How To Use Educational Technology Humanely Post-Pandemic

The past year’s pandemic was a true rollercoaster – sudden shock, anxiety, and nervousness at the start. Then as months went by and we got used to this ‘new normal’, things started settling and people accepted change. Now here we are a year later and closer to ‘the old normal’.  However, in areas such as education, students and families have gotten the hang of remote learning. What will happen when the pandemic will be completely over? Will it be as simple as going back to in-person school and remote learning wouldn’t be needed anymore? While we miss human interaction, there were no doubt some positives to working/learning from home. Mike McShane, director of national research at EdChoice, writes a Forbes article sharing three different methods of teaching post-pandemic with some of the best educational technology models.

The Prenda Model leverages technology to quickly, efficiently, and effectively deliver academic content. This frees up more time for collaborative, project-based work. McShane notes the nice balance between personalized learning and collaborative, project-based work. Prenda schools, he explains, offers the best of computer-based instruction (self-pacing, meeting students where they are, allowing for different students in the same class to be learning at different levels, etc.) and using its efficiency to create space for exciting, fulfilling, engaging, and substantive collaborative work.

The Hybrid Homeschool Model devotes to one learning modality or another. This type of model has students work 2-3 days per week with personalized learning software, and spends the rest of the week in school to discuss their lessons, work on projects, play sports and other extra curricular activities done in person. McShane’s EdChoice discovered via polls that there is a huge favor for this school modal. This hybrid model poses opportunities for schools to use facilities, faculty, and staff more efficiently. It could also drive down the cost of education while at the same time providing a richer, more effective school experience, McShane notes.

The Lumen Verum Model, inspired by the school in Boston with the same name, limits daily screen time and has a rich set of in-person experiences for students. However, the fact that they will be able to bring passionate, knowledgeable international experts to speak on topics will offer students a unique experience. McShane expresses technology is a tool that educators can use to extend their reach, to help students access things that they otherwise might not be able to in the traditional classroom, to customize and personalize the offerings available to students, and to get through things faster than traditional methods.

Even with cases going down and vaccinations are helping to bring the numbers down, this past year has proved that education technology could be the new normal, and schools are going to need to know how to work with hybrid or fully virtual learning.

 

For Full Article, Click Here

Modify AD FS Login Page to Allow Username Without Domain

, ,

Once you convert Lawson to authenticate with AD FS, you may find that your users would really prefer to log in with their normal ID (as opposed to [email protected] format).  You can accomplish this by updating the login method on the AD FS home page.

 

To make these changes, begin by opening PowerShell as administrator on the AD FS server, then follow these steps.

 

Create a new theme based on the default theme:

new-adfswebtheme -name <custom theme name> -sourcename default

 

Download the new theme to a local path:

export-adfswebtheme -name <custom theme name> -DirectoryPath “<local path>”

 

Navigate to the onload.js file in the theme that you just downloaded.  Add the following code to the onload.js file.  The highlighted portion is what you will update with your company’s domain.

 

// Company customization

// accept sAMAccountName

// pass userprincipalName ([email protected])

if (typeof Login != ‘undefined’){

    Login.submitLoginRequest = function () {

    var u = new InputUtil();

    var e = new LoginErrors();

    var userName = document.getElementById(Login.userNameInput);

    var password = document.getElementById(Login.passwordInput);

    if (userName.value && !userName.value.match(‘[@\\\\]’))

    {

        var userNameValue = ‘company.com\\’ + userName.value;

        document.forms[‘loginForm’].UserName.value = userNameValue;

    }

 

    if (!userName.value) {

       u.setError(userName, e.userNameFormatError);

       return false;

    }

 

    if (!password.value)

    {

        u.setError(password, e.passwordEmpty);

        return false;

    }

    document.forms[‘loginForm’].submit();

    return false;

};

}

 

In PowerShell, upload the new onload.js file:

Set-AdfsWebTheme -TargetName TriCity -OnLoadScriptPath “c:\admin\TriCityTheme\script\onload.js”

 

Activate the custom theme:

Set-AdfsWebConfig -ActiveThemeName TriCity

 

Now, when users type in their regular username, it will be appended with “your domain\” when they click the login button.  If users type in the domain themselves (“[email protected]”), the login page will accept that value and log in the user with the userPrincipalName they provided.

