Infor ERP LN is organized into a set of deeply integrated functional modules that together cover the full scope of manufacturing enterprise operations. Unlike loosely coupled add-on modules, Infor LN's core modules share a common data model—meaning a sales order automatically affects inventory availability, shop-floor scheduling, and financial accruals without any manual intervention. This article walks through the principal modules, their key capabilities, and important configuration considerations.
Finance (FIN)
The Finance module is the accounting backbone of Infor LN. It handles general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cost accounting, cash management, and fixed assets. The module is built around the concept of 'financial companies' which can be linked to one or more logistic companies, supporting complex intercompany and multi-currency scenarios.
- General ledger with multi-dimensional chart of accounts (cost center, profit center, project)
- Automated journal entries from all logistic transactions
- Currency revaluation and multi-currency reporting
- Intercompany reconciliation and elimination
- Standard cost and actual cost accounting for manufactured items
- Fixed asset lifecycle management from acquisition through disposal
A critical configuration decision in Finance is the cost accounting method. Infor LN supports standard costing (items carry a predetermined standard cost that variance is measured against) and actual costing (item costs reflect actual material, labor, and overhead consumed). Most discrete manufacturers use standard costing for finished goods, which requires a disciplined cost roll-up process at the beginning of each fiscal year.
Manufacturing (MFG)
Manufacturing is the most sophisticated module in Infor LN and the primary reason manufacturers choose it over general-purpose ERP platforms. It covers production order management, capacity planning, shop-floor control, quality management, and product configuration.
Production Orders
Production orders (PRP orders in LN terminology) represent work authorizations to build a specific item or assembly. Each order carries a bill of material, a routing, estimated costs, and a production schedule. As operations are completed on the shop floor, labor and material are reported back, updating the order's actual cost and completion status.
Project Manufacturing
For engineer-to-order and project-based manufacturers, Infor LN's project module (PCS — Project Control System) links production orders, purchase orders, and inventory directly to projects. This enables cost-to-complete analysis, project-specific inventory allocation, and revenue recognition tied to project milestones.
Material Requirements Planning
Infor LN's MRP engine (Enterprise Planning, or EP) generates planned orders for both purchased and manufactured items based on demand signals (sales orders, forecasts, project demand) and supply parameters (lead times, order quantities, safety stock). The planning engine supports both time-phased MRP and constraint-based APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling).
Procurement (PUR)
The Procurement module manages the full purchasing cycle from requisition through receipt and supplier invoice matching. Key capabilities include purchase order management, blanket orders, consignment purchasing, and supplier performance tracking.
- Three-way match (PO, receipt, invoice) with configurable tolerance rules
- Approved supplier lists with item-level qualification
- EDI integration for automated order acknowledgment and ASN processing
- Landed cost management for imported materials
- Supplier portal integration via Infor Supplier Exchange
Sales (SLS)
The Sales module handles the order-to-cash cycle including quotations, sales orders, shipments, and customer invoicing. Infor LN's sales engine is particularly strong for manufacturers with complex pricing, customer-specific configurations, and long-term supply agreements.
Sales orders in LN support multi-line, multi-site fulfillment with ATP checking against real-time inventory and production. Customer-specific pricing is managed through a price book hierarchy that can accommodate contract prices, volume breaks, and promotional pricing.
Warehousing (WH)
Infor LN's warehousing module manages inventory locations, receipts, transfers, and outbound shipments. It supports zone-based storage, lot and serial number tracking, and cycle counting. For facilities with very high transaction volumes or complex slotting requirements, Infor WMS (a separate, more powerful warehousing product) can be integrated.
Service (SRV)
The Service module manages after-market service operations including service contracts, call management, field service dispatch, and depot repair. For manufacturers offering service and maintenance agreements, this module closes the loop from initial product sale through the full service lifecycle.
Connecting the Modules
What makes Infor LN powerful is not any individual module but the way they work together. A customer order generates a demand signal in MRP, which creates planned production and purchase orders, which drive shop-floor activity and supplier deliveries, which ultimately flow back to financial postings in the general ledger—all in a single integrated system. This end-to-end traceability is what eliminates the rekeying, reconciliation, and delays that plague disconnected systems.
Auspex Consulting helps manufacturers configure each of these modules to work correctly together. If you are evaluating Infor LN or looking to get more from your current installation, reach out to discuss your operational challenges.