Infor Acquires Acumen and Albanero

Infor recently completed the acquisitions of Albanero, a data migration and management partner, and Acumen, a Revenue Growth Management and highly-specialized consulting company. Per the press release, both acquisitions strengthen Infor’s focus on helping customers understand how to translate the deep industry-centric data within their environment into opportunities to generate greater value and profitable growth. Infor CEO Kevin Samuelson says of the acquisition, “Infor’s strategy remains fiercely focused on helping customers unlock core value drivers within their industry-specific operations. The next wave of innovation is completely data driven and generating real value from it begins with a secure industry-rich data foundation.” Both Albanero and Acumen advance this core strategy by offering customers contextualized meaning to their industry-specific data within their core ERP systems. Moreover, Infor’s acquisition of Acumen and Albanero closed on July 1, 2024. Financial terms are not being disclosed for either acquisition. Albanero founders, Bruce Douglas and Manish Sharma, Acumen founders Nick Ryan and Matt Wills, and employees of both organizations, a total of 160 people, will transition into the Infor organization

 

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What’s the True Cost of a Critical Business System Outage?

Today’s fast-paced business environment relies heavily on business systems such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and is essential for maintaining operational efficiency and keeping a competitive foot in the game. In a paper authored by Jonathon Butler, Vice President of Business Consulting, we see the true cost of system outages and how much we lose outside of financial scopes. The article on ERP Today that discusses this paper notes that financial loss is just the beginning with ERP systems are out of services. “The true cost of such outages, not just in terms of immediate financial losses but also in the broader context of customer satisfaction, brand reputation, and long-term business strategy.”  Butler’s document outlines a three-step approach to managing these risks, beginning with understanding a company’s risk tolerance, followed by a system management health check, and culminating in a comprehensive system health check engagement. QAD offers this engagement and aims to uncover existing risks, identify the gap between current systems and business strategy, and provide actionable insights for improving system health and resilience.

 

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PR160 In Recovery due to incorrect ACH file path workaround

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If you have a PR160 job that goes into recovery because your ACH path is not correct:

You can modify the exact PR160 job that is in recovering by dumping the job with jobdump command in Lawson Interface Desktop (LID).

Example of command: jobdump -d -o Job -v UserName joesmoe jobdump.dmp

What to change: jobdump -d -o Job -v UserName <your_jobs_username> <enter_the_jobname>.dmp

Edit the dumped job file and change the ACH path ONLY and recover the job to see if it is resolved.

Load the job in report mode (to check for errors): jobload -o Job jobdump.dmp

Load the job in commit mode if it looks good: jobload -c -o Job jobdump.dmp

Infor’s AI and Sustainability Push: Growth Plans for India

Dataquest, India’s premiere IT print publication, was recently able to site down with Infor’s leadership team, including Terry Smagh, Phil Lewis, and Wolfgang Kobek, outlines Infor’s strategic direction and technological advancements in the Indian market. Dataquest’s executive editor Minu Sirsalewala explores the company’s strategic direction, technological advancements, and future plans, particularly within the Indian market, according to the online article. Infor is a leading provider of business cloud software solutions designed for modern enterprises, is making significant strides in integrating artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability practices, and industry-specific solutions into its offerings. This insightful conversation, notes Sirsalewala, sheds light on how Infor is strategically positioning itself to address evolving market demands, enhance operational efficiencies, and drive sustainable growth across diverse sectors. The discussion covered a range of topics and questions such as sustainability and growth, data residency concerns, AI integration within their ERP (enterprise resource planning) solutions, data security, efficiency, cloud trends and their impacts, and how Infor is uniquely positioned to address ESG concerns and drive profitability for Indian businesses. For a full length look into the discussion, you can view the interview on Dataquest’s site below.

 

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How to switch LSF domain controller

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Problem:           

If your controller is failing and you need to move the LSF LDAP to another controller

Resolution:

Edit the ldapbind information in the SSOP service and reload it.

