Infor ERP Ln FP7 Improvements

Infor ERP Ln FP7 Improvements

Infor ERP Ln 6.1 FP7 is the latest release of Baan ERP software. I have browsed the version difference guide and it seems this version again has some good features added.

 I found following new features or improvements as of now:-

1. Enhanced customer relation management module. Now, this module can function as a small CRM system. 
2. Enhanced product configuration module, with 3rd party advanced product configurator integrated(BuyDesign). Finally there is a replacement of the former e configurator software.
3. Can link pictures to several sessions, like employee session, see attached picture.
4. Report operations complete has an option not to post inventory. There is a parameter to control not to post inventory to warehouse when report operations completed. (How about report order completed?)
5. Multiple super users for payments and direct debits. Small enhancement, but good.
6. Calling web service with Baan 4GL
7. Integration with Microsoft Sharepoint server for document storage. Therefore you now get three options to store document on Baan, through ODM, through ECM function of PLM 8, through Sharepoint.
8. Integration with Microsoft Reporting Service. Does this imply that in the future Infor will not support BIRT any more?   Due to the weak report export function of Baan report, the vendors of Baan chose different report server tools to work with Baan ERP. First was Crystal Report, then Cognos Reportnet, then BIRT, now Reporting Service. I think this new choice on Microsoft technology can last for long.
9. I notice there is a increase of the number of dimension code from 5 to 12 in the general ledger module. Maybe some customers can benefit from such increase. But 5 dimension codes are quite enough for most Baan customers.

I agree with Gartner's magic quadrant report that Infor should improve the Baan built-in reporting engine and the report export function. Bundling with an external reporting server is not the solution, just a work around. I am sorry that we cannot see any improvement in this area on this new version, again.