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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 of the Week: Clusters in LN

Kathy Barthelt 0 69476 Article rating: No rating

A cluster is a group of one or more warehouses in a particular geographical area. You can plan an item by cluster (geographical area).

To enable this, you can set up multiple plan items for one item. You always define one plan item without a cluster indication and multiple plan items with a cluster indication. A plan item with a cluster is called a clustered plan item, and a plan item without cluster is called the non-clustered plan item.

The plan items in the clusters can be supplied not only by distribution, but also through purchase and production. In this way, you can, for example, plan local purchasing in a cluster (geographical area). You can also plan supply from multiple sources.

 

Optimize Your Manufacturing Today!

BPCS/LX Tip of the Week: When More = Less

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Do you have bottlenecks in your process due to product changeovers or breakdowns?
Maybe the answer is adding redundancy in the department where you are experiencing the problem. A duplicate machine setup can allow for double the capacity during high production periods. It can also eliminate the need to swap out tools or other materials due to different production runs. When breakdowns occur, equipment can be swapped out to keep production moving while repairs are being made.

Planning for this keeps production levels high.

 

 

Optimize Your Manufacturing Today!

Baan/LN Tip of the Week: When More = Less

Kathy Barthelt 0 69840 Article rating: No rating

Do you have bottlenecks in your process due to product changeovers or breakdowns?

Maybe the answer is adding redundancy in the department where you are experiencing the problem. A duplicate machine setup can allow for double the capacity during high production periods. It can also eliminate the need to swap out tools or other materials due to different production runs. When breakdowns occur, equipment can be swapped out to keep production moving while repairs are being made.

Planning for this keeps production levels high.

 

 

 

Optimize Your Manufacturing Today!

Crossroads RMC Presents: How-To Webinar - Modernize Your IBM® i Screens

Crossroads RMC & Rocket Software

Anthony Etzel 0 31454 Article rating: 5.0

Crossroads RMC Presents
How-To Webinar 
Modernize Your IBM® i Screens
With Crossroads RMC & Rocket Software
 

If you missed the webinar March 28, 2017, you can watch it now.

Learn how you can modernize your IBM i green screens with a GUI software product that installs on the IBM i. This software is easy to use and does not require a server to drive it.

BPCS/LX Tip of the Week: Web Services

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Web Services can be very helpful for LX users to obtain updated information directly from the source, for example:

  • LX users can use a web service to request a stock check on an item for which they are going to issue a purchase order. Users can get item availability and updated pricing before placing the order.
  • LX users can also use a web service to get real time shipping charges from UPS, Fed Ex, etc. Once the user selects the appropriate freight charge, it can be added to the customer order while the order is being placed over the phone.

Optimize Your Manufacturing Today!

Baan/LN Tip of the Week: Use of Calendars in LN

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Enterprise Modeling Management module in Common: define the calendar of companies (company calendar) and enterprise units.

In the People module, you can link calendars to teams of employees. The Hours and Expenses module in the People package uses this information to get the default number of hours from the calendar lines.

In Common, you can link calendars to business partners and addresses; Procurement and Sales use this information when planning goods transfers.

Manufacturing: link calendars to work centers. The work centers' working times determine the available production capacity.

 

Warehousing: link calendars to warehouses.

Service: use calendars to specify when a cluster is available for servicing.

Optimize Your Manufacturing Today!

Save the Date: LX Communities WebEx- Shop Floor Application hosted by Crossroads RMC - March 14, 2017 - 10:00 AM CST

Tuesday, March 14, 2017 - 10:00 a.m. Central

Anthony Etzel 0 28843 Article rating: 5.0

Register Today!

Infor LX Communities Virtual WebEx on Shop Floor Applications
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
10:00 am | Central Standard Time | 1 hr

Attend this conference to discuss: 

  • Problems and concerns with the Shop Floor Application
  • Routing file and Work Center file reviews showing how specific settings can determine the expected outcome for shop floor information
  • Is downtime a big concern? How is downtime captured today? Is downtime considered when setting up capacity parameters?

Crossroads will have a team of seasoned consultants on the call.  This team has been working with the BPCS/LX ERP since the mid 1990’s.

Crossroads RMC has been an Infor partner for 10 years and offers a complete and comprehensive set of software solutions to support manufacturing optimization for companies running on the IBM i platform. Our solutions focus on delivering real-time visibility and control over your entire operation. With over 30 years of experience, Crossroads RMC has become a trusted advisor and technology partner for manufacturers across the globe. 

Baan/LN Tip of the Week: Use of Calendars in LN

Kathy Barthelt 0 69798 Article rating: No rating
  • In the Enterprise Modeling Management module in Common, you can define the calendar of companies (company calendar) and enterprise units.
  • In the People module, you can link calendars to teams of employees. The Hours and Expenses module in the People package uses this information to get the default number of hours from the calendar lines.
  • In Common, you can link calendars to business partners and addresses; Procurement and Sales use this information when planning goods transfers.
  • In Manufacturing, you can link calendars to work centers. The work centers' working times determine the available production capacity.
  • In Warehousing, you can link calendars to warehouses.
  • In Service, you use calendars to specify when a cluster is available for servicing.

 Optimize Your Manufacturing Today!

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Tips:  LX | BPCS | M3

Improves control over PO costing changes during invoice entry by replacing passive warnings with an intentional override action.

  • In ACP500D3 (Invoice Entry PO Costing), users previously could unintentionally accept changes by pressing ENTER, even when quantity to cost or amount to cost values had changed.

  • A new “F14 to Override” warning message replaces the old message:
    “Details have changed. Press enter again to accept data.”
    This ensures users acknowledge and confirm significant changes explicitly.

New System Parameter:

  • “Apply GRN Costing Tolerance for PO Costing” (optional):

    • Within tolerance: Displays the original message —
      “Details have changed. Press enter again to accept data.”

    • Outside tolerance: Triggers the new override requirement —
      “F14 to Override”

Benefits:

  • Enhances oversight and reduces unintentional cost acceptance.

  • Enables better control of PO costs when invoice details differ from expectations.

Last

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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