  1. Create a dump of the SSOP service:
  • ssoconfig -c
  • Option 5 Manage Lawson services
  • Option 6 Export service and identity info
  • Option 2 for not all services
  • Enter SSOP in upper case
  • Enter NONE in upper case
  • Give a filename (it will write out the file to the directory you are in when you run the ssoconfig -c command.) Example: ssop_prod.xml
  • Exit the ssoconfig menu.
  1. Make a copy of the .xml file that you just created. This is your backup of the SSOP service in its original state.
  2. Then edit the first .xml file and change the following lines:

<BATCH_LOAD FORMAT=”” OVERRIDE=”false”>

to

<BATCH_LOAD FORMAT=”” OVERRIDE=”true”>

 

and this line to the new machine name and port:

<PROVIDER>ldap://dc1.lawson.com:3268</PROVIDER>

to

<PROVIDER>ldap://dc2.lawson.com:3268</PROVIDER>

  1. Save the file.
  2. Do one of the following to load the modified SSOP service file:

ssoconfig -l ssoconfig_password filename.xml

Exit.

  1. A stop and start of the Lawson environment and WebSphere application server is required in order for this to take affect.

 

10 Tips for Effective Leadership in Distribution Centers and Warehouses

Distribution centers are arguably the backbone of supply chain operations. This rings true to Will Quinn, Supply Chain leader and Global Director of Strategy, Infor WMS. “Experienced distribution professionals understand that leadership in this context is about managing teams and setting the tone for a culture of continuous improvement and teamwork,” he states. Quinn shares an article on trainingmag.com highlighting the most effective leadership principles, strategies, and best practices that can transform distribution center operations into well-oiled machines.

  1. Lead by example. “Leaders should be visible on the floor, working alongside their teams and demonstrating the behaviors they expect from their employees. Walking the floor to see your people’s challenges shows you care about them vs. hiding in your office. This instills a sense of teamwork and fosters respect and trust between leaders and their teams.”
  2. Foster a culture of continuous improvement.  “Encourage your team to think critically about processes and operations; empower them to suggest and implement improvements. Embrace a culture where change is seen as an opportunity for growth, not a disruption.”
  3. Invest in employee development and future leaders. “Mentorship and leadership development help groom talented employees for greater responsibility.”
  4. Prioritize safety. “Regular safety training and establishing a safety-first culture are essential.”
  5. Set clear expectations and goals. “When everyone understands what they are working toward, measuring progress and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives becomes easier.”
  6. Data-driven decision-making. “Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to track performance and identify improvement areas. Data-driven insights enable leaders to optimize operations and allocate resources efficiently. Moving your ERP to the cloud is a significant first step in harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning to facilitate data-driven decision-making. Although you might not possess the authority to alter your ERP system, you can maximize its capabilities. In my experience, ERP systems often go underutilized because users typically receive insufficient training on their diverse functions. Invest time exploring the various menus and functionalities to discover how to fully leverage its potential.”
  7. Encourage teamwork and collaboration. “Encourage cooperation between different functional areas to eliminate silos and promote a holistic view of operations. Cross-functional teams can help identify and resolve issues more effectively.”
  8. Recognize and reward achievements. “Acknowledge and celebrate outstanding performance with awards, bonuses, and public acknowledgments. This fosters a positive and motivated work environment.”
  9. Adaptability and flexibility. “Distribution centers often face unexpected challenges, such as surges in demand or supply chain disruptions. Influential leaders can quickly pivot to address changing circumstances. Encourage your team to be flexible in their approach to problem-solving. Build your schedule to reflect normal fluctuations.”
  10. Lead with empathy. “A leader truly cares about their people and leads with empathy. They understand their team members’ challenges and are there to support and guide them. Taking the time to listen and empathize with your employees builds trust and loyalty.”

