Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) refers to an integrated enterprise software stack. That stack is comprised of a central database surrounded by multiple plug-ins or solutions. Each solution is tailor-made to meet a specific business need. These needs include managing a business’s financial, manufacturing, supply chain, customer relationships, and back-office functions, amongst others. At the core of all ERP solutions is a central database that houses all the records within a company’s framework.
But simply storing data isn’t useful. That’s why ERP systems are important. They take all that data and integrate it so that users can increase efficiency and save costs. Find out more below or take a look at our IBM i modernization demo.
Common ERP Software Problems
Let’s assess what’s going on in the ERP software market right now. There’s a lot of uncertainty out there, and lots of consolidation going on. This is because larger companies are getting larger by absorbing smaller companies. As a result, there’s often a lack of direction. For example, each company has its own ERP, and the mother company ends up with several acquired software systems that all do the same thing. Simply put, they end up with multiple distribution systems need to figure out which one they should focus on, which they should focus on.ย
In addition, many of these packages and companies are struggling with modernization. Once again the result is a lot of uncertainty. No one is sure where they’re headed and with that comes a rise in upgrades and maintenance costs. Next, some of the large or established ERP systems come with costly annual maintenance, difficult upgrades, decreasing support, and increasing costs that offer poor business value.ย
What’s more, some may have open-source systems. You probably understand the benefits of open source. The reality, however, is that open-source offerings are unlikely to solve your business problems. They come with questions like: Does it contain the rich functionality that my company needs? Is it proven at other companies? What level of support am I going to get?
If this all sounds like too much to overcome, take a look at some LANSA ERP framework solutions that could solve your problems.ย
What Is The LANSA ERP Framework?
LANSA’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software is not just an open-source enterprise resource planning software solution for IBM i (System i, iSeries, AS/400). It is a comprehensive, enterprise-wide business solution with rich business functionality. It provides Executive Dashboard, Advanced Workflow, Desktop Integration, and flexible End User Queries and Reports. In short, the LANSA ERP Framework gives you the visibility you need to take control and make educated business decisions.
As mentioned earlier, other IBM i ERP software solutions require extensive consulting, expensive upgrades, and high maintenance fees. Even then you fear whether or not you will ever get the desired functionality and ROI from your ERP system. LANSA ERP Frameworks remove that risk by providing:
- Open source to all of the applications modules
Consulting support to integrate and train your team - Education for your team to implement and support
- Knowledge for your team to control its future application life cycle and evolution
Simplify solutions for your ERP in this article related to Enterprise IBM Corporate Code.
What Are the Benefits of LANSA ERP Frameworks?
Each LANSA ERP module integrates seamlessly with related modules. The LANSA ERP contains transaction auditing and includes the reports you need to monitor your business and report to governing agencies. You can also use each module independently and in “best-of-breed” situations.ย
Other benefits of the LANSA ERP framework include:
No Vendor Lock-in and High Maintenanceย
If you already have an ERP system running on your IBM i (System i, iSeries, AS/400), you may already be experiencing vendor lock-in. With LANSA ERP, there is no more vendor lock-in, high maintenance fees, being stuck on a release, or bad customer support.
Learn more about the AS/400 and how it can benefit your ERP system on this IBM cloud blog.
Business Process Integration and Workflow
LANSA’s IBM i enterprise resource planning software comes equipped with a complete business process integration and workflow engine. This allows you to automatically process business transactions from any source or format based on your business priorities and needs.
Complete Control
You know you will need to make changes to your ERP to remain competitive in your market. Since everything is 100% LANSA, you get an easily modified system that meets your constantly changing business requirements. In addition, you get all the benefits of a proven system that is also rich in functionality.
What Are the Components of the LANSA ERP Frameworks?
The Distribution Frameworkย
LANSA’s ERP distribution framework offers core application modules that address your critical business requirements. You can also easily tailor it to meet your organization’s unique needs. Finally, you can extend it to provide web, Windows, and XML interfaces using LANSA’s advanced software.
The LANSA’s ERP modules include Inventory Management, Purchasing, Quality Inspection, Order Entry, Shipping, Billing, Returned Goods, Sales Analysis and Customer Quotes, as well as Cost Accounting.
The Manufacturing Frameworkย
Another critical component of LANSA’s ERP software solution is its manufacturing Framework which offers core application modules that deliver a fully integrated base system.
You can easily tailor the manufacturing Framework to meet your unique needs. You can also extend it using LANSA’s advanced software to address trading partner integration, web browser self-service applications, and application-to-application integration.
Modules include Bill of Material, Material Planning, Production Control, Production Reporting, Forecasting and Cost Accounting, General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Cash Management as well as Multicurrency, and Currency Translation.
The Financial Frameworkย
LANSA’s Financial Framework is a strategic component of LANSa’s ERP software solution. It offers core application modules that include multicurrency, multilevel tax processing, and multi-company capabilities. Implementing procedural changes as business circumstances requires soft parameter changes rather than coding/development changes. In addition to meeting your organization’s unique business processing needs, you can use LANSA software to extend your Financial Framework and create web, Windows, XML, and EDI interfaces.
Modules include General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Cash Management, as well as Multicurrency and Currency Translation.
Is the LANSA ERP Framework Proven At Other Companies?
Some companies choose to implement big ERP packages that require them to change their business procedures. Unfortunately, these changes are not strategic. Instead, they involve changes their ERP vendor has determined best business practices. In these environments, it is technically and financially challenging to add or customize business functionality. One of our customers, Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., USA, decided to go along a different path and is reaping the benefits.
Kawasaki’s consumer products plant in Lincoln, Nebraska, operates on a ‘just-in-time’ basis to eliminate expensive warehousing and over-ordering parts. To achieve this, the company needs to work closely together with its suppliers. Using the skills and knowledge of its in-house IT team, Kawasaki’s Lincoln plant developed an online supplier portal that paid for itself in just a few months. The supplier portal, underlying ERP system, and the entire process of generating purchase orders, packing slips, box labels, invoices, and EDI transactions consists of LANSA-based applications.
For more information on how Kawasaki achieves quick ROI with LANSA, click here.
How Can You Modernize with LANSA?
For managers responsible for satisfying IT demands from users and executives alike, LANSA’s low-code development platform will equip your team with more speed, choices, and control over your application development projects while also minimizing risk, delays, and overspending. With LANSA, you get a single platform that tackles all your tactical as well as strategic goals. Here are a few ways LANSA can help you modernize:
- Modernize existing IBM i applications with aXes to transform 5250 screens into web and mobile interfaces without changing code.
- Build upon your refaced 5250 screens using RAMP to snap them inside a modern application framework that provides “new application” functionality while refactoring as much of your existing code as possible.
- Build new web and mobile applications easily with the Visual LANSA low-code development platform.
- Complete more projects in less time and quickly respond to demands from users and executives.
- Leverage a single development platform and skillset for better resource management.
- Reduce complexity by having everyone code in the same high-level language for the client-side and server-side.
Are You Ready To Leverage LANSA’s ERP Frameworks?
Enterprise Resource Planning boosts efficiency, saves costs, and ultimately increases your chances of success. However, you must choose the right ERP solution. You can find out more from our article, What is ERP?
LANSA’s ERP modules all have standard reports. Plus, with LANSA Client, you have easy access to any report that you want. In the general ledger segment, there’s a fully functional and flexible financial report generator. And it doesn’t end there — by leveraging the latest tools and gathering feedback from our customers, LANSA constantly makes improvements that might be valuable to your business. For a feel of the LANSA ERP frameworks, click here to schedule a Demo.
