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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

6 Ways Disconnected Data is Harming Your Business

Yikes!

Crossroads RMC 0 15209 Article rating: 5.0

Disconnected data – What is it?

no​ The spreadsheet that your warehouse manager has off to the side to track his inventory levels and expected shipments from your key suppliers.

no The email orders from your dealer portal waiting to be manually keyed into your ERP. 

Disconnected data is a set of information stored separately from the main system that is used to run your business (your ERP system). The data is valuable and lack of visibility to that data creates problems throughout the organization. Far more than you realize.

A 2023 study by enterprise automation provider Snaplogic and Vanson Bourne researchers showed the following:

Avoid Being a Quitter: How Crossroads RMC Can Help You Achieve Your Goals

Unlocking Success Infor LX/BPCS & Infor LN and Baan

Crossroads RMC 0 14143 Article rating: .2

Avoid Being a Quitter

As the calendar flips to January 1st, it marks the beginning of a new year filled with fresh opportunities and resolutions. It's that time when many of us set ambitious goals for ourselves, both personally and professionally. But, how often do these aspirations fizzle out before we even hit the second Friday of the year? It's so common that they even call it "Quitter's Day." However, it's not too late to stay on track and realize your ambitions. In this article, we'll focus on the professional side of goal-setting and how Crossroads RMC can be your ally in achieving manufacturing excellence.

Step 1: Make Your Goals Bite-Sized

Infor LX & BPCS Tip: System i Workspace AnyWhere information and Important Support Dates for IBM and Microsoft Products

George Moroses 0 25673 Article rating: 2.5

System i Workspace AnyWhere is a web application framework that provides a common user interface for Infor’s IBM i products.

*** We strongly recommend that you subscribe to this KB to receive automatic notification when it is updated ***

Latest Updates
System i Workspace AnyWhere - Feature Pack 22 is now available - see the Update History section below (as of January 4, 2024)

Infor LX / BPCS & Infor LN / Baan Tip: Time for the Notorious TRIO: Manual -  Physical -  Inventory

Crossroads RMC 0 19742 Article rating: 2.5

While it might be accurate (and I emphasize "might"), is a Manual Physical Inventory the optimal approach? Best practices unequivocally say otherwise!

A superior alternative is the adoption of Cycle Counting. Why choose Cycle Counting over a complete physical inventory? This method zeroes in on a selected stock range, allowing concurrent execution with a company's regular operations. Cycle Counts offers a streamlined approach to inventory management, minimizing disruptions to processes related to stock receipt, consumption, or dispatch.

The dreaded "freeze" is no longer a necessity, sparing your staff from extended holiday hours, and ensuring accurate inventory counts throughout the year! Crossroads RMC is poised to assist you in implementing Cycle Counting efficiently and effortlessly.

Contact us today to kickstart this transformative process at 800.762.2077.

Infor LX & BPCS Year-End Close Checklist

George Moroses 0 22221 Article rating: 5.0

As the year draws to a close, the hustle and bustle of year-end activities can sometimes lead to overlooking critical tasks within your Infor ERP system. Ensuring a proper year-end close is essential for setting the stage for success in the coming year. Here is a comprehensive checklist to guide you through the process:

Year-End Close Process Objectives:

  • ​

Infor LX/BPCS Tip What are the differences between INV810 and INV015 for Cycle Counting updates?

George Moroses 0 20899 Article rating: 5.0

INV810 only deletes the sequence number from the ILI of the item so it is not selected again for counting and does not delete the ICY record.

The ICY Cycle Count sequential history file increases in size with each new cycle count session. Running INV015 will purge all the old ICY records up to the date entered on the set-up screen ‘Enter Cycle Count Ending Date’ field. Physically deleting the old ICY files.

In most cases, when you complete the cycle count posting and run the reports, you can reconcile the data as required. After you reconcile the data for a specific day (or group of days), you can run INV015 to purge the data for that day (or group of days).

Infor LN & Baan Tip: When is backflushing disabled in LN?

Kathy Barthelt 0 58581 Article rating: .1

There are restrictions for the use of the field Allow Backflushing:/ Item – Production by Site (tiipd0151m100)

The option is unavailable if the option Direct Initiate Inventory is set. Serialized items can only be backflushed if in the Items - Warehousing (whwmd4500m000) details session the Serials in Inventory check box is cleared, and the Register Serial Issue During As Built field is Yes. In all other cases, serialized items cannot be backflushed.

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Tips:  LX | BPCS | M3

Improves control over PO costing changes during invoice entry by replacing passive warnings with an intentional override action.

  • In ACP500D3 (Invoice Entry PO Costing), users previously could unintentionally accept changes by pressing ENTER, even when quantity to cost or amount to cost values had changed.

  • A new “F14 to Override” warning message replaces the old message:
    “Details have changed. Press enter again to accept data.”
    This ensures users acknowledge and confirm significant changes explicitly.

New System Parameter:

  • “Apply GRN Costing Tolerance for PO Costing” (optional):

    • Within tolerance: Displays the original message —
      “Details have changed. Press enter again to accept data.”

    • Outside tolerance: Triggers the new override requirement —
      “F14 to Override”

Benefits:

  • Enhances oversight and reduces unintentional cost acceptance.

  • Enables better control of PO costs when invoice details differ from expectations.

Last

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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Kathy Barthelt

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