Infor ERP LN (formerly Baan) is an enterprise resource planning solution designed specifically for complex, discrete manufacturing industries including aerospace and defense, automotive, industrial equipment, and high-tech electronics. With roots going back to the Baan IV platform of the 1990s, Infor LN has evolved into a modern, cloud-capable ERP that retains the deep manufacturing logic that made Baan a global leader.
Why Manufacturers Choose Infor LN
Unlike horizontal ERPs that attempt to serve every industry equally, Infor LN was architected from the ground up around the needs of engineers and production planners. Its data model reflects shop-floor reality: work centers, routing operations, engineering change orders, and multi-site inventory are first-class citizens, not afterthoughts bolted on through configuration.
- Deep support for engineer-to-order (ETO), make-to-order (MTO), and configure-to-order (CTO) production strategies
- Project-driven manufacturing with full cost tracking from quote to delivery
- Integrated quality management tied directly to production orders
- Multi-site, multi-currency, and multi-legislation support out of the box
- Powerful MRP and capacity planning engines designed for complex bills of material
Core Functional Modules
Finance
The Finance module covers general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cost accounting, and fixed assets. Infor LN's financial architecture is built around 'financial companies' and 'logistic companies,' allowing multinational organizations to separate their books while sharing master data like items, business partners, and warehouses.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is the crown jewel of Infor LN. Production orders, project orders, and repetitive manufacturing are all supported. Bills of material can run hundreds of levels deep, and routing operations can be sequenced across multiple work centers and sites. Advanced planning and scheduling (APS) capabilities enable finite-capacity planning.
Procurement and Supplier Management
The procurement module handles purchase requisitions, purchase orders, receipts, and supplier invoicing. Infor LN supports consignment inventory, blanket orders, and supplier self-billing. Electronic data interchange (EDI) with major automotive and aerospace trading partners is well-established.
Sales and Order Management
Sales orders, contracts, and service agreements flow through a unified order management framework. ATP (available-to-promise) checking, sales configurators, and customer-specific pricing rules make order entry fast and accurate. Integration with CRM systems and e-commerce platforms is supported through Infor ION middleware.
Warehouse Management
Infor LN's warehousing module supports receipt inspection, zone- and location-based storage, pick/pack/ship workflows, and cycle counting. It integrates with Infor WMS for more complex distribution requirements.
Cloud and Deployment Options
Infor LN is available on-premises, in the cloud via Infor CloudSuite Industrial Enterprise (CSI), and in hybrid configurations. CloudSuite customers benefit from regular automated upgrades, Infor OS (the underlying platform for analytics, RPA, and AI tools), and native multi-tenant infrastructure on AWS.
Is Infor LN Right for Your Organization?
Infor LN is best suited for mid-market to large manufacturers with complex production requirements, particularly those in regulated industries. If your business needs deep project costing, multi-site coordination, or tight shop-floor integration, LN deserves serious consideration. Auspex Consulting specializes in helping manufacturers evaluate, implement, and optimize Infor LN—contact us to discuss your specific situation.