The Evolution of Infor M3 ERP: From Movex to CloudSuite ☁

Infor M3, formerly known as Movex, has evolved over the years to become one of the most powerful ERP solutions for industries like manufacturing, distribution, fashion, and food & beverage. Here’s a brief history of how it developed:

1️⃣ The Beginning: Movex by Intentia (1980s - 2000s) 🏗️

• Founded in Sweden 🇸🇪 – Movex was developed by Intentia, a Swedish software company.

• Built for Manufacturing & Distribution – Designed to handle complex supply chains and production processes.

• Early Versions (1980s-1990s) – Initially developed for IBM AS/400 systems and later adapted to Windows and UNIX platforms.

• Technology Shift (Late 1990s - Early 2000s) – Movex transitioned from a traditional client-server system to a Java-based solution, making it more flexible and scalable.

---

2️⃣ Acquisition by Lawson Software (2005) 🔄

• Lawson Software Acquired Intentia – Movex was rebranded as Lawson M3 (Movex Version 3).

• Expanded Market Reach 🌍 – Lawson focused on global expansion, particularly in the U.S. and Europe.

• Integration with Other Enterprise Solutions – Enhanced financial and human resource management capabilities.

---

3️⃣ Infor Acquires Lawson (2011) 🏢

• Infor Takes Over – Infor, a leading enterprise software company, acquired Lawson Software, including M3.

• Rebranding to Infor M3 – The ERP became a core part of Infor’s CloudSuite offerings.

• Cloud Transformation ☁️ – Infor M3 was optimized for cloud deployment, improving scalability, security, and performance.

---

4️⃣ The Modern Era: Infor M3 CloudSuite (2010s - Present) 🚀

• Industry-Specific Focus 🔧 – Infor tailored M3 for industries like food & beverage, fashion, manufacturing, and distribution.

• AI & Automation 🤖 – From 2017 onward, Infor AI (earlier Coleman) began to be integrated into Infor M3, for manufacturers, distributors, and service providers.

• Cloud-First Strategy ☁️ – Infor M3 became a fully cloud-enabled solution, reducing infrastructure costs and improving system updates.

• Integration with Infor OS 🔗 – Seamless connection with Infor ION, Mongoose, and Birst Analytics for enhanced enterprise management.

---

5️⃣ Evolution of Interfaces for Accessing M3 (earlier Movex) ERP

• The user interfaces (UI) for Infor M3 have evolved significantly over the years, transitioning from text-based and desktop applications to modern, cloud-based, AI-powered web clients. Here’s a historical overview of how users have accessed Infor M3 over time:

  1. Early Interfaces (1980s - 1990s) – Text-Based & Green Screens 🖥️

  Era: Movex (Pre-Intentia, Intentia)

  • Movex, the predecessor of Infor M3, was initially developed in the 1980s as an AS/400 (IBM iSeries) application.

  • The early interface was a text-based, green-screen terminal using IBM RPG programs.

  • Users interacted with the ERP using command-line menus, entering numerical commands to access different functions.

  • Limitations:

    • No graphical user interface (GUI)

    • Steep learning curve

    • Lack of flexibility and customization

---

2. Java-Based Client (Late 1990s - 2000s) – Movex Java GUI 💻

Era: Intentia’s Movex Java (1999-2006)

• Intentia introduced Movex Java, a fully Java-based ERP system, transitioning from IBM RPG.

• This graphical user interface (GUI) was more user-friendly than the green-screen interface.

• The Java client allowed users to navigate with a mouse and graphical menus, improving usability.

• Challenges:

  • Required Java Runtime Environment (JRE), leading to compatibility issues.

  • Could be slow and resource-intensive on client machines.

---

3. Smart Client & Smart Office (2008 - 2015) – Windows-Based UI 🖥️

Era: Infor M3 Smart Office

• Infor introduced Smart Office, a Windows-based client for M3.

• It provided drag-and-drop features, integration with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook), and improved usability.

• Users could now customize dashboards, embed reports, and access M3 functions within familiar Microsoft applications.

• Limitations:

  • Desktop-based – Required local installation.

  • Not mobile-friendly – No browser or cloud access.

---

4. Web-Based Client (2013 - Present) – H5 Web UI 🌐

Era: Infor M3 H5 Client

• Infor introduced H5 (HTML5-based Web Client) to provide browser-based access to Infor M3 without Java dependencies.

• Advantages of H5:
  ✅ Cross-platform compatibility – Works on Windows, Mac, Linux.
  ✅ Mobile & tablet access – No installation required.
  ✅ Customization & scripting – Users can modify screens without backend changes.
  ✅ Cloud-ready – Integrated into Infor CloudSuite.

---

5. Cloud-Based & AI-Driven Interfaces (2017 - Future) – Infor OS, Mobile & AI Assistants ☁️🤖

Era: Infor CloudSuite & AI-Driven Interfaces

• Infor OS now provides a unified, AI-powered interface for accessing Infor M3.

• Users interact with M3 through:
  ✅ Web-based portals (H5 Client)
  ✅ Mobile apps (Infor Go)
  ✅ AI-driven chatbots (Infor Coleman AI)
  ✅ Voice assistants for hands-free ERP access.

• Future advancements include predictive analytics, automation, and conversational AI.

---

6️⃣ Infor’s Future Vision for M3 🔮

• Greater AI & Machine Learning Integration 🤖 – Smarter decision-making and automation.

• Internet of Things (IoT) & Smart Manufacturing 🌐 – Real-time data collection and process optimization.

• Enhanced User Experience 🎨 – More intuitive UI with role-based dashboards and mobile accessibility.

---

Conclusion 🏁: A Legacy of Innovation 🎯

From Movex to Infor M3 CloudSuite*, the ERP has continuously evolved to meet industry demands. With its* cloud-first approach, AI-driven capabilities, and deep industry specialization*, Infor M3 remains a top choice for enterprises looking for a robust and scalable ERP solution.*

⚠ Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on research. If you have any insights, corrections, or interesting facts about Infor M3’s history, feel free to share in the comments! 💬😊

📌In my next blog, I will be focusing on Infor M3 ERP for Food & Beverages industry. Stay tuned 🔔