Why smarter ERP data is the key to AI-powered growth

In the article from VentureBeat, Jan Gilg, Chief Revenue Officer, Americas and SAP Global Business Suite, discusses the paradox of technological innovation not translating into increased business productivity, which has declined from 2.6% between 1995-2005 to 1.4% since 2005. This disconnect highlights that simply having innovative technologies is insufficient; effective use of data and AI is crucial. ERP data, characterized by its structured nature and semantic meaning, plays a vital role in this process, providing essential insights into business operations. Gilg emphasizes the value of ERP data, particularly from SAP systems, which can integrate industry-specific data to enhance decision-making. The emergence of AI-driven applications, particularly in the cloud, allows businesses to leverage this data effectively. SAP’s recent innovations, including Joule for Developers and the Business Data Cloud, aim to unify data sources and improve productivity through enhanced user experiences. The article uses the metaphor of an orchestra to illustrate the importance of integrating various data sources harmoniously. An example from KIND, the health and wellness division of Mars, Inc., showcases how implementing SAP S/4HANA Cloud improved their operational efficiency and data utilization. Ultimately, Gilg argues that companies that actively manage their data and embrace AI will lead in the next wave of business productivity.

 

For Full Article, Click Here

LSA  Audit Report

, ,

Audit Report shows changes to security in LSA that have been made through Lawson Security to the security setup of selected users (CONFIG option). Also, shows Instances where users have attempted access that has been denied (ACCESS option).

  1. From the Security Administrator main menu, select Reports > Report Maintenance.
  2. Select New Report
  3. Select Audit report

  4. Specify a name for the report. The name can be up to 30 characters.
  5. Select the Report Type, either CONFIG or ACCESS.
  6. Optional. Select start and end date ranges for the report. Click in the From Date and To Date fields and then choose a date from the calendar.

    If you do not select a date, all data that meets the criteria will be included in the report.

  7. Optional. Select Securable Objects to run the report against. If you do not select specific objects, all objects will be included.
    For example, to check access attempts for HR11.1 and AP20.1, type HR11.1 and then click Add. Then type AP20.1 and click Add. Objects that will appear in the report are listed in the second dialog box. You can click Remove to take an object out of the report.

    You must type the name of the object exactly as it appears in the Security Administrator Object Selector. If you specify a form name, such as HR11.1, use all uppercase letters. If you are typing an Environment executable name, such as, jobdef, use all lowercase. The report does not check for object names. If you type an incorrect name, the report will fail or will not locate any records.

  8. You are now ready to select users to run the report against. Click Select Users
  9. Perform a Basic or Advanced query as necessary to locate the users. Click Find Now when you have specified the query criteria
  10. When the list of users that meet the criteria appears, you can click to select a single entry or Ctrl-click to select multiple entries
  11. Click OK twice when you are finished selecting users.

You are now ready to run the report.

 

The Melting Pot of AI & ERP: Transforming Enterprises with Affective and Augmented Intelligence

The future of ERP systems lies in emotional and augmented intelligence, transforming them into proactive, emotion-aware assistants that enhance decision-making and operations. A recent article on ERP Today discusses the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. It highlights the convergence of affective and augmented intelligence in enhancing ERP functionalities. Affective intelligence focuses on understanding human emotions, which can improve user experiences and decision-making processes within ERP systems. Augmented intelligence, on the other hand, emphasizes the collaboration between human intelligence and AI, leading to better insights and efficiencies.
The article outlines several ways AI is reshaping ERP, including predictive analytics that can forecast business trends and enhance strategic planning. It also emphasizes the importance of real-time data processing, enabling organizations to make informed decisions quickly. AI-driven automation within ERP systems can streamline repetitive tasks, freeing up employees to focus on more strategic initiatives. Moreover, the integration of AI allows for improved customer relationship management by providing personalized experiences and insights into customer behavior. As organizations adopt AI-enhanced ERP systems, they can achieve greater operational agility and responsiveness to market changes. The successful implementation of AI in ERP requires a cultural shift within organizations, promoting a data-driven mindset. Challenges such as data privacy concerns and the need for skilled personnel are also mentioned. The article concludes that as AI continues to evolve, its integration with ERP systems will provide significant competitive advantages for enterprises. Organizations that embrace this technological shift will likely see improvements in efficiency, productivity, and overall business performance.

