Infor CloudSuite

I can highlight a couple of other scenarios regarding my main use case or how I've implemented Infor CloudSuite . One is Infor Document Management, which I've seen in the past with other ERP  systems that haven't involved as much, but Infor CloudSuite  does give you an extra edge when it comes to managing customer invoicing, purchase orders, or customer order acknowledgements. Infor Document can be configured by your IT or super key users, so whenever you produce these documents, they automatically get attached to the actual orders. If it's a customer order verification, as soon as you produce that document, it is attached to that particular customer order, and anybody who wants to retrieve that document can easily access it from the customer order form. It is easily configured and appears as a widget. That's a great feature to have.

Another great feature in Infor CloudSuite is the in-built workflows, which can produce user alerts. For instance, if there is a purchase order that needs workflows, they can be set in place and configured to send alerts to the approvers. These are a couple of examples that I can highlight, which enhance the user experience in my opinion.

Infor CloudSuite is a kind of ERP  that is suitable for a medium or small discrete manufacturer, especially in the health sector, life sciences, and biotechnologies. My experience with Infor CloudSuite is that it provides the basic features for any manufacturer who is looking into implementing an ERP solution out of the box and has a system that works. There are no defects or bugs, and it comes with implementation accelerators. So, if any company is interested in getting a good investment, Infor CloudSuite with implementation accelerator could be a better option. Any organization that is a discrete manufacturer finds Infor CloudSuite to be a good fit for the requirements that manufacturers usually have.

Infor CloudSuite made a difference for a manufacturer I worked with through an end-to-end implementation. One example is that once there is a customer order on SyteLine, that customer order gets picked up by advanced planning and scheduling. This is a firm demand, and there can also be soft demand based on parameters such as safety stock and reorder point. Infor CloudSuite has a smart, advanced planning and scheduling system that takes into account both types of demand, processes those demands, and comes up with supply suggestions. These suggestions are reviewed by the planners, and once they are happy, they release the plan for production or the shop. Then, once the plan is released, the job order at the shop floor gets completed, and if we have established a link with the customer order, the customer order gets automatically updated with the status to be shipped, eligible for shipping. By integrating the upstream processes with the downstream, that has really helped one of the organizations I implemented this process in their overall process efficiencies. That's a great example of an end-to-end integrated solution.

I have seen specific improvements after implementing Infor CloudSuite, such as reduced processing time and better visibility. In terms of the previous legacy system, it did not have the modern technology that the latest ERP system provides. The processes were clunky, requiring downloading and sending documents to customers or suppliers. With Infor CloudSuite, you can manage and maintain document profiles. With this feature, you can automate the dispatch of your documents either to customers or suppliers, significantly cutting down the admin time for your order processing team or procurement team. Previously, they would spend ages retrieving documents from emails and trying to find the relevant third party to send them to. But now, this is completely automated, enhancing the overall processing time and user experience.

I can provide rough estimates on time saved after implementing Infor CloudSuite. Users can generate documents in a matter of seconds now, compared to the previous minutes they took. If we imagine creating ten orders, and previously the legacy system required spending five minutes per order, that totals fifty minutes. However, in the new system, with properly automated document management, it only takes about one minute for each order. Therefore, you end up saving around forty minutes for ten orders raised.

There are areas where Infor CloudSuite can improve. I have touched on the pros and key strengths of Infor CloudSuite, but end-user feedback indicates that there are several areas where the user experience can improve. For instance, when it comes to reporting, it comes with a very limited number of reports, and the standard reports are clunky, requiring a technical resource or developer to enhance or make them presentable. Another area is user experience; it takes several clicks to get to the information, and the user interface isn't that intuitive. Compared to other solutions, such as top-tier options such as Oracle or SAP, this stands out as an area needing improvement.

When it comes to integration, Infor CloudSuite does offer a great deal of flexibility. It comes with APIs, so you can integrate with any third-party systems you may use. On that front, it's sufficient; however, it does require some specialized resources, as it's not a layman's job, and developers need to help with the integration. This is generally the case for any ERP.

