SouthernCarlson Selects Infor CloudSuite Distribution for overall organizational improvements

SouthernCarlson Inc., a leading North American distributor of tools, fasteners, packaging and facility supplies, has selected Infor CloudSuite Distribution to help consolidate its operational systems, analyze data in near real time for faster decision making, and improve customer service. Per the press release, Infor’s cloud solutions – including Infor WMS warehouse management system, Infor Birst advanced analytics, and Infor Rhythm e-commerce – are planned to serve 1,200 users across more than 150 locations, with nine primary distribution centers set to use Infor WMS. SouthernCarlson’s operational model challenges to maintain applications that are not fully integrated, which results in inefficient and duplicate processes and discrepancies in data output and analytics. This environment has made it difficult for SouthernCarlson’s IT team to keep up with requested system modifications. With the help of Infor’s CloudSuite Distribution ERP (enterprise resource planning) system, SouthernCarlson anticipates it will be able to bring all of its relevant applications together for a “single version of the truth,” analyze key business data for faster and better decision making, and help its sales representatives deliver a higher level of customer service and satisfaction.

 

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Using IPA Web Run to work with attachments/comments

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Working with attachments (or comments) to forms Is very simple using the WebRun node in IPA.

The first step to setting up a Web Run node, is to configure the Web Run Connection in your IPA configuration set.  For Internal Lawson commands, this will be your Lawson configuration set (usually “main”).

If your organization is using ADFS for authentication to Lawson, make sure you set up the Web Run Connection using the Lawson thick client site.

Here are the Web Programs used when working with attachments:

  • lawson-ios/action/ReadAttachment
  • lawson-ios/action/ListAttachments
  • lawson-ios/action/DeleteAttachment
  • lawson-ios/action/ChangeAttachment
  • lawson-ios/action/AddAttachment

The Post string should contain the pertinent details relating to the attachment.  All attachments will need a dataArea, filename, indexName, attachmentCategory, and Key values.  The Key values map to the index for the table to which you are adding attachments.  Attachment category is C or U (comment or URL).

When working with specific attachments (ReadAttachment, DeleteAttachment, ChangeAttachment), you will also need to provide attachmentNbr, which is the unique key of the attachment.  When adding and changing attachments, you will also want to provide the ATTACHMENT-NAME and ATTACHMENT-TEXT values.

It’s time for a digital spring cleaning

When it comes to spring you think of certain things – cherry blossoms, warmer weather, Easter, and of course the inevitable task of ‘spring cleaning’. Many people are motivated to declutter around this time. Cleaning out garages and organizing storage shelves come to mind. But what about cleaning up your digital space? Your phones and laptops may need some TLC during this spring cleaning period. Not only that, making sure your digital privacy is in tact with passwords and stored payments is critical as well. The Better Business Bureau and Nextar Media share tips for a digital spring cleaning strategy. Together with the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), BBB is encouraging people to check their smartphones, laptops and tablets and take a few minutes to review these tips when starting their digital spring cleaning.

  • Lock down your login: “Security is critical to protecting accounts being used for work and for home. Ensure passphrases for each account are lengthy, unique, and safely stored. Enable 2-factor authentication on all accounts that offer it.”
  • Update your system and software: “Avoid procrastination! Having the most current software, web browsers, and operating systems are some of the easiest and fastest ways to protect your most sensitive assets.”
  • Back it up: “Protect your personal and workplace data by making electronic copies – or backups – of your most important files. Use the 3-2-1 rule to help guide you: 3 backup copies, 2 different media types, and 1 offline in a separate location.”
  • Clean up your online presence: “When was the last time you used all the apps on your phone or tablet? Do you know what the settings are on all the social media accounts that check in with friends and family? Check up on all your accounts. Then, control your role by making sure you know who has administrative access to your accounts. Keep all your passwords private.”
  • Be careful what you share: “Quizzes on social media are fun and keeping in touch is a necessity these days. However, questions on social media might give away too much information about you, your location or your family.”

Source: BBB.org

 

Digital Spring Cleaning on an Enterprise Level

Now that you’ve got your digital space organized on a personal level, you should also consider how to clean up your workspace on an enterprise level. Does your business have old data lying around or legacy systems with historical data that need proper archiving? While the process can be worrisome and stressful, there are several options out there to get your digital mess at work cleaned up as well. Nogalis helps Lawson customers archive their legacy applications to the cloud and eliminate 100% of their Lawson footprint in 6-8 weeks so they can save on average $300k annually. Learn more about APIX Lawson Data Archive Solution Here.

