is an inventory-controlled order system designed to maintain stock levels based on predefined thresholds, rather than being demand-driven like EP (Enterprise Planning). Since SIC relies on inventory levels, it may lead to higher stock levels. To minimize financial risks, SIC is best suited for:

  • Low-cost items.
  • Items with predictable demand or short lead times.


Applications of SIC

  • Low-Cost Items: Particularly effective for inexpensive goods.
  • Predictable Demand or Short Lead Time: Suitable when demand patterns are stable or lead times are minimal.
  • Warehouse-Specific Planning: Useful for planning by warehouse rather than across the supply chain.
  • Trading Industries: Commonly employed in sectors like supermarkets.
  • Immediate Demands: Effective for items required immediately by customers.
  • Ease of Use: Simple to implement and manage.


Limitations of SIC

  • Does not account for dependent demand from planned orders (e.g., MPS/MRP/INV).
  • Does not generate distribution orders.
  • Ignores time-phased planned orders.
  • Lacks forecast consumption techniques.
  • Uses both nettable and non-nettable warehouses.

How SIC Works

SIC operates based on the Reorder Point, Stock Levels, and Order Method.

Triggering SIC

When Economic Stocks (calculated as On-Hand Inventory + On-Order – Allocated Stocks) on the Horizon Date fall below the Reorder Point, SIC triggers the creation of:

  • Planned Purchase Advice.
  • Planned Production Advice.


Order Methods in SIC

The quantity for these advices is determined by the Order Method, which can be one of the following:

  • Replenish to Maximum Stock
  • Fixed Order Quantity
  • Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)
  • Lot-for-Lot

Example: SIC in a Supermarket

Scenario: Managing stock for Ice Cream (1 Kg Pack)

  • Current Stock: 10 PCs
  • Reorder Point: 5 PCs
  • Safety Stock: 2 PCs
  • Lead Time: 1 Day
  • Order Method: Replenish to Maximum (Maximum Stock: 20 PCs)
  • Maximum Anticipated Consumption: 3 PCs/Day

Process:

  1. Customer purchases reduce the stock.
  2. When stock reaches 5 PCs, SIC is triggered.
  3. A Purchase Advice is generated for 15 PCs to replenish stock to the maximum level (20 PCs).
  4. During the lead time (1 day), the remaining 3 PCs (excluding Safety Stock) meet customer demands.
  5. In emergencies, Safety Stock can also be utilized.

Statistical Inventory Control offers a practical approach for managing inventory levels, particularly in industries with predictable demand or fast-moving items. However, its limitations make it less ideal for complex or time-phased planning scenarios.

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