Why Digital Transformation Needs Architecture, Not Milestones

Enterprise finance is shifting from manual, transactional systems to intelligent, real-time platforms, but success requires more than just adopting new software—it demands a strategic and well-structured finance architecture. Forbes Council Member and Cloud Solution Architect Rahul Bhatia shares an article emphasizing that many ERP (enterprise resource planning) implementations focus too much on “going live” rather than building a robust, scalable financial foundation. Common pitfalls in ERP projects include:

  • Inconsistent financial setups across regions
  • Neglected compliance leading to costly fixes
  • Promised AI and automation features that never arrive
  • Poorly scaled integrations with key systems
  • Disconnected ESG and financial reporting

These issues stem from a lack of strategic planning, not from flaws in the technology itself. Without a thoughtful, future-ready finance architecture, organizations struggle to achieve the full value of ERP investments. Successful finance transformation requires alignment across strategy, systems, structure, and people. Using McKinsey’s 7-S Framework, Bhatia suggests, organizations can ensure their finance architecture supports business goals, minimizes fragmentation, and empowers internal teams with the right tools and skills. ESG, compliance, and transparency must be built in from the start—not added later. Many companies fail to scale digital finance initiatives because early efforts lack standardized, repeatable models. Starting with a solid architecture enables scalable, compliant, and lower-risk implementations. While going live may seem like the ultimate goal, in reality that’s just the beginning of true digital finance transformation. To lead innovation, Bhatia concludes, finance teams must focus on creating sustained value through intelligent, compliant systems built with purpose, rather than merely chasing milestones.

 

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Why It’s So Hard to Modernize Your Outdated ERP

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are designed to streamline business operations, but many companies are hindered by outdated versions that create more problems than they solve. In an article shared on Yahoo tech (originally from the Daily Upside), tech writer Nat Rubio-Licht explores why updating outdated ERP systems is so difficult. Key issues include deep system customizations over time, high implementation costs, user resistance, lack of vendor incentives for adoption, and poor change management. Challenges include technical debt, employee resistance to change, and the disruption modernization causes to daily operations. Vendors may support technical transitions but that isn’t enough to ensure a successful adoption. These factors – and much more – make modernization a daunting but increasingly necessary task for businesses. Despite the hurdles, modernizing ERP systems is increasingly necessary to stay competitive.

 

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Downloading Logs for review in a Lawson Cloud Environment

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In Lawson v10, Admin users would have direct access to system logs but in the cloud, you’re access is limited to FTP access.

Problem: Reviewing IOS and LADB logs live is more difficult through FTP since you’re unable to download or view a file that is currently being written to. To get around this you simply use the copy line command or cp.

 

To understand this process, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Open LID and connect to the Lawson environment you want to access logs from.

 

Step 2: Go to %LAWDIR%\system directory

 

Step 3: Create a new folder in %LAWDIR%\system directory, command is: mkdir temp_logs (this will create a folder called temp_logs)

 

Step 4: In %LAWDIR%\system type this command (change based on your log names):

cp *ios_lsapp*.log temp_logs

 

Step 5: Go to %LAWDIR%\system\temp_logs and run the ls command to view your copied log files or simply download them from the FTP.

 

Here is a screenshot of my results:

If you found this article helpful, Nogalis offers expert technical resources for managing Lawson Cloud environments. Whether you’re dealing with FTP restrictions or need assistance with accessing logs, our team is here to provide guidance and support. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist with your Lawson system needs.

