Infor XA Release 7 Transform your XA system with powerful new tools Ruth Pharr, Technical Consulting Manager [email protected] Mike Taylor, VP Sales

Infor XA Release 7Transform your XA system

with powerful new tools

Ruth Pharr, Technical Consulting Manager Ruth Pharr, Technical Consulting Manager

[email protected]@cistech.net

Mike Taylor, VP SalesMike Taylor, VP Sales

[email protected]@cistech.net

Agenda

1. What is XA Release 7?2. What are the improvements? 3. Is Release 7 ready for You?4. Migration Planning5. Operational Considerations6. Summary

What is XA Release 7?

Java Architecture InfrastructureNETWORK

server iSeries

Application Server

Web Server

Custom Definition

Server

Database

DB2/400HTML Server

XML Server

iSeries

Application Server

Database

DB2/400

Legacy Architecture


Java Architecture Infrastructure

NETWORK

DataBase

Web

Java Architecture User Interface


What is XA Release 7?Powerful Functional Enhancements ..now and in the future

Agenda

1. What is XA Release 7?

2. What are the improvements? 3. Is Release 7 ready for You?4. Migration Planning5. Operational Considerations6. Summary

Implement at your own pace

Release 6 Green Screen

MMMM PMPM EPDMEPDM OBPMOBPMCSMCSM

R 6 Browser ‘Smalltalk’

IntegratorIntegrator SystemLinkSystemLink NetLinkNetLink

Release 7 Green Screen

R 7 Browser Java

What are the improvements?

1. Easy Access to Information improves decision making

2. Improved Application Functionality3. Tailor XA to meet your specific needs

• Significant enhancements in Integrator

4. Significantly enhanced IT Tools• Enable Connectivity and collaboration

beyond your walls

• Quick change

• Graph cards

• Compound cards

• Presentation schemes

• Subset tip text

• Cascading subsets

• Power expand

• URL & e-Mail buttons

• Attachment count

• Column statistics

• User definition favorites

• Express customization

• Logical field tip text

• Change templates

• Code files delete

• Auto logoff

• Auto key generation

• Open action

• Workspaces

Easy Access to Information

Highlight Exception Items

• Graph data on a card– Pie charts, bar charts, stacked bar…

• Multiple fields, multiple records• Drill down to supporting data• Customize subsets, sorts, max number

Graph Cards

Compound Cards

Column Totals and Statistics

Quick Change

All Available over the Internet

Proactive Notification with Alerts (Ent Int)

• Via e-mail, phone or system message

• Can also run a program

ERPERP

PO P012345 for $11,283.19 needs approval

Publish & Subscribe

• Let the system notify you– You say when– You say how

• Let’s show an example– Notify me when a PO amount exceeds

$10,000– Via e-mail and cell phone

Define the event

• Like a subset• Some new

features– Before– After– Difference– % Difference

Flexible notification

• Notify users– E-mail or cell

phone

• ‘Notify’ a program– RPG, XML or

transaction

Notify via cell phone

• Call this cell phone• Display this

message

PO P012345 for $11,283.19 needs approval

2. Improved Application Functionality

• R7 Essentials is the platform for enhancing core applications (EPDM, PM, IFM, etc)

• R7 is the platform for integration to Infor Extensions

• See April 10 course, R7 for End Users, for more details

Cost Simulation Object

Cost elements

Summary costs

Costed Indented Bill of Material

Purchase Requests

• New object on main browser

• Ties together requisitions– Like a header– Handle requisitions as a

group– Makes entering and

tracking requisitions easier

Purchase RequestBuyer: John DoeWhs: Atlanta

REQ1 123A 10 Apr 1

ITEM QTY DATE

2 2546 44 Apr 83 5938 48 Apr 84 2019 14 Apr 15 3876 87 Apr 6

Priority: 1Contract: 123

Purchase Requests

From the requisitions

Overall status

All/Some/None

All/Some/None

PO Variance

Comparison cards

Define ‘Standard’…

IFM – Functions in process• Phase I – “Establishment”

– All table maintenance• Entities, divisions, ledgers, withholding tables…

– 45% of menu options

• Phase II – “Transactions”– Journal entries– Cash receipts– AR Invoices– AP Invoices

• Phase III – “The rest”