 

For Full Article, Click Here

Your business has big growth goals. Could your ERP be standing in the way?

As companies pursue expansion and new product launches, they often encounter limitations with their current enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, leading to complications that can impede progress. ERP Today’s Radhika Ojha discusses how outdated ERP systems can hinder business growth and innovation. Customization of ERP systems is commonly considered to address these limitations, but it carries significant financial, operational, and strategic costs, including high initial development expenses and ongoing maintenance. Emerging no-code platforms, such as Nextworld’s, present a modern alternative to traditional ERP customization. These platforms allow non-technical users to create custom applications and workflows without coding, enhancing agility and scalability. They integrate seamlessly with existing ERP systems, utilize AI for predictive insights, and automate routine tasks, thereby improving efficiency. The article advocates for a “Clean ERP” approach, encouraging businesses to minimize core customizations, leverage no-code tools for rapid innovation, and adopt a composable architecture. This strategy helps organizations remain agile, reduce costs, and position themselves for long-term growth by breaking down silos and enabling informed decision-making through unified data landscapes.

 

For Full Article, Click Here

How to generate an SQL database user report via Infor Cloudsuite

, ,

With Infor Cloudsuite’s SQL Users And Roles Report Service, there is no need to setup any DBA permissions or to use database management software in order to see who has Database access and with what role.

 

  1. Login to Infor Cloudsuite and go to the Service Request tab, then click Create a Service Request
  2. Select Deployment and Request Type: SQL Users And Roles Report >> Next
  3. Select the Database Server and Database fields >> Submit
  4. This report can take anywhere from 5-15 minutes. Once complete, select the Request ID created and download the Users or Roles report for review.

If you found this article helpful and need support managing your Infor Cloudsuite or Lawson Database processes, Nogalis provides expert managed services to simplify and optimize your system. From resolving issues like database user management to maintaining/optimizing existing processes, our team is equipped to deliver the assistance you need—without the cost and commitment of a full-time, in-house staff. Contact us to learn more about how we can help streamline your Lawson environment.

From Clutter To Clarity: Navigating ERP Migrations With Precision

As organizations grow, their existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems may become cluttered and inefficient, necessitating a migration to a more modern and effective solution. Thus, it is important to put lots of thought and careful planning before executing your migration process to avoid disruptions. Kerry Brown, Forbes Council Member and transformation evangelist at Celonis, discusses strategies for successfully executing ERP system migrations. It compares the challenge of migrating ERP systems to cleaning a cluttered garage—both are labor-intensive and require clear planning to avoid overwhelming complications.

Key strategies for a successful ERP migration are:

  1. Secure Stakeholder Buy-In: It’s crucial to align the migration with the organization’s broader goals to garner support. Keep stakeholders engaged through transparent communication and regular updates.
  2. Map and Analyze Processes: Understanding the existing processes is essential. Modern tools can help identify inefficiencies in legacy systems, enabling organizations to prioritize and optimize what gets migrated.
  3. Organize for Strategic Impact: Deciding which processes to retain, discard, or improve should align with business goals and aim to maximize efficiency and reduce redundancy.
  4. Focus on User Adoption: Beyond the technical deployment, ensuring employees embrace the new system is vital. Early engagement, training, and communication about how the new system addresses their pain points can improve the chances of a successful migration.
  5. Implement Innovative Technologies: Using tools like process intelligence, AI, and robotic process automation can improve migration precision, reduce errors, and offer strategic upgrades during the process.

The article concludes by emphasizing that, with a strategic, well-planned approach, ERP migrations can lead to increased efficiency, innovation, and long-term success for an organization.

 

For Full Article, Click Here

BN532 Employee benefit does not exist – error in Lawson

, ,

Problem: You get a print directory error when running the BN532 and staging the BNDEPBATCH file: “Employee benefit does not exist;”

 

This typically occurs when you’re testing BN531 and BN532 in report mode to make sure everything runs correctly. Both you BNBATCH and BNDEPBATCH file are ready to go and have been renamed (because BN531 and BN532 to this day still appear to only accept BNBATCH).

 

Resolution: While it’s easy to overlook, you must first run BN531 in UPDATE mode after running it in report mode to test. Once the BNBATCH employee data is loaded into the database, you must rename your BNDEPBATCH file to BNBATCH and run the BN532 in report mode to test it as well.

