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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 81783 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 57977 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 These devices are outdated and virtually obsolete.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 27626 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 24775 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 83111 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 28262 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 58310 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 36031 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: Using Dimensions

You can independently define dimensions and use them to prepare analyses of ledger account transactions and balances. You can use up to 12

dimension types. You can define a name and an entire structure of dimension codes for each of these dimension types. There is no relationship between the dimension types.

For example, you can set up these dimensions:

  • Dimension Type 1 = Cost center
  • Dimension Type 2 = Item group
  • Dimension Type 3 = Business unit
  • Dimension Type 4 = Geographical area
  • Dimension Type 5 = Activities

You can separately define the dimension structure for each of these dimension types, in other words, you can set up a dimension structure for the cost centers, a structure for item groups, and so on.

You can define the number of dimension types that you use in the Group Company Parameters (tfgld0101s000) session. If you have several financial companies in a company group, the dimension types used apply to all the companies in the group.

You can name the dimension types and define linked objects in the Dimension Type Descriptions (tfgld0102m000) session. You can then define the dimension codes to be used in each company in the Dimensions (tfgld0510m000) session. You can also make multilevel dimension structures with totals and subtotals. You can build a dimension hierarchy of up to ten levels.

In the Dimensions (tfgld0510m000) session, you can define the dimensions for each dimension type, and link the dimensions to parent dimensions and child dimensions.

Dimensions are always used together with ledger accounts. For each ledger account, you can define which dimension type or types are linked to the ledger account in the Chart of Accounts (tfgld0508m000) session. For each dimension type, you must select whether the dimensions type is MandatoryOptional, or Not Used by the ledger account.

When you enter a transaction, you must first state the ledger account. Then you must enter a dimension for each Mandatory dimension type that is linked to the ledger account, and you can enter a dimension for each Optional dimension type.

For example, the sales revenues ledger account is linked to dimension type 2 (item group) and dimension type 4 (area). The dimension type 1 (cost center) and dimension type 3 (business unit) are not used for the ledger account. The freight costs ledger account is linked to only dimension type 1 (cost center). The other dimension types are not used for the ledger account.

For each dimension type, you can define one dimension with an empty dimension code. If the dimension type is Optional for a ledger account, LN posts transactions for which no dimension is specified to this dimension. In this way, differences between the ledger history and the dimension history can be avoided.

In the Cross Validation Rules (tfgld0151m000) session, you can define the ranges of allowed dimensions by ledger accounts. You cannot change the dimension range for a ledger account that occurs in an unfinalized batch.

You can create transactions for Financials from the integration with other LN packages. You can enter these transactions into ledger accounts and into dimensions. You can define the assignment to ledger accounts through the Mapping Scheme (tfgld4573m000) session.

You can use the dimensions to split the transactions on the customer and supplier control accounts by departments, persons responsible for the revenues, costs, properties, debts, and so on.

The dimensions also provide the basis for the cost allocation in the Cost Accounting module. In CAT, you can allocate the costs (and any revenues) within a dimension type from one dimension code to another and from one dimension type to another.

TECHNOLOGY: High Contrast Skin

The high contrast skin can be activated by users who experience low vision, color-blindness, or similar visual impairments.

If the high contrast skin is active, LN UI is colored so that all controls comply with the WCAG AA norms for accessibility.

Guideline 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)

The visual presentation of text and images of text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1. For level AA, these exceptions apply:

  • Large text: large-scale text and images of large-scale text have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1.
  • Incidental: the following text or images of text have no contrast requirement:
    • Text or images of text that are part of an inactive user interface component.
    • Text or images of text that are pure decoration.
    • Text or images of text that are not visible to anyone.
    • Text or images of text that are part of a picture that contains significant other visual content.
  • Logotypes: text that is part of a logo or brand name has no minimum contrast requirement.

OPERATIONS: Blocking Operations

Note: The Blocked Operations (tisfc0540m000) session displays the blocked operations.

Introduction

Sometimes a problem occurs that must be solved before an operation proceeds. Examples of such situations are:

  • The quality of an intermediate product must first be inspected.
  • A machine is in repair.
  • A supplier cannot deliver an essential component in time.
  • A customer is late with its payments.

In these situations the operation can get the operation status Blocked.

An operation can be blocked:

  • Manually.
  • Automatically by Quality.

Blocking reasons

Every blocked operation must have a blocking reason. The blocking reason of a blocked operation has two purposes:

  • To indicate why the operation is blocked.
  • To determine which actions you can no longer perform on the operation.

Types of blocking

The following actions can be blocked by means of a blocking reason:

  • Reporting a quantity completed.
  • Reporting a quantity rejected.
  • Reporting a quantity to be inspected.
  • Reporting an operation completed.

You normally carry out these actions in the Report Operations Completed (tisfc0130m000) session.

You can define blocking reasons in the Blocking Reasons (tisfc2100m000) session.

Manual blocking

Use the Report Operations Completed (tisfc0130m000) session to block an operation. When you block an operation, you must also enter a blocking reason. If Quality has already blocked the operation, you can only enter a blocking reason, which is more restrictive than the blocking reason of Quality.

Blocking by Quality Management

Quality uses the blocking reasons specified in the Quality Management Parameters (qmptc0100m000) session, to block operations. For details, see the Using QM for manufacturing operations topic.

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