Please Wait a Moment
X

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

Crossroads Connections

Infor ERP Tips & News from the Experts

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

Baan/LN Tip of the Week: ERP Setup - Pros & Cons

Kathy Barthelt 0 77663 Article rating: 5.0

Pros/Cons of Multi Finance / Single Logistic Company Set-Up


Pros
Each legal entity can have its own general ledger and balance sheet.
Income statements can be generated for the different enterprise units included in the logistics company.
Centralized operations – purchasing, sales, manufacturing, planning, warehousing, etc.
Logistics data visible to all logistics users – a pro if this is what is desired.
One BOM, Routing, and Cost for each item.

 

BPCS/LX Tip of the Week: Getting the Most Out of the Shop Order Inquiry Program – Part 2

Anthony Etzel 0 64455 Article rating: No rating

Understanding: How many hours remain in total and at each operation?

Now let’s look at what information is being supplied from the shop floor.

It’s not uncommon for transaction reporting to be captured manually on the shop packet that was issued to the factory floor when the SO was released.

The big question is, is anything done with the data? Is it collected and keyed to a  spreadsheet and not shared, or is the transaction data keyed to SFC600? If it is being keyed, ask how often and by whom? Some companies use alternative methods to capture transaction data that do not require batch keying via a keyboard.

Not a lot of data is required to be keyed to SFC600 in order for the SO Inquiry to be useful. The data that should be reported for the transaction process is as follows:

  • The type of hours being reported – machine, run labor, setup labor
  • If reporting setup and run labor you want an employee clock number
  • The shop order and the operation that is being reported
  • Is the operation complete
  • How many good were produced at this operation
  • How many hours – the numbers of hours are critical. Do the employees estimate how many hours they worked, or do they track actual time started and stopped in order to calculate the actual number of hours.

Based on what is captured and how often will have an impact on the SO inquiry screen. Understanding the batch times as to when the transactions are keyed will provide you with the window as to the SO status at that point in time. Or, are they keyed as they happen in a near real time fashion so that you can have a more current view of the factory floor.

Baan/LN Tip of the Week: ERP Setup - Pros & Cons

Kathy Barthelt 0 52905 Article rating: No rating

You may have started your setup of your ERP system one way, and have discovered over time that maybe it no longer fits how you need to do business. Here are some pros/cons to consider for a Single Finance / Multi-Logistic setup. 

 Pros
All accounting functions are centralized into one company.  One balance sheet is generated – even though multiple logistics sites are involved.  Income statements can be generated by logistic company via use of a Dimension to represent the logistic company.

Allows logistical functions to be decentralized within one legal entity – if this is what is desired.

Logistics data not visible across companies – pro if you do not want users to see other company’s data.

 

Cons

Crossroads RMC Maintains Preferred Partner Status With Honeywell / Intermec for 2016

Crossroads RMC 0 33242 Article rating: No rating

Honeywell has renewed Crossroads RMC’s Silver Level status in their Performance Partner Program for 2016. This recognition provides Crossroads RMC with the authorization to resell Honeywell/Intermec mobile computing products at a substantial discount, thereby allowing Crossroads’ customers to take advantage of that discount as well. 

Crossroads works closely with the Honeywell /Intermec engineering group to provide the best hardware offerings at a good price point for manufacturers across North America.

BPCS/LX Tip of the Week: Getting the Most Out of the Shop Order Inquiry Program – Part 1

Anthony Etzel 0 62060 Article rating: 5.0

Understanding: How many hours remain in total and at each operation?

First let’s look at some key BPCS Master File data starting with the routing file.

How many routing steps (operations) are set up that reflect how the product is produced in the factory? If you take a short cut and set up only one operation for the entire process, then you will limit the information seen on the SO inquiry program. Set up the operation steps to reflect what you want to report back to from the factory floor.

Will each of the routing steps run in one work center, or in different work centers? To keep it simple you may want to set up work centers as departments. For example:

  • Assembly
  • Machine
  • Paint
  • Etc.

For each operation setup consider how you have set up the following:

  • Load Codes – for example a code 5 is used if reporting both setup time and run labor time. These codes are maintained in the work center file
  • Basis Code – typical codes are P for pieces per hour,  3 is used for hours per 1,000 pieces
  • Setup hours – if you set them up, you also want to report them
  • Run hours – Direct Labor
  • Machine hours

How you set up th

Baan/LN Tip of the Week: ERP Setup - Pros & Cons

Kathy Barthelt 0 61242 Article rating: No rating

You may have started your setup of your ERP system one way, and have discovered over time that maybe it no longer fits how you need to do business. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be providing some pros/cons to consider for different company setups.

