Insights Blog
What is Infor CloudSuite?
Author: Dan Aldridge — PCG Director of Solutions Marketing
Introduction —
Infor’s global revenue is substantial, with recent estimates placing it around $3.5 billion. This makes it the third-largest supplier of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software applications. Infor also has significant revenue from its SaaS (cloud) offerings, with SaaS revenue reaching around $1.2 billion.
So why doesn’t Infor have the same brand awareness and press? The biggest reason is that the top competitors in the ERP market – Microsoft (Dynamics 365), Oracle (Fusion Cloud and NetSuite), and SAP (ECC and S/4HANA) – have been around a lot longer.
These behemoths have also built significant market share through advertising, marketing, and capturing big systems integrators (e.g., Big 4, IBM) that have sold billions for them! Comparatively, Infor isn’t able to spend nearly as much.
For example, you see SAP’s logos and slogans everywhere in airports, sports arenas, publications, and videos. That’s understandable, given that at $36 billion in revenue, they can afford to put their name all over everything.
So, when we say that PCG is an Infor partner, we sometimes get an “oh…..what do they do?” To that, we usually say that Infor is an American competitor to SAP – because everyone’s heard of SAP (thanks, massive advertising dollars) – and they’re the third-largest ERP vendor in the world.
This article is a way for us to display the Infor products with many videos and website links. So, we can, in our small way, show off these magnificent solutions that Infor is keeping (somewhat) secret – such as Infor CloudSuite Industrial Enterprise (LN).
So, let’s dive into the Infor CloudSuite software and capabilities…… We just want you to pop it onto your radar, so maybe we don’t need Infor or PCG on Rory McElroy’s hat to get you to come see what we offer!
Infor CloudSuite Overview —
Infor has 3 flagship ERP systems and PCG, carries two of them: Infor CloudSuite Industrial Enterprise (LN) and Infor CloudSuite Industrial (CSI/Syteline). I will focus on one here, Infor CloudSuite LN, and then present CSI in another article.
PCG is the leading Infor Partner for Infor LN in North America, and we’re moving up fast in the CSI ranks too! LN and SyteLine are the legacy names, and we often slip up and call them by those names – so forgive us if we slip up here.
A lot of the videos below present the Infor CloudSuite software itself, mostly LN. I’ve also shown the products that integrate seamlessly with the Infor ERPs we offer, as well as edge applications that are essentially the same for both. The analysis is generally applicable for both solutions, but in this article, we’re mostly focused on LN.
Infor’s Modern User Experience —
Infor Business Process Intelligence and Mining —
In the past, users complained that there was a high learning curve. Infor has listened and is doing something about it. They are now using Process Catalogs that help with process and system training, process mining tools to automate the discovery of how workers are working, and generative AI for user documentation.
Infor’s Process Intelligence has vertical industry catalogs, such as Automotive and Aerospace & Defense, that help our consultants at PCG REALLY speed up the implementation process. For example, we implemented this for a drone manufacturing company, in six months using process intelligence and Infor CloudSuite Aerospace & Defense! This rarely happens.
Another business process management tool that speeds up implementations and allows for automation of processes is process mining. We use it to map out and monitor what processes are being used to eliminate unnecessary processes, add better ones, and automate steps using Infor’s tools; such as generative AI and robotic process automation (RPA).
This is a recent addition to the Infor portfolio, and it is slick! It compares favorably to SAP Signavio and other tools such as Celonis – and it’s embedded in the ERP system (nice).
Infor Business Intelligence and Predictive Analytics —
Analytics also summarize information so it’s easier to consume, and reports don’t have to be combined manually or in spreadsheets.
Infor uses Infor Analytics within the ERP and Birst Analytics to power the dashboards and predictive analytics. So, instead of having IT create new “sessions” for reports within the ERP and search through paper or spreadsheets manually, end users can create new reports, alerts, dashboards, etc. in minutes. It’s like night and day.
Here’s an example of how reports and dashboards are combined now. And, so you know, you can STILL export reports and data to Excel if your heart desires!
