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Infor Visual Integration Guide

Connect Infor Visual to MachineMetrics for bidirectional work order and labor tracking synchronization.

Overview​

The MachineMetrics and Infor Visual integration streamlines the flow of data between your ERP system and the shop floor, enabling dynamic two-way communication for enhanced efficiency and accuracy.

Integration Type​

AttributeValue
DirectionBidirectional (with optional read-only mode)
Data Flow (Inbound)Work orders from Infor Visual → MachineMetrics
Data Flow (Outbound)Labor tickets from MachineMetrics → Infor Visual
Runs OnMachineMetrics Edge Device (physical or virtual)

How It Works​

1. Management — Work Order Transmission​

Active work orders are automatically transmitted from Infor Visual to MachineMetrics. This seamless transfer ensures that the latest work orders are always available for operators in real-time.

2. Tracking — Labor and Progress Reporting​

As operators work on the transmitted orders within MachineMetrics:

  • Labor inputs generate labor tickets
  • Work order progress updates in real-time
  • Accurate records are maintained automatically

3. Synchronization — Real-Time Updates​

Generated labor tickets and work order updates are synchronized back with Infor Visual, ensuring all recorded data reflects the most current state of production activities.

4. Scheduling — Dynamic Visibility​

Shop floor managers and production planners gain instant visibility into:

  • Work in progress status
  • Schedule adherence
  • Required adjustments

Changes to the schedule are immediately communicated to operators.

Requirements​

Prerequisites​

RequirementDetails
MachineMetrics EdgePhysical or Virtual Edge Device
Network AccessEdge device must have firewall access to Infor Visual instance and internet access to MachineMetrics cloud. See Network Requirements Guide for details.
Infor Visual User AccountDedicated account with specific table permissions
Database Config FileGenerated using VmfgConfigForms.exe utility

Step-by-Step Setup Guide​

Step 1: Generate a Database.config File​

  1. Locate the VmfgConfigForms.exe utility in your Infor Visual installation directory
    • Reference: VisualToolkitDBReg.pdf in your Infor documentation
  2. Run the utility using SYSADM username and password
  3. This creates a file named database.config
  4. Note the location of this file for Step 3

Step 2: Create a MachineMetrics User Account in Infor Visual​

Configure an account with the following permissions:

DELETE Permissions:

LABOR_TICKET
LABOR_TICKET_BREAK
LABOR_TICKET_CURR
TRACE_LABOR_TRANS

INSERT Permissions:

LABOR_TICKET
LABOR_TICKET_BREAK
LABOR_TICKET_CURR

UPDATE Permissions:

LABOR_TICKET
LABOR_TICKET_BREAK
LABOR_TICKET_CURR
WORK_ORDER

SELECT Permissions:

ACCOUNT_PERIOD
ACCOUNTING_ENTITY
ADJ_REASON
APPLICATION_GLOBAL
CURRENCY
CURRENCY_EXCHANGE
CURRENCY_ENTITY
DEVIATION_REASON
ECN
ECN_DETAIL
EMPLOYEE
EMPLOYEE_SITE
ISSUE_REASON
INDIRECT_DETAIL
LABOR_TICKET
LABOR_TICKET_BREAK
LABOR_TICKET_CURR
OPERATION
PART
PART_SITE
SHOP_RESOURCE
SHOP_RESOURCE_SITE
REQUIREMENT
REQUIREMENT_BINARY
REQUIREMENT_COST
REQUIREMENT_SCHED
REQUIREMENT_SUM
SETTINGS
SITE
TRACE
TRACE_NUMBERING
TRACE_PROFILE
WIP_LABOR_DETAIL
WORK_ORDER

Step 3: Provide MachineMetrics with Connection Information​

Prepare the following environment variables and share them securely with your MachineMetrics implementation team:

VISUAL_DATABASE=<DATABASE_NAME>
VISUAL_IP=<SERVER IP ADDRESS>
VISUAL_USERNAME=<USER_NAME>
VISUAL_PASSWORD=<USER_PASSWORD>
VISUAL_SITE=<SITE_ID>
VISUAL_ENTITY=<dbo.ACCOUNTING_ENTITY.ID>
OLDEST_CLOSE_DATE=<yyyy-mm-dd>
READ_ONLY=<false/true>
DBCFG_PROVIDER=SQLSERVER
DBCFG_DATASOURCE=<DATASOURCE>
VariableDescriptionExample
VISUAL_DATABASEInfor Visual database nameVISUAL_PROD
VISUAL_IPIP address of database server (from Edge perspective)192.168.1.100
VISUAL_USERNAMEMachineMetrics user created in Step 2machinemetrics
VISUAL_PASSWORDPassword for the user********
VISUAL_SITEInfor Visual site IDMAIN
VISUAL_ENTITYID from ACCOUNTING_ENTITY table1
OLDEST_CLOSE_DATEEarliest date to look back for work orders2024-01-01
READ_ONLYSet to true to disable write-backfalse
DBCFG_PROVIDERDatabase provider (from database.config)SQLSERVER
DBCFG_DATASOURCEDatasource (from database.config)VISUAL

Security Tip: Use Snappass or your company's secure file sharing to transmit credentials to MachineMetrics.

Read-Only Mode​

If you want MachineMetrics to only READ data from Infor Visual without writing labor tickets back:

READ_ONLY=true

When to use Read-Only mode:

  • Initial testing and validation
  • When labor is tracked in another system
  • Compliance requirements that restrict external writes

After Setup​

Once the integration is configured:

  1. Work orders from Infor Visual appear in MachineMetrics
  2. Operators select and start jobs on their tablets
  3. Labor data syncs back to Infor Visual (unless READ_ONLY=true)
  4. Production Schedule Intelligence displays accurate job status

Verifying the Integration​

  1. Go to Production → Schedule in MachineMetrics
  2. Confirm work orders from Infor Visual are visible
  3. Have an operator start a job on a tablet
  4. Verify the labor ticket appears in Infor Visual (if not read-only)

Troubleshooting​

IssuePossible CauseSolution
Work orders not appearingDatabase connection failedVerify IP, credentials, and firewall rules
Missing tables/permissionsUser permissions incompleteAdd missing SELECT/INSERT/UPDATE permissions
Labor not syncing backREAD_ONLY=trueSet READ_ONLY=false to enable write-back
Connection timeoutFirewall blocking EdgeEnsure Edge can reach Infor Visual database
Wrong site dataVISUAL_SITE incorrectVerify site ID matches your facility

Getting Help​

  • Setup Assistance: Contact your MachineMetrics Solution Delivery Manager (SDM)
  • Technical Issues: Email support@machinemetrics.com
  • Infor Visual Configuration: Consult your Infor administrator or partner