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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

Beyond the Four Walls—Achieving Upstream and Downstream Inventory Visibility

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

Crossroads RMC 0 29635 Article rating: 5.0

When an enterprise has many suppliers, dealers/distributors, and customers spread out across the globe, it becomes important that it gains better visibility into inventory outside of its direct ownership and control, on both the supply and demand side. On the supply side, the company has outstanding POs and needs reliable estimates of when those will ship, as well as early indications whenever there will be delays in shipment. Once shipped, updates on the estimated time of arrival (ETA) are important, particularly when there are delays.

This external visibility is even more important during times of disruption. Early visibility into disruptions in supply or rapid changes in demand is key to providing the intelligence to drive agility. By responding earlier, faster, and with more accurate intelligence, a company has more options, makes smarter decisions, and avoids catastrophes.

How do you get that visibility? Here are some options…

And Then There Were None - Short Staffed?

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

Crossroads RMC 0 27123 Article rating: 5.0

So, you implemented your Infor ERP system 5, 10, 15, 20+ years ago, and now there are only a handful of people left from that implementation. Since most of the how and why walked out the door, how much longer can you get by on “tribal knowledge”?  

What’s the best way to proceed? Consider retraining your staff.

Crossroads RMC's consultants have had great success delivering highly impactful, focused training that shows an immediate benefit. Contact us to discuss how we can develop a training plan that is right for your business.

Infor LN & Baan Tip: Latest Porting Set – All Versions of Infor LN & Baan

Kathy Barthelt 0 66985 Article rating: 4.5

Are you on the latest porting set for your version of Infor LN or Baan? Check here to be sure:

VERSIONS: Infor LN, Infor Baan ERP 5.0c, Infor Baan IVc4

LAST MODIFIED ON:
13th Jan, 2021: Updated with 9.3i porting set, see KB 2176336 for this version. Available from LN CE release 2021.01
9th Oct, 2020: Updated with 9.3h porting set, see KB 2158949 for this version. Available from LN CE release 2020.10
9th July, 2020: Updated with 9.3g porting set, see KB 2142625 for this version. Available from LN CE release 2020.07
10th April, 2020....

Infor LX & BPCS Tip: Special Functions

George Moroses 0 30178 Article rating: 5.0

Use F14 from a menu to display the Special Functions screen, SYS50007.
From this pop-up screen you can access the following menu options:

  • JCDA Maintenance (SYS010D)
  • Display Output Queue
  • Display User Output
  • Send Messages
  • Display Messages
  • Display Job Log
  • Display Submitted Jobs
  • Display Remembered Keys
  • Menu Maintenance (SYS147)
  • Menu Print (SYS148)

This menu is only available from the character0based user interface. Infor Webtop users can access programs from the Quick Launch Menu.

Infor LN & Baan Materials Tips: Serialized and Lot Controlled Items

Kathy Barthelt 0 71619 Article rating: 4.3

Serial and Lot are additional characteristics/properties of Items that can be used to uniquely or collectively identify and track the item along with its Item code. Any Item can be made as Serialized and/or Lot controlled by choosing options "Serialized" and "Lot Controlled" in Items-General session under traceability section on the Details tab.

Further in Items-Warehousing data under the Identification tab, you can enable "Lot Tracking", "Lot in Inventory", "Serial Tracking" and "Serial in Inventory" which enables tracking of the Items. You can also define if the Item is "Serial/Lot not in inventory" then where you want to record the serial and lot details in the transactions like "Direct Delivery", "Receipt", "Transfer", "Register during As-Built, Service and Maintenance".

Below are some topics related to Serialized and Lot Controlled Items that will be useful...

How often are you counting your inventory? Are inaccurate counts affecting your ability to satisfy customer orders?

Infor LX | BPCS | Infor LN | Baan

Crossroads RMC 0 28364 Article rating: 5.0

Crossroads RMC Cycle Counting Applications provide:

  • Increased inventory accuracy.
  • The ability to review & approve count before direct update of LN/Baan tables.
  • The elimination of unnecessary re-orders of items with current inventory.
  • Greater ability to satisfy customer orders due to accurate inventory levels.
  • Direct labor cost savings – less staff required for count.
  • Increased productivity during count – counts reduced from weeks to a day.


Learn more about Cycle Counting for Infor LX & BPCS> 

Learn more about Cycle Counting for Infor LN & Baan> 

Infor LX & BPCS Materials Tip: Unique ID Generator / Unique Sequence Number

George Moroses 0 27614 Article rating: 5.0

Serial Number Unique ID Generator - The new Serial Number Unique ID Generator program (INV599B3) is used to generate a unique value that groups a set of serial numbers that should be treated as part of a single, comprehensive set of inventory transactions.

Assign Unique Sequence Number - The new Assign Unique Sequence Number program (SYS046B) is used by any program that posts an inventory transaction, that is, writes an...

Infor LN & Baan Tip: Can You Backflush An Item If Estimated Quantity is Zero?

Kathy Barthelt 0 68037 Article rating: 5.0

Yes, you can backflush an item with an estimated quantity = 0.00 if you haven't already backflushed the order. For example, you had an order with one component, you reported the quantity at the operation or order level and ran the backflush. Now you realize you need another component added. In this example, the order has already been backflushed, so if you were to add a second component, run backflushing, nothing would happen.

Backflushing is based on the 'quantity to backflush' in report operations or report orders complete. When the quantity is backflushed....

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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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