A 2025 Guide To Infor ERP – Everything You Need To Know

1. Industry-Specific Functionality:

One of Infor ERP's standout features is its deep industry-specific capabilities. Unlike generic ERPs, Infor develops "CloudSuites" tailored to the unique processes and compliance requirements of various sectors, such as discrete manufacturing, process manufacturing, distribution, fashion, healthcare, and public sector. For instance, manufacturers benefit from specialized tools for engineer-to-order (ETO), configure-to-order (CTO), or make-to-stock (MTS) operations, including detailed bills of material (BOMs), production scheduling, and quality control specific to their production methods. This pre-built industry focus significantly reduces the need for costly and time-consuming customizations, allowing businesses to implement a system that speaks their industry's language from day one. It helps organizations adopt best practices embedded within the software, accelerating time to value and improving operational alignment with industry standards and regulations.

2. Financial Management:

Infor ERP provides robust financial management capabilities that give businesses a comprehensive view of their financial health. This includes general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed asset management, and multi-currency and multi-company support, essential for global operations. A key aspect is its "next-gen global ledger," which can handle an unlimited number of ledgers, financial calendars, and dimension strings. This flexibility allows organizations to tailor their financial reporting to meet diverse business, regulatory, and industry-specific requirements, including ESG reporting. By integrating financial data with operational processes, Infor ERP offers real-time insights into profitability, cost management, and cash flow, enabling better financial planning, budgeting, and compliance.

3. Supply Chain Management (SCM):

Infor's SCM features are designed to optimize the entire supply chain, from planning and procurement to warehousing and logistics. It includes advanced tools for demand forecasting, integrated business planning (S&OP), production scheduling, and warehouse management (WMS). Infor leverages AI and machine learning to provide predictive insights, helping businesses anticipate demand fluctuations, manage inventory efficiently, and mitigate supply chain disruptions. The Infor Nexus network is a significant component, connecting over 90,000 trading partners to provide real-time visibility across the entire supply chain. This comprehensive SCM suite enhances supply chain resilience, reduces operational costs, and improves customer fulfilment by ensuring the right products are available at the right time.

4. Manufacturing Operations:

For manufacturing businesses, Infor ERP offers specialized functionalities to streamline production processes and enhance shop floor efficiency. This includes features like Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS), Material Requirements Planning (MRP), production execution, quality control, and product lifecycle management (PLM). Infor's manufacturing solutions support various manufacturing modes, whether it's discrete, process, or mixed-mode production. They provide real-time visibility into shop floor activities, enabling better control over work orders, machine utilization, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). By integrating production data with financial and supply chain modules, Infor helps manufacturers optimize resource allocation, reduce waste, and ensure consistent product quality.

5. Human Capital Management (HCM):

Infor's HCM suite helps organizations manage their workforce effectively throughout the entire employee lifecycle. It encompasses core HR functionalities such as payroll, benefits administration, talent acquisition (recruitment and onboarding), performance management, and workforce management (time and attendance, scheduling). Infor HCM solutions are often industry-tailored, addressing specific HR needs of sectors like healthcare or public service. The system provides employee and manager self-service portals, accessible via web and mobile devices, empowering individuals to manage their HR-related tasks and access information independently. By automating HR processes and offering insights into workforce data, Infor HCM helps organizations attract, develop, and retain talent, improve operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with labour regulations.

Pros and Cons of Infor ERP

Pros of Infor ERP:

• Industry-Specific Solutions: One of Infor's most significant strengths is its focus on vertical industries. It provides tailored ERP solutions for sectors like manufacturing (discrete and process), distribution, automotive, aerospace and defence, fashion, food and beverage, and healthcare. These pre-configured functionalities often align closely with industry best practices, reducing the need for extensive customization and potentially accelerating implementation.
• Cloud-Based Flexibility and Scalability: Infor offers robust cloud-based deployment options, leveraging platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS). This provides businesses with enhanced scalability, accessibility from anywhere, reduced infrastructure costs, and automatic updates and security patches. It allows companies to grow and adapt without significant on-premise IT overhead.
• Advanced Analytics and Business Intelligence: Infor ERP integrates advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning capabilities. This provides businesses with real-time insights, data-driven decision-making, and tools for predictive forecasting, performance monitoring, and compliance reporting. Dashboards and custom reports enhance visibility across operations.
• Comprehensive Functionality: Infor ERP covers a wide range of business functions, including financial management, supply chain management (SCM), production management, inventory management, customer relationship management (CRM), human resources management (HRM), and project management. This integrated approach aims to create a "single source of truth" for data, improving collaboration and efficiency across departments.
• Global Supply Chain Management: For multinational companies, Infor excels in managing complex and global supply chains, helping to streamline operations across different regions and ensuring smooth logistics and procurement.
• User Experience (UX): Recent Infor offerings emphasize a modern and intuitive user experience, aiming to reduce the learning curve and improve user adoption.

