Infor LN Implementation: Realistic Timeline Expectations
Infor and its implementation partners routinely quote LN implementation timelines of 12-18 months. The reality for most organizations is 18-30 months, with some complex multi-site deployments stretching to 36+ months. The gap between quoted and actual timelines is not malicious—it reflects the genuine complexity of configuring LN for project-based manufacturing, the inevitable scope changes that emerge during implementation, and the chronic underestimation of data migration and testing effort.
Realistic Phase Durations
A standard single-site Infor LN implementation for a project-based manufacturer follows five phases. Discovery and design takes 3-4 months (often quoted as 2). Configuration and development takes 4-6 months (often quoted as 3). Testing takes 3-4 months (consistently underestimated by partners who quote 6-8 weeks). Data migration and cutover preparation takes 2-3 months. Hypercare and stabilization takes 2-3 months. Total realistic timeline: 14-20 months for a single site.
- Discovery/Design: 3-4 months including business process reengineering and gap analysis
- Configuration/Development: 4-6 months including integrations and customization development
- Testing (UAT, integration, performance): 3-4 months—never accept less than 10 weeks for UAT
- Data migration and cutover: 2-3 months including at least 2 full mock cutovers on real data
Common Delay Factors
The most frequent causes of LN implementation delays are underscoped data migration, insufficient business user availability for requirements and testing, integration complexity with legacy systems, and change requests that emerge during UAT. Organizations can mitigate these by planning realistically upfront, dedicating business resources full-time during critical phases, and managing scope rigorously with a formal change control process.
- Data migration delays: 70% of LN implementations exceed data migration time estimates by 50%+
- Business user availability: Part-time business SMEs extend timelines by 30-50% versus dedicated resources
- Integration surprises: Legacy system interfaces average 2-3x more effort than initially estimated
- Scope changes during UAT: Average LN project adds 15-25% scope during user acceptance testing
AI-Accelerated Implementation
Netray's AI agents compress LN implementation timelines by automating discovery (analyzing existing system data to generate configuration recommendations), accelerating testing (generating test scripts and validating results automatically), and streamlining data migration (intelligent data cleansing and transformation). Organizations using AI-assisted implementation report 20-30% timeline reduction.
Plan your LN implementation realistically—get an AI-powered timeline and resource estimate.
Related Resources
Infor LN Project Manufacturing with AI
Optimize Infor LN project manufacturing with AI agents. Automated WBS management, earned value analysis, and project cost control for complex manufacturers.
ERPInfor CloudSuite Implementation Best Practices
Infor CloudSuite implementation best practices with AI. Project methodology, change management, testing strategies, and go-live preparation.
ERPERP Implementation Cost Overruns: Prevention Strategies
Prevent ERP implementation cost overruns. Data-driven strategies for scope control, realistic budgeting, risk mitigation, and change management.