InforInforApp 2App 2

POPO Infor ERPInfor ERP

Infor Integration-Enterprise Software Bus

• Enable functions Enable functions onceonce to interact with the bus to interact with the bus• May now interact with any other application May now interact with any other application

enabled for the busenabled for the bus– Let App 1 = SupplyWEBLet App 1 = SupplyWEB– Let App 2 = EAMLet App 2 = EAM– Both can use PO’s in the ERP systemBoth can use PO’s in the ERP system

ESB

InforInforApp 1App 1

POPO

SW EAMInforInforApp 3App 3 XAXA POPO ASNASN

SupplyWEB: Electronic Comm w/Suppliers

Multiple Procurement Methodologies:

Scheduled ReleasesShip SchedulesDiscrete PurchasesOne Way eKanban Pull SignalsSupplier Managed Inventory (SMI)

Purchased Manufactured

3. Tailor XA to meet your specific needs

Develop Applications with Integrator• A development environment for

the client architecture• A way to integrate non-MAPICS

applications or functions

What can you do with it?

•Add features to MAPICS objects•Create new objects•Integrate with other

applications•Put other applications into the

MAPICS architecture•Expand security options•Manage user definitions &

preferences

Application Integration: Quality System

• SQL Server tables• Two quality tests for an item

– Stress test– Heat test

• Two files– Detail file

• Trial date, time, user, result

– Summary file• Test, # trials, minimum, max, avg

Display SQL Server• Views,

subsets, sorts• Full

navigation• Navigation

history• Workbenches• Code files• Graph cards• Compound

cards• Attachments• Column

functions

Navigate to SQL Server table

Navigate to SQL Server table • Navigate from iSeries objects to external objects

• Native menus automatically reflect new choices

• Consistent UI across platforms

• Acts like one system to the user

See outside data from within an object

• Show data in context

• Cards can be external data sources

• Drill-down capability across platforms

Now that’s integration!

R7 Integrator – Technical Benefits

1. User Exit Code Generation - reduces development costs and schedules

2. Mass Program Actions – deliver easy-to-use applications to your users

3. Import/Export individual objects - Manage customizations across environments

4. User Preference Administration – provide and manage a consistent interface for your users

5. Integrator Projects and Maintenance History – manage and track your Integrator activities

R7 Enterprise Integrator Features

• Objects in Net-Link & System-Link• Security features• More databases• Advanced features• Web services• Publish & Subscribe

Enterprise Integrator-Security layers

All objects and attributes

What user is authorized to

What is presented to the user

What the user chooses to see

•Object/field assumes everything authorized

•Deployment Profile assumes nothing authorized

Object security

Deployment Profile

UI

Database

Release Transparency!

• This is a big deal!• You plan to be with your ERP system

for a long time• A long time = lots of custom project

Everything you customize is “transparent” to the release.

• Customized software but not modified• No source code changes• At release time, changes are brought

forward and reapplied

IT Tools are enhanced significantly at R7– Net Link– System Link– Integrator-Enterprise Integrator

• Link business processes outside your 4 walls

• Integrate multiple systems• Integrate multiple platforms• Leverage desktop applications

4. Connectivity and Collaboration

Net-Link

•Web inquiry and maintenance over all client architecture applications

•Access from anywhere– MAPICS User ID– Whatever additional security you want

•Zero-install on user PC– Must have IE 5.5 or higher

Same objects & functions as Power-Link

FinanceReceivablesPayablesLedger

EngineeringItem RevisionsBills of MaterialRoutingsProcesses

ProcurementRequisitionsVendorsBuyersPO’s

Customer Service

CustomersContractsCO’s

ShipmentsInvoicesContainers

MaterialsWarehousesLocationsReceiving

ProductionSchedulesFacilities

OperationsPlannersMO’s

All Available over the Internet

PowerLink – List window

Net Link – List window

System-Link

•Program interface tool to MAPICS•XML inquiry and maintenance over all

client architecture apps installed•Conceptually like offline load

– Much more advanced architecture

•Create your own UI (web pages)•Non-UI applications (system-to-system)