 

So, to recap simply:

  1. Stage BNBATCH file in %LAWDIR%\<productline>\work\BNBATCH\ folder
  2. Run BN531 in report mode, check for error
  3. Run BN531 in update mode if no errors from step 2.
  4. Stage BNDEPBATCH by renaming it to BNBATCH (backup BNBATCH employee file) %LAWDIR%\<productline>\work\BNBATCH\ folder
  5. Run BN532 in report mode, check for errors
  6. Run BN532 in update mode if no errors in step 5.

That’s it!

The Hidden Risks of Cloud Migration: How to Ensure a Smooth Transition with Testing

Transitioning an ERP system to the cloud provides advantages such as enhanced scalability and cost savings, yet it necessitates a systematic strategy to mitigate risks, including data integrity concerns and security vulnerabilities. ERP Today writer Jennifer Lawinski discusses in an article the risks and challenges associated with migrating an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to the cloud. While cloud migration offers benefits like scalability, cost-efficiency, and improved security, it can introduce significant risks without proper planning and testing.

Key risks include:

  • Maintaining customizations and integrations: Custom workflows, scripts, and third-party software integrations may break during migration if not thoroughly tested.
  • Data integrity: Data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) processes can lead to issues like data loss, corruption, and inconsistencies, which can affect financial reporting and operations.
  • Security and compliance: Improperly configured cloud environments can expose sensitive data to breaches and regulatory violations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, SOX).

A structured testing strategy is essential to mitigate these risks. Original Software’s testing solutions help ensure that critical ERP features, custom configurations, and integrations work correctly post-migration, improving accuracy and reducing manual effort.

Additionally, the article highlights that the cloud ERP market is growing rapidly, and businesses are shifting from on-premises systems to cloud-based solutions. However, cloud migration can be costly, with expenses ranging from $100,000 to over $1 million for mid-to-large enterprises. Poor testing can lead to unexpected costs, such as data transfer fees, compliance audits, and post-migration fixes.

A strong testing program can reduce these costs by identifying issues early, preventing downtime, reducing rework, and ensuring a smoother transition to the cloud. This approach helps businesses avoid disruptions and achieve a faster return on investment in their cloud ERP systems.

 

For Full Article, Click Here

Data protection: The CTO perspective

Many organizations often overlook cybersecurity and data protection, focusing more on integrating the latest SAP technology rather than maintaining strong cyber hygiene. A recent SAPinsider report highlights the importance of empowering, equipping, and educating employees to ensure robust data protection. ERP Today spoke with Marty Menard, CIO of Pacific Coast Companies, to gain insights from his 20+ years of experience on the key cybersecurity challenges and solutions tech leaders are facing today. In an article written by Rizal Ahmed (CIO Leader, WIS) and Charles Whitmore (Cybersecurity Editor, ERP Today), they highlight Menards message of the importance of data protection in the context of cybersecurity, focusing on the CTO’s perspective. It stresses that data protection should be a primary concern for businesses, especially in light of growing cyber threats. Key points include:

  1. Data protection is the top priority in cybersecurity, with 57% of experts emphasizing its critical role in securing valuable SAP data amidst rising cyber threats.
  2. Human error is a major cybersecurity risk, as 96% of breaches start with phishing attacks targeting employees, highlighting the need for comprehensive security awareness and training.
  3. Improving data security requires strong alignment between cybersecurity efforts and company leadership, utilizing external audits for impartial evaluations, and prioritizing ongoing employee education to prevent cyber incidents.

Overall, businesses must recognize that human-engineered cyber attacks, like phishing, remain a significant threat and that educating employees is key to enhancing data security.

 

For Full Article, Click Here

Which version of IPD should I run with my Landmark?

, ,

If you are wondering what version of Infor Process Designer (IPD) you should run with Landmark, follow this simple guide.

 

Your IPD install should be the same version as your Landmark version.

 

You can find your version of IPD to check if it is running the same version as Landmark.

 

To find your Landmark version go to Process Server Administrator

Administration>Work Units>Work Units

 

Open a work unit that has completed and go to the Information tab and look at the landmark version noted:

 

Other releases of IPD are not compatible if not the same version of Landmark.