Cons of Infor ERP:

• Complexity and Implementation Challenges: While offering industry-specific solutions, Infor ERP systems can still be complex to implement, especially for larger enterprises or those with highly unique requirements. Implementation often demands significant time, resources, and technical expertise, potentially leading to longer setup times and higher initial costs.
• Cost: Infor ERP solutions can be more expensive than some alternatives, particularly for smaller businesses. The high price may not be justified if a business doesn't fully utilize the advanced features. Customization and ongoing maintenance can also add to the overall cost.
• Customization Limitations: While Infor offers industry-specific functionalities, businesses with highly specialized or niche processes might find some limitations in terms of deep customization. Adapting the system to unique needs can require considerable effort and may lead to vendor lock-in.
• Upgrades and Maintenance: Keeping Infor systems updated can pose challenges. Upgrades and maintenance often involve extensive planning, potential downtime, and additional costs, which can impact business continuity.
• Learning Curve: Despite efforts to improve user-friendliness, there can still be a learning curve for new users, potentially hindering initial productivity.
• Integration Challenges: While Infor promotes seamless integration within its suite, integrating with external, non-Infor specific third-party applications or legacy systems can sometimes be complex and time-consuming, despite the availability of APIs.

Introduction to Tactic ERP & CRM

Envision a singular, potent nexus where the myriad currents of enterprise converge and coalesce. Tactic ERP and CRM emerges not merely as software, but as an architectural marvel for modern commerce, designed to dismantle the archaic partitions that often stymie organizational fluidity. This isn't a mere assembly of disparate modules; rather, it’s a meticulously engineered ecosystem where the granularities of internal operations (the very sinews of your supply chain, financial bedrock, and human capital orchestration) flawlessly intertwine with the pulsating rhythms of external customer engagement.

Forget the conventional dichotomy of back-office and front-office; Tactic sculpts a continuum, empowering businesses to transcend departmental insularity. Its essence lies in fostering an unparalleled panoramic visibility, transforming raw data into strategic acumen. The result? A synergistic operational efficiency married to a profound understanding of your clientele, propelling swift, incisive decisions that resonate throughout your entire commercial endeavour.

Core Features of Tactic ERP & CRM

Tactic ERP & CRM aims to be a holistic platform for businesses, integrating the multifaceted elements of internal operations with robust customer engagement strategies. While specific features can vary based on the version and industry focus of Tactic, here are 6 key functionalities that generally define such a comprehensive system:

1. Financial Management & Accounting

Tactic ERP & CRM provides a sophisticated suite for managing all financial aspects of an enterprise, with its 77+ modules. This encompasses everything from simplified and double entry accounting, accounting journals, general ledger, accounts payable, and accounts receivable and comprehensive financial reporting. The system automates tedious accounting tasks, such as transaction recording, reconciliation, and compliance checks, significantly reducing manual errors and accelerating financial close processes. Businesses gain visibility into their cash flow, profitability, and overall financial health, enabling more informed strategic decisions. Furthermore, integrated financial modules ensure that sales data from the CRM side flows seamlessly into accounting, streamlining order-to-cash cycles and enhancing revenue recognition accuracy. This holistic financial overview is crucial for maintaining fiscal discipline and steering the organization towards sustainable growth.

2. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

The CRM component of Tactic is designed to optimize every facet of customer interaction, from initial lead generation to post-sales support and retention. It serves as a centralized repository for all customer data, including contact information, communication history, purchase records, and service requests (tickets). By providing a 360-degree view of each customer, Tactic CRM helps businesses personalize interactions, anticipate needs, and ultimately enhance the customer experience.

3. Supply Chain Management & Inventory Control (VRM and Product Management)

Tactic ERP offers comprehensive tools to manage the entire supply chain, from procurement and raw material sourcing to production, warehousing, and distribution. This module provides real-time visibility into inventory levels, optimizing stock to prevent both shortages and overstocking, thereby reducing carrying costs and improving cash flow. It facilitates efficient order management, enabling businesses to track orders from placement to fulfilment and manage logistics effectively. Advanced features may include demand forecasting, supplier relationship management, and warehouse management system (WMS) capabilities, ensuring seamless flow of goods and materials. By streamlining supply chain operations, Tactic helps businesses enhance operational efficiency, reduce lead times, and deliver products to customers more reliably.