System-Link

•Provides access to the almost 300 Power-Link objects using XML

•Honors security •Applies business rules and edits •Includes the Simulator•With Enterprise Integrator access

custom/other objects

XML Request A

DAPTER

XML Response

XSL

Apply style sheet

MAPICS XA

Auth CASSecurity

Inq

DataBase

Read

Rules

Result

Edit

Update

Rules

System LinkXML Integration with your web siteXML Integration with your web site

We give you the XML

1. Display the target view or card in Browser

2. Menu option to get XML– Correct syntax– Includes login– Intelligence– Attributes on cards

•Lists cards, too

CamPlay

Get the System-Link request for this item.• Item = 1000 • Card file = Item master

Define required data

…and if you remove a field from a card it will automatically disappear from the XML results

Integrate XA with your web page…

Integrate with Desktop applications

Agenda

1. What is XA Release 7?2. What are the improvements?

3. Is Release 7 ready for You?4. Migration Planning5. Operational Considerations6. Summary

Is Release 7 Ready for You?

R7 is implemented on a large scale in large companies– Polaris, hundreds of

users, multiple sites– Vestas, hundreds of

users, multiple sites, multiple countries


R7 is implemented on a large scale in mid-sized companies

“XA R7 is a tremendous tool for our business. Users are now able to access key information, without the need for specialized queries and reporting help from IT. The ability and ease of which our people can locate up-to-date data, and export to Excel is extremely valuable.” IT Manager, electronics manufacturer

“XA R7 has provided an integrated business solution for our company. Information flows seamlessly, and via PowerLink, users are able to quickly access real-time information to make business decisions and respond to issues quickly. It has enabled an improvement of our business processes, and is the backbone of running our business.” VP Finance, industrial equipment manufacturer


R7 is implemented on a large scale in mid-sized companies

“Finding vital production information, such as customer order and manufacturing order status, is five times faster with XA R7. Once you move to this toolset, you would never want to function without it.” Production Control Manager, Ind Equipment Manufacturer

“ The workbench capability in XA R7 allows us to analyze material and purchase requirements exactly how we want to see them. This type of analysis previously required sometimes hours of digging, but is now easily seen on one screen – without having to go to multiple places in the system!” Materials Manager, Ind Equip Mfr

“We were sold by the ease with which you can customize the PowerLink user interface. The ability to quickly and easily add custom data files with relationships to XA data, and have those files immediately available in the PowerLink interface is extremely powerful” IT manager, Wire manufacturer

Agenda

1. What is XA Release 7?2. What are the improvements? 3. Is Release 7 ready for You?

4. Migration Planning5. Operational Considerations6. Summary

QualityJDBCJDBC

Define your Vision

Departmental Departmental System System

(SQL Server)(SQL Server)

Infor XAInfor XA

UserUser UserUser

WSOfficeOffice

CustomizeCustomizeXMLXMLHTMLHTMLWSWS

Other SystemOther SystemXMLXML

Single Single user user

interfaceinterface

Migration Planning

MMMM PMPM EPDMEPDM OBPMOBPMCSMCSM

R 7 Java

IntegratorIntegrator SystemLinkSystemLink NetLinkNetLink

R 7 Green Screen

Same as R6…..

1. Planning and Preparation2. Initial Install and Test Migration3. Integration, Tuning and User Training 4. Final Migration and Go-Live5. Post-Migration Support

Plus….

Migration Planning

Create custom R7 checklist based on your path• CISTECH’s template Excel Worksheet *• Update with latest information from Infor

documentation• Assign responsibilities and target dates• Manage your implementation effort• Download at XA User Community Site

*Not intended to be used as a complete step-by-step guide

Migration Planning

IT Skills• General OS/400 Administration and

Operations including PTF ordering and application

• TCP configuration• IFS Structure• Netserver• Websphere (if applicable)• iSeries Navigator

Planning and Preparation


• iSeries– Current Performance– CSM

• Network– Switches vs hubs (100mb)– Remote Locations

• Clients– Memory (256+ free)– Processor– Disk

Response time depends on your network and PC configuration more than ever


Infor and your affiliate will work with you to verify that your machine will handle new requirements for Java applications (Power Architecture)

•Collect performance data•Use capacity planning tools to determine if hardware upgrades are recommended•Perform upgrades in advance

Customers who approach R7 implementation this way achieve better results.


