Infor XA Release 7 Transform your XA system with powerful new tools

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

Agenda What is XA Release 7? What are the improvements? Is Release 7 ready for You? Migration Planning Operational Considerations Summary

Custom Definition Server
What is XA Release 7? Legacy Architecture Java Architecture Infrastructure NETWORK server iSeries Application Server Web Server Custom Definition Server Database DB2/400 HTML Server XML Server iSeries Application Server Database DB2/400

Java Architecture Infrastructure
What is XA Release 7? Java Architecture Infrastructure NETWORK Web Data Base

What is XA Release 7? Java Architecture User Interface

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

What are the improvements?

Implement at your own pace
Integrator SystemLink NetLink MM PM EPDM OBPM CSM R 6 Browser ‘Smalltalk’ R 7 Browser Java Release 6 Green Screen Release 7 Green Screen

What are the improvements?
Easy Access to Information improves decision making Improved Application Functionality Tailor XA to meet your specific needs Significant enhancements in Integrator Significantly enhanced IT Tools Enable Connectivity and collaboration beyond your walls

Easy Access to Information
Quick change Graph cards Compound cards Presentation schemes Subset tip text Cascading subsets Power expand URL & 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

Highlight Exception Items

Graph Cards 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

Compound Cards

Column Totals and Statistics

Quick Change

All Available over the Internet

Proactive Notification with Alerts (Ent Int)
Via , phone or system message Can also run a program PO P for $11, needs approval ERP

Let the system notify you
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 and cell phone

Define the event Choose the object Define the type of maintenance

Define the event Like a subset Some new features Before After
Difference % Difference

Flexible notification
Notify users or cell phone ‘Notify’ a program RPG, XML or transaction

Notify via Put in user and text message Can include a hot link

Notify via cell phone Call this cell phone Display this message
PO P for $11, needs approval Call this cell phone Display this message

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

Costed Indented Bill of Material
Cost elements Summary costs

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 Request Buyer: John Doe Whs: Atlanta REQ 1 123A 10 Apr 1 ITEM QTY DATE Apr 8 Apr 8 Apr 1 Apr 6 Priority: 1 Contract: 123

Purchase Requests From the requisitions Overall status All/Some/None

PO Variance Define ‘Standard’… Comparison cards

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”

Infor Integration-Enterprise Software Bus
Infor ERP XA PO ASN PO Infor App 1 PO Infor App 2 Infor App 3 SW EAM ESB Enable functions once to interact with the bus May now interact with any other application enabled for the bus Let App 1 = SupplyWEB Let App 2 = EAM Both can use PO’s in the ERP system The answer is System-Link, the XML program interface to any Power Architecture object, including those created by the company. System-Link provides a way to programmatically inquire into and update XA objects. It requires an XA user ID and password, and observes all security as though the requesting program were a user. It also provides all the same edits and calculated fields a user would see. XA provides web services via Enterprise Integrator as a front-end to System-Link. A web service is simply the industry-standard way of doing what System-Link does directly. A programmer can use a web service for XA and never see the underlying XML going to and from System-Link. WebSphere MQ is the messaging system that allows System-Link to operate asynchronously. The request can be sent to XA without waiting for a response. The response can be sent minutes or hours later. What all this means is that as XA is migrated to the Power Architecture the application functions are enabled for services. As a company customizes XA in the Power Architecture the objects they create or change are also automatically enabled for services. In this way, XA can fully participate in the larger Infor global technology strategy.

SupplyWEB: Electronic Comm w/Suppliers
Multiple Procurement Methodologies: Scheduled Releases Ship Schedules Discrete Purchases One Way eKanban Pull Signals Supplier Managed Inventory (SMI)

3. Tailor XA to meet your specific needs
Purchased Manufactured

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
User Exit Code Generation - reduces development costs and schedules Mass Program Actions – deliver easy-to-use applications to your users Import/Export individual objects - Manage customizations across environments User Preference Administration – provide and manage a consistent interface for your users 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
Object/field assumes everything authorized Deployment Profile assumes nothing authorized UI What the user chooses to see Deployment Profile What is presented to the user Object security What user is authorized to Database All objects and attributes

Reduce Development Costs and Schedules
User Exit Code Generation No downloads More control Consistency Exported with object Enterprise Integrator extends these advantages to your custom objects (no more triggers) Generate program Compile program Display Compile listing

Deliver Easy-to-use Applications
Mass Program Actions Call a program Pass parameters For all records selected No more ‘one record at a time’ processing Your users will thank you

