1. business and industrial
2. business operations
3. management
4. business process

Manufacturing and XA GREAT IDEAS User Conference
Descriptions of Detailed Sessions
Track 1: Every Day User—Hauenstein Room
XA Powerlink Basics and Advanced Topics – These two sessions show the how-to and power of
Powerlink, the XA architecture. Some XA users don’t really understand Powerlink, or they use it
infrequently, or don’t know how to use newer functions. “Basics” will cover key functional areas like
how to create or work with Views, Subsets, Sorts, Preferences, Card Files, and other fundamental
features of Powerlink. Advanced Topics will cover things like Compound Cards, Workbenches, Quick
Change, Power Expand, e-Mail integration, Cascading subsets, Column Statistics, Open Actions,
Templates, and other productivity features. For an everyday user, these are great sessions.
10 Ways to Use Your System More Effectively – This session will be another great session for users and
I/T professionals who would like to see and learn about innovative techniques, applications, or methods
for better utilizing “systems.” This could be integrating and using iSeries capabilities, SQL, Integrator,
Excel, and e-mailing from the iSeries, as well as other “cool” stuff. Some quick and easy applications
might be A/R and A/P Agings in Excel from IFM; entering IFM journal entries into Excel for automatic
load into IFM; or how to take existing applications and use Enterprise Integrator and Microsoft
technology to create a touch-screen application. There will be great examples of how to quickly
implement small applications or basic technologies that can help users work much more efficiently and
effectively. There is payback related to the use of these examples.
Enterprise Integrator and System Link: Real-World Examples —This session will discuss and show real
examples of how companies have used the Enterprise Integrator to create their own application that
“extend” XA by allowing you to create your own applications with XA without modifying XA. System Link
is a powerful XA tool to edit and “input” data into XA, and examples will be shown, like how to mass
change PO pricing by uploading Excel data to XA via System Link.
XA Business Analytics – This session will review the XA “Business Vault” that can be created for data
mining for reporting and dashboard purposes. A customer speaker will discuss their project using the
Business Vault and Analytics and what they plan to use XA Analytics for.
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Track 2: Manufacturing and Execution –Pfeiffer Room
Advanced Planning or Constraint-Based Scheduling—What’s Right for You? There are multiple ways to
plan and execute with XA—standard MRP/CRP, Advanced Planning and Scheduling with Visual Planner,
or Constraint-based scheduling with Thruput. What are the differences and where should each of these
be used, why, and when? This session will differentiate these for you.
Material Logistics: Multi-Site MRP/DRP Many companies need to plan and execute the demand/supply
relationship between many sites, plants and warehouses. Moreover, specific “rules” may define what
plant builds and/or supplies other plants, warehouses or customers. Customer AND intersite fulfillment
are key functions built-into this Powerlink application. It provides flexible and streamlined ways of
handling multi-site and inter-site “demand and supply” issues, including automatic drop-ships from the
most efficient plant or warehouse based on customer location, available stock, and currency. This
session will be covered by a multi-site expert who has implemented Material Logistics around the world.
XA Shop Floor Reporting and Execution
MES (Manufacturing Execution System) for XA is a combination of shop floor reporting, Quality
Management, real-time Machine Monitoring, and serves as a two-way communication with the office
and everything that needs to happen and be monitored on the shop floor. Learn how the XA
Manufacturing Execution System is integrating the shop floor and business. Far more than just a “data
collection” system, MES provides many tools to manage almost all activities needed on the shop floor:
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2-Way Paperless Shop-Floor Reporting and Scheduling
Quality Management
Kanban
Genealogy Tracking
Workforce Management
Lean Manufacturing
XA Material Planning System
This new application is essentially a streamlined MRP by using Powerlink. It shows a new “picture” of
the Material Plan (Item Requirements Inquiry) and also provides an easy-to-use activity summary of
total requirements, total orders, net change, project balance, and exception count. Considerable design
work went into this user- based application.
Material Bar-Coding and Scanning
Transacting and controlling material with bar codes and scanning via Radio Frequency or wi-fi devices is
a hot topic. However, there are many issues related to barcode scanning. Learn how you might address
these issues and use scanning for material control and Shipping. Earlier in the Main Session, a customer
will talk about their implementation of scanning for controlled warehouses.
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Track 3: Finance and Administration—Klopcic Room
XA Enterprise Financials
Re-designed in Powerlink, the new A/P and A/R applications provide greater flexibility, full Powerlink
capabilities, and many new enhancements. Collectively they are called AR/AP/Cash. A new and
optional Enterprise General Ledger application is also available to handle multiple books and provide full
Powerlink features for GL.
Engineering Change Management System
This is a completely web-based (brower-based) system to create, monitor, and track all your Engineering
Changes, including all related tasks, files and e-mail. It provides complete visibility to EC’s by Originator,
Assignee, Customer, Date Created, EC number, Part Number, Status, and other ways. It prevents things
(tasks, data, documents, dates, changes, …) from getting “lost” or slipping through the cracks. This
system is designed specifically to deal with all sorts of “change” issues and deal with them from one
portal for easy accessibility. Tightly integrated with XA, it will also capture the IMPACT that changes will
have on outstanding and planned Purchase Orders, MO’s, and inventory status, thus helping to
eliminate the problem of obsolete materials.
