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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

New Definition of Insanity: Collect data the same old way

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Just because you've always done it this way doesn't mean it's the best way. The old way of doing things may get the job done, but is the job being performed efficiently, accurately, and on a timely basis?

People resist change because there is an element of fear behind change and having to learn something new. Sometimes it’s just that you’re comfortable with how things are done, and you don’t see the need to make any changes. 


Are you stuck in manual?

Improve Profit and Cut Costs at the Same Time

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Want to Improve Profit and Cut Costs at the Same Time?

“Real-time executives averaged a 14% improvement in operating cash flow and achieved a 6% reduction in operating costs” According to the Aberdeen Group.

So, how do you accomplish this great feat? By streaming real-time data to the executives.

The need for visibility into what is happening in the trenches, and the comprehensive understanding of key metrics and their implications for overall performance, are critical for an organization to be at the “top of their game”.   read full article>

Learn how Crossroads RMC can provide for this data streaming with Analytics Dashboards.

Industry News: How Small and Mid-Sized Manufacturers Can Harness the Transformative Power of Technology…

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Industry-Specific Technology Changes the Game:

"One of the most significant changes has been the development of software and enterprise-wide technology that is designed to specifically meet the needs of particular industries. This has multiple advantages. The technology doesn’t have to be “over-configured” to be functional; the functionality is built-in. It can also be deployed quickly and cost-effectively, with less effort and less risk." Industry Week Article by Kelly McGowan, American Securities.

 

Crossroads RMC has software that has been built specifically for your industry. Learn how Analytics Dashboard can improve your efficiency, productivity, and quality while driving down costs.

Industry News: Technology - The Secret Life of the American Factory

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New Data: New Fruit…that’s the promise of finding new data sitting right there under your nose on the factory floor.

Doug Woods, president of the Association for Manufacturing Technology and MTConnect champion says it this way:
"At the end of the day," he explains, "after you've invested in hardware and machines, at some point it all comes down to how do you wring the maximum amount of productivity out of them? How do you get the ultimate efficiency out of the facility?" The only way to be confident you're doing that, he says, is to really understand what is going on with all of the equipment in the factory all of the time. And that, he says, comes down to having "really good data." 

Read Full Article>

Discover How Crossroads RMC can meet this need with Analytics Dashboard.

Baan/LN Tip of the Week: Project Templates

Kathy Barthelt 0 87069 Article rating: No rating

Project templates are useful because you can specify all of the information that you would normally want to include when creating a new project such as project structure, budget, and so on.

In Baan IV/V, project templates do not exist, but you can set up a project template by creating a regular project, and setting the status to simulated or free. This is done so that the project does not create plans. Under this scenario, you can easily copy one project to another.

In LN, when you create a new project, a template can be used as the starting point. This is similar to copying a normal project, but unlike normal projects, no costs or revenues can be posted on a template.

BPCS/LX Tip of the Week: Work Center - Cells

Anthony Etzel 0 88660 Article rating: No rating
The LMP module (Lean Manufacturing Process) uses work centers but refers to them as production cells.

A cell is one or more work centers that produces an end item. So when a company decides to adopt the lean manufacturing philosophy, the concept of work centers takes on a new meaning.

In lean terms, the work center, or group of work centers, becomes a production cell. In other words, a mini-factory producing end items with similar characteristics.

BPCS/LX Tip of the Week: The Machine Master Part 2

Anthony Etzel 0 85377 Article rating: No rating
Understanding:

The Machine Master File

Do your machines have a fixed asset tag? The machine master file has a field called Fixed Asset.

BPCS does not use this field, so you can use this field for anything. You can record your fixed asset tag in this field and use the effective date. You can create a custom fixed asset list by using a DFU or Query program.

Baan/LN Tip of the Week: Business Partner Structures

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In ERP LN, users can define a distributed business partner organization by defining parent business partners to link the business partners with different roles.

In Baan IV, users can define a distributed business partner organization in the Maintain Concern Structure of Trade Relations (tccom3101m000) session.

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Tips:  LX | BPCS | M3

Tips: LN | Baan

Infor LX & BPCS: Why You Need MES

You know your plant better than anyone, and most likely you'd admit that there is room for improvement. Perhaps too many defects are causing costly issues down the road, or maybe your production is behind and orders are shipping late? Do you know what needs to be improved? Do you know about the root causes of the problems that you’re experiencing? Is it fair to say, you don’t know what you don’t know … yet?

MES helps you dig into the problem and better yet, SOLVES the problem!

What Is MES and How Does It Work?

Many companies still enter data manually or share work instructions on paper. Most of them, however, know there’s a better way to organize the mass of activity happening on the plant floor. MES provides visibility to that activity as well as the underlying data and uses that data to improve how that activity is done and makes it repeatable. MES connects multiple sites, integrates with equipment, and raises the effectiveness of business applications all to better optimize operations.

The 3 Pillars of MES:

  1. Establishing a plan and staying on schedule. The system takes your input — production shifts/times, production goals, etc. — and calculates the rate at which you need to complete production in order to meet customer demand. Operators see real-time progress on dashboard graphics, knowing the progress at every moment.
  2. Enforcing a repeatable process. Knowing your process is being followed exactly as defined provides the ultimate peace of mind. Every target, from fastening to product routing, is achieved just as you defined it time after time.
  3. Creating a rich data set. Capturing data is one thing; being able to act on that data is really the key to driving improvement initiatives. Use your analytics, explore your data set, and identify and solve your hidden inefficiencies.

All three of these MES pillars are used to help you reach productivity and quality goals by:

  • Solving production scheduling challenges
  • Discovering and sharing your best operators’ insights
  • Uncovering inefficiencies in your process and fixing them
  • Reducing the exhausting task of putting out fires
  • Establishing a continuous improvement philosophy
  • Increasing operator engagement and dedication

And if you need another reason... according to Forbes.com, MES ranks in the Top 5 Key Areas to Affect How Goods Are Made in 2023 - Five Predictions For Manufacturing And Logistics In 2023.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/02/13/five-predictions-for-manufacturing-and-logistics-in-2023/?sh=1155863f1f76

So, what's next? Work with Crossroads RMC, an experienced MES partner who has seen situations just like yours and who has guided companies in your position. And best of all, Crossroads RMC doesn’t just know MES, we have a team of experts who are knowledgeable about manufacturing best practices, your Infor ERP, and MES and can bring all of that knowledge together to help you formulate the right plan for your company’s success.

Contact Anthony Etzel at Crossroads RMC today. He can provide you with a free MES ROI calculator to give you some concrete numbers to help you see what MES can do for your business. 800.762.2077

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