The user interface could indeed be better, and there is a steep learning curve for users; it takes time for them to get accustomed to Infor CloudSuite's interface and forms. However, once users adapt, it becomes easier and smoother to navigate. There are great features associated with Infor CloudSuite, such as DataViews and Birst  as a business intelligence tool, which can be integrated with the basic product. Implementing Birst  isn't plug-and-play; it requires a team of technical resources to execute. Additionally, there is a feature that allows integration with Excel, which can be installed by your IT team.

As a part of Infor CloudSuite implementation, I think at the end of the day, it is a tool, but it gives the best results if we have robust processes implemented. For instance, if we are talking about planning, then the results or outcomes we get from APS or production are totally dependent on how accurately we maintain data in CloudSuite. It's data-hungry, and we have to have robust and rigorous processes in place to support master data management because this feeds into your planning and processes since it's a highly integrated solution. One wrong data point can jeopardize the outcome, and users can spend hours trying to fix that. In my opinion, it's a great tool, but any organization looking to implement Infor CloudSuite or any other ERP needs to ensure they have defined roles, responsibilities, and processes around master data to feed good, accurate, and quality data into the system. When I implement Infor CloudSuite as a project manager, I overemphasize this and reiterate to the main sponsors and stakeholders that this is paramount to getting the best results out of Infor CloudSuite implementation.

It's difficult to rate Infor CloudSuite precisely; it depends on each organization's requirements. If you are a mid-size or small to medium-sized manufacturer with discrete processes to implement, I would rate it a six out of ten. It provides out-of-the-box, ready-to-use processes.

The main reason I give a six out of ten rating is primarily due to the strengths we've discussed earlier. The implementation accelerators provide an easier and faster way to implement Infor CloudSuite and obtain a quick return on investment for organizations. It has a depth of features for discrete manufacturing. However, if you are looking for complex scenarios or processes, Infor CloudSuite might require some customization, which can become expensive. While it caters well for out-of-the-box solutions with foundational processes, it may necessitate exploring other Infor products if you need to automate factories or warehouses.

My advice for anyone considering Infor CloudSuite is to focus on a few key areas during their implementation. This is a solid and robust product, but it's essential to look closely at the design phase. Ensure you have your SMEs identified and dedicated, documenting the blueprint properly to understand what works out of the box and what the gaps are. Set the right expectations; you should enter the construction phase of the solution with a clear understanding of what is standard and what requires customization. It's also crucial to conduct thorough research when selecting the right partner, as not everyone in the market has full knowledge of how Infor CloudSuite works. I would rate Infor CloudSuite a six out of ten overall.

I usually recommend Infor CloudSuite  for retail, mall development, healthcare, and manufacturing.

The employee interface, specifically the UI, is one of the most valuable features in Infor CloudSuite . Infor OS enables us to plug in third-party payroll and third-party applications. The latest talent acquisition where workflow can be defined in the UI itself by functional consultants without IPA interventions is beneficial.

I would assess the impact of Infor CloudSuite's industry-specific features on my organization's operational efficiency as very good from the organization's perspective.

After implementing Infor CloudSuite, I have seen numerous improvements in the UI space. They have simplified the navigation. The navigation has become very easy, starting with administrator navigation and simplified menus. It is becoming simpler with every CU, which is positive.

The disadvantages of Infor CloudSuite are related to Absence Management. There are too many setups for users to establish absence plans, formulas, and calculations. It is not straightforward and is too deeply embedded. It is very easy in Lawson itself, but in Infor CloudSuite, it is more complicated for users.

On the benefit side, there is no auto-enrollment for Absence Management. When there is a new employee, they are not auto-enrolled. You need to enroll them every time. If you want to change an employee to a different benefit plan, you need to do it manually. It does not work according to the eligibility group. It will just give you the details, requiring manual enrollment.

For the next release to make Infor CloudSuite better, I would want to see improvements in Absence Management and auto-enrollment.

I have been working with Infor CloudSuite for almost 11 years.

The technical support has improved significantly. When I started with the Manila team in the early days, it was average, but now the support is very good.

I would rate their technical support eight out of ten.

I have not previously worked with different solutions or any competitors of Infor CloudSuite since I started with Infor CloudSuite and only know this solution.

