Infor

Ultra Insight

From Distribution ERP Vendor Update (2021)  DOWNLOAD

Infor provides global solutions that support 65,000 customers in 175 countries. It’s distribution-focused solutions are implemented at 4,000 customers and are implemented in nine of the top nine electrical distributors and nine of the top nine building materials distributors.

This solution is backed up by 30-plus years of distribution industry experience. And this experience is manifested in its implementation accelerators that help businesses get up and running quickly with pre-configured distribution business processes and data models, user-defined home pages and distribution-specific training. Users can be productive faster, operate smarter and take advantage of efficient process flows.

Infor’s CloudSuite Distribution (formerly SX.e) is effectively a scaled down version of Infor’s CloudSuite Distribution Enterprise. CloudSuite Distribution targets companies with annual revenues less than $250M, and with operations primarily in North America and the UK.

CloudSuite Distribution is a cloud-based, multi-tenant ERP solution purpose built for wholesale distributors.  CloudSuite Distribution delivers industry-specific capabilities without extensive customizations or integrations by combining the cloud platform built on infrastructure services from Amazon Web Services (AWS) and OS. Over recent years, CloudSuite Distribution has focused on continually improving the customer experience and leveraging new technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Via InforOS, Infor's technology framework,, companies can seamlessly integrate CloudSuite Distribution with other Infor- and non-Infor-based systems. You can integrate and manage data and information workflow, no matter where the data resides or what application created it. You can even use InforOS's extensibility technology to customize CloudSuite Distribution’s functionality and user interface. In addition to the core ERP solution, CloudSuite Distribution provides Infor’s Total Warehouse Logistics, Service Management and Storeroom Suite Add-ons, as well as integrations to Infor WMS, Infor Rhythm for Commerce, Infor CRM and Infor CPQ.

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From Distribution ERP Vendor Update (2021)  DOWNLOAD

Infor CloudSuite™ Distribution Enterprise, also known as Infor M3, is a Tier 1 cloud-based enterprise software solution. It is engineered to be a solution that works around the globe, with 31 languages available and 64 localizations.

Infor has been in the distribution industry for 30 years, and the three primary distribution micro-verticals that M3 thrives in are industrial supplies, professional trade supplies and food & beverage supplies. However, M3 is not just for Distribution companies – it fits well for manufacturers as well.

Infor M3 is targeted to companies with revenues of $75 million and going into the multi-billions. There are always exceptions to the revenue ranges, but this range contains companies with the complexity and business requirements that are well-suited to M3. Infor M3 is delivered as a multi-tenant cloud solution using Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Infor M3 differentiates itself from the competition in several ways. First, M3 has a faster time-to-value because it offers pre-configured best-in-class industry-specific solutions. This allows the implementation team to deploy the solution faster with lower risk to the client. Another differentiator is the data that M3 can provide. This allows businesses to better leverage business intelligence, analytics and data science to make informed decisions and react faster – and utilize its “Coleman” AI tool. Infor M3 also has a fully integrated advanced Warehouse Management System as an option to any distributor with complex warehouse requirements.

Infor M3 is always advancing and improving its solution. There is transparency with the product roadmap and what enhancements to the solution are expected. The enhancements are rolled out monthly which is on a much faster cadence then most ERP providers, and this allows companies to get the benefits of enhancements faster. Infor M3 is adding new countries, new features and a new user experience as it serves its 4,000 distribution customers and guides them into the future.

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From Industrial Equipment Manufacturing ERP Vendor Update (2021) DOWNLOAD

Infor LN is best suited for mid-market or large companies, or companies that are growing. And, as a top-tier product, it is not one that companies will need to move on from in five years.

Infor started as a product for IEM and project-based manufacturing companies. Shop floor and project management are areas where Infor shines. And built-in time and material capture features support project billing and cost accounting. In the future, Infor is looking at enhancing collection of machine information capabilities to improve their constraint-based functionality.

Be aware that Infor’s acquisition of Birst and its inclusion in the Infor LN Industry CloudSuites has improved LN’s reporting and analytics capabilities. Infor LN is available as an on-premises solution, but Infor is moving LN to a multi-tenant cloud solution with an annual subscription fee licensing model. The cloud platform will make it easier and faster to deploy, minimize customer involvement in upgrades, and significantly reduce hardware needs.

Infor has an international presence, and support is 24x7 globally with Infor offices throughout the world.

Infor LN implementations typically require an integration or implementation partner, or Infor Consulting Services. Infor maintains partner training standards and certifications to ensure the quality of client implementations

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From Food & Beverage Manufacturing ERP Vendor Update (2020)  DOWNLOAD

Infor has undergone some significant changes in recent years, with new ownership and leadership. But its strategy of providing industry-specific software in the cloud has not changed, which is an encouraging sign.

Infor has come a long way over the last decade, and continues to take market share from some of its more well-known competitors. If Infor can increase brand awareness, it will continue to grow at an even faster pace.

CloudSuite Food & Beverage (M3) was developed with process and mixed-mode manufacturing in mind. The product offers a robust feature set that can compete functionally with its primary competitors — often at a lower total investment.