Infor LN and Baan Integration Interface Specification Template
Interfaces are where ERP projects quietly break. A short, complete specification that covers purpose, data flow, mapping, volumes and failures makes an integration buildable, testable and supportable years after the author has left.
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Infor LN and Baan Integration Interface Specification Template
Interface INT-014: Warehouse scanner receipts to LN
Business owner: Logistics manager Source: Handheld scanner application Target: Infor LN Direction: Inbound to LN Technology: Infor ION / BOD Frequency: Near real time, event driven Expected volume: About 800 messages per day, peak 150 per hour
Business Purpose
Post goods receipts from the dock scanners to LN so stock is available to planning without double entry.
Field Mapping
| Source field | Target field | Rule | Mandatory | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Error Handling and Monitoring
Rejected messages are logged with reason and retried three times. After that they go to an error queue reviewed daily by the warehouse supervisor.
Security and Access
Service account with minimum role. Credentials stored in the vault. Traffic encrypted in transit.
Test Cases
| Case | Input | Expected result | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valid message | |||
| Missing mandatory field | |||
| Duplicate message | |||
| Target unavailable |
Approvals
Use as a starting point. Confirm message and field names against your LN version and integration platform documentation.
Interface documentation help
Optional: ask how to document an existing set of LN interfaces without a long manual exercise.
Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.
How to use the template
Fill the header fields first: who owns the interface, what systems are connected, which direction data moves, which technology carries it and how often. Describe the business purpose in plain words so a new team member understands why it exists. Complete the field mapping table in the exported document, with rules for transforms and a mandatory flag. Then document error handling, security and test cases. Circulate for approval before development starts.
- One specification per interface and direction
- State volumes, including the peak
- Define what happens on failure
- Name the support owner
Choosing a technology
For modern LN estates the integration platform, using ION and BODs, is the usual route for application-to-application flows, because it gives monitoring, retries and a defined document contract. REST or API access suits web and mobile consumers. File transfer remains common for partners and legacy systems and is acceptable when volumes are batch-like and the file contract is documented. Direct database access should be a last resort, because it bypasses business logic and validation in the application layer.
Errors, volumes and monitoring
Many interfaces fail on the unglamorous cases: duplicates, out-of-order messages, a locked record, a target that is down for maintenance. Specify idempotency, meaning how a repeated message is handled, and define retries, an error queue and a named person who reviews it. Volumes matter for sizing and for choosing between real-time and batch. Include a peak figure, because month-end bursts are what break designs tested on average days.
Common mistakes
Specifications often describe the happy path only, skip ownership after go-live and omit the mapping of codes such as units, statuses and warehouses. Another gap is not testing with production-like volume. Keep the specification updated whenever the interface changes, and store it with the change records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a specification for a simple file interface?
Yes, but it can be short. The file layout, location, schedule, error handling and owner still need to be written down, otherwise the knowledge sits in one person's head.
What is idempotency and why does it matter?
An interface is idempotent if receiving the same message twice produces the same result as receiving it once. Retries and network faults create duplicates, so without it you can double post receipts or orders.
Who owns an interface?
A business owner who cares about the data flow and a technical owner who supports it. Both should be named in the document and kept current.
Can I use this for a Baan interface?
Yes. The structure is system-neutral. Adjust the technology options and field names to your Baan or LