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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

Baan/LN Tip: Saving Space in Your General Ledger

Kathy Barthelt 0 81682 Article rating: 5.0

Compressing Integration Transactions

One way to save space in your general ledger is to compress integration transactions. The transactions are combined into one ledger account number. However, the detail is still available in the integration transactions sessions.

The compression is seen after the transactions are finalized. 

Compression is established in the mapping scheme by checking the box under the columns “Compression of Debit/Credit Transactions". This can only be done in a mapping scheme that is not activated. 

BPCS/LX Tip: Backup and Save options

Anthony Etzel 0 57917 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 These devices are outdated and virtually obsolete.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 27588 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 24770 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 83093 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 28257 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 58287 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 36020 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.

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Tips:  LX | BPCS | M3

Tips: LN | Baan

Kathy Barthelt

Infor LN & Baan Tips & Tricks for EXECUTIVES

FINANCE: Use of Electronic Bank Statements

All actions required for converting, validating, matching, and posting electronically received bank statements can be performed within a single session:

  • Bank Statement Workbench (tfcmg5610m100)
  • Bank Statement (tfcmg5610m000)

Alternatively, you can use the sequence of electronic bank statement sessions outlined below.

Steps to Process Electronic Bank Statements:

  1. Convert Electronic Bank Statements (tfcmg5202m000)
    Convert the received bank file to a format that LN can process. LN stores the converted bank statement files in the directory specified in the Path For EBS Archive field of the Bank Relations (tfcmg0510m000) session. In the Pathname EBS File field, you must add the file name. To add the current date to the file name, append a tilde (~) to the file name.

  2. Validate Bank Statements (tfcmg5202m000 / tfcmg5510m000 / tfcmg5511m000)
    Validate the converted electronic bank statement.

  3. Match Bank Statements (tfcmg5210m000)
    Automatically match as many of the imported statements (status Validated) as possible with open items. LN can match the statements with sales invoices, purchase invoices, and anticipated payment documents.

    Matching Options:

    • Match - Surplus on Aging / Unallocated (Default value)
    • Match - Surplus on Unallocated
    • Match - Surplus to be allocated Manually
    • Allow Underpayments
    • Use Payment Difference Tolerance
       
  4. Matching Results (tfcmg2500m100)
    Review the results of the matching process.

    To handle an unmatched amount, you can:

    • Manually add an unallocated payment or receipt line.
    • Reconcile the surplus with remaining open entries of the business partner.
       
  5. Post Bank Statements (tfcmg5210m100)
    Post the bank transactions to the General Ledger.

    Update the business partner’s bank account number and other details in the Bank Account by Pay-by Business Partner (tccom4115s000) session, based on the details read from the bank statement file.

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 PointStock 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.

TECHNOLOGY: Archiving Data from tipcs300 and ticst300 Tables

1. Archiving tipcs300

  • Using Session tipcs2260m000:
    • When archiving PCS projects, selecting the "Archive Financial data" option ensures that:
      • Records in tipcs300 are archived to the archiving company.
      • Records are deleted from the original company.
    • If records remain in tipcs300:
      • They may belong to projects that have not been archived.
      • The project may have been archived without selecting "Archive Financial data."
    • Verify there are no errors during the archiving process.
  • Using Session tipcs3500m001:
    • The session "Delete Financial Transactions by Project" can delete records from tipcs300.
    • Note: This session is not for archiving; it removes records without copying them to the archiving company.

2. Archiving ticst300

  • Using Session ticst0250m000:
    • The session "Archive Production Orders" allows:
      • Archiving and deleting records from the original company.
      • Only deleting records from the original company.
    • When executed:
      • Records in ticst300 associated with archived orders are removed.
      • Remaining records belong to unarchived orders.

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