iSeries Configuration Requirements for Java Architecture• Domain Entry for host to participate on the

network• Host Table Entry for identifying the host• Configure Netserver to view IFS directories


Network Configuration Requirements• Domain Name Services (DNS)• Must be able to ping using host names:

• From iSeries to the PC• From PC to iSeries

• Create a share to MAPICS directory in the IFS


iSeries IFS Environment• Folders created in IFS when you run

environment initialization \\hostname\root\MAPICS\AMALIBx (x=application designator)

• Contain Java applications (.jar files)• Client configuration stored here• Fixes for clients are placed in IFS for

download and applying to clients at login


LinkManager• Manages Java Servers

– Power Link – Net Link– System Link

• Use Link Manager console to– Move services to auxiliary servers – Start/Stop Environments– Install latest Java PTFs – SH14777 includes Link Manager User Guide


Auxiliary Servers:• Improve performance and relieve the

workload on the AS/400 resources

• Possibly eliminate the need to upgrade provided the machine is not already at

capacity Not going from green screen to browser and

R7 at the same time

• Net Link and System Link a must


Select desired machine to run the process


Install PowerlinkInstall Java Runtime Environment

• Java Runtime 1.4.2 is required• Installed only once per PC• Navigate to URL for LinkManager or

PowerLink installation (in next slides)

1. Click on Java Runtime Environment 1.4.2 in the Title to begin installation

2. Follow prompts and accept certificates


Click

Planning and PreparationInstall PowerLink

Agenda

1. What is XA Release 7?2. What are the improvements? 3. Is Release 7 ready for You?4. Migration Planning

5. Operational Considerations6. Summary

XA Java Architecture Basics• Global Environment

– Manages Java connections for all environments– 2 Jobs run under QUSRWRK

• MPXMGRSRV• MPXREGSRV

– Must be started before you can start Environment Java U-job

• Will automatically start with the first environment U-job

• U-jobs will delay for start of Global Environment

– PSICTLJVS Command can be used to start jobs • Scheduled job or part of after commands in iSO

backup job• SH14910 – Instructions for Controlling Java Servers

Operational Considerations

Apply PTFs for Java Architecture

• XA Server PTF process has not changed• SH14855 – R7 Client Updates

– Download and place in AFDWEB folder– Use command in cover letter to restore to

IFS RST DEV('/QSYS.LIB/QGPL.LIB/SH14855670.FILE')

OBJ(('/MAPICS/fixes'))

• Apply using Link Manager • Clients will be updated automatically

the next time they connect

Performance Tuning in R7

• Custom subsets and views may cause performance degradation– Complex joins between files– Choosing fields from multiple files– Temporary indexes have to be generated by

client job• Create Logical Files to service these

custom data base requests• How do you know what files, fields, keys

are needed?– SQL Viewer– iSeries Navigator SQL ….

Performance Analysis and Tuning– XA diagnostic tools

• CTL + D from summary screen

– iSeries Navigator• SQL Performance Monitors

– Execute an SQL statement– Analyze Results– List Explainable Statements– Visual Explain– Build the index


CTL+D from the Summary info screen


SQL Monitor allows you to see SQL statements


Select All jobs or specific jobs by job number or user


Sort by processing time



The index advisor will display the file and key fields identified


Agenda

1. What is XA Release 7?2. What are the improvements? 3. Is Release 7 ready for You?4. Migration Planning5. Operational Considerations

6. Summary

One platform for total enterprise integration

QualityJDBCJDBC

Custom Custom System System

(SQL Server)(SQL Server)

Infor XAInfor XAUserUser UserUser

CustomizeCustomizeXMLXMLHTMLHTMLWSWS

Other SystemOther SystemXMLXML

Thin Thin ClienClien

tt

Web Web SiteSite

WSOfficeOffice

ExcelExcel

Why go to Release 7?

Summary-Why go to XA 7?

1. My Infrastructure is now ‘nimble’2. My ‘Enterprise’ is now connected 3. Information is now available4. My processes are more

streamlined5. My users are more productive6. Roadblocks (quality,

performance) have been removed

Questions or Questions or comments?comments?

Thank you!!Thank you!!

Documents

Infor XA Release 7 Transform your XA system with powerful new tools Ruth Pharr, Technical Consulting Manager [email protected] Mike Taylor, VP Sales