Infor LN3 min readNetray Engineering TeamUpdated March 4, 2025

Infor LN Printing and Report Design Guide

Reporting and printing in Infor LN serves two critical functions: operational documents (pick lists, packing slips, purchase orders, invoices) that drive daily execution, and analytical reports (inventory status, production progress, financial summaries) that support decision-making. LN provides both native reporting through Type 3 sessions and integration with external tools like Crystal Reports and Infor Birst. Designing reports that are performant, maintainable, and meet business requirements requires understanding both the LN reporting framework and your users' actual needs.

LN Native Reporting Architecture

LN's native reporting uses Type 3 sessions that combine data selection parameters, business logic for data preparation, and output formatting through report layouts. The report engine processes data through BShell scripts and renders output to printers, PDF, or email. Native reports offer deep integration with LN data and security, but have limited formatting flexibility compared to external tools. Use native reporting for operational documents where data accuracy and security are paramount.

Use Type 3 sessions for operational documents that require LN business logic and security enforcement
Design selection parameters that filter data effectively to prevent full-table scans in report queries
Implement report layouts using the LN layout editor for formatted documents with company branding
Configure Document Output Management (DOM) profiles for automatic routing to printers, PDF, or email

Crystal Reports and External Reporting Tools

Crystal Reports provides advanced formatting capabilities for documents requiring precise layout control: customer-facing invoices, regulatory reports, and branded marketing documents. Connect Crystal Reports to LN through ODBC or the LN reporting views. Infor Birst offers modern analytics and dashboard capabilities for management reporting. Choose the right tool based on the report type: Crystal for formatted documents, Birst for analytics, LN native for operational reports.

Use Crystal Reports for customer-facing documents requiring pixel-perfect formatting and branding
Connect Crystal Reports through LN reporting views rather than direct table access for data consistency
Deploy Birst for interactive dashboards and self-service analytics replacing static management reports
Maintain a report catalog documenting each report's tool, data source, schedule, and owner for governance

Report Performance and Document Management

Report performance issues in LN typically stem from data selection that scans too many records, complex calculations performed during report rendering, and print infrastructure bottlenecks. Optimize by filtering data at the database level, pre-computing complex values in batch processes, and managing print queues proactively. Archive historical reports and documents in a document management system rather than regenerating them on demand.

Push data filtering to the database layer through indexed selection criteria in report session parameters
Pre-compute complex report values in batch jobs and store results in reporting tables for fast retrieval
Monitor print queue health and printer availability proactively to prevent document delivery delays
Archive generated documents in a DMS with indexing for retrieval rather than regenerating historical reports

Key Takeaways

1LN Native Reporting Architecture: LN's native reporting uses Type 3 sessions that combine data selection parameters, business logic for data preparation, and output formatting through report layouts. The report engine processes data through BShell scripts and renders output to printers, PDF, or email.
2Crystal Reports and External Reporting Tools: Crystal Reports provides advanced formatting capabilities for documents requiring precise layout control: customer-facing invoices, regulatory reports, and branded marketing documents. Connect Crystal Reports to LN through ODBC or the LN reporting views.
3Report Performance and Document Management: Report performance issues in LN typically stem from data selection that scans too many records, complex calculations performed during report rendering, and print infrastructure bottlenecks. Optimize by filtering data at the database level, pre-computing complex values in batch processes, and managing print queues proactively.

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