Building Third-Party Integration Connectors for Infor LN
Infor LN rarely operates in isolation. Manufacturing organizations integrate LN with CRM systems, warehouse management platforms, e-commerce engines, PLM tools, and shop floor execution systems. Each integration requires a connector that handles authentication, data transformation, error recovery, and transaction coordination between LN and the target system. This guide covers connector architecture patterns and implementation strategies for senior integration developers.
Integration Architecture Patterns
LN integrations follow three primary patterns: real-time event-driven via ION BODs, batch file-based exchange, and synchronous API calls. The pattern choice depends on data volume, latency requirements, and the target system's integration capabilities. ION Connect serves as the preferred middleware for event-driven patterns, while batch integrations may use LN's built-in file export/import sessions or external ETL tools.
- Event-driven: LN publishes ION BODs on business events, ION Connect routes and transforms to target systems
- Batch file: LN export sessions generate CSV/XML files consumed by external systems on scheduled intervals
- Synchronous API: LN Web Services or REST endpoints called in real-time by external systems for data retrieval
- Hybrid: combine event-driven for transactional data with batch for master data synchronization and reconciliation
- Point-to-point: direct API calls between LN and target for simple integrations without middleware overhead
ION Connect Configuration for LN
ION Connect is Infor's integration middleware that processes BOD messages between LN and other systems. Configuring ION Connect for LN requires defining connection points, data flows, and transformation maps. Each data flow specifies source and target connection points, message filtering criteria, and field-level transformation rules using ION's graphical mapping tool.
- Define LN connection point in ION using the LN-specific BOD registration from session ttiop4100m000
- Create data flows in ION Connect mapping LN outbound BODs to target system inbound formats
- Configure transformation maps for field-level data conversion between LN domains and target system values
- Implement error handling rules: retry policies, dead letter queues, and alert notifications for failed messages
- Monitor integration health via ION OneView dashboards tracking message volumes, latency, and failure rates
Connector Development for Common Platforms
Developing connectors for CRM, WMS, and e-commerce platforms requires understanding both LN's data model and the target platform's API conventions. Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, and Shopify each have distinct authentication models, rate limits, and data structures that the connector must accommodate. Proven patterns include master data sync connectors, order flow connectors, and inventory visibility connectors.
- CRM connector: sync LN customers (tccom4100s000), contacts, and sales orders bidirectionally with Salesforce or Dynamics
- WMS connector: publish warehouse orders from LN whwmd sessions and consume inventory updates and shipment confirmations
- E-commerce connector: receive web orders into LN sales order processing and publish inventory availability and pricing
- PLM connector: import engineering BOMs and revisions from PTC Windchill or Siemens Teamcenter into LN tipcf tables
- MES connector: exchange work orders and production reporting between LN manufacturing (tisfc) and shop floor execution systems
Building LN connectors? Netray's AI agents generate integration mapping specifications from your LN data model and target system APIs.
Related Resources
Infor LN API Development Guide
Build integrations with Infor LN APIs using BODs, web services, and the LN Integration Framework. Developer guide for LN REST and SOAP endpoint programming.
Infor LNInfor LN Document Output Management
Configure Infor LN document output management for invoices, purchase orders, and shipping documents. Print, email, and electronic document delivery from LN.
Infor LNInfor LN Cloud Migration Strategy Guide
Plan your Infor LN cloud migration with assessment frameworks, architecture decisions, and phased migration strategies for moving LN to Infor Cloud or hybrid hosting.