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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

BPCS/LX Tip: Backup and Save options

Anthony Etzel 0 56849 Article rating: No rating

Users are no longer limited to backing up or saving files to a tape or diskette.They can now use a Save File (SAVF) to save data and objects. LX programs that perform saves and/or backups were modernized to add a new SAVF option.  

There were numerous places in LX where users are prompted to save a file or library. These screens have options for tape or diskette. Diskette refers to the old 8” diskettes used on System/38. These devices are outdated and virtually obsolete. The current means of saving objects on the IBM i, is through the use of a Save File (SAVF). This compresses the data into a single object that can be saved and is easily transferred between systems.

These objects were modified and/or created for this enhancement:

  • Backup Simulation (FOR630C, FOR630D, FOR630FM, FOR640HT, and FOR630HT)
  • Month End Close (INV903D, INV903FM, INV901C, and INV903HT)
  • Purge YTH/Restore Archived Lots (INV912C, INV912D, INV912DHT, and INV912FM)
  • Purge and Save ITH records (INV932C, INV932D, INV932FM, and INV932HT)
  • Labor Ticket Save (SFC905D, SFC905FM, SFC901C, and SFC905HT)
  • Backup Infor LX Files (SYS700C, SYS700D, SYS700FM, and SYS700HT)
  • Backup Infor LX Programs (SYS710C, SYS710D, SYS710FM, and SYS710HT)
  • Backup Infor LX Source (SYS740C, SYS740D, SYS740FM, and SYS740HT)
  • Save File Name Selection (SYS912D, SYS912FM, and SYS912HT)


Benefit

Use the Backup Simulation to copy a simulation file to a SAVF or tape. Users may want to do this to transfer simulation data from one system to another, from site to site, or to save the data before permanently deleting it from the system.

Navistar goes global with Crossroads RMC!

Kathy Barthelt 0 27136 Article rating: 4.7

Navistar, a leading manufacturer of commercial trucks, buses, defense vehicles, and engines, has selected Crossroads RMC’s data collection middleware to use for their global data collection solution. Implementation began in late 2018 with Navistar’s Illinois facility and will be completed in all other divisions by the end of 2019.

Don’t Let Malware Destroy Your ERP System!

Crossroads RMC 0 24312 Article rating: 5.0

We just got a report that another one of our customers has been affected by malware. In this case it wiped out their ERP server. We are working with them to restore it an get everything up and running again. It is highly likely that this got into their network by an email attachment. This seemed like a good opportunity to remind everyone to be extremely careful with email attachments. Even if it appears to be from someone that you know, email “From” addresses can be forged.

Best practice is to save the attachment to a folder, and run a virus scan before opening or viewing the file.

Baan/LN Tip: Credit Control Parameters (ACR Parameters)

Kathy Barthelt 0 82068 Article rating: 5.0

In the Credit Control Parameters, you can indicate if the same letter will be sent for reminding and action taken if amounts are zero or negative. The reminder letters work in conjunction with overdue sales invoices and the “Reminder Diary Margin.” When an invoice has passed its due date plus a certain margin of days, LN generates a reminder advice for the invoice. 

Crossroads Welcomes Ridewell Corporation – MES for Infor LX

Anthony Etzel 0 27588 Article rating: 5.0

Crossroads RMC welcomes Ridewell Corporation as our newest client having selected Crossroads MES (Manufacturing Execution System) for their shop floor automation with integration to Infor LX. 

Ridewell engineers and manufactures air-ride, rubber-ride, steel spring and mechanical suspension systems for the truck, trailer, RV and bus industries. The company has served the transportation industry since 1967 and holds many active patents for exclusive features that provide for low maintenance and superior ride quality.

Ridewell’s objective was to eliminate shop floor paperwork and manual processes, obtain real time performance metrics, and achieve greater visibility over manufacturing operations. After carefully conducting their due diligence they selected Crossroads MES to address these challenges.

Crossroads Manufacturing Execution System connects your manufacturing plant to the rest of your enterprise by using touch screen PCs on the shop floor. Powered by IBM I Power Systems, Crossroads MES fills the gap that exists between your ERP system and your lean manufacturing initiatives by modernizing and transforming the ERP experience. It delivers paperless shop packets to your entire workforce, captures live manufacturing data, and then delivers real-time status to your Tablet or PC.

Key Features include:

  • Paperless Shop Floor                               
  • Labor and Machine Time
  • Production Reporting
  • Material Issue
  • Scrap Reporting
  • Scheduling
  • Capacity Load Balancing
  • Label Integration
  • Dashboard Analytics                    

Crossroads MES provides information that helps manufacturing decision makers understand how current conditions on the plant floor can be optimized to improve production output.

Crossroads RMC is proud to have Ridewell Corporation as a client and we look forward to working together to support their company growth and success.

BPCS/LX Tip of the Week: Shelf Life Days and Retest Days

Anthony Etzel 0 56836 Article rating: 5.0

This feature provides the ability to enter information in the shelf life days and retest days fields for non-QMS lot controlled items, even when the QMS product is installed. The purpose of this enhancement is to allow the user to enter information for non-QMS lot controlled items even when QMS is activated in Parameters Generation, SYS800D. In previous versions, when QMS was activated, the Shelf Life Days and Retest Days fields in Facility Planning Maintenance (MRP140) and Item Master Maintenance (INV100) were not maintainable for non-QMS lot controlled items. The user is now able to change non-QMS lot controlled items even when a QMS product is installed.

Baan & LN Integration News: Playing Telephone Can Get You In Trouble

Kathy Barthelt 0 34951 Article rating: 5.0

Somehow information must be relayed from one person to another, and the “connection” (as it turns out) is pretty manual, and error prone.

How about moving into the 21st century and eliminate the manual effort. How about automating your integrations? Learn About Crossroads RMC Consulting

We have tied Baan and Infor LN to:

  • Warranty systems
  • CRM systems
  • Web portals
  • Automated batch picking systems, and so much more!

Contact me to find out how we can automate the communication between your systems, so you don’t have to worry about what got lost in translation.

Baan/LN Tip: New Mapping Scheme

Kathy Barthelt 0 83324 Article rating: 5.0
After a new mapping scheme is copied from an existing one, it is possible to check transactions in a simulation mode, before activating the new scheme. However, before the simulation can take place, the new mapping scheme needs to have completed the “Check Mapping Scheme” step. When the check is completed, a transaction can be simulated by highlighting it and from the Specific menu, selecting “Map with Specific Mapping Scheme.” Any errors can be corrected without having to activate the new mapping scheme.
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Tips:  LX | BPCS | M3

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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