Riverina Water Achieves Stellar Results from Infor CloudSuite Public Sector Deployment

Recently, Riverina Water, a local government water utility in New South Wales, Australia, has successfully implemented Infor CloudSuite Public Sector to modernize its operations and enhance customer service. The deployment, which followed a competitive tender process, includes Infor Financials & Supply Management, Infor CIS Billing, and Infor Birst for analytics and business intelligence. This strategic move aims to replace legacy systems, improve cost management, and provide real-time, mobile-accessible services to over 77,000 customers across four local government areas. Per the press release, in just the first two months of going live, Riverina Water reported significant improvements, including automation of manual processes and enhanced customer satisfaction. A recent survey indicated a customer service satisfaction score of 4.69 out of 5. The utility plans to expand the deployment to include asset management, supply chain management, and Infor’s managed service, CareFor. Infor’s CloudSuite Public Sector was selected for its industry-specific capabilities, flexibility, and scalability, aligning with Riverina Water’s goal of becoming a customer-centric organization. The partnership underscores Infor’s expertise in guiding utilities and public sector entities through digital transformation.

 

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How to get BSI Display Logs

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BSI Support has asked for a BSI Display Log.  Use this method to configure your system to create the logs.

Open msgmnt and enter your Product Line and enter Category ‘PRTFX’.

Look in the Number column to see if the Number 400 appears.  If there is not a message 400, you will need to add it.

You can either Tab or Down Arrow to get to a position to enter the 400 line.

Use the F8 key to Insert a line.

Type 400 in the Number column.

Type Y in the Xlate column.

Within the Message portion, type in the fix for the message

After pressing Enter twice, the 400 message will appear in the appropriate order and has been added to the listing.

Now go to PR80, create a payment and Calculate

After the PR80 has been successfully calculated, click on Options > Display Log File

 

The Display Log will appears in a new text editor.  Save the file as ‘BSIDisplayLog’ and send the file to BSI.

 

Infor: The Triple Challenge for Industrial Manufacturers

 

In the article by Tom Chapman, published on Supply Chain Digital, the author explores three major challenges facing industrial manufacturers today: complex supply chains, talent shortages, and the urgent need for digital transformation. Ashcroft outlines how these pressures are reshaping the industry and what companies can do to adapt. Industrial manufacturers are dealing with increasingly complicated supply chains due to globalization and expanding product lines. This complexity often results in delays, shortages, and difficulties managing suppliers and components. Events like the COVID-19 pandemic exposed just how vulnerable these systems can be. At the same time, the industry is experiencing a significant shortage of skilled workers. It’s difficult to find talent that can manage advanced systems or keep operations running efficiently. This gap affects both short-term performance and long-term innovation. Digital transformation is another critical area. Manufacturers must upgrade legacy systems and adopt technologies such as AI, machine learning, and data analytics. These tools can improve demand forecasting, inventory management, and visibility across the supply chain. However, many companies struggle to implement these solutions due to poor data quality, aging infrastructure, and limited internal expertise. Software giant Infor offers industry-specific solutions to help manufacturers meet these challenges. Their tools integrate supply chain management with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to boost agility and responsiveness. Infor’s approach emphasizes real-time data, better collaboration with suppliers, and more accurate forecasting. These capabilities are crucial for competing in today’s fast-moving industrial environment. By investing in smart technology and workforce development, manufacturers can position themselves for long-term success. Ultimately, Ashcroft highlights how navigating these triple challenges—supply chain complexity, talent shortages, and digital transformation—is key to staying competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

 

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The Challenge of Modernization: Why 2025 is a Key Year

In a context of uncertainty, IT modernization—driven by cloud, generative AI, and process mining—is becoming the key to agility, performance, and resilience in 2025. An article on Informatique France by Jean-Roland Brisard discusses why 2025 is a key year for businesses, especially in France. Economic uncertainty is forcing companies to rethink how they operate. Many are shifting toward a model called servitization, where they offer services alongside their physical products. This helps generate new revenue and supports sustainability. For example, manufacturers might offer maintenance or repair services for their products. This aligns with new European laws like the right to repair directive. These changes push companies to be more environmentally responsible. To stay competitive, businesses must also modernize their IT systems. Moving to the cloud and using generative AI are essential steps. These technologies improve productivity, flexibility, and innovation. Companies like Michelin are already seeing benefits from this shift. Cloud-based platforms make it easier to access data and collaborate. Generative AI can help automate tasks and create new solutions quickly. Modern tools also help companies respond faster to market changes. 2025 is a turning point because the pace of change is accelerating. Companies that don’t adapt risk falling behind. Leaders must act now to update their infrastructure and rethink their strategies. It’s not just about technology—it’s about staying relevant. In short, modernization is no longer optional. It’s a strategic move to survive and thrive in the future. Businesses that embrace this shift in 2025 will be better prepared for the challenges ahead.

