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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 of the Week: Financial Year End – Have you done all you need to do?

Anthony Etzel 0 49837 Article rating: No rating

I'm reposting this checklist for things to consider in order to finish out the current year, and plan for next year…

  • Are your accounting records up to date so you can make a projection of how the current year will turn out?
  • Are all account reconciliations up to date to facilitate the closing of the books after year end?
  • Are there accounts receivable that should be reserved for or written off prior to the end of the year?
  • If your business carries inventory, do you need to plan a physical count as of the end of the year?
  • Has depreciation on your fixed assets been recorded during the year? Have you considered depreciation on current year additions?
  • Have all new asset purchases and bank loans been recorded on your books?
  • Are there any liabilities, for example, pending legal actions or warranty issues, which will need to be recorded prior to year end? 
  • Do you have a plan in place to properly “cut-off” revenue at year-end to properly match revenue and expense?
  • Will there be bonuses, profit sharing contributions or discretionary retirement plan contributions paid prior to the end of the year? How will these payments affect cash flow?
  • Will you be in compliance with your bank covenants at year end?
  • Do you need to make arrangements to receive statements as of the end of the year for cash value of life insurance, loan balances, etc.?

Optimize Your Manufacturing Today!

Baan/LN Tip of the Week: Financial Year End – Have you done all you need to do?

Kathy Barthelt 0 83264 Article rating: No rating

I'm reposting this checklist for things to consider in order to finish out the current year, and plan for next year…

  • Are your accounting records up to date so you can make a projection of how the current year will turn out?
  • Are all account reconciliations up to date to facilitate the closing of the books after year end?
  • Are there accounts receivable that should be reserved for or written off prior to the end of the year?
  • If your business carries inventory, do you need to plan a physical count as of the end of the year?
  • Has depreciation on your fixed assets been recorded during the year? Have you considered depreciation on current year additions?
  • Have all new asset purchases and bank loans been recorded on your books?
  • Are there any liabilities, for example, pending legal actions or warranty issues, which will need to be recorded prior to year end? 
  • Do you have a plan in place to properly “cut-off” revenue at year-end to properly match revenue and expense?
  • Will there be bonuses, profit sharing contributions or discretionary retirement plan contributions paid prior to the end of the year? How will these payments affect cash flow?
  • Will you be in compliance with your bank covenants at year end?
  • Do you need to make arrangements to receive statements as of the end of the year for cash value of life insurance, loan balances, etc.?

Optimize Your Manufacturing Today!

BPCS/LX Tip of the Week: Have you defined your KPIs?

Anthony Etzel 0 45831 Article rating: No rating

Key Performance Indicators measure how effectively your performance objectives are being achieved.

  • Have you defined KPIs for your company?
  • Are you measuring them effectively?
  • Is everyone in your company aware of what the KPIs are?

If you haven’t already done so, consider tying personal performance objectives directly to the company’s performance objectives. Doing so can greatly increase the likelihood that the company’s goals will be met.

Optimize Your Manufacturing Today!

Baan/LN Tip of the Week: Have you defined your KPIs?

Kathy Barthelt 0 85719 Article rating: No rating

Key Performance Indicators measure how effectively your performance objectives are being achieved.

  • Have you defined KPIs for your company?
  • Are you measuring them effectively?
  • Is everyone in your company aware of what the KPIs are?

If you haven’t already done so, consider tying personal performance objectives directly to the company’s performance objectives. Doing so can greatly increase the likelihood that the company’s goals will be met.

Optimize Your Manufacturing Today!

BPCS/LX Tip of the Week: Need a Productivity Boost?

Anthony Etzel 0 50738 Article rating: No rating

Are your employees not as productive as you’d like them to be? Are jobs not getting completed on schedule? Without actual data, making decisions about how efficient your operation is will be difficult. Start tracking actual time to complete each operation. Compare different production lines running the same job. Is one line running more efficiently? If so, start looking at why. Track downtime, setup, etc. Once you start really analyzing each piece of the puzzle, you can begin to uncover areas that are ripe for improvement.