Improved management for environments
Import/Export individual objects Use subsets to limit export

Manage user preferences Initial cards, card files and tab styles Open actions (what happens when you double-click) View details Change Quick change

Integrator Projects and object maintenance history Create Projects to track development activity Each change is logged to a project View history of project changes

Everything you customize is “transparent” to the release.
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

4. Connectivity and Collaboration
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

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
Customer Service Customers Contracts CO’s Shipments Invoices Containers Materials Warehouses Locations Receiving Finance Receivables Payables Ledger Procurement Requisitions Vendors Buyers PO’s Engineering Item Revisions Bills of Material Routings Processes Production Schedules Facilities Operations Planners MO’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

System Link XML Integration with your web site MAPICS XA XML Request A
D P T E R CAS Security Auth Data Base Read Inq Edit XML Response Rules Rules Result Update XSL Apply style sheet

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

Define required data Get the System-Link request for this item.
Card file = Item master

…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

Is Release 7 ready for You?

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 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 “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

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

Migration Planning Agenda What is XA Release 7?
What are the improvements? Is Release 7 ready for You? Migration Planning Operational Considerations Summary

Define your Vision Office Other System XML WS Infor XA HTML XML
Single user interface Customize JDBC User User Quality Departmental System (SQL Server)

Migration Planning R 7 Java R 7 Green Screen Integrator SystemLink
NetLink MM PM EPDM OBPM CSM R 7 Java R 7 Green Screen

Migration Planning Same as R6….. Planning and Preparation
Initial Install and Test Migration Integration, Tuning and User Training Final Migration and Go-Live 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

Planning and Preparation
IT Skills General OS/400 Administration and Operations including PTF ordering and application TCP configuration IFS Structure Netserver Websphere (if applicable) iSeries Navigator There are some basic skills that you will need to have in order to install and configure the release 7 client applications. A general understanding of AS/400 administration and operations including software installation, ordering/installing ptf’s, and performance tuning is needed. You also need to be familiar with the setup and configuration of TCP. This is the foundation of how the client applications communicate. A basic understanding of the IFS structure is helpful. This is a vehicle used for getting ptf’s to the AS/400 and where the client applications and the associated updates are installed from. So some familiarity here is good. You will need to understand how and from where to configure Netserver. In addition, if you plan to use Websphere as your application server versus the server created during the installation of release 7, you need to have an understanding of the installation and configuration process. Yes, there are instructions on how to hook Websphere into XA, but without some previous exposure to the product, it may be a difficult process. iSeries Navigator is an important tool used in performance data collection, analysis and tuning as well as Netserver configuration.

Infor R7 Questionnaire Worksheet Number of 5250 users Will you use Java Architecture Current release of XA Current PTF Level Languages Do you have source code Internal IT support staff When do you plan to install and implement Release 7 Client applications you are using Number of expected MAPICS Power-Link users Number of expected Net-Link (Thin Client) users Number of expected System-Link users Typical PC Operating System Web Browser Processor speed Memory Size Disk Size Video resolution iSeries/AS400 Processor Feature Code iSeries/AS400 Machine Model Amount of memory on your iSeries OS/400 operating system level Double Byte Character Set Running HTTP server? Running Websphere? Has PATROL-Predict (or Best/1) been run to size requirements IBM Software Support Contract

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 The performance considerations for release 7 cover multiple areas, not just the iSeries. If you are currently using the browser applications at release 6, and are planning to use the same applications at release 7, the response time should be comparable. If you plan to use CSM and the CPW of your current machine is less than 1000, we have seen this cause slow response times in CSM. Now the performance of your network and your pc’s is more important than ever. A performance analysis on your current machine will answer any questions you may have regarding the iSeries handling of the new R7 architecture. You may consider using switches versus hubs. For example a 10MB ½ duplex hub can only transmit or receive, not both, so collisions increase which increases re-transmissions (wait times). Hubs are better suited for areas that have less network traffic. A 10MB full duplex switch can send and receive at the same time. This reduces the number of collisions and is an easy way to cut your bandwidth usage. Do you have remote locations? What is their current ISP connection? Do they currently use the client applications? ISDN 128M DSL 125M – 512M CABLE 756M or more T1 1.5MB As we have stated, java loves memory, so the making sure your pc clients meet the minimum requirements is critical.

