Migrating from a 20-year-old ERP isn’t just a technical upgrade — it’s a complete business transformation.
For a U.S.-based manufacturing group with divisions in Aerospace, Gear Manufacturing, and Industrial Automation, the challenge was clear: outdated BaaN IVc2 systems on HP-UX were no longer scalable, lacked automation, and left the company exposed to operational risks.
By rolling out Infor CloudSuite Industrial Enterprise (LN) across three subsidiaries, the organization modernized its IT backbone, standardized processes, and created a foundation for future digital initiatives.
Project Highlights
- Industry: Aerospace, Gear Manufacturing, Industrial Automation
- Region: Michigan, United States
- Employees: Several hundred across three subsidiaries
- Legacy ERP: BaaN IVc2 (20+ years old)
- ERP Implemented: Infor CloudSuite Industrial Enterprise (LN 10.6)
Key Challenges:
- Obsolete ERP system, unsupported infrastructure
- Manual, paper-based processes with little automation
- Lack of standardized workflows across entities
- Disconnected data models limiting reporting and decision-making
A Structured Approach to Transformation
The program began with an ambitious but clear objective: unify ERP processes across divisions while enabling scalability and transparency.
Methodology Highlights:
- Process Discovery & MoSCoW Prioritization: Business users helped define and rank requirements (Must, Should, Could, Won’t have).
- Future-State Process Modeling: Infor best-practice workflows mapped to each function, ensuring alignment and adoption.
- Fit-Gap Analysis: Identified where Infor LN standard functionality could be leveraged, reducing unnecessary customizations.
- Documentation: End-to-end blueprints and traceability matrices ensured visibility and continuity.
This foundation allowed the team to design a solution aligned with global standards while respecting local business needs.
Delivered Solution
Core Processes Implemented:
- Prospect to Cash: Sales quotations, order fulfillment, invoicing
- Procure to Pay: Vendor management, goods receipt, invoice reconciliation
- Design to Release: Engineering BOMs, revision control, release for production
- Plan to Produce: MRP, shop floor scheduling, production execution
- Receive to Ship: Warehouse transfers, packing, shipping
- Service to Resolution: Service orders, dispatch, warranty handling
- Record to Report: GL, AP/AR, cash management, financial close
Supporting Technologies:
- Infor ION for integration & workflows
- Infor IDM for digital document management
- Project Control Structures (PCS) for cost tracking in aerospace and job-shop environments
Program Execution
- Start: November 2020
- End: July 2023
- Scope: ERP replacement and harmonization across three U.S. entities
Milestones:
- 2020–2021: Requirement discovery, MoSCoW analysis, process modeling
- 2022: Data strategy, configuration, integration development, cutover planning
- 2022–2023: Phased go-lives by entity, testing, and training
- Q3 2023: Post-go-live stabilization & optimization
Stakeholders:
Executive leadership, IT directors, business unit heads, process owners, and a joint consulting team with solution architects, functional consultants, and project management.
Challenges & Solutions
- Legacy fragmentation ➝ Standardized process models introduced
- Entity misalignment ➝ Unified PCS structures and global item master
- Complex integrations ➝ ION workflows and API-driven connections implemented
- Go-live readiness ➝ Phased execution ensured manageable risk and adoption
Outcomes & Business Value
- Legacy ERP replaced with a modern, cloud-ready platform
- Standardized processes across Aerospace, Gear, and Automation divisions
- Improved cost tracking, inventory visibility, and reporting accuracy
- Digital document handling with full process transparency
- Future-proof ERP architecture supporting compliance, automation, and growth
Lessons Learned & Best Practices
This project reinforces key lessons for large-scale ERP rollouts:
- Start with a clear vision of the future state and align stakeholders early
- Adopt Infor LN standard capabilities before pursuing customizations
- Use MoSCoW prioritization to control scope and maintain focus
- Maintain process documentation for training and continuity
- Stage go-lives by entity or function to manage complexity and ensure success
Conclusion
By replacing fragmented legacy systems with Infor LN CloudSuite Industrial Enterprise, this manufacturer not only modernized operations but also created a unified, scalable foundation for digital transformation across multiple entities.