Optimize Your Manufacturing Today!

Baan/LN Tip of the Week: How Are You Generating Financial Statements?

Kathy Barthelt 0 84515 Article rating: No rating

If you’re not already, consider generating your financial statements directly out of Baan/LN. In the Financial Statements module, you can define and print financial and consolidated statements. These statements can be based on various cross sections of your General Ledger account and dimension structure. You can also define cash flow statements, which can be based on cash flow reasons.

Optimize Your Manufacturing Today!

BPCS/LX Tip of the Week: Create a Culture of Engaged Problem Solvers

Anthony Etzel 0 47680 Article rating: No rating

When there is a problem, making a decision in a vacuum is the worst thing you can do.

Get input from others within your organization. If possible, consult those at various levels. By being open with others as to the nature of the problem, and enlisting their help in determining the right solution, resistance to the recommended solution is quite often greatly reduced.

Optimize Your Manufacturing Today!

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Tips:  LX | BPCS | M3

Tips: LN | Baan

Eliminating ERP Customizations: Key Considerations and Modern Solutions

Transitioning away from customizations can indeed pose challenges, but it's not insurmountable with the right approach. Here’s a look at the real issues and solutions that can pave the way for a streamlined, up-to-date ERP.


Common Challenges:

  1. Dependency on Custom Processes
    Custom processes become ingrained, and removing them disrupts established workflows. However, business processes often evolve over time, as do best practices incorporated into modern ERP systems.

  2. Cost and Time Constraints
    Testing, retraining, and hiring consultants for an upgrade are valid concerns. Yet, consider the efficiency gains and reduced maintenance costs over time by utilizing standard ERP features.

  3. User Resistance
    Change management is critical, as employees can be skeptical of losing tools they’re familiar with. Effective communication about the benefits of standardized, future-ready tools can help ease the transition.


The Reality Check: Has Your Organization Changed?

Evaluate how much your business needs have shifted, how user expectations have evolved, and if any workarounds or interim solutions are now adding unnecessary complexity. Many companies discover that industry-standard ERP features can replace outdated customizations.


Did You Know?

  • ERP Upgrades Can Eliminate 25% - 50% of Customizations
    Modern ERP systems incorporate industry best practices as core features, allowing you to rely less on customizations and more on robust, standardized solutions.

  • Extensibility & Reporting Solutions
    Extensibility tools in Infor LN or Baan let users add last-mile functionality without modifying the core ERP. Reporting tools allow custom insights while keeping ERP data intact.


Solutions to Reduce Customization Dependency:

  1. Rewrite Customizations to Use Standard APIs and Libraries
    This ensures seamless interaction with core ERP features without modifying underlying code.

  2. Utilize Infor Extensibility and LN Studio
    Smaller tweaks can be handled with Extensibility; larger needs can leverage LN Studio for custom apps without touching the ERP's foundation.

  3. Incorporate Infor ION for External Integrations
    If customizations primarily manage integrations, Infor ION can connect and streamline external systems effectively.

  4. RMCgen for Custom Components
    RMCgen allows for custom development without altering standard programs, offering flexibility without compromising core stability.

  5. Analytics Dashboards for ERP Insights
    Dashboards offer tailored views and insights without requiring customizations in the ERP itself.

  6. Leverage Built-in Reporting Tools
    Infor Report Designer, Document Management, and BIRST can provide custom reporting, avoiding custom coding altogether.

  7. Assess Your Custom Components
    A thorough assessment of your customizations—internally or with Crossroads RMC consultants—can reveal areas for potential standardization and streamlining.

Let’s Talk Solutions

If customizations are standing in the way of your ERP’s full potential, Crossroads RMC can help. Connect with us at 800.762.2077, solutions@crossroadsrmc.com, or request a consultation to start your path towards a flexible, future-proof ERP.
 

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Kathy Barthelt

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