Infor SyteLine Reviews

“frustrating delays and broken workflows”

Pros

At least the platform lets average users pull data without a ton of training and I've seen they can usually turn that information into dashboards that work reasonably well. The interface also has a modern look and is generally visually appealing. One of the consultants who helped with our implementation was exceptionally knowledgeable, although in hindsight I feel that expertise probably made it less obvious how bad a deal this software really was for us.

Cons

Compared with every other ERP I've used, this is by far the slowest. We were told to upgrade our server but later learned the server wasn't the problem at all, the slowness is built into the software design. Even basic actions, like deleting a job order, can trigger dozens of pointless popup windows. Information that would be available on a single screen in SAP is spread across as many as five separate forms here and moving between them is really slow, with delays even when just clicking into another module. The warehouse management system they provided is unbelievably clunky and so tough that we ended up going back to paper-based processes. Any change to that setup would cost thousands and then likely be wiped out by the next update anyway. It also was never really designed to work with a configurator yet that's exactly how it was sold to us. Because of that, many of the modules we paid for are either useless or actively make things worse. The number of transactions required now is dramatically higher than with our previous system, to the point where we've had to add staff just to keep up with the system instead of getting any real-time operational benefit from it. They also sold us an error-detection feature but all it really does is throw a tiny popup on the screen that operators can easily miss because they scan so frequently and it still lets them continue anyway. Beyond that, I'm not aware of any meaningful manufacturing error-detection tools in the system that meet the standard you'd expect from a competent ERP. There are even cases where Infor automatically generates the wrong lot which creates variances and forces us to double-check every transaction. We were told retrieving drawings would be easy but once we dug in, there were major IT hurdles just to get that working and even after that it took so many clicks that operators had no interest in using it. There are also three different places to store documents, all of them slow and it's hard to enforce consistency because each one is required in certain modules. The learning curve is steep because many modules are organized in ways that don't feel simple and the names often aren't helpful for the general workforce using them, like "Unposted Job Transactions." Sometimes the system even lets you begin making changes, only to block you from saving because the record is deadlocked or something similar. Then it won't let you delete or undo your work either so the only option is to force close the program and start over. Most forms split the screen with a form view on the right and a record list on the left but the list view often pushes the most important details far off to the right which can take minutes of horizontal scrolling to reach. You can reset the columns to make that information easier to access but those settings get reset periodically anyway. And to make things even worse, about once a week one of my modules gets garbled so that most of the data is hidden and the buttons become unusable. That means IT has to step in regularly for multiple employees just to fix yet another ridiculous glitch.

“powerful planning”

Pros

Planning and scheduling have been really valuable for us. We manage hundreds of thousands of BOMs that go 5 or 6 levels deep and I've found getting visibility into the lower levels used to be a major challenge before this system. The automated reporting is also a big plus and since it runs on SQL, we're able to integrate it with other programs without much trouble.

Cons

The shipping and packing side still feels lacking and has a lot of room for improvement. We also need to rely on third-party software for shop floor operations and document control which is not ideal. On top of that, the BI tools are pretty weak and could definitely offer better functionality.

“excellent fit for hi-mix manufacturing”

Pros

This ended up being the right choice for us because I've found it matches low-volume, high-mix manufacturing extremely well. It adapts nicely to lean processes, lets us customize forms and fields without much trouble, delivers strong material planning performance and supports a product hierarchy with more than 1,000 variations across 5 main categories and over 15 individual product codes. We assemble and test a broad range of power conversion products, typically AC to DC, with sizes ranging from something as small as a shoebox to as large as a refrigerator. Our production lines can run as little as 1 unit per week or as many as 300 units weekly. Since everything is build-to-order and we do not carry finished goods for sale, speed matters a lot for us. We can build and ship smaller products the same day, while larger ones usually go out within 2 to 3 business days. Work in process moves so fast here that tracking it does not really make sense so we backflush parts once assembly and testing are finished. Our inventory turns are usually 6 to 10 per year for lower-volume items and 20 to 25 for the highest-volume products. We also send our main suppliers a weekly forecast through a custom report built from the material planning data. About 90% of our material spend is handled through email-based kanbans, with typical replenishment lead times of 3 to 5 business days. For any operation dealing with low-volume, high-mix production or complex manufacturing, I believe this package absolutely deserves serious consideration.

