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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

Don't laugh - the average lifespan of an ERP system is 7-10 years

Crossroads RMC 0 33727 Article rating: 5.0

Don’t laugh! I know, I know…many of our customers say that after 7-10 years they are finally settling in after the implementation! We have seen many a customer stretch out the lifespan of their ERP system to 20+ years. That sounds great for the company’s bank account, but is it good for the business?

An outdated ERP system hurts your business in many ways, not just with slow performance. The best-of-breed functionality is now 2 decades old, and obsolete technology can't leverage newer technology. Lack of integration leads to siloed data that hurts communication and your internal teams feel the pain, and your customers are noticing. Poor visibility into your operations makes it nearly impossible to achieve industry-based regulatory compliance and meet financial auditing requirements. Not to mention the sheer size of Big Data that is being collected today vs. 2 decades ago or the fact that your vendor is no longer supporting your ERP version.

Let’s scrap it all and start over!...

Infor LN & Baan Tip: Purchase Order Text

Kathy Barthelt 0 64145 Article rating: 5.0

Is the text linked to the purchase order just an information field? Could it be used for another purpose?

The text editor is just an information field when linked to the purchase order line and there is no other logic behind this functionality. The line text or the header text could be a part of the printed document. When you add text to a purchase order line you are creating a unique code that links the purchase order line (Baan - tdpur041/ LN - tdpur401) to the text (tttxt010).

Infor LX & BPCS Tip: Vendor Terms Maintenance, ACP160D1

George Moroses 0 34215 Article rating: 5.0

This program allows maintenance of vendor terms, which you individually assign to each vendor. Vendor terms designate the due date and the discount date as a number of days after the invoice date. You establish the discount percentage here. Vendor terms are stored in the AVT file. Rather than use the method specified above, you can override due dates and discount dates so those calendar days are used to age invoices.

Access: Menu ACP02

Infor LN & Baan: BIG DATA - Keeping Track of Key Metrics

Kathy Barthelt 0 66333 Article rating: 5.0

In order to communicate effectively as a team, everyone needs to speak the same language and operate off the same playbook. If decisions are made based on the data or the view of data that individuals are maintaining through their own spreadsheets or other data silos, then communication is negatively impacted.

Manufacturers need to review large amounts of data every day, making it difficult to keep track of key metrics within your department.

That’s where Crossroads RMC’s Analytics Dashboard solution comes in. Our Analytics Dashboard was developed to make tasks easier by putting all of the key information in one convenient location so you can view all of your crucial data in real-time. 

With powerful dashboards, you can...

Infor LX & BPCS: Waste in Manufacturing

George Moroses 0 29382 Article rating: 5.0

In manufacturing, waste is anything that doesn’t add value to or benefit the end customer. Reducing waste enables manufacturers to save money and increase productivity. Where is the waste happening in your processes?

How often is your department spending time and resources on the following tasks?...

Infor LX & BPCS Tip: Overhead Costs - CST120D1

George Moroses 0 27556 Article rating: 4.0

Use this program to enter period overhead expenses to distribute to various work centers. You can set up this overhead cost allocation on either a per-hour or a per-piece basis, depending on the overhead allocation type specified for each work center on the Work Center Maintenance screen, CAP100D2-01. The system spreads the amounts entered across all shop orders posted by Shop Floor Posting, SFC600, or Production Reporting, JIT600, when you run Overhead Cost Allocation, CST510. The system stores allocated overhead in the Labor Ticket file, FLT, and updates actual item cost when you run Shop Order Close and Post, CST900.

Access: Menu CST

Infor LX & BPCS: BIG DATA - Keeping Track of Key Metrics

George Moroses 0 33018 Article rating: 5.0

In order to communicate effectively as a team, everyone needs to speak the same language and operate off the same playbook. If decisions are made based on the data or the view of data that individuals are maintaining through their own spreadsheets or other data silos, then communication is negatively impacted.

Manufacturers need to review large amounts of data every day, making it difficult to keep track of key metrics within your department.

That’s where Crossroads RMC’s Analytics Dashboard solution comes in. Our Analytics Dashboard was developed to make tasks easier by putting all of the key information in one convenient location so you can view all of your crucial data in real-time. 

With powerful dashboards, you can...

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Tips:  LX | BPCS | M3

Tips: LN | Baan

Eliminating ERP Customizations: Key Considerations and Modern Solutions

Transitioning away from customizations can indeed pose challenges, but it's not insurmountable with the right approach. Here’s a look at the real issues and solutions that can pave the way for a streamlined, up-to-date ERP.


Common Challenges:

  1. Dependency on Custom Processes
    Custom processes become ingrained, and removing them disrupts established workflows. However, business processes often evolve over time, as do best practices incorporated into modern ERP systems.

  2. Cost and Time Constraints
    Testing, retraining, and hiring consultants for an upgrade are valid concerns. Yet, consider the efficiency gains and reduced maintenance costs over time by utilizing standard ERP features.

  3. User Resistance
    Change management is critical, as employees can be skeptical of losing tools they’re familiar with. Effective communication about the benefits of standardized, future-ready tools can help ease the transition.


The Reality Check: Has Your Organization Changed?

Evaluate how much your business needs have shifted, how user expectations have evolved, and if any workarounds or interim solutions are now adding unnecessary complexity. Many companies discover that industry-standard ERP features can replace outdated customizations.


Did You Know?

  • ERP Upgrades Can Eliminate 25% - 50% of Customizations
    Modern ERP systems incorporate industry best practices as core features, allowing you to rely less on customizations and more on robust, standardized solutions.

  • Extensibility & Reporting Solutions
    Extensibility tools in Infor LN or Baan let users add last-mile functionality without modifying the core ERP. Reporting tools allow custom insights while keeping ERP data intact.


Solutions to Reduce Customization Dependency:

  1. Rewrite Customizations to Use Standard APIs and Libraries
    This ensures seamless interaction with core ERP features without modifying underlying code.

  2. Utilize Infor Extensibility and LN Studio
    Smaller tweaks can be handled with Extensibility; larger needs can leverage LN Studio for custom apps without touching the ERP's foundation.

  3. Incorporate Infor ION for External Integrations
    If customizations primarily manage integrations, Infor ION can connect and streamline external systems effectively.

  4. RMCgen for Custom Components
    RMCgen allows for custom development without altering standard programs, offering flexibility without compromising core stability.

  5. Analytics Dashboards for ERP Insights
    Dashboards offer tailored views and insights without requiring customizations in the ERP itself.

  6. Leverage Built-in Reporting Tools
    Infor Report Designer, Document Management, and BIRST can provide custom reporting, avoiding custom coding altogether.

  7. Assess Your Custom Components
    A thorough assessment of your customizations—internally or with Crossroads RMC consultants—can reveal areas for potential standardization and streamlining.

Let’s Talk Solutions

If customizations are standing in the way of your ERP’s full potential, Crossroads RMC can help. Connect with us at 800.762.2077, solutions@crossroadsrmc.com, or request a consultation to start your path towards a flexible, future-proof ERP.
 

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Kathy Barthelt

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