Quinn concludes that effective leadership in distribution centers goes beyond managing operations and involves creating a culture of continuous improvement, fostering teamwork, and prioritizing employee development and safety. “By adhering to these key principles and strategies, distribution professionals can enhance their facilities’ efficiency, accuracy, and overall success.”

 

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Suppressing Receiving Delivery and Putaway Delivery Tickets

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To suppress Receiving Delivery and Putaway (PO134) delivery tickets when MSCM Delivery Documents are all that is needed is to disable the Back-Office PO Receiving (PO30) Receiving Delivery and Putaway (PO134) delivery ticket by removing the printer from PO Receiving (PO30) or create a dummy printer to stop the back-office delivery ticket from printing.

Removing the printer from PO Receiving (PO30) only works if the user does not have a default printer assigned to them. After being removed, the default printer will simply populate back in the field upon clicking change.

Additionally, an enhancement to PO Company Setup (PO01) was added which provides a flag called “Delivery and Putaway Ticket Print” which allows disabling the delivery ticket printing at the company level.

Business cloud software giant Infor targets Thailand’s potential

Infor has identified Thailand’s manufacturing sector as a key potential market in Southeast Asia as the country continues to digitize under the Thailand 4.0 policy, its CEO Kevin Samuelson shared with The Nation in a virtual interview, written by Nongluck Ajanapanya. Per the article, Samuelson’s remarks, during a trip to Bangkok on June 20, addressed the country’s digital transformation journey, the technology landscape, and the role and trend of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly the emergence of generative AI (GenAI). He also discussed the strategy for using AI and cloud technology to drive innovation and efficiency in Thailand’s business landscape. Ajanapanya notes that the CEO recognized the gradual nature of AI’s impact, anticipating a significant increase in productivity, paving the way for a future in which work is focused on more rewarding and challenging tasks. Samuelson also emphasized the importance of identifying specific industry use cases to generate value from AI, citing an example of how Infor’s AI solutions helped a forklift company improve efficiency, lower costs and boost sales. “Discussing technological trends in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) industry,” Ajanapanya writes, “Samuelson underlined the importance of moving to the cloud, citing benefits in flexibility, data security, and efficiency. He also noted a growing trend of process and shop floor automation, which leads to increased efficiency and better results.” Moreover, in terms of Infor’s growth strategy in Thailand, Samuelson disclosed that the company’s focus on specific industries enables it to provide tailored solutions to businesses with smaller budgets. “As Thailand embraces digital transformation,” Samuelson states, “Infor’s targeted approach and AI-driven solutions position it to play an important role in shaping the country’s manufacturing and distribution sectors.”

 

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Replacing Expired Certificates for LDAPS

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Installing LDAP certificate in AD LDS instance

  1. Identify the AD LDS service instance in Services
    • LSF
  2. Launch MMC (Microsoft Management Console)
  3. Choose File > Add/Remove Snap-In
  4. Add the certificates Snap-In
  5. Choose “Service” account and click “Next”
  6. Choose “Local Computer” and click “Next”
  7. Choose the Service Account for your AD LDS service and click “Finish”

  8. Right-click on the service that was added and select “All Tasks > Import”
  9. Click next and browse to the .pfx certificate file. Click “Next”
  10. Enter the private key password
  11. Place the certificate in the <AD LDS service>\Personal store
  12. Click Next then Finish

 

 

Export the certificate for Java OS & Java WebSphere

  1. Right click the certificate > All Tasks > Export and click Next
  2. Do not export the private key
  3. Choose Base-64 encoded X.509 (.cer) and click Next
  4. Choose a location to save the file for later use
  5. Click finish

Grant Permissions to Certificate Container

  1. Run command “certutil -store MY’
  2. Find the container with your AD LDS certificate using the thumbprint to identify it
  3. Give NETWORK SERVICE read & execute permissions on the key container file AND the key container directory (C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Crypto\RSA\MachineKeys)
  4. Stop the AD LDS environment service
  5. Restart the AD LDS service

