Infor is the third largest ERP solutions provider in the world. The two main Infor ERP solutions we (at Visual South) help manufacturers implement are Infor CloudSuite Industrial (Infor SyteLine) and Infor VISUAL. In this guide, we'll take you through everything you need to know about Infor and its ERP software options. Click the links below to jump to specific chapters.
Of the many reasons people look for ERP, there is one common thread: The thought that there has to be a better way. Maybe the business issues you’re trying to solve require more than a new procedure or spreadsheet. Or maybe you need an integrated system that supports a smoother process.
On the surface, it would seem no one would ever want to buy an ERP system. After all, implementing a new system is not easy. Data needs to be converted. New procedures need to be developed. Employees need to be trained. Everything needs to be tested. It costs money. It introduces an element of risk into the business. Last, but not least, who hasn’t heard of an ERP failure?
Companies implement a new ERP system because the costs and risks of not doing it are too high. A properly implemented ERP system allows a company to grow, while slowing the growth of overhead costs. In addition, employees can make better, more informed decisions, fostering productivity and improving job morale.
On the other hand, just because you think your company needs a new ERP system doesn’t mean it does. There are many other issues that can cause the same feeling. Maybe your current ERP system is more than adequate, but needs better procedures. For example, maybe the current ERP and procedures are adequate, but you need better training.
To help you determine if you actually do need a new ERP system, let’s look at the environments our customers come from. In other words, we’ll look at examples of what a company’s system(s) looked like before the new ERP. I’m going to break it down into three groups, but a company can be in more than one group:
Notice there isn’t a “We hate our current ERP” group. If that’s your only reason and you don’t fit into one of the environments described above, you may not need ERP. That’s because hate is an emotion and money is math. There’s no question that users frustrated with their ERP can create a ground swell of support to replace it. That feeling is real and can stir a lot of emotions. The problem is, it’s only emotion and you can’t buy a new ERP with emotion. It takes money and that’s where the math comes in. For a company to buy a new ERP, it will have two sets of costs: software and implementation. If the company hires experts to train users on the current ERP software, there’s only one set of costs: training. Money will be spent in either case, but getting training on a current system is the most economical way to fix ERP issues. We all get frustrated if we need to use something we don’t understand.
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The three environments described above have consequences and can lead to a culture in the organization that’s less than ideal:
Do some of these consequences from your current environment sound familiar? Then, you are probably in need of an ERP system.
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A Full ERP Terminology Dictionary: 159 Terms Defined
What is an ERP System?
Written By: Bryan Foshee
Cloud, Software as a Service (SaaS), on-premise, browser-based, multi-tenant, single tenant, private cloud—what is all this stuff, and how does it relate to your ERP selection?
It’s helpful to get your arms around what these terms mean, and more importantly, how they relate to your company’s specific requirements.
I’ve had numerous conversations with people who are evaluating ERP (or are thinking about evaluating ERP) and the most common questions always involve the cloud concept. We hear it everywhere these days, much more so than five years ago. However, cloud means different things to different people. So I always ask, “What does ‘the cloud’ mean to you?” or “What problems do you hope the cloud will solve?”
The answers I get are typically along these lines:
That’s quite the range of answers, right?
When I am discussing ERP and the cloud with folks, I try to break things down to make sense of it all. I have found that framing the discussion according to three categories—deployment model, technology, and licensing model—brings some clarity to the conversation and helps define what the cloud means to you.
Deployment is the way you access your software for use. There are a variety of ways your ERP system can be deployed:
Technology refers to how you access the ERP software. Below are some common methods:
Today, the ability to access all or part of your ERP remotely (from a tablet, phone, or device outside the building’s four walls) is a base requirement. Different ERP vendors have different technologies and approaches to connectivity, so this is an important discussion to have with the vendors you are evaluating. Ask them how they address remote access; or, more specifically, ask to talk to their customers.
A licensing model is how you pay for the use of the software. In the ERP world, you’ll likely encounter two different licensing models: SaaS or perpetual.
With a SaaS model (Software as a Service), you pay on a per-user/per-month basis for access to the software, usually as part of a long-term commitment (such as 36 months). The terms of the agreement vary by vendor. It typically requires no on-premise, server-based hardware, only an internet connection and hardware to access the internet (PCs, tablets, etc.).