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How CRM and ERP Integration Can Benefit Your Business

There are many enterprise tools  that help your business run smoothly. Two major systems are customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP). Individually they make a strong addition to your business processes. Together, CRM and ERP can keep your business running smoothly. Both systems share a few common functions that can be used interchangeably in your organization, but do have their main functions to contribute to your business model. ERP usually pertains to internal business functions such as human resources, accounting and supply chain, while CRM focuses on external functions for marketing and sales, as well as managing customer data. Technology writer and expert Lauren Hansen share an informative article on CIO Insight explaining how CRM and ERP working side by can greatly benefit your business. Hansen points out that CRM and ERP work with related data, thus are capable of working together. Pairing ERP and CRM benefits company culture, management, HR, and the research and development team through communication, planning, and product information, says Hansen.
  • Communication. “Customer data in the CRM platform is a goldmine of information that informs much of the business’s back-end. Opening CRM data to the rest of the organization promotes transparency and empowers cross-functional collaboration among employees to solve problems.”
  • Planning. “ERP that integrates customer relationship management helps improve business planning. Based on CRM data, a business can better anticipate ebbs and flows in production, delivery needs, and the people and materials required across the supply chain.”
  • Product/service quality. “Integrating your CRM solution with your ERP system helps your business improve product or service quality, based on salespeople’s interactions with clients. When accounting data shows unprecedented returns or when the same complaint gets registered in the CRM, a good ERP system will alert management and point to a bigger internal issue. Effectively addressing product or service issues will reflect happier customer data in the CRM.”

Hansen concludes when your ERP and CRM solutions are integrated, your business can greatly improve with a streamlined data process driven by both systems.

 

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Configuring MSCM 10 with ADFS

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To configure MSCM 10.x for ADFS, update the mscm.filter.properties file.  Set the service.name.param to the thick client identity, or you can set it to both thick client and SSOP delimited by a comma (i.e. SSOP, THICKCLIENTLDAPLS).  Also, set the lawson.username to the UPN.

Run an updateconfig to set the changes.

NOTE: All MSCM users in Lawson Security must have a thick client identity configured before making these changes.  Otherwise, the user synchronization task will fail in MSCM.

You can validate the change by checking the USER_IDENTITY table in your MSCM database.  This should show records for each user for each identity configured.

 

NTM Set for Success with Infor

Finnish engineering leader Närpes Trä & Metall (NTM) recently decided to partner with Infor CloudSuite Industrial Enterprise to help unify and standardize its complex operational and manufacturing processes across the globe. Per the press release, the system, which will be delivered via multi-tenant cloud on Amazon Web Services (AWS), will be deployed by local Infor partner Midport Scandinavia, beginning at NTM’s headquarters in Närpes, Finland, and then rolling out across the group’s other sites in Russia, Sweden, Estonia, Germany, the UK, Canada and the United States. NTM develops, manufactures, sells and maintains transport equipment for heavy goods vehicles and refuse and recycling material collection vehicles, engineered-to-order to meet the demands of a varied customer base. They were looking for a solution to bring a commonality to its processes across all business sites, with the goal of unifying and standardizing systems to create a platform for pursuing further growth. A multi-tenant cloud deployment was also a crucial factor in NTM’s decision, ensuring the business can benefit from continual updates with minimal administrative burden on the in-house IT team, as well as enabling the swift on-boarding of new entities.

 

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IP Designer Series – Web Run

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The Web Run node can be used to make different types of web calls, whether it be to external APIs or internal Infor Lawson commands.

The first step to setting up a Web Run node, is to configure the Web Run Connection in your IPA configuration set.  For Internal Lawson commands, this will be your Lawson configuration set (usually “main”).  For external connections, you will want to create a new configuration set.

If your organization is using ADFS for authentication to Lawson, make sure you set up the Web Run Connection using the Lawson thick client site.

Once you have a Web Run connection, you can set the properties of the node.  The “Configuration name” should be the configuration set for which you just set up the Web Run Connection.  The default is “main”.  If this is an internal Lawson connection, select “Infor Lawson”.  Otherwise, select “External”.  Provide the Web program that you are running.  The Web Run node can be used internally with Lawson to run batch jobs or add attachments/comments to Lawson forms.