DB Schenker Innovates with Infor

Global logistics provider DB Schenker has extended its investment in Infor technology. DB Schenker’s 15-year technology partnership consists of access to Infor Nexus Purchase Order Management and Infor Nexus Control Center as part of a program to help deliver an industry-leading, end-to-end predictive estimated time of arrival (ETA) capability for customers. Per the press release, DB Schenker has already reported better predictive ETA accuracy compared to using carrier GPS-tracking data alone. Trials amongst early-adopter customers have reported industry-leading levels of reliability when predicting the date of goods arrival at final destination, from the point of the original purchase order being raised. Mark Illidge, Infor vice-president and general manager for supply chain in EMEA, says of the partnership, “As one of the first global logistics leaders on the Infor Nexus platform, DB Schenker has a history of innovation and collaborative partnership with Infor. The ability to develop truly industry-leading predictive ETAs is yet another example of this partnership in action.”

 

For Full Article, Click Here

Moving to Oracle HCM? How will you archive your Lawson data?

, ,

It’s official, you have finalized the project to move to Oracle HCM and are ready to begin your journey to the cloud. But wait! What will you do with all your Lawson legacy data? By now you probably know that you can’t take it all to Oracle HCM. In fact in most cases you’re limited to a small subset of your original data. Your data retention policies may not allow you to turn off your Lawson 10x (or 9.0.1) servers just yet. Looks like you have more work to do.

Keeping those servers around for another 7 years is not an option. You’re likely running several Windows 2012 servers, or worst yet, Windows 2008, AIX or AS400 iSeries. Not to mention the database servers, file servers, co-location, Disaster Recovery servers and more. It’s enough to keep the most seasoned IT manager awake at night. What if the hardware fails? What if the old OS has a vulnerability we can’t patch? What if our server admin who knows how to maintain Lawson leaves? All these what-ifs are just the tip of the data retention iceberg.
One option is to park the data in a data lake and bury it under a rug for the time being. But unless your users are data analysts with some sophisticated BI tools and skills, then the data lake might as well be a Crater laker.
What if there was a way to completely remove the Lawson footprint from your data center but still provide fast, secure, and intuitive access to all the data to your users in a way that didn’t require any servers or maintenance? The APIX Serverless Framework is just that solution. Based on the AWS serverless stack, APIX has opened up incredible possibilities for inquiry only applications never before possible without a substantial investment in infrastructure. Clients can now provision a web based, lightweight, data archive solution and migrate all their data within days rather than months and at a fraction of the cost of the other solutions with none of the risk. Find out how the APIX serverless framework can help you meet all your Lawson data archive needs and eliminate the legacy servers for good.

Mazule Fuels Growth with Infor SunSystems and Sapphire Anywhere

Infor recently announced that South Africa-based mineral and energy trading company Mazule has selected Infor SunSystems, implemented by partner Sapphire Systems, and hosted on its Sapphire Anywhere SaaS platform. The cloud-based solution is set to streamline accounting processes, facilitate in-depth insights, and expedite reporting for the metals, minerals and coal trading specialist. Per the press release, Mazule identified a need to replace the system it has used since its inception. Having reviewed the market, the trading specialist selected Infor SunSystems based on its ability to support multi-dimensional accounting, and to provide in-depth reporting insights across different product lines, as well as the ability to break down transactions by various analysis codes. Kiara Barker, Mazule’s COO, says of the decision to go to the cloud, “Being based in South Africa, a cloud platform was the best option. The stability and robustness of a cloud model, combined with the reduced resource required to maintain infrastructure, means that we can focus resources on our business, safe in the knowledge that our core systems are being managed by experts, and that we have a single point of contact should issues arise.”

 

For Full Article, Click Here

8 Steps to Create an Effective CRM Strategy

Customers are the lifeline of a business. Keeping them happy is key. A CRM, or customer relationship management strategy put in place will keep your customers connected and boost your sales. Sumit at ScoopByte shares and article with 8 steps to create an effective CRM strategy to keep both your business and customers satisfied.

