Typical starting points: When an Infor LN migration becomes necessary

Migration takes place in existing system landscapes with individual customizations, historically grown data structures, and numerous integrations. Many of our customers face similar challenges when it comes to migration:

Icon
The current on-premise version can no longer be updated.
Icon
Customizations make updates expensive and risky.
Icon
Interfaces, reports, and in-house developments are hardly documented.
Icon
IT operations tie up resources that are then unavailable for process improvements.
Icon
Future-oriented features such as AI-supported analyses and automations in the Infor Velocity Suite are only available in the cloud.

The good news is that we are aware of this situation and it can be resolved. The key is not a rapid change in technology, but a structured migration path that is appropriate for the initial situation.

Would you like to have your current Infor LN landscape evaluated? We analyze your version, customizations, and integrations and identify possible migration paths.

Our special expertise in Infor LN migration projects

Migration requires not only methodological experience, but also in-depth knowledge of processes and modules. Especially in complex environments that have grown over many years, this knowledge determines the success or risk of a project. This is precisely where our strength lies. In addition to the classic modules related to the order-to-cash process, SIGMA has proven expertise in particularly challenging Infor LN topics such as:

How to future-proof your Infor LN landscape

Migration is always a moment of taking stock, in which architecture, processes, and integrations are reevaluated.

There are various possible scenarios:

  • Upgrade to a current on-premises version
  • or the prospective further development towards CloudSuite

Regardless of the chosen goal, we pursue a clearly structured approach:

Analyse

Analysis of existing structures

Bewertung

Evaluation of individual adjustments

Integrationsarchitektur

Review of the integration architecture

Zielarchitektur

Definition of the viable target architecture

One possible strategic framework for this further development is Infor CloudSuite Industrial Enterprise (CSIE). It combines Infor LN with central platform services to create an integrated system landscape. All familiar Infor LN modules and functionalities remain available in CloudSuite, while new functions and further developments are provided exclusively in the cloud.

The central platform services include, among others:

Infor ION

Integration framework for connecting external systems

Infor IDM

Document management directly in the process context

Infor Birst

Powerful business intelligence and reporting

Infor Mongoose

Low-code platform for extensions and custom apps

In addition, CloudSuite provides access to modules such as Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Factory Track, and many industry-specific functions.

For many of our customers, CloudSuite is the logical destination for a structured Infor LN migration: fewer customized solutions, clearer integration architecture, and a system that continuously evolves—without recurring, extensive migration projects. For others, the initial focus is on stabilization, standardization, or technical modernization.

The key is migration that makes your Infor LN landscape sustainable for the future.

Migration strategies for Infor LN migration – which approach is right for your situation?

The path to the Infor Cloud is not the same for every company. The right migration approach depends on very specific factors: your current Infor LN version, the degree of customization, the system landscape, and the goals you are pursuing with the migration.

In practice, we repeatedly encounter the same questions:

  • Should the existing system be technically modernized as quickly as possible?
  • Or should migration be used to realign and simplify processes?
  • How much change is actually realistic in organizational terms?
  • What is the timeframe available for the migration?
  • What budget can be allocated for the migration?
  • What resources can I contribute to the migration as a customer?

Brownfield vs. Greenfield: Two Approaches to Infor LN Migration

Depending on the initial situation and willingness to change, there are basically two strategic approaches to consider for an Infor LN migration: brownfield and greenfield.

Brownfield
  • Existing processes and data will be largely adopted
  • Less organizational upheaval
  • Frequent choice among existing customers
Greenfield
  • Complete restart based on best practices
  • Selective or new data migration
  • High standard proximity

Technical success factors of the Infor LN migration

Four technical factors have a decisive influence on the effort, risk, and project success of an Infor LN migration:

  • your Infor LN version
  • customizations
  • data migration
  • integration architecture

With a structured cloud readiness assessment, we provide clarity before any technical decisions are made. This reduces project risks, makes costs transparent, and forms the basis for a realistic migration roadmap.

The initial version used is one of the most important factors in any Infor LN migration. It determines whether a direct path to the cloud is possible or whether technical intermediate steps will be necessary in the near future.

Typical initial scenarios:

  • Older versions (Baan IV, Baan V, LN 6.1/10.2):    No direct cloud path; technical migration to a newer LN version is required first.
  • Newer LN versions (LN 10.7/10.8): Cloud capability depends on architecture, custom code, and integrations—a structured assessment is essential.
  • Systems using the Infor OS Suite:    easier migration, compatibility with cloud components ensured

In our experience, an early, realistic assessment of the initial version determines which migration strategy is technically feasible and economically viable.

Individual customizations are part of almost every Infor LN landscape. In particular, extensive custom code in the standard version complicates updates and is no longer planned for the cloud. Instead, Infor is focusing on configurable processes and cloud-compliant extensions.

We analyze together:

  • Which adjustments are critical to business?
  • Which ones can be replaced by standard or configuration?
  • What requirements must be implemented as cloud-compliant extensions?

Data migration is a central component of every Infor LN migration and also one of the most sensitive project steps. Not all information necessarily has to be transferred to the new system. The decisive factor is which data is really needed for operational purposes and for evaluations.

Many projects show that less, but cleaner data ensures a significantly more stable start after go-live.

We deliberately focus on importing data into the target environment at an early stage. This gives key users and process owners transparency at an early stage of the project regarding:

  • master data structures
  • motion data
  • new process logic
  • future working methods in the system

This approach creates security, enables realistic test scenarios, and reduces surprises later on during go-live.