Electronic Workflow Requisitions and Approvals
Use a web-based interface to automatically route requisitions to the right users via your own APPROVAL
PROCESS and using your own "limit of authority rules" for requisitioning. Establish rules for requisitions
by Expense Type, Location, Dept or Project and Dollar Amount. Even see budgeting information for
visibility to purchases BEFORE they happen. Eliminate paper requisitions and manual processes. With
the system you will be able to have unlimited line items on a requisition and you will be able to:
Standardize repeatable approval processes and rules
Work with auditable workflows & approvals
Have requisitions that are always visible, every step of the way
Support multiple XA environments and multiple currencies and languages
Dramatically improve throughput speed (especially in companies with multiple locations)
Integrate with XA Purchasing or Procurement without re-keying
Close the loop: Reqs–PO-Receivings
Supplier RFQs can also be sent and managed online via the web. Tightly integrated with XA, Buyers and
Planners can also upload approved contracts to XA contract files.
Project Management and Capital Project Budget Tracking
Use automated Task Management, Alerts, and Notifications to manage and track all aspects of any
project, including people, tasks, documents, project status, % completion, critical path, resource
utilization, and a complete history of the project or program. It synchronizes Tasks with MS Project,
where companies often define a project, and is the collaboration solution for successfully managing
projects. This system will update MS Project automatically, and has a “wizard” for easy reporting of
percentage of task completion. Also, track costs compared to capital project budgets.
Human Resource System (and Payroll)
Infor Human Capital Management is a highly functional Human Resources System is based on the IBM
System i. It has full web-based employee kiosk functionality for employee self-serve, including up-todate status of employee benefits and other information. A full-function Payroll system is also available.
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Track 4: Customer Service—Brewer Room (lower level)
CRMi for XA
Customer Relationship Management is a standard application with XA based completely in Powerlink.
Its main functions are to manage or provide:
• Contact Management for Contacts, Prospects, Quotes and Orders
• Sales Process Management for Leads, Opportunities, Quote, Orders
• Marketing campaigns for Global Management, Mass Mailings, Precision Market Definitions, or
other user-defined marketing events
Using the Power Architecture, users can “set up” the system for how they want it to work. CRMi can
also work with mobile devices via Infor’s Road Warrior application or other mobile methods. A
customer will also speak on their use of CRMi.
Product Configuration Management
See this highly functional product configurator for XA. It is an outstanding fit for companies with
numerous product features, options, rules, pricing methods, or other “configure-to-order” needs. The
configurator also has optional 2D and 3D imaging, quotations, and Sales Channel support.
Quotation Management System
How do you like your current quotation process? What if you had a web-based workflow system
integrated with XA to prepare estimates and quote? Track them through a defined process, provide
accurate costing and B/M information, and incorporate Supplier RFQ’s right into the quote! Learn about
ways to simplify and address this unique area of your business with workflows, cost elements, XA b/m,
XA routings, quote revisions, quote options, copy quotes, and even the ability to click one button and
send a formatted quote to a customer.
XA Sales Portal and Web Storefront
XA’s COM-Net 2 is more than just a web storefront. It’s a web-based Sales and Service portal for
customers, dealers, distributors, sales reps, and others. It provides both B2B and Business to Consumer
capabilities. Allow customers to place XA orders via a Web Storefront right from your own web site.
Also do this with an online catalog with credit card support. Allow customers to see their order status,
shipped history, inventory, invoices, and other information via the web. Provide Online Bill Pay to
customers. Use the Dashboard to monitor and analyze activity of visitors to your sales portal. Also
provide a document portal, and use this portal as a marketing and sales tool, not just a general
information web site.
Rate Shopping and Carrier Freight for XA: AR Traffic
This application is integrated with XA Customer Service Management for shipments and parcels
including rate shopping. AR Traffic’s logistics tools are designed to streamline the transportation process
and reduce freight bill costs. Some key features include:
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Freight Rating
Carrier Routing/Optimization
Carrier Audit/Payment
Parcel Compliant Labeling/Manifesting
Shipping Documentation (including VICS BOL)
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Track 5: Specialized Applications—Frederik Meijer Gardens Foundation Room (lower level)
EAM Maintenance Management
Enterprise Asset Management is a full function system for tracking and maintaining all assets in a
company, from tools to machines to building to vehicles. Preventive Maintenance and Machine/Asset
Management are critical to your operations. See Infor’s best-of-breed solution for this important area
of your company. A specialist with years of working in maintenance will host this session.
Global Supplier Exchange
This leading-edge Infor application is designed to facilitate multiple procurement methodologies in a
collaborative web environment with your XA system and your suppliers. It extensively covers:
- Event Management
- Material Planning
- Shipment Planning
- Performance Monitoring
- Quality Management and Dashboards
Infor Document Management
Learn all about Infor's premier Document Management solution for XA. Discover how you can eliminate
paper and do away with filing cabinets. If paper handling is a problem, learn how to keep everything
electronically stored and tied with your XA system.
Quality Management for XA
Quality Management provides real-time visibility into details about quality related concerns such as
administration, control plan design, control plan testing, non-conformance management, and data
extracts. Improve your visibility into quality related details.
Security Management Plus
If you’re looking for a fast and administratively simple way to maintain USER IDs and security for your XA
System, look no further. SM Plus is a Powerlink application with great functionality and ease of use.
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