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For more than 30 years, SyteLine has been used by manufacturing-centric companies for managing their business activities. SyteLine scales from as small as a 15-user single site up to hundreds of users across multiple sites, divisions, and multiple companies.
We have found that SyteLine is especially strong in configure-to-order environments due to its tight integration with the Infor Configure Price Quote (CPQ) solution. The Infor CPQ tool is not only useful for configuring product, but also in cases involving complex quoting and pricing formulas. Infor CPQ combined with Infor SyteLine is a popular combination for SMBs looking at ERP software.
Infor SyteLine ERP software was developed primarily for manufacturing companies. Its functionality addresses all the various modes of manufacturing, including but not limited to make-to-order, configure-to-order, make-to-stock, engineer-to-order, build-to-print, project based, and mixed mode.
We have found that SyteLine is especially strong in configure-to-order environments due to its tight integration with the Infor Configure Price Quote (CPQ) solution. The Infor CPQ tool is not only useful for configuring product, but also in cases involving complex quoting and pricing formulas. Infor CPQ combined with Infor SyteLine is a popular combination for SMBs looking at ERP software.
A key area for review is deployment options, including on-premise and cloud deployment. The SyteLine ERP solution can be deployed in whatever fashion is preferable to the company—as SyteLine cloud as Infor CloudSuite Industrial, on premise, or hosted (private cloud).
The fact that SyteLine is written with .Net code and uses the Infor Mongoose framework means that it can be offered as a browser-based solution, whether on-premise or in a SaaS deployment using the industry-leading Amazon Web Services.
The thin client orientation of SyteLine allows it to be device agnostic—a feature we have found to be exceedingly popular for end users with increasing attention to providing ERP functional access on mobile devices.
Infor SyteLine has all the boxes checked when it comes to giving users access to the system.
The Infor strategy of developing common applications that extend to vertically focused ERP solutions has streamlined the SyteLine integration with the Infor OS.
Applications included in the Infor OS include:
All these applications within the Infor OS are accessible on mobile devices in a native format. Infor’s Mongoose framework provides the foundation for numerous mobile applications.
Looking at the entire Infor ecosystem, it is hard not to appreciate Infor’s emphasis on the user experience and functionality.
Related: Infor ERP: Everything You Need to Know
Related: ERP Roll-Out Strategy: How Infor Changed The Game
Our review finds that the SyteLine functional footprint is larger than that of most ERPs. Infor has chosen an all-inclusive approach, versus the modular a la carte methodology of other ERP providers. Infor SyteLine's on-premise bundle has most everything a company needs to run smoothly, as Infor is doing what it can to make the SaaS offering as attractive as possible. SyteLine provides users with the ability to manage their business from sales opportunities to cash collection on orders… and with plenty of room to expand as business requirements dictate new needs.
Also of note is that relative to other ERPs, Infor requires very few third-party tools. This is an area often overlooked when comparing and reviewing ERP systems.
Some leading ERPs require many third-party applications to deliver an all-encompassing solution. Relying on third-party solutions is fine in some cases, but oftentimes it requires third-party or nonaffiliated professional services groups to work together and coordinate activities, which can make both implementation and ongoing support difficult. I have seen one too many “break-ups” between primary ERP providers and third-party suppliers. A notable example was when Fourth Shift and SAP teamed up to provide a manufacturing solution using SAP Business One. Infor acquired Soft Brands and Fourth Shift, and those who had purchased that third-party combination were left in an unfortunate situation.
Finally, there are issues when the third-party products are required but do not have development paths. The lack of development coordination can result with non-compatible products, rendering the third-party product useless with the newer ERP version.
The core SyteLine modules include:
Additional nice-to-have functionality includes interoperability with Microsoft Office tools: email and task integration with Outlook, exporting and importing spreadsheets to Excel, financial reporting with Excel add-in (which provides for pulling ERP data directly into Excel), and the ability to do reporting on premise using Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).
Infor has provided a healthy offering of optional modules as well. A sample of some of the most commonly used optional modules are:
Related: Infor CloudSuite Industrial (Syteline) ERP Consulting: Types of Services Provided
The SyteLine (CSI) cloud bundle with a SaaS deployment includes all the basic modules previously mentioned that come standard with the on-premise offering, plus a lot more; the only “nice-to-have” functionality optional module that may be required is Factory Track. Our Infor SyteLine review finds the SyteLine cloud bundle to be one of the most comprehensive offerings available in the SMB market.
The Infor SyteLine SaaS offering includes the core offering plus modules not included in the on-premise package, including the Infor OS, Infor Implementation Accelerators, Advanced Planning and Scheduling, Service Management, and Quality.
Infor has also added industry packs as part of the core offering at no additional charge with the SyteLine SaaS bundle. Industry packs included are Printing and Packaging, Automotive, Process, and Molding packs.
Infor makes it easy to extend functional capabilities outside traditional ERP boundaries with Infor ION middleware. Infor ION is the Infor Intelligent Open Network. It is Infor’s middleware which allows for integration with the other Infor products and Infor SyteLine ERP. Because of ION, SyteLine customers can fulfill business requirements using other Infor products without having to use third-party software.
Infor provides ERP solutions to help assemble-to-order manufacturers manage orders, ensure material availability, achieve on-time delivery, and operate within expected costs. This is achieved with a pure Infor solution, devoid of third-party products and available either on-premise or in a true cloud offering.
We think SyteLine is an ERP solution that should definitely be considered when evaluating new software. The broad range of functionality and the manufacturing-industry focus have positioned SyteLine as one of the top three ERP solutions for manufacturing businesses.
The Infor plan and execution of providing industry-specific ERP solutions such as SyteLine, the option of using integrated Infor applications—all tied with the Xi Platform and user interface—is a powerful combination. And users can take advantage of all of the above using their deployment method of choice. In our view, that’s why Infor SyteLine ERP is so effective in helping companies perform—and why it’s so widely accepted in the marketplace.
Visual South specializes in Infor ERP software, supporting services, and business solutions. For more information on how an Infor ERP software system can help your business, visit the Infor ERP Solutions page our website.
Visual South offers guidance on all things ERP for small to medium-sized manufacturers and production companies. We are also more than happy to provide a free consultation about managing your ERP implementation, evaluating ERP, or just wanting to get better with your current ERP. Please reach out to us for a free assessment.