Smoke Test

  1. Open the ldp.exe tool
  2. Type the server FQDN > SSL port and check the SSL box
  3. Click “OK”
  4. Successful connection to LDAPS

Update the LDAP Certificate in WebSphere

Cell Trust Store

  1. Access the WAS Admin Console and navigate to: Security > SSL certificate and key management > Key stores and certificates > CellDefaultTrustStore > Signer certificates
  2. Click the Retrieve from port button.
  3. Host: <your AD LDS host>
  4. Port: 636
  5. Alias: give it a meaningful name
  6. Click Retrieve signer information.
  7. Click OK & save changes.

 

Node Trust Store

  1. Access the WAS Admin Console and navigate to: Security > SSL certificate and key management > Key stores and certificates > NodeDefaultTrustStore (for the LSF server) > Signer certificates
  2. Click the Retrieve from port button.
  3. Host: <your AD LDS host>
  4. Port: 636
  5. Alias: give it a meaningful name
  6. Click Retrieve signer information.
  7. Click OK & save changes.

 

Perform these same steps in the Landmark websphere instance.

Update LDAP Certificate in OS Java

Do this in both Lawson and Landmark

  1. Open a command line and set environment variables
  2. Run command “where java” to determine where LAW_JAVA_HOME is located
  3. Back up <LAW_JAVA_HOME>/jre/lib/security/cacerts
  4. Copy the cert that you exported from the LSF service from the Lawson server to the Landmark server
    • This is the cert you will be importing into cacerts
  5. Run the ikeyman utility at WAS_HOME/bin
  6. Open the LAW_JAVA_HOME/jre/lib/cacerts file and select the Key database type of JKS
  7. Type password “changeit” (default)
  8. Select “Signer Certificates”
  9. Delete the existing certificate, then re-add it
  10. Click “add” and navigate to the ldap certificate exported earlier
  11. Give it a meaningful name

Update LDAP Certificate in WebSphere Java

  1. WebSphere Java directory is WAS_HOME/Java
  2. Back up files WAS_HOME/java/jre\security/cacerts
  3. Peform the same steps as OS Java using iKeyman for both Java instances

 

Infor the only Vendor Named as a Leader in All Four IDC MarketScapes for ERP

Infor was listed as the only vendor named as a Leader in all four of the following IDC MarketScape reports – IDC MarketScape: Asia/Pacific SaaS and Cloud-Enabled SMB/Midmarket Segment ERP 2024 Vendor Assessment; IDC MarketScape: Worldwide SaaS and Cloud-Enabled Small Business ERP Applications 2024 Vendor Assessment; IDC MarketScape: Worldwide SaaS and Cloud-Enabled Large Enterprise ERP 2023–2024 Vendor Assessment; and IDC MarketScape: Worldwide SaaS and Cloud-Enabled Medium-Sized Business ERP Applications 2024 Vendor Assessment. Per the press release, the IDC MarketScape reports evaluate vendors based on a comprehensive and rigorous framework relative to the criteria and one another, and key strategy criteria included both qualitative and quantitative data resulting in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. Infor was recognized for its cloud-platform, its ability to scale, and overall industry expertise. Mickey North Rizza, group VP, IDC’s Enterprise Software, said “The digital world has reshaped businesses’ of all sizes focus on moving to the cloud to improve their speed, scale, agility, market share, and competitive advantage. This requires adapting new ERP technologies that enable speed and scale by reducing process steps and clicks, automating every workflow possible, embedding finance to collect and make payments, and helping improve overall decision velocity.” Further, Infor cloud ERP solutions deliver industry-specific capabilities without extensive customizations or integrations by combining the Infor cloud platform built on infrastructure services from Amazon Web Services® (AWS®) and Infor OS. By migrating critical business applications to the cloud, organizations experience automatic upgrades that deliver the latest advances in enterprise functionality.

 

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