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Troubleshooting “WARNING: SUBSTITUTION TABLE ENTRY NOT FOUND”

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A common ED501 message is “WARNING: SUBSTITUTION TABLE ENTRY NOT FOUND”.  This substitution table is maintained in screen ED40.1, and if the key values passed to ED501 are missing, you will receive this error.  Simply update your ED40.1 and recover the job.

If this message causes your job to go into recovery, that is because you have not set up notifications for EDI.  Here is a simple solution to troubleshoot this message: If you set up notifications, then this message will cause an email to be sent about the warning, but the job will continue to process the remaining files.  Notifications are configured on ED00.1, as well as the configuration file located in the EDI directory.

Why CIOs should rethink ERP strategies

These days, CIOs (chief technology officers) are reconsidering their ERP (enterprise resource planning) strategies because traditional systems often lack the flexibility, real-time data capabilities, and AI integration needed to compete in today’s fast-paced, omnichannel retail environment. Adopting a more agile, composable, and cloud-ready ERP approach enables retailers to drive innovation, improve customer experiences, and stay ahead in a highly competitive market. Han-Tiong Law, regional chief technology officer for Asean and Greater China at Rimini Street, shares an article on The Manila Times  emphasizing the importance for CIOs to rethink ERP strategies in the evolving retail landscape, especially in the APAC (Asia-Pacific) region projected to lead global retail growth. Despite promising growth, retailers face challenges such as declining foot traffic, e-commerce competition, supply chain issues, and rising operational costs, all impacting margins. Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, is seen as a crucial tool to enhance customer loyalty, operational efficiency, and market competitiveness through real-time sentiment analysis, inventory management, personalized marketing, and supply chain visibility. A 2024 Nvidia report highlights that 98% of retailers plan to invest in AI, viewing it as a market differentiator. However, outdated IT infrastructure and vendor-dependent ERP systems hinder AI integration, as siloed systems and inflexibility limit innovation. CIOs are advised to adopt a composable ERP approach for flexibility, prepare for hidden costs of cloud migration, and shift IT from a cost center to a profit enabler. Moving away from vendor-driven, one-size-fits-all ERP solutions allows retailers to better customize, innovate, and improve customer experiences. Transitioning to AI-powered systems requires hybrid models and partner support to avoid vendor lock-in. Ultimately, embracing AI and modernized ERP strategies is essential for retailers to thrive in a competitive, digital-first market.

 

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Steps to Purge Benefits Data

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Every time an employee makes a benefits change, a new record is stored in the benefits table.  Additionally, a new record is stored in the employee’s deduction master table for each deduction related to that benefit.  If these records are allowed to accumulate unchecked, this can slow down payroll processing and even cause errors.  The larger the benefits and deductions table become, the slower payroll batch jobs will run.  These batch jobs, such as PR140, loop through each record in these benefits and deductions tables so that the correct deductions are applied.  Some of these batch jobs have a limit of the number of records allowed, so if an employee has deductions that exceed that limit, the job will error out.  Also, traversing through these records can greatly slow down processing.

To help alleviate these issues, we recommend running the BN430 benefits purge program periodically.  When you are processing payroll, if you see an error similar to “26 20591 PRDED-DED-TABLE must be increased; Cur size 0500”, chances are you have an employee with too many benefits changes, and need to run the BN430.  But, before you receive this error, you should make the benefits purge part of a normal maintenance process.  Ideally, payroll users would make this part of the payroll process each pay period, and choose a “Purge Through Date” corresponding to your company’s record retention period.