Infor is the Best Manufacturing ERP System Available —
With all the new UX improvements and workflows, it’s almost easy to forget that there’s a big, powerful ERP engine underneath the hood. The Infor CloudSuites are comprehensive, highly configurable ERP systems that manufacturers of every size have come to trust for their robust features, business process templates, supply chain visibility, and ease of use.
Here’s an overview video of Infor LN that shows the power of the ERP in a cross-functional fashion including engineering, projects, and the integration with Infor’s Gartner award-winning Configure Price Quote (CPQ) tool for make-to-order manufacturers.
Infor CloudSuite LN Overview —
This is an overview video “Infor CloudSuite LN Solution Overview”. Some of the operational screens have been updated since this video was made, but it’s still a great intro to the system.
Infor Configure Price Quote (CPQ) —
Here is another video featuring the Infor Configure Price Quote (CPQ) software, which is natively integrated with Infor CloudSuite Industrial Enterprise (LN), and it shows how CPQ feeds into a Sales Quotation in the Infor CloudSuite ERP.
This combination is perfect for make-to-order manufacturers who want their salespeople to be able to make sales quotations or orders online by simply choosing features and options. The CPQ has the constraints built in, and these are enforced automatically as the quotation enters the ERP – which customized pricing intact!
From organizations with one site to global multi-site enterprises, every business with manufacturing in its portfolio will be able to realize the benefits of a modern ERP system by implementing, upgrading, or migrating to one of the industry CloudSuite solutions such as Infor CSIE/LN, CloudSuite Aerospace & Defense, or CloudSuite Automotive.
Benefits of the Infor CloudSuites —
The many benefits of the Infor CloudSuites include:
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- Global solution with comprehensive and rich manufacturing and service capabilities.
- Modern user experience with role-based homepages, social collaboration, and workflows.
- Advanced Generative AI, RPA, and ML capability built in across the ERP and edge systems.
- Built-in standard processes, even for micro-vertical industries.
- Flexible business process models are easy to modify and you don’t have to fit your business to the system.
- Innovative features like predictive analytics and planning for the supply chain.
- CPQ capability is great for complex make-to-order sales, pricing, and manufacturing.
- A powerful enterprise planning engine.
- Advanced data analytics and business intelligence in real–time.
- Industry-specific functionality to cover unique business needs for Automotive, A&D, Industrial Machinery, High Tech, Electronics, and others.
- A multi-company, multisite, multicurrency, multi-language ERP solution.
- Infor Process Catalogs, Process Intelligence, and Process Mining for a low total cost of ownership and quick time to value.
- Cross-device accessibility anywhere you and your teams are working.
- Enhanced cross-functional collaboration among teams throughout the organization.
- Process automation and improved data collection through integrations and other built-in tools.
- Highly customizable features and functionality for specific business needs related to project manufacturing, engineered-to-order products, discrete manufacturing, and more.
- Always up-to-date regulatory compliance features for SOC, ISO, HITRUST, HIPAA, and other regulations.
- MES software that combines the ERP with machines and Internet of Things devices to communicate and enter data on the shop with tablets and other devices.
- PLM (Product Lifecyle Management) software embedded in the ERP (most ERP vendors have it separate) to handle drawings, specifications, bills of material (BOMs), etc.
Top 10 Manufacturing ERP Sytems in 2025: Infor CloudSuite LN is #1 —
Infor CloudSuite LN (M3 for process) comes in as a BIG #1 in analyst Sam Gupta’s list of the Top 10 Manufacturing ERP Systems in 2025 from ElevatIQ.
In Gupta’s estimation, Infor CloudSuite is the right size for mid to large-sized companies from $50 million to over $10 billion in revenue, and it competes straight up head-to-head with SAP S/4HANA as one of the few true multi-tenant cloud solutions in the market. (SAP S/4HANA ranks #5 on Sam’s list, btw).
Here is a graphic of the rankings. Nice to see Infor CloudSuite #1 where it belongs. Take that, Ernie Els!
Here are the strengths of the Infor CloudSuites from independent industry thought leaders like Gupta (above) and Eric Kimberling at Third Stage Consulting Group.
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- Vertical industry solutions for manufacturing (e.g., automotive, aerospace & defense).
- Flexibility – Very flexible compared to SAP, Oracle ERP Cloud, etc. because Infor has grown the solution through acquisitions like Lawson and Baan.