In this environment, your internet bandwidth and reliability come into play, so make sure those factors are considered in your evaluation criteria. As long as you continue to use the software, you will pay the subscription fee for the service. The SaaS model is great for customers who do not want any server hardware in the building (or the costs associated with that). Customers who choose this option like the low cost of entry and are willing to give up “managing servers” in exchange for a monthly payment that lasts for as long as they are using the software.
Perpetual is more of a “traditional” model, meaning there is a one-time fee for the software, along with an annual charge that is a percentage of the one-time fee to cover maintenance and support. Some vendors require you pay the annual fee; others allow you to decide on an annual basis.
The one-time fee is usually determined by the number of users allowed to access the software. There are two types of users: named and concurrent. Named User licenses are typically reserved for human beings, so if you have 10 people who need access to the software, you get 10 user names and passwords. In a concurrent user model, you could have as many user names and passwords as you want, but when the 11th person attempted to log on, the software would not allow it to happen
It’s a common misconception that a perpetual model is always tied to an on-premise deployment. Yes, that’s typical for this type of license model, but you can also deploy these solutions in the cloud by partnering with a hosting provider to reduce the costs of hardware and upkeep. Providers usually charge a monthly fee for access to your software, and they make guarantees about uptime or availability (meaning if you attempt to log on to the system, you can do so.) This is a good option if you do not want the ERP software provider to also be your cloud hosting provider.
The feedback I sometimes get is “cloud” = good/new and “traditional” = old/bad. That is not necessarily true.
If you are talking with an ERP vendor that ONLY provides a SaaS/cloud deployment model, then it is pretty likely they will paint this picture for you—for obvious, selfish reasons. If you are talking with a vendor that ONLY provides a traditional model, then you may get the opposite.
Focus on one question: “What problem is the deployment model solving for me?” Asking yourself this brings more clarity to the conversation. Embedded in the SaaS argument is the idea that you don’t have to mess with hardware or hire someone to make sure the software is up and running… but what if one of your on-premise options doesn’t have a large footprint, or require a lot of maintenance? What if those hardware costs are already “sunk”? In other words, is an ERP system going to drastically increase your hardware and IT spend?
Don’t assume an ERP footprint is beyond your capabilities as a company. Fully explore that idea with your vendor. At the same time, if you want “out of the hardware business,” the SaaS model or hosting provider is probably the way to go. Keep all your options open, and ask your ERP vendors for their thoughts (keeping in mind what options they are presenting and inherent biases).
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Written By: Tim O'Brien
Infor is the third largest ERP solutions provider in the world. Infor generates annual revenues of close to $3 billion and has over 90,000 customers. Infor employs over 15,000 people worldwide, across 168 offices, and is headquartered in New York City.
Infor also has one of the strongest and largest channel partner networks in the ERP market, with over 1,700 partners. The Infor Partner Network has stringent requirements for product certification, extensive communication (all partners have Infor liaisons they communicate with on a daily basis), and systemic integration by virtue of managing all customer and prospecting activity in Infor CRM. Visual South is a prominent Infor Channel Partner.
The Infor Channel Partner model is a hybrid offering that gives Infor customers the best of both worlds: The software is developed by a very large, stable software company; and the sales and implementation of the software is provided by a smaller, responsive Partner. The Infor Channel Partner network provides:
Visual South has been an Infor Gold Channel Partner since 1994. We have successfully implemented and supported hundreds of customers in manufacturing, manufacturing with distribution, and the service industry.
Infor is unique in that it has specific business solutions for specific industry requirements. This approach differs from many other ERP providers, who typically have a single solution that attempts to be all things for every situation. The “one size fits all” approach often requires a monolithic-type system that’s expensive to deploy, difficult to maintain, and highly prone to failure. Here are just two benefits of Infor’s industry-centric solutions:
If you are a manufacturer, Infor has a specific solution for you, such as Infor CloudSuite Industrial (formerly Infor ERP SyteLine) and Infor VISUAL. Many businesses and Infor know that a one-size-fits-all strategy doesn’t work and is not cost effective.
