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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 7600 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 50378 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 49017 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 52647 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 19722 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.

Infor LX / BPCS Tips & Tricks for Operations: Retain Lot Status on Shipped Resupply Orders

George Moroses 0 14718 Article rating: 5.0

When a lot is completely shipped on a customer order, the Lot Status is changed to Z. Since a resupply order must still be received in the To Warehouse to complete the transaction, do not update the lot status when the resupply order is shipped. If a lot is completely shipped on a resupply order, LX no longer updates the lot status to Z, because the shipped lot retains its current lot status, the additional steps, no additional steps are required to receive it in the To Warehouse.

Infor LX / BPCS Tips & Tricks for Technology: Reset Purchase Order In Use

George Moroses 0 15203 Article rating: 5.0

This feature resolves or resets a purchase order or requisition that is no longer being processed, but the system still indicates it is 'in use'. The user selects Purchase Order/Requisition in Use Maintenance, PUR940D, from the Purchasing Management Menu, PUR, located in the Special Processing sub-menu. The user then enters an order or requisition to remove the 'In Use' status.

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Tips:  LX | BPCS | M3

Tips: LN | Baan

Digital Transformation & Your ERP

70% of global executives said the pandemic will accelerate their digital transformation pace

Transformation: (definition)  A thorough and dramatic change.

We all dream about it….how can we transform ourselves into something better…something more desirable? Maybe it is our appearance that we want to improve, maybe it is our physical strength and stamina, or maybe it is our mental toughness.

Have we thought about transformation when it comes to our businesses? More specifically, our ERP systems that are the lifeblood of our businesses?

When it comes to this type of transformation, we’re talking about a digital transformation. This means taking disconnected business systems and manual processes and transforming or converting those systems into a world where achieving greater efficiencies, collaboration, improved delivery speed, and greater customer satisfaction is not only possible but probable.

As the world becomes more digital, so must organizations large and small, despite the unexpected. One survey found that 70% of global executives said that the pandemic will inevitably accelerate their digital transformation pace. https://dmexco.com/stories/is-the-coronavirus-pandemic-an-engine-for-the-digital-transformation/

ERP has a major impact on digital transformation. When it comes to ERP, transformations are often referred to as ERP Modernization. Here is just a sampling of how ERP modernization can impact your business:

  • Cost Reduction – Supporting legacy software and on-premise servers requires resources, but not just any resources. You must have resources that know the ins and outs of software and hardware that is decades old. Older software and platforms often result in higher maintenance costs and significant limitations to overall data management and system performance. Moving to the cloud, or the latest version of on-premise systems opens many doors that would otherwise be closed to you.
  • Eliminating Data Silos – Separate databases and disconnected systems mean that collaboration and communication are not possible. Missed opportunities abound for increased productivity. What would it mean to your business for all personnel to be operating off the same set of data and getting updates in real-time?
  • One Cohesive System –  Using ERP add-ons is helpful, but unless the systems talk to one another, duplicate data entry is required and real-time updates aren’t possible. How can you truly take advantage of the investment you made in a CRM or inventory management system if it doesn’t communicate with your ERP?
  • Visibility Across the Supply Chain –  No idea when your supplier is going to deliver the parts you need? Are you literally calling or waiting for an email to be sent? If that is how you’re getting updates, you’re likely not getting them timely enough to properly respond to those updates. Customer satisfaction issues can greatly be eliminated with real-time updates and complete visibility up and down the supply chain. With global supply chain issues prevalent in most industry sectors, visibility becomes more important than ever.
  • Scalability Becomes Possible – When your business needs change, your ERP system should be capable of handling the growth or increased functionality requirements to support it. This can be achieved by staying current on the ERP version or at least getting to a version where integrations with complementary systems are possible.

Transformations don’t happen with one act or one giant step. They happen with small steps and interim goals that can and should be celebrated along the way. Need help deciding when or where that first step should take place? Need someone to be your coach for the transformation? Contact Crossroads RMC today for recommendations, best practices, and solutions for this all-important journey for your business. 

800.762.2077 or click here to get a free phone consultation!

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