Implementation of Infor CloudSuite takes approximately six months to one year, depending on the company. Each company has a different methodology to implement. For a small company with 1,000 to 2,000 employees maximum, it takes six months. If the organization has high strength and more processes in project management, with two CRPs, two SIT, and two UAT, it extends to eight months. In the Middle East region, it typically takes less than six months.

I have not utilized the predictive analysis capabilities of Infor CloudSuite.

Infor CloudSuite's ability to integrate with third-party applications and existing legacy systems is good. There are some issues with ION, but within Infor applications, it works well. For third-party applications, we have used SFTP connections successfully. Seamless connections can be made with the Infor Cloud support.

My experience with the implementation of Infor CloudSuite is good. We could capture 70 to 80% of customer needs.

Workday  and Oracle are currently moving faster in the market. This assessment is based on consultant requirements. The job opportunities for Infor CloudSuite consultants are limited. In India, Oracle and Workday  are performing well in the market.

Infor needs to improve their marketing strategy. Other Infor products such as Infor LN  and Infor M3  are performing well. It would be beneficial for Infor to pitch HCM to those customers with attractive discounts to capture market share. Customers transitioning from on-premises or Lawson to Infor CloudSuite should not face high charges. The migration from Lawson to Infor CloudSuite should be treated as a migration project rather than a new implementation.

I have also worked with Infor ION , which is a good tool for integration purposes, though only Infor consultants can work on it. My company uses ION for integration, and I receive positive feedback from the technical team. I personally work with CloudSuite and an older on-premises system.

I rate Infor CloudSuite eight out of ten.

We use Infor CloudSuite  for clients in industrial applications, primarily to meet needs in production and finance. It provides solutions for intercompany business across multiple countries, making it essential for our operations.

Infor CloudSuite  offers a comprehensive solution with integrated business intelligence and artificial intelligence capabilities. It does not require hardware or extensive IT expertise, which are standard advantages for cloud solutions.

Its integration capabilities with Microsoft features are notable. Additionally, it is a highly scalable and stable solution, useful for large enterprises engaged in international business. It is also easy to maintain compared to other ERP  solutions.

In Germany, there aren't enough IT specialists for customization and software development, causing projects to take too long. This lack of resources is a significant issue in the customization process. Improvement is needed in resources for customizing the solution.

I have been dealing with Infor CloudSuite for two years.

Infor CloudSuite is very stable, provided there is a good internet connection.

The software is highly scalable, and there are no significant problems with scalability.

Technical support from Infor is rated an eight out of ten. They have very good support.

I have experience with SAP, specifically MM and SD modules, as a consultant. However, my experience with SAP was seven years ago.

If there is good preparation, the installation process is easy. However, without it, it can be complex.

A team of specialists is needed for different parts of the software.

Infor CloudSuite is cheaper than SAP and the license is on a yearly basis.

In addition to Infor solutions, I have experience with SAP MM and SD modules.

I don't have much experience with artificial intelligence integration as it's relatively new in Infor CloudSuite. I would rate Infor CloudSuite a nine out of ten.

Overall, I would rate the solution nine out of ten.

I work as a subcontractor for a company that worked with them for three to four years.

It offers a facility to get data quickly. We handle approximately 500 to 600 orders per day, and the product is excellent for extracting and implementing solutions to check various parameters like client credit status. It is very easy to configure facilities to extract orders and adjust solutions to business needs.

The price of the solution is not good.

In Europe, it's difficult to find people who already know Infor, which was a problem during implementation.

I have been using Infor CloudSuite  for five to six years.

The stability of the solution is perfect. I rate it a ten out of ten.

I am satisfied with the scalability.

Technical support is rated a seven out of ten. Here in Portugal, there's no direct support from Infor. For major problems, we need to consult other partners.

I previously worked with SAP and Navision. I work more with warehouse management systems like WMES.

The initial setup was difficult and not easy. It was a challenging task to implement at the beginning, which impacts the rating I gave, a five out of ten.

I work with a partner of Infor implementing an ePort solution.

It's a good investment, and I would rate it an eight out of ten.

Based on my experience, I would recommend this solution to others.