Various tools and platform services are available for the technical implementation of an Infor LN migration. These provide particular support for data transfer, integration, and analysis.

  • ETL tools – structured data transfer, e.g., via templates, uploads, or API-based processes
  • ION – Integration of connected systems during and after migration

How does an Infor LN migration actually work?

A successful Infor LN migration is not a one-time technical step, but rather a structured process with clear decision-making and coordination points.

Practical experience has repeatedly shown that the better the process fits the initial situation, the degree of adaptation, and the organization of the company, the more stable the migration will be. That is why we do not work with a rigid standard procedure, but with a proven methodology that can be adapted without losing the necessary structure.

Overview of the phases of Infor LN migration

The Infor Implementation Accelerator Methodology Framework (IAMF) forms the methodological basis for many Infor implementation and migration projects. Each phase has its own objective and answers specific questions.

The IAMF typically divides migration into five consecutive phases:

Inception – Project launch & actual analysis

• Project organization and goal definition

• Assessment of the existing system landscape

• Initial evaluation of risks, effort, and migration path

Elaboration – Target vision and concept

• Definition of the target system in the cloud

• Process definition and module scope

• Fit-gap analysis and migration strategy

Construction – Implementation

• Technical setup of the cloud environment

• Implementation of extensions

• Preparation and execution of data migration

transition

• Testing, training, and cutover

• System go-live

• Handover to operations

Optimization – Further development

• Performance optimization

• Use of additional cloud functions

• Continuous improvement after go-live

Implementation methodology – waterfall or Scrum?

We select the appropriate methodology depending on the scope of the project, the dynamics of change, and the organizational framework conditions:

Waterfall model

  • Clear sequence of analysis, implementation, and go-live
  • High predictability
  • Suitable for clearly defined brownfield migrations and projects with a strong focus on schedule and budget security

Agile approach (Scrum)

  • Step-by-step implementation in short cycles
  • Early feedback from specialist departments
  • Particularly suitable for greenfield approaches, extension development, and complex customizations

Hybrid project models

In practice, we often use hybrid models, e.g., classic planning in the early phases and agile implementation in the construction phase.

Typical features of hybrid models:

  • Structured planning in inception and elaboration
  • Agile implementation in the construction phase
  • Clear governance with flexibility

Who belongs in the project team?

Project management
  • Overall responsibility for time, budget, and communication
  • Coordination between departments, IT, and external partners
  • Often as a tandem of internal project management and external project manager
Solution Architect
  • Evaluation of the existing system landscape
  • Responsibility for architecture, integration, and security
  • Central role in cloud connectivity and platform decisions
Key users from the specialist departments
  • Represent the operational processes (e.g., production, logistics, purchasing, finance)
  • Contribute practical knowledge from day-to-day business
  • Support testing, acceptance, and training
Process consultant
  • Translates business requirements into system processes
  • Supports standardization and best practice utilization
  • Facilitates fit-gap analyses and process decisions
Technical Consultant
  • Implementation of extensions and integrations
  • Support with data migration and testing
  • Ensuring cloud compliance of technical adjustments

Why you should implement your Infor LN migration with SIGMA

Migrating Infor LN is a complex task—we ensure that it is carried out in a structured, reliable, and efficient manner. Our expertise gives you the assurance that your system will remain stable, processes will continue to run smoothly, and all adjustments will be professionally evaluated.

We stand out because:

  • In-depth knowledge of modules in complex areas
  • Structured evaluation of modifications
  • Early data and integration analysis
  • Methodical project approach
  • Realistic planning instead of hasty technical decisions
The next step

Whether it's a technical upgrade or strategic modernization, the first step is a realistic assessment of your current situation.

Let's examine this together:

  • Which migration strategy makes sense
  • What are the risks?
  • What potential can be exploited

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Infor LN migration

Typical triggers include outdated versions, high maintenance costs, performance issues, or organizational changes.

However, even without acute pressure, migration can make strategic sense, especially if new locations, integrations, or digitization initiatives are planned.

Individual adjustments have become established in mature LN systems over many years. Migration is the right time to review these in a structured manner.

We work with you to analyze which modifications are still necessary from a technical perspective, which are now covered by the standard, and which can be replaced by clearly defined extensions.

In many companies, Infor LN is deeply integrated into an established system landscape—for example, with WMS, MES, BI, or financial systems.

Before each migration, we analyze all data flows, dependencies, and batch processes. The goal is to document integrations in a structured manner, modernize them, and make them testable.

Infor ION in particular allows integrations to be set up in a more transparent and robust manner than in historically grown point-to-point structures. It is important to note that the integration strategy is considered from the outset.

An Infor LN migration affects core operational processes. That's why we work with clearly defined test phases, realistic end-to-end scenarios, and structured cutover planning. Critical areas such as manufacturing, logistics, and financial accounting are considered separately. This means that go-live is not the start of an experiment, but the conclusion of a validated project phase.

Depending on the initial situation, it may make sense to implement the change on a module-by-module or location-by-location basis. A phased approach is often more stable, especially in the case of complex organizational structures or international rollouts. However, this requires a clean target architecture and a clear roadmap to ensure that no new isolated solutions arise.

Talk to us!

We will be happy to present solutions for your industry and your processes. Talk to the specialists for SMEs.

request now
Contact person
Thomas Heinke
Thomas HeinkeHead of sales department