For Full Article, Click Here

CBCHECK vs. CBTRANS

, ,

All AP payments hit the CBCHECK file.  If your payment code (CB00.4) is set up to post in summary mode, (CB00.7 – under the Cash Payment button) the detailed APPAYMENT information that matches your APPAYMENT file will only be found in the CBCHECK file.  There is a serial number on both the CBCHECK  and the CBTRANS file.  That is how you can link the two CB files for those transactions that are booked In summary. The total transaction amount will appear in the CBTRANS table with the serial number (with leading fill zeros) to be able to get to the CBCHECK detail for that total.

Cory Expands Asset Performance Management with Infor

Cory, one of the UK’s leading resource management, recycling and energy recovery company, has deployed Infor EAM in order to optimize the organization, coordination and intelligence surrounding maintenance planning and associated inventory. Per the press release, the company selected Infor EAM to support expansion plans that will add a new energy recovery facility and anaerobic digestion facility for food and green waste, solar power and battery storage. Additionally, the cloud deployment utilizing Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure will help reduce both total cost of ownership (TCO) and data security risk. Infor EAM has the ability to optimize health and safety standards through effective equipment maintenance, and help meet compliance requirements. The solution will also help extend the lifespan of assets and associated return on investment (ROI) for Cory’s equipment. Finally, Infor EAM will also help reduce risk by capturing knowledge in a consistent manner, and provide contextualized insights to boost productivity and circumnavigate skills shortages.

 

For Full Article, Click Here

Archiving Lawson Data

, ,

When it comes to Legacy applications, data retention policies rule the day. Whether you’re moving to the newest cloud solution or simply upgrading, the option of keeping all of your data is likely not available to you. How do you choose what you keep around and what to purge? And what happens to the data you keep? How will you get access to it? How will you secure it? How long do you keep it around? Who will pay for it? Where will it be stored? Who will be responsible for maintaining it?

One option is to keep the old system around for inquiry purposes only. While this option seems like the simplest solution, it can actually prove to be the most costly and complicated. Here are some ways keeping an old system like Lawson 9 or Lawson 10x can backfire down the line:
  •  Old server hardware becomes more unreliable each day putting you at greater risk for losing your data
  • Older, unsupported operating systems like, iSeries AS400, AIX, Windows 2008 and Windows 2012 server  are no longer supported by their respective vendors and pose an increasing security risk to your entire data center.
  • Additional components necessary to keep the application running will keep your organization from moving forward. Having to keep older domain controllers, LDAP servers, web servers and database servers around simply to upkeep an already outdated application around brings with it immeasurable costs and risks.
  • As employees leave the organization and new talent arrives, it becomes increasingly difficult to give and get access to the older applications and train new users on how to access them. This often necessitates the need to retain professional services that can cost thousands of dollars and may not be able to help in the worst case scenarios.
Another option is to dump all the data into a data lake and worry about it all later. While this option sounds quick and simple, it fails the most basic test for a data archive solution; accessibility. Users will require access to the archive data and simply pointing them to a data lake does not provide realistic access. Oftentimes, clients end up spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on BI applications and custom analytics in order to extract the data they need.
Luckily, There is a third solution. The APIX serverless framework, based on the AWS serverless stack has opened up incredible possibilities for inquiry only applications never before possible without a substantial investment in infrastructure. Clients can now provision a web based, lightweight, data archive solution and migrate all their data within days rather than months and at a fraction of the cost of the other solutions with none of the risk. Find out how the APIX serverless framework can help you meet all your Lawson data archive needs and eliminate the legacy servers for good.

China’s Deppon Express Selects Infor in Logistics Asset Management Overhaul

Chinese integrated logistics services provider Deppon Express has selected Infor EAM to strengthen its corporate asset management, optimize allocation and leverage advanced management models to improve overall operational and business efficiency. Per the press release, Deppon Express was founded in 1996 and has provided a wide range of solutions including less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation, full truckload (FTL) transportation, delivery services, and warehousing management. The company provides flexible and efficient logistics options to cross-industry clients. With a need to digitize and optimize operations and reach new levels of efficiency, Deppon Express turned to Infor EAM to help with their change. Infor EAM will help the logistics giant manage its assets as well as boost the efficiency of equipment and personnel, increase vehicle utilization, reduce equipment-related trips-per-order costs and lay the foundation for the reduction of overall equipment operating costs. Infor EAM was began implementation at the end of December 2020 and Deppon Express expects a go-live at the end of 2021.

 

For Full Article, Click Here