Infor also provides ERP complimentary products that eliminate the need to have multiple vendors interfacing third-party products together to create a complete solution. Infor uses Infor ION to allow for easy integration with its product suite. Infor complimentary products that allow you to grow into best-of-breed solutions include:
The shortest answer to “What is Infor?” or “Who is Infor?” is this: an industry-leading company in the ERP market providing you with a functionally rich, industry-specific product, supported by those who understand the solution and your specific business requirements. When doing an Infor ERP review, you’ll find that the company is a safe and smart selection.
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As mentioned before, the two Infor ERP solutions we sell for manufacturers are Infor CloudSuite Industrial (Infor SyteLine) and Infor VISUAL. Both solutions are designed for companies that use work orders to make or repair products. They have deep, broad functionality that starts with CRM, ends with financial statements, and covers everything in between, including sales, material planning, inventory control, purchasing, scheduling, barcoding, and multi-language and currency. Both Infor ERP systems integrate with Microsoft Office, run on a SQL Server database, and have open APIs for point-to-point integration with other products. If you want an on-premise solution, either product can be deployed that way. In addition, both can run on a private cloud. There are large active user groups and user conferences for both, too.
So…they sound alike, right? Well, in many ways they are. But some important differences exist:
While there is a lot of overlap between the two products, there is also a fair amount of nuanced differences. We need to understand your business and what issues you are trying to solve to help guide you to the right product.
View a series of demo videos showcasing Infor Visual ERP.
View a series of demo videos showcasing CloudSuite Industrial.
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If you’ve gotten to this point, you probably realize your company should be looking for a new ERP system. You may feel that Infor and Visual South have something to offer you. But how do you go about researching and selecting a new ERP? First, it’s important to know and appreciate the seriousness of a project like this.
The ERP selection process is a big deal. The ERP you choose—which will likely be with you for the next 10 to 20 years—will affect almost every employee in your company. Pick one that doesn’t fit, and it will never fit. That could shorten the lifespan of the ERP in your company (to say nothing of your career there).
On the other hand, choosing the right ERP and investing in the proper training will pay off year after year. You will be able to increase revenue without increasing your overhead. Job costs, material requirement needs, and plant capacity information will always be available at your fingertips. Your company will communicate better, but have fewer meetings and fewer inter-company phone calls. This scenario isn’t a fantasy; we have helped many companies achieve this. Why can’t you be one of those companies?
That’s a lot of pressure to make a good decision and you may not know where to start. Better get an ERP selection criteria checklist! It will help you organize the process and make sure you don’t forget anything. That should appeal to your sense of order, and I have a good one for you. This ERP Selection Criteria Checklist is likely one of many you'll find online, along with other ERP evaluation checklists and ERP vendor selection criteria. Keep reading because a list alone (including mine) won’t give you everything you need.
My ERP Selection Criteria Checklist is a companion to my eBook How to Select ERP…and not regret it. The eBook doesn’t just say what to do; it explains why you should take certain steps, and why you shouldn’t take others.
For example, here is an excerpt from the eBook where I discuss goals:
“The second step is to define 3-5 business goals you want to achieve for each business area. From that list, pick the top 3-5 goals for the overall business. Notice I didn’t say, ‘Goals that I want to achieve with software.’ Software is not a part of this step. You want to develop a list of what you want the company to achieve, not what you want the software to do. It may sound like a subtle distinction, but it’s not. If your mindset is on what the software will do, you will come up with items like:
Emailing a PO to a vendor or producing a report aren’t goals, they’re features. Goals sound like this:
Notice how the goals sound far more noble than the features? That’s because they are. Features are usually accomplished with a few clicks of a mouse. Goals involve training and procedures, not just software.”
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I repeated this headline for good reason: The stakes are high. Failure is an option and that’s why you need a plan and a process. Our eBook, ClearFocus: 6 Steps to Successfully Implement ERP, is exactly what you need to understand the implementation process.
I’m not suggesting that reading a 39-page eBook is all you have to do to successfully implement your new ERP system. The eBook explains the process of implementation; it doesn’t develop the new procedures you will need. It doesn’t train you on the functionality of the software. Yet understanding the process is critical because knowing what you have to do and when helps everyone feel less “lost” during the process.
Download the eBook and read it. It will bring clarity to the complex and emotional topic of implementing a new ERP system.
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