Why is mobility in ERP systems like Infor M3 important?
Today, most people carry their mobile phones almost everywhere, and it is probably not too much to say that if you go somewhere without them, you feel a little naked. The mobile phone makes you available almost anywhere; all the world’s information is just a few clicks away, and it is also quick to get it.
For many people, the mobile phone is such an important personal tool that they can’t live without it. When it comes to the workplace, however, a surprising number of companies need to start using this tool.
Most medium to large companies today have some form of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software system where vital information is stored and used to streamline and optimize various business processes. To use these systems, you usually sit at a computer that is often locked to a specific location—for example, your office.
By integrating the mobile phone with the ERP system, staff can access company data and functions anywhere. They can perform their tasks from their mobile devices, reducing lost time and increasing productivity.
It will also be possible to obtain real-time information on various aspects such as inventory, sales, and production, making it easier to make informed decisions based on current data.
Challenges with mobility today
Achieving mobility in ERP systems like Infor M3 presents several challenges. First of all, user-friendliness is often limited when it comes to mobile. Furthermore, long loading times and slow interfaces are standard. When exposing critical and sensitive data to mobile devices, it is also essential to carefully consider the security of how the company’s data is protected.
Finally, the need for complete mobile adaptation in many ERP systems, including Infor M3, is a challenge that limits the possibilities for efficient and smooth use of the system on mobile devices.
My name is Jon Martin Mikalsen, and I have worked as a developer and IT consultant at Navcite since 2013. My main focus is developing our mobility solution, which we customize and integrate with various ERP systems, including Infor M3 and Microsoft Business Central. Among other things, I have worked on developing mobility solutions for several companies that work with warehousing, maintenance, manufacturing, and projects.
At Navcite, our focus is (among other things) to help companies maximize their ROI using Infor M3.
When implementing mobility in Infor M3 and other ERP systems, you must consider several important factors to overcome the abovementioned challenges. Here are four key aspects that I think are good to keep in mind:
- ERP vs. customized application for creating mobility
- User-friendliness and flexibility
- Performance
- Security and safety
ERP vs. tailor-made application for creating mobility
As mentioned earlier, only some (not all) ERP systems have adapted their web interfaces to be usable on mobile devices. Alternatively, they offer their application for iOS and Android. This way, you can access the features provided by the system directly on your phone. That said, it can be challenging to use.
Even if everything is available on your phone, you must go through the interfaces required to perform a task. Sometimes, this can mean clicking and navigating back and forth to submenus and functions. Not so easy all the time.
The process is more streamlined and easier to use if you use applications tailored to specific tasks (i.e., more mobile). The focus is on what needs to be done in the particular task. You are only presented with the information necessary to make the right decision and only have options that are relevant to the work. The result is a much more efficient process.
Infor M3 lacks a fully mobile-friendly web interface, making navigating the system on mobile devices difficult. The scope of the system can sometimes seem overwhelming, such as when warehouse staff need to record time or manage stock withdrawals. Training is therefore necessary to use the system effectively.
2. User-friendliness and flexibility
When a company implements a mobility solution, the process must be simple. User-friendliness is the key to getting started quickly without long and complicated training. Since employees often already understand their work processes, a mobility solution should make their work smoother – not more difficult.
Users can quickly start using the solution by offering clear options, simple explanations, and just the right amount of information. In addition, it would be a great advantage if the mobility solution allowed companies to customize the interface according to different needs. This facilitates ease of use and will enable companies to customize the system to their unique processes and requirements effectively
The image below is an example of a user-friendly menu in a warehouse application, where it is clear to employees what to do, and the functions are customized to a company’s specific needs.
3. Performance
One aspect that many mobility solutions often fail to address fully is performance. A smooth and responsive user experience is essential for working efficiently and without frustration. Long loading times or sluggish interfaces usually lead to losses in productivity and hurt user engagement with the solution.
A good question that does not necessarily have a concrete answer is: How long is it reasonable to wait for information to be loaded into a mobile application?
Some processes require a large amount of data to make the right decision, so it may be okay to take a little longer to retrieve it. However, searching for a specific pick list or purchase order should take little time.
Test the performance of your company’s solution and ask your employees if anything has reacted or affected their work.
Security and safety
Since mobility means that company data and potentially sensitive information can be accessed outside the company network, it is crucial to prioritize security.
Mobility solutions should have robust security measures to encrypt data and have the ability to manage user permissions to access the systems.
So, what are the possibilities for using Infor M3 on mobile?
Infor has yet to offer a directly usable solution for Infor M3 on mobile. You can open the system on a mobile browser, but the interface is not optimized. An app, Infor GO, is available for iOS and Android, but it has yet to be explicitly developed for M3 use.
For mobile needs in M3, Infor offers two different solutions, one called Infor Factory Track and the other called Infor Mobility for Field Service. These allow users to create customized views for specific tasks and can effectively manage barcode scanning. While these options offer some flexibility for mobile users, there are limitations regarding performance and user-friendliness.
Since the Infor M3 has some way to go regarding mobility, you may need to consider plugging in a third-party solution to compensate. This does not have to be a big project, as many third-party mobility solutions are customized for Infor M3. One of them is Navcite, with our mobile platform called ProApps.
Feel free to contact me to discuss mobility and how we get it in your ERP system, Infor M3, or other.