See this article to read more about making external API calls with IPA.

lawson-ios/action/SubmitJob?jobName=<!JobName>&jobOwner=<!JobOwner>&wait=TRUE

 

Infor Extends Commitment to Sustainability in Fashion with Made2Flow Partnership

Infor recently announced one of their newest partnerships with Made2Flow, a tech company specializing in analysis and validation of environmental data in the fashion industry. Infor and Made2Flow together will support global fashion brands looking to increase transparency of the production supply chain through traceability and impact measurement solutions. Per the press release, consumer-driven interest in the environmental impact of purchases is driving the fashion industry and brand owners towards providing more information on the sustainable credentials of their products. The only way to understand how sustainable different products are is by measuring their environmental impact in relation to CO2, water and other environmental indicators. This is a complex and lengthy process, with tight engagement from brands and their production partners to gather, normalize and validate necessary data. With Infor’s help, Made2Flow can support this process through automating environmental impact calculations, which leverage machine learning to bridge potential gaps, to provide credible and transparent results. Further, Infor’s product lifecycle management (PLM) capabilities will dovetail with the Made2Flow platform, providing crucial data for impact measurement purposes, with the collaboration set to enable fashion companies to continuously measure the environmental impact of products to meet targets and reassure stakeholders.

 

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The 9 Best Healthcare Technologies That Have Improved Wellness

Technological advancements of any kind should always be recognized for their contribution to society. In the healthcare sector, certain technologies have been essentially “life savers”. Writer Chris Odogwu shares a great article on makeuseof.com highlighting the best technologies that have improved wellness in the healthcare industry. This influx in healthcare technologies will continue to put a positive impact in our overall wellness.

  1. Artificial Intelligence. “Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been around for decades, and it has proven that healthcare technology can be an excellent resource for a better and risk-free future. With AI, you can recreate operational techniques, aid the efficiency of populated healthcare outcomes, and reduce burnout. You can now do away with those time-draining factors and focus directly on improving your health.”
  2. Personalized Wearables. “Personalized wearables have contributed mainly to the healthcare system. You can keep track of your heartbeats and other health-related data by wearing a healthcare device. With personalized wearables, you can become aware of your health status [in real time].”
  3. 3D Printing. “There’s no limit to what the healthcare system can achieve with 3D printing. It’s effective in creating visuals on bio tissue, blood vessels, and artificial limbs. 3D printing is a regeneration tool for human cells or tissues. It’s an effective remedy for diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and many more.”
  4. Amazon Echo Smart Speaker. “Amazon Echo brings a new flare to the healthcare system to ease health-related tasks. With Alexa on Amazon Echo, you can manage and control your blood pressure. Amazon Echo also provides live first-aid tutorials. This technology goes as far as helping to buy and manage insurance claims. It’s an excellent choice for older people.”
  5. Robotics. “Robotics continues to support wellness for humankind. This technology helps ease the surgery process, no matter how complicated it may seem. Helpful in avoiding physical contact with infected persons, Robotics varies and include pharmaceutical robots, disinfectant robots, and exoskeletons. The best part is that they work best for a multi-functional purpose.”
  6. Chatbots in Healthcare. “Chatbots are an intelligent resource for monitoring health. They consist of machine-learning algorithms that aid hospitality and help manage a healing procedure. Due to the sensitive nature of human health, it’s vital to seek professional advice on health-related issues. Chatbots ensure that patients get the medical advice they need without necessarily going to the hospital to see a doctor in person.”
  7. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). “Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) make room for nonphysical interactions. AR helps users engage with digital information from remote locations in real-time. VR provides medical training and helps you become aware of diseases.”
  8. Technology in Mental Health. “Technology in mental health is a powerful form of medical treatment and an awareness tool. Some apps help relieve anxiety, with others monitoring your day-to-day mental health. Hence, the invention of AI, VR, and other digital healthcare devices is replenishing mentally.”
  9. Digital Therapeutics. “Digital therapeutics are different from regular healthcare devices. It must be software-driven, tested, and confirmed to help cure certain health conditions. Digital therapeutics takes the burden of undergoing complex treatments. It feels better to get medical help wherever you are when you need it. With this kind of approach, you can take better care of yourself with fewer resources.”

As time goes by, technology will continue to improve and continue to benefit our lives.

 

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Configure S3 Connection Pooling

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If you are receiving frequent connection failures between IPA and Lawson S3, you may want to configure the connection pooling for S3.

To do this, open the Landmark Grid, and click the “gear” to open the configuration manager.  Click Applications > [your landmark application] > Edit Properties.

Expand “LPA Settings” then “S3 Pooling”.  Click “pfi.pooling.s3UsePooledConnections”

Select “All” for the display complexity.  Click the top LPA option, first column.

Check the box “pfi.pooling.s3UsePooledConnections” and click “Create (or Update) Property”

Now, set the rest of the s3 connection properties.  Best practices are as follows:

Be sure to click the save button at the top of the screen.