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Adding or Replacing Existing SSL CERTS Lawson (WINDOWS)

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This is a PFX cert.

Start – This is being done on a Lawson LSF server.

  1. Drag the folder with the Cert onto the server you want to apply it to.
    1. Once you do that, make sure you check whether or not the server is running IIS. Typically by searching for IIS Manager or checking services.
  2. Double click the cert file that you dragged onto the server.
  3. Select Local machine:
  4. Specify the file you want to import (should default on the cert you just clicked to run) >> Next
  5. Enter the password for the cert and click next.
  6. Open command prompt as admin and type: start certlm.msc
  7. Under Personal >> Certificates, you should see the new cert you imported: The old one is below the one highlighted in red.
  8. Now go to IIS Manager, Sites >> select WebsiteName and then on right pane select bindings as shown below
  9. Select https binding and edit
  10. Select new cert and click ok
  11. Back in command prompt type: iisreset /restart
  12. Test and you’re done

When applying to Landmark server, we need to run the following commands below (Important to stop and start exactly as shown):

For Mingle in ISS Manager, we need to select the Sharepoint secure site and select bindings.

7 Golden Rules for ERP Implementations

Nicolas Nicolaou, CFO of cosmetics manufacturer Mana Products and of the Pepsi-Lipton Partnership, shares his insights in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation. Those who have implemented ERP systems know the challenges that come along, but the system itself can be very rewarding. There are basic principles of good project management that apply to any-size company, though smaller companies must consider a bit more. Looking back from taking on an ERP project with a small sized company, Nicolauo has noted a number of golden rules that are imperative for successful ERP implementations. These apply to all company sizes, but may require different perspective for smaller projects.

  1. Get senior leadership sponsorship
  2. Choose the right technology
  3. Choose the right consultants
  4. Staff the project team with the best and brightest
  5. Apply strong project management
  6. Manage “scope creep”
  7. Don’t underestimate training and post-go-live support

Implementing an ERP system is a major project in itself, but follow these golden rules for successful implementation.

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Adding a report to an existing list in LBI

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  • First, check the criteria of the report list
  • Go to the Tools tab and select “Reporting Services My Reports”
  • Click on your list name
  • Make note of the filter
  • Some filters use attributes to create lists. If your filter uses an attribute, you would want to add that attribute to your report.
  • The list in this example “hard-codes” report id values, so you need to edit the list rather than the report
  • Get the ID of your report
  • Go back to My Reports and find your report
  • If you don’t see your report listed, try clicking the “All” button at the top to display reports for all users
  • Navigate to your report in the list and click “Details”
  • Make note of the ID
  • Go back to your list and click “Edit List” at the top of the screen
  • Click Filters
  • Add the text “Or (Report Id = ‘<your id>’)
  • Click ‘Append’

Here is an example of how to update attributes for a list that works on attributes:

  • Follow the steps above to find your list name and get the criteria for your list
  • Go to the report that you want to show up in that list
  • Click Details
  • Click Attributes
  • Click Add
  • Select the attribute(s) that are used in the list filter
  • Select the filter value

7 Steps for Implementing Reliability-based Maintenance

Manufacturers today are turning to reliability-based maintenance (RBM)  as a strategy to help maintain valuable plan assets, which play a key role in overall enterprise efficiency. Technology has played a role in plant assets failure. A revitalized approach to maintenance strategies aligns with today’s digital evolution, sensor-based innovations, strict compliance mandates and escalating customer demands. The RBM process provides a sustainable methodology with optimal results.  Kevin Price of software giant Infor highlights 7 Steps for Implementing Reliability-based Maintenance below:

  1. Identify Assets in a Master Asset List
  2. Determine the Asset Criticality Ranking
  3. Optimize PM Program
  4. Analyze Spare Parts
  5. Monitor the PM Program
  6. Determine Failure Causes
  7. Rinse and Repeat

With an RBM system in place to help manage your assets, it’s possible to achieve the objectives for your organization for your asset pool.

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What is ADFS?

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There has been a lot of confusion in the Infor client community lately over what ADFS is and what the impact of implementing it will be on the organization as a whole.
Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) is a Microsoft solution created to facilitate Single Sign-On. It provides user with authenticated access to applications like Lawson without the need to provide the password information to the application.
ADFS manages user authentication through a service hosted between the active directory and the target application. It grants access to application users by using Federated trust. The users can then authenticate their identity through Single Sign-On without having to do so on the application itself. The authentication process is usually as follows:
1) The user navigates to the Lawson URL
2) The unauthenticated user is re-directed to the ADFS service
3) The user signs into ADFS
4) ADFS service authenticates the user via the Active Directory
5) The user is then given an authentication claim (in the form of a cookie) by the ADFS
6) The user is forwarded to the Lawson application with the claim which either grants or denies access based on the federated trust service
Note: The Lawson Server never sees the password information which in the case of external applications (like a cloud implementation) is a lot more secure.
 
What are some drawbacks of implementing ADFS?
 
Although ADFS is a new requirement, it comes with a few small drawbacks that you should consider:
– The additional server license and maintenance – You will need an additional server (likely one per environment) to host ADFS
– ADFS is actually somewhat complex and this new skill set can create a new challenge for smaller clients who aren’t already using ADFS for other applications
– A standard ADFS installation is not all that secure and several steps should be taken to ensure good security. Microsoft provides these best practices recommendations: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-fs/deployment/best-practices-securing-ad-fs
There is also a great free e-book published by Microsoft about claims-based identity and access control: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/msp-n-p/ff423674(v=pandp.10)
To find out more about ADFS and how it can impact your organization, join our webinars or contact us.