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 To configure Netserver: Use iSeries Navigator Create a connection to your iSeries server Expand your server Expand Network Expand Servers Highlight TCP/IP Right-click on iSeries Netserver and click Configuration Make your changes Restart Netserver

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 What is a Jar File? It stands for ‘JAR archive’ file. jar is a general-purpose archiving and compression tool, based on ZIP and the ZLIB compression format. However, jar was designed mainly to facilitate the packaging of java applets or applications into a single archive. When the components of an applet or application (.class files, images and sounds) are combined into a single archive, they may be downloaded by a java agent (like a browser) in a single HTTP transaction, rather than requiring a new connection for each piece. This dramatically improves download times. jar also compresses files and so further improves download time. In addition, it allows individual entries in a file to be signed by the applet author so that their origin can be authenticated.

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 By offloading the services to an auxiliary machine, you are relieving the resources on the iSeries that support these services. Auxiliary Servers MAY eliminate your need to upgrade your AS/400. But that is dependent on a couple of factors, one being what capacity the machine is currently operating. Another is whether you are presently green screen only. In either case, we highly recommend that a performance analysis be run on your current system. It is a simple process and will answer the question as to whether your existing machine can handle the current environment at release 7 and any ‘what if’s’ where adding new applications or future growth is concerned. If you plan on using System Link or Net Link, the auxiliary machine is a must. One you have the pc you plan to use set up, the installation of the auxiliary service is similar to that of Link Manager and Power Link. The code is downloaded from the iSeries and then configured.

Select desired machine to run the process A drop down will display the AS/400 and any configured auxiliary machines that are available. Select the machine where you want to move the process. You will be required to confirm the movement of the service. Once you have done this, and you have started the Auxiliary Service, you can start the process on the auxiliary machine.

Install Powerlink Install Java Runtime Environment Java Runtime is required Installed only once per PC Navigate to URL for LinkManager or PowerLink installation (in next slides) Click on Java Runtime Environment in the Title to begin installation Follow prompts and accept certificates

Install PowerLink Click Install only once per pc Follow prompts and accept certificates

Operational Considerations

XA Java Architecture Basics
Operational Considerations 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

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/SH 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 As with release 6, XA does have diagnostic tools as part of the clients. By clicking on File, Summary Info and then CTL+D you can see the tools that are available. iSeries Navigator also has some slick tools available to not only help you identify what logicals need to be created, but if you like, it will create them for you with the click of a button. In the upcoming screens, I will show you some examples of what you will see when you start to use the SQL Performance Monitors.

CTL+D from the Summary info screen

SQL Monitor allows you to see SQL statements When you turn on the SQL monitor in Power Link, it logs the SQL statements associated with your session. This give you the ability to copy an SQL statement and copy it into the SQL Performance monitor for analysis.

Select All jobs or specific jobs by job number or user From this screen I can choose to monitor all jobs or jobs for a specific user. When I am doing an initial install/migration to release 7, I generally select all jobs.

Sort by processing time From the explainable statements screen, you can sort the results by processing time. This will help you quickly identify those SQL statements that have the highest response times. This will help you get the big problems taken care of first. Then you can focus on fine tuning the application for your specific installation.

Visual explain gives you a graphical view of what processing is going on behind your SQL statement. By moving your cursor over the icons and adjusting the view, you can see sort sequences, the number of records per file, etc. From this screen you can choose the option to see advised indexes. These are indexes that the monitor has been determined need to be created in order to improve the performance of the SQL statement. Generally, these are ‘temporary’ indexes that have to be rebuilt over and over again.

The index advisor will display the file and key fields identified The Statistics and Index Advisor will display the physical file and the key that has been identified. You have the ability to create the index from this screen. I typically don’t create the indexes this way. Once I have identified the key fields required, I create a DDS and compile the logical, using the environment library list, into a This just help me keep track of what has been created outside of XA’s normal database and I can easily identify what may need to be created for future environments. This should be an ongoing process during the testing and training stages of your implementation.

Summary Agenda What is XA Release 7? What are the improvements?
Is Release 7 ready for You? Migration Planning Operational Considerations Summary

One platform for total enterprise integration
Why go to Release 7? One platform for total enterprise integration Thin Client Web Site W S Office Excel Other System XML WS Infor XA HTML XML Quality JDBC Custom System (SQL Server) Customize User User

Summary-Why go to XA 7? My Infrastructure is now ‘nimble’ My ‘Enterprise’ is now connected Information is now available My processes are more streamlined My users are more productive Roadblocks (quality, performance) have been removed

Questions or comments? Thank you!!

Infor XA Release 7 Transform your XA system with powerful new tools

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