Cons

One area that did not work well for us was the original PaceJet shipping module we installed. It was overly complicated, difficult to support and ultimately just was not the right fit for our operation. We ended up replacing it with a different shipping software package. I would also like to see a standard backflushing module that works with average costing and can properly handle serialized components.

“Convenient and feature-packed platform”

Pros

We really appreciate how flexible it is to customize things, add new fields and build in extra requirements as needed. On top of that, I've found it comes with a lot of functionality right out of the box which has been a big plus for us.

Cons

It's not the most simple system to learn so training ended up taking longer than it has with other platforms. It also requires quite a bit of SOP documentation to keep everything organized.

“flexible and user-friendly fit”

Pros

Getting started with it doesn't take much effort for me and I find the personalization options are what I appreciate most. It's simple to learn and can be adjusted pretty well to match the way our business operates.

Cons

Some parts of the system don't seem built for companies handling high-volume, low-cost products. A lot of the design feels better suited to orders with 5-10 line items instead of averages closer to 50, with occasional spikes above 300 and that can cause performance slowdowns.

“better inventory visibility”

Pros

Having clear visibility into our Inventory and Work in Progress accounts has been the biggest benefit for me. The more time I spend using it, the more simple it becomes and with a little guidance I can get through daily tasks pretty quickly.

Cons

The weakest part has been Infor's customer support. Thankfully, our company now works with Logic Data so we're no longer stuck relying on Infor's below-average service.

“clean links and clear navigation”

Pros

It feels like a more polished version of Excel to me so getting around the system is very easy. Since jobs, POs and COs are all connected, I find everything stays organized and the workflow feels much cleaner.

Cons

From a SOX compliance perspective, it has been challenging at times. Because jobs, POs and COs are linked together, things can get complicated quickly when users do not follow the required process.

“powerful features and support”

Pros

The customizability is impressive in my experience and I've found the platform offers a lot of depth when it comes to features and functionality. It's clear there's strong investment in R&D and I've also seen the customer support remain very great.

Cons

The system isn't as simple as it could be so users tend to need more time than I'd prefer before they feel comfortable and truly proficient. I think that learning curve comes from how deep and feature-rich the platform is. I'm also starting to get a bit tired of hearing all the hype around the "cloud."

“aps planning exceeds expectations!!”

Pros

From top to bottom, the ERP setup feels like every important piece has been thought through for us. I find the standout strength is definitely the APS functionality. In a manufacturing setting, being able to give customers accurate capable-to-ship dates is essential and this tool goes beyond expectations there. When BOM, routing and inventory control are maintained accurately, I've seen the APS system plan and execute with real precision which is a huge advantage in fast-moving environments where customer satisfaction matters. Another big plus for me is the reporting side. It's very helpful to be able to develop new reports or adjust existing ones and I find the information accessible, clear and useful for making important business decisions. On top of that, modifying forms, reports and creating new objects is fairly easy.

Cons

One challenge is that the sheer number of forms can feel a little overwhelming when you are just trying to explore and find your way around. Because of that, having someone on-site who really knows the system and can help with navigation and understanding the tool is usually the best approach.

“Reliable updates and simple design”

Pros

Each new release arrives well tested in my experience and I've noticed the functionality keeps up with current manufacturing best practices. The consistent look and feel across all the applications makes everything easier for me to navigate and it feels very simple to use.

Cons

The licensing fees are the downside. I believe a concurrent user pricing model would make more sense in a manufacturing setting where many users only need occasional access.