STL Partners in Transformation with Infor

Sociedad Textil Lonia (STL) has partnered with Infor Retail CloudSuite and Infor GT Nexus to support its innovation and transformation initiatives. With over 800 stores in over 50 countries, and managing two leading fashion and luxury brands Purificación García and CH Carolina Herrera, STL plans to establish an Innovation Center in Barcelona to focus on customer experience in the European fashion industry. Carlos Fernández-Couto, COO, at STL says of the decision, “Our efforts, supported by Infor, will power growth for years to come, delighting our customers and empowering our employees.” Furthermore, Corey Tollefson, SVP and GM of Infor Retail, comments, “This partnership is based upon relationships, trust, and industry proven solutions such as Demand Management and Infor GT Nexus Supply Chain Network which are key strengths within our Infor Retail CloudSuite.” Infor and STL will also collaborate on the development of new customer-centric capabilities that connect the fashion and retail business process from design and production to distribution and customer management.

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Infor Retail Continues to Lead Retail Renaissance

The new year will see a continued growth in online retail and Infor is ever present in this sector. In the past year, Infor saw a 124 percent growth in cloud transactions, which helped retailers move from their legacy solutions to the modern, cloud-based retail focused solutions to further support and understand their customers. In today’s world, the mobile devices can do anything – stream entertainment, talk to friends and family, and of course, ecommerce. Today’s customer demands personal experiences from browsing to follow up communication about any purchases they make. “The concept of ‘Commerce Everywhere’ has forced retailers to dig deeper into their operations to better understand and reach target customers, partners and employees,” said Corey Tollefson, senior vice president and general manager, Infor Retail. “Infor has made significant investments since its inception to help foster the Golden Age of Retail. In this era, the physical store and its associates will take on a greater role as the store is not only a channel to purchase product but also a node in the network to ship, sell, and return products as well,” adds Erick Rowe, vice president, Infor Retail. Infor’s Retail solutions continue to support fashion, retail and grocery partners on a global scale, and will continue to help those who want to modernize operations and take advantage of the latest consumer and business technologies – mobile, social, science, and cloud.

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Tips for Formatting Excel CSV File from Infor Process Designer

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When using IPDesigner to create a .csv file, we ran into four issues with the file output:

  1. Problem: Certain dates appear as ######## and certain numbers convert to scientific notation.
    Solution: Select entire page (ctrl + a) and click Home tab -> Format -> AutoFit Column Width

  2. Problem: Some numbers remain in scientific notation (ex: 1E+12) even after AutoFit Column Width
    Solution: In the FileAccess node, wrap the SQL query variable with quotation marks and put a “=” before it.
    (For example, <!SQLQuery2650_USER_FIELD1> would become =“<!SQLQuery2650_USER_FIELD1>”)


  3. Problem: Strings with commas get split at the comma in a csv file.
    Example in file: The value “Anchin, Block, & Anchin” is getting split into 3 columns as the flow is interpreting the commas as separators.

    Solution: In the FileAccess node, wrap the SQL query variable with quotation marks to include the commas as part of the string.

  4. Problem: Certain number values lose their zeroes at the front when written to csv format.
    Example in file: The values in column C should be 001, 002, etc. instead of 1,2.

    Solution: In the FileAccess node, wrap the SQL query variable with quotation marks and put a “=” before it.
    (For example, <!SQLQuery2650_USER_FIELD3> would become =“<!SQLQuery2650_USER_FIELD3>”)


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Liberty Speciality Steels Forges Ahead with Infor-First Policy

Infor started off 2019 by becoming a key technology supplier to Liberty Speciality Steels UK. The integrated steel producer will enfore an “Infor-First” policy and deploy the Infor Cloudsuite Industrial Enterprise throughout the organization. Infor was chosen over its competitors because of its commitment to the cloud, a competitive total cost of ownership (TCO) and the fact that Infor would not require investment in infrastructure. Speciality Steels has also invested in Infor CloudSuite HCM (including Infor Global Human Resources, Infor Talent Management, Infor Learning Management, Infor WorkForce Management), Infor Expense Management and Infor Configure Price Quote (CPQ). The applications are structured to help deliver a single ecosystem with end-to-end functionality, minimal customisations and simplified processes, which can help Speciality Steels compete at  global scale.

 

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Methods for staying in contact with past customers

One of the first things you get taught in sales is that it is far more expensive to attract new customers than to keep an existing one. Though it doesn’t mean you should stop from finding new customers. Instead, aim to solidify relationships with existing and former ones and use those methods to attract new ones. The key is to keep in touch. It can be a tricky thing to stay in touch with customers without seeming too pushy, but worth the effort when done right. A good way to manage customer relationships are with customer relationship management (CRM) systems. CRMs not only keep a digital record of interactions and customer information, but they can also forecast solutions for continued and older contacts as well as new tactics to gain more contacts. Below are some methods to consider when keeping in contact with clients:

  • Track interactions
  • Emails/newsletters
  • Events
  • Gifts

It’s important to note that although technology makes life easier for your organization and even the customers, an old-fashioned hand written note or even a simple phone call follow up can go a long way. Test your waters with the type of clients you have and you’ll have relationships to last for years to come.

 

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