4. Production Management & Planning (for manufacturing-focused versions)

For manufacturing enterprises, Tactic ERP's production management module is indispensable. It supports various manufacturing processes, including discrete, process, and mixed-mode manufacturing. Key features typically include production planning, scheduling, capacity planning, and POS control. The system helps in optimizing production schedules to meet demand, minimize downtime, and maximize resource utilization. It can manage Bills of Material (BOM), routings, and work orders, providing complete visibility into the manufacturing process. Integration with inventory ensures that raw materials are available when needed, and finished goods are accurately tracked. This module is crucial for manufacturers seeking to improve efficiency, reduce production costs, and ensure on-time delivery of products.

5. Human Resource Management (HRM)

Tactic ERP often includes robust HRM functionalities, providing a unified system for managing an organization's most valuable asset: its people. This module handles everything from employee data management, recruitment, and onboarding to performance management, training, and talent development. Employee self-service portals empower employees to manage their personal information, view pay stubs, and request leave, fostering greater engagement and efficiency. By centralizing HR processes, Tactic helps businesses maintain compliance, improve employee satisfaction, and strategically manage their workforce.

6. Project & Collaborative Work Management

For businesses heavily reliant on projects, Tactic ERP & CRM provides functionalities for comprehensive project management. This includes project planning, resource allocation, task management, progress tracking, and cost analysis. It allows teams to collaborate effectively, share documents, and communicate within the system, ensuring everyone is aligned on project goals and deadlines. The integration with financial modules enables real-time tracking of project budgets and expenses, while CRM integration can link project deliverables directly to customer requirements. This feature is particularly valuable for professional services firms, construction companies, and any organization managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.

Pros and Cons of Tactic ERP & CRM

Pros of Tactic ERP & CRM

• Two-in-one Interface: Tactic ERP & CRM includes both ERP and CRM capabilities. It reduces the need for a separate CRM system, saves cost and enhances smooth flow of data internally.
• Adavanced user and permission management: Tactic offers an advanced user and permission management feature that allows you to add as many users as you would like without having to expose too much of your company data to them. This feature becomes handy for the companies who have a ton of external users needing limited access.
• Affordable: The pricing structure that Tactic boasts is one of the biggest positive aspects associated with the software. It’s tough to find an ERP of Tactic’s stature under an affordable pricing structure.
• Available Support: Tactic ERP & CRM doesn’t leave anyone unattended. The company makes sure to avail as much support as possible for each of the users. There are tutorial videos, documentations, wiki-page and as well as paid support in exceptional cases.

Cons of Tactic ERP & CRM

• Steep Learning Curve: Tactic ERP & CRM is a quite vast software. There are more than 77 modules and even more features. For beginners, the vastness of the software can be a problem. And that can lead to a rather steep learning curve. However, with the amount of support and training Tactic ERP & CRM offers, the learning curve can easily be managed.

Infor ERP vs. Tactic ERP & CRM

Analysis and Conclusion

Both of Infor ERP and Tactic ERP & CRM are masters at offering an upgraded management systems to its user. Both of the systems are best at what those claim to do, offering comprehensive solutions in form of features and modules. However, one of these might be just what you are looking for and the other may fall short in matching your requirements.

Infor ERP boasts a formidable reputation as a mature and comprehensive enterprise resource planning solution, particularly recognized for its industry-specific functionalities that cater to a wide array of sectors, from manufacturing and distribution to healthcare. Its established presence in the market signifies a robust set of features, including advanced analytics, global supply chain management, and integrated CRM and HRM capabilities, making it a powerful choice for larger organizations with complex, multi-faceted operations and a significant budget to invest. However, this extensive feature set and customization often come with a higher price tag and potentially longer implementation cycles, which can be a barrier for businesses operating under tighter financial constraints.

Conversely, Tactic ERP and CRM, while perhaps less widely known than Infor, presents a compelling alternative, especially for companies prioritizing cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and rapid deployment. Tactic's integrated ERP and CRM functionalities are designed to streamline internal processes and customer interactions, offering a unified platform that can be tailored to specific business needs without the extensive overhead associated with larger, more rigid systems. Its emphasis on user experience and customizability means that even with a limited budget, businesses can achieve a system that closely aligns with their unique workflows, allowing for quicker adoption and a faster return on investment.

Therefore, for companies with limited budgets, Tactic ERP & CRM emerges as a superior choice. Its inherent flexibility allows for greater adaptability to evolving business requirements, offering a more agile solution compared to the potentially cumbersome and costly customization of a large-scale system like Infor. While Infor's established name and deep industry focus are undeniable assets for enterprise-level organizations, Tactic's blend of affordability, user-centric design, and tailored functionality makes it a practical and efficient option for smaller to mid-sized businesses seeking to optimize their operations and customer relationships without compromising financial stability.