- Infor CloudSuite has business process models that are easy to modify and you don’t have to fit your business to the system.
- Broad and diverse capabilities rival SAP and Oracle.
- Innovative features like predictive analytics and planning for the supply chain.
- Configure Price Quote (CPQ) capability is great for complex make-to-order sales, providing pricing and order information to feed into manufacturing processes. Many other vendors don’t have this.
- For retail, apparel, and fashion – ability to handle colors, sizes, etc. is a strength.
- For food and beverage – dealing with units of measure is a strength.
- Product innovation – Koch acquired Infor and is putting a lot of money into R&D and resources.
With extensive R&D investment from Infor parent company, Koch, you get a modern, clean look and feel for the CloudSuites plus the user-friendly experience that shows beautifully in the videos. ERP systems are supposed to be “old school”, right? Well, it’s not “old school” in my book – and believe me, I know “old school” when I see it!
Infor Videos from Infor —
Here are some links and screenshots that I gathered for you. The Infor Global YouTube channel has demo videos, webinars, customer testimonials, etc.
There are many Infor CloudSuite videos on the Infor Youtube channel that are focused on Infor’s innovative technology. This is one that I especially like called “Introducing Infor Operating Service (OS) Portal”; which is the platform to build AI, RPA, Workspaces, Predictive Analytics, Workflows, APIs and many other technologies to link Infor and non-Infor technologies together.
For example, here is one about the new Generative AI capability – Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in identifying Purchase Invoice Anomalies. This is one of those dirty, repetitive tasks that AI is designed to help with!
CloudSuite Enterprise (aka Infor LN) —
PCG Services Website Information —
PCG is the largest Infor CloudSuite LN and SyteLine combined partner and we’re the only Infor Partner to offer implementations and upgrades for both Infor LN and SyteLine. Here is our Infor Services and Solutions page.
On these web pages there are a number of customers of Infor LN and the Infor CloudSuite Industrial Enterprise, but here’s a graphic with the many Infor customers we’ve worked with.
Conclusion —
The Infor CloudSuites are usually an excellent fit for medium-sized manufacturers, typically defined as $100 million to $10 billion…or even larger companies with 10’s of billions in revenue. They are especially appropriate for companies in the vertical industries of Automotive, Aerospace & Defense, Industrial Machinery, Electronics/High Tech, and general discrete manufacturing.
The Infor CloudSuites are an excellent choice for you if you are:
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- A medium to large discrete manufacturer in the verticals mentioned above.
- Medium to high-growth business.
- Needing a more flexible ERP solution.
- Needing a more flexible set of industry business models.
- Looking for business process workflow automation.
- Looking for a lower complexity cloud solution that can be implemented as largely standard.
- Currently have an older or end-of-life Infor ERP like Baan IV, Baan 5, Infor LN (any version), or some “compass” solutions like Infor XA or BPICS.
- Currently have end-of-life systems from Microsoft like Dynamics AX or GP as going to Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations or Dynamics 365 Business Central may require a reimplementation.
- Currently have SAP ECC and you’re fearing the significant investment and time required to upgrade to SAP S/4HANA Public or Private Cloud by the stated deadline of the end of 2027.
I hope you liked this article and I invite you to read the others in the series. I welcome your comments and would greatly appreciate a share of this blog on LinkedIn.
If you are interested in evaluating the Infor CloudSuites like Infor CloudSuite LN or Infor CloudSuite CSI/SyteLine in your shortlist, then we can help with that as well. We have done Infor CloudSuite and Infor ERP LN implementations around the world.
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Dan Aldridge
Dan has 25+ years of corporate management experience including CEO, CFO and Controller of the consulting firm he founded and grew for 13 years. He has ERP software and digital transformation experience working with CEO’s, CFO’s, Controllers, and other C-levels at Fortune 500 companies. He specializes in Finance (e.g., Financial Statements, General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Cost Accounting) and Manufacturing (e.g., MRP, Production, Industry 4.0, Smart Factories, MES systems) consulting and project management.
Work together with PCG for great Infor platform success. Contact us, and let’s get started!
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Presenting third-party content does not represent an implied or explicit relationship with any third-party content owner.
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