Pros/Cons of Single Finance / Single Logistic Company Set-Up

Pros
Easy to implement and to maintain.
No risk of processing data for another company.
Data not visible across companies – pro if you do not want users to see other company’s data.
Cost Prices can be different for the same item in the different logistics companies.
Easy to add or remove companies when companies are bought or sold.
Accounting functions are all separate by company. – Pro if each finance company is managed separately.
 

 

Cons
Decentralized operations – purchasing, sales, manufacturing, planning, warehousing, etc.
User must go in and out of companies if there is a need to view or create transactions in more than one company.

It’s NOT All About the Money, Money, Money… Motivating Employees in the New Year!

Kathy Barthelt 0 39829 Article rating: 5.0

Have you ever thought about what really motivates your employees?

It’s not about the almighty dollar, you know. Ok, ok…..money doesn’t hurt, but money alone doesn’t keep most people in their jobs. You actually need to motivate your employees to keep them showing up, mentally, and physically. Employees that don’t feel motivated are probably underperforming, and that means you’re losing money.

Ask yourself these questions about your employees:

  • Are they happy…..YES….HAPPY! Do they enjoy coming to work every day?
  • Do they feel challenged, or do they feel demeaned?
  • Are they sinking, or are they swimming?
  • Do they have the right tools in their arsenal to battle the giants?
  • Where’s the reward?

Happiness - I’ve worked with manufacturers for almost 20 years now...

First108109110111113115116117Last

Tips:  LX | BPCS | M3

Tips: LN | Baan

Kathy Barthelt

Infor LN & Baan Tips & Tricks for EXECUTIVES

FINANCE: Use of Electronic Bank Statements

All actions required for converting, validating, matching, and posting electronically received bank statements can be performed within a single session:

  • Bank Statement Workbench (tfcmg5610m100)
  • Bank Statement (tfcmg5610m000)

Alternatively, you can use the sequence of electronic bank statement sessions outlined below.

Steps to Process Electronic Bank Statements:

  1. Convert Electronic Bank Statements (tfcmg5202m000)
    Convert the received bank file to a format that LN can process. LN stores the converted bank statement files in the directory specified in the Path For EBS Archive field of the Bank Relations (tfcmg0510m000) session. In the Pathname EBS File field, you must add the file name. To add the current date to the file name, append a tilde (~) to the file name.

  2. Validate Bank Statements (tfcmg5202m000 / tfcmg5510m000 / tfcmg5511m000)
    Validate the converted electronic bank statement.

  3. Match Bank Statements (tfcmg5210m000)
    Automatically match as many of the imported statements (status Validated) as possible with open items. LN can match the statements with sales invoices, purchase invoices, and anticipated payment documents.

    Matching Options:

    • Match - Surplus on Aging / Unallocated (Default value)
    • Match - Surplus on Unallocated
    • Match - Surplus to be allocated Manually
    • Allow Underpayments
    • Use Payment Difference Tolerance
       
  4. Matching Results (tfcmg2500m100)
    Review the results of the matching process.

    To handle an unmatched amount, you can:

    • Manually add an unallocated payment or receipt line.
    • Reconcile the surplus with remaining open entries of the business partner.
       
  5. Post Bank Statements (tfcmg5210m100)
    Post the bank transactions to the General Ledger.

    Update the business partner’s bank account number and other details in the Bank Account by Pay-by Business Partner (tccom4115s000) session, based on the details read from the bank statement file.

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 PointStock 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.

TECHNOLOGY: Archiving Data from tipcs300 and ticst300 Tables

1. Archiving tipcs300

  • Using Session tipcs2260m000:
    • When archiving PCS projects, selecting the "Archive Financial data" option ensures that:
      • Records in tipcs300 are archived to the archiving company.
      • Records are deleted from the original company.
    • If records remain in tipcs300:
      • They may belong to projects that have not been archived.
      • The project may have been archived without selecting "Archive Financial data."
    • Verify there are no errors during the archiving process.
  • Using Session tipcs3500m001:
    • The session "Delete Financial Transactions by Project" can delete records from tipcs300.
    • Note: This session is not for archiving; it removes records without copying them to the archiving company.

2. Archiving ticst300

  • Using Session ticst0250m000:
    • The session "Archive Production Orders" allows:
      • Archiving and deleting records from the original company.
      • Only deleting records from the original company.
    • When executed:
      • Records in ticst300 associated with archived orders are removed.
      • Remaining records belong to unarchived orders.

Previous Article Infor LN & Baan Tips & Tricks for TECHNOLOGY: Archiving Data from tipcs300 and ticst300 Tables
Next Article Infor LN & Baan Tips & Tricks: Action Required - Infor LN Cloud Edition - Fonts Update!
Print
58597 Rate this article:
5.0
Kathy Barthelt

Kathy BartheltKathy Barthelt

Other posts by Kathy Barthelt

Contact author

x

Categories