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Using PFI as standalone BPM

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jcims
New Member
Posts: 2
New Member
7/28/2011 9:09 PM
    Hi Folks,

    I'm doing some work for a customer and could use a bit of BPM in my project.  They are about ready to go live with Lawson Financials and HR, and are using PFI.

    My question is whether or not PFI is suitable for use as a general purpose BPM in cases where there is not a direct relationship to the scope of the Lawson deployment.  My other option, of course, is to bring in a dedicated BPM product or just write my (somewhat limited) cases from scratch.  Neither of these seem like good ideas with PFI up and running in the environment, but I don't want to start down that road if it's a bad idea.

    Thoughts?  The BPM would only be interacting with SQL tables and a few simple web services.

    Thanks..
    KK - Infor
    Veteran Member
    Posts: 61
    Veteran Member
    7/28/2011 9:48 PM
      I don't see why not as far as your processes are in conformity with generally accepted practices.
      I've build similar solutions where the process was not related to Lawson; however the availability and scalability of PFI made it the best option.
      Shane Jones
      Veteran Member
      Posts: 460
      Veteran Member
      7/29/2011 12:41 PM
        I use processflow for things outside of "Lawson" from time-to-time and have found that it works well for me.   There are times that I need to include a VBS script or a simple trigger page to allow manually triggered processe3s but I find the Process Flow tool to be very robust inside Lawson and outside.
        Shane Jones
        Tools: HR, Payroll, Benefits, PFI, Smart Office, BSI, Portal and Self-Service
        Systems: Lawson, Open Hire, Kronos, Crystal Reporting, SumTotal Learning
        ** Teach others to fish...
        Rob Conrad
        Veteran Member
        Posts: 73
        Veteran Member
        7/31/2011 4:24 PM
          Hi -

          Yes is the short answer. Actually, I would be pretty surprised if Infor doesn't eventually spin-off Lawson PFI as a pure BPM product in that space (BPM).

          The M3 PFI installation is really more suited as a stand-alone install (non-Lawson S3), as Movex (Lawson M3) is a completely different ERP than Lawson S3 (legacy). Both versions are designed to interface with 3rd party systems using a variety of Integrator nodes - SQL, Web Services etc.

          So, stand alone (non Lawson S3), you are basically looking at an install of a Lawson (S3) Environment without any Application product lines and then setting up the PFI Server infrastructure to run stand alone in that Environment. Lawson PFI Server is married to Lawson S3 Environment, so definitely an advantage in your case dealing with Lawson Financials and Lawson HR.

          Also, there are many options for integration to 3rd party systems - SQL, Web Services and some really elegant integrations using http:// request/response with include files and/or Lawson Custom Portal Pages inside Lawson S3 for LSO or Mobile Inbasket to build user centric dynamic content. This can be done on either the Lawson Portal or just having your PFI build dynamic Web Code on a Web Server of your choosing etc.

          Good luck!

          RC
          jcims
          New Member
          Posts: 2
          New Member
          8/1/2011 1:40 PM
            Hi Folks,

            Thank you so much for the replies. They provided me with the affirmation I needed to schedule some time with the Lawson implementation team to explore this option a bit and make sure it's a fit. Ultimately my objective was to avoid any superfluous spend for the customer and I believe this may help.

            Thanks again!