Infor XA

{{Short description|ERP software}}

{{Refimprove|date=October 2017}}

{{Infobox software

| other_names = MAPICS

| author = IBM

| developer = Infor

| released = 1977

| latest release version = Release 10

| programming language = RPG, Control Language

| operating system = IBM i

| genre = Enterprise resource planning

| website = {{URL|https://www.infor.com/products/xa}}

}}

Infor XA is commercial ERP software used to control the operations of manufacturing companies. Its prior name, MAPICS, is an acronym for Manufacturing, Accounting and Production Information Control Systems. MAPICS was created by IBM. The product is now owned by Infor Global Solutions.

Originally all MAPICS code ran only on IBM midrange systems like the IBM System 34, 36, 38,{{Cite magazine |last=Zais |first=Adam |date=1986-01-27 |title=IBM reigns in dynamic MRP II marketplace |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=33QfOHT69aMC&pg=PA37#v=onepage&q&f=true |access-date=2025-05-29 |magazine=Computerworld |page=37 |volume=XX |issue=4}} and the IBM AS/400, via succeeding versions of the platform - currently IBM i on IBM Power Systems. Early versions were written in IBM RPG, augmented with Control Language programs. IBM's version of SQL is also utilized on the OS integrated database system called Db2 for i . Recent development efforts have added object oriented components written in the Java programming language, which extends a portion of the XA product to servers running Java.

However, the Infor XA product still requires the IBM i operating system. The Java components provide an application runtime which allow user customizations, a rich user interface, an optional web-based interface as well as support for XML interfaces.

Timeline

class="wikitable"
1977

| IBM develops and markets MAPICS

1993

| IBM sells MAPICS to Marcam

1997

| Marcam splits into two companies and MAPICS Incorporated is created{{cite web|author=Bill Mcllvaine|url=http://www.managingautomation.com/maonline/news/read/Marcam_Splits_Refocuses_ERP_15378|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724184017/http://www.managingautomation.com/maonline/news/read/Marcam_Splits_Refocuses_ERP_15378|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-24|title=Marcam Splits, Re-focuses ERP|publisher=managingautomation.com|date=1997-06-01|accessdate=2011-07-24}}

2000

| MAPICS Inc. acquires Pivotpoint (for its MS Windows based Point.Man ERP system){{cite web|last=Garnham |first=Jonathan |url=http://news.cnet.com/Short-Take-Mapics-buys-Pivotpoint-for-48-million/2110-1017_3-234524.html |title=Technology News - CNET News - CNET |publisher=News.cnet.com |date= |accessdate=2017-02-27}}

2003

| MAPICS Inc. acquires Frontstep (for its Progress and .NET based SyteLine ERP system){{cite web|author=Renee Boucher Ferguson |url=http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Application-Development/Mapics-Acquires-Frontstep/ |title=Mapics Acquires Frontstep |publisher=Eweek.com |date=2002-11-25 |accessdate=2017-02-27}}

2005

| MAPICS Incorporated is acquired by Infor. MAPICS is renamed Infor ERP XA{{cite web|author=Dan Burger|url=https://www.itjungle.com/2017/08/07/ibm-trading-punches-automotive-supply-chain/|title=IBM i Trading Punches In The Automotive Supply Chain|publisher=www.itjungle.com|date=2017-08-07|accessdate=2018-06-12}} {{cite web|author=Debra Kelly|url=http://www.managingautomation.com/maonline/news/read/Infor_to_Acquire_MAPICS_for_350_Million_22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061015111451/http://www.managingautomation.com/maonline/news/read/Infor_to_Acquire_MAPICS_for_350_Million_22|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-10-15|title=Infor to Acquire MAPICS for $350 Million

|publisher=managingautomation.com|date=2005-01-28|accessdate=2006-10-15}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Infor}}

Category:Industrial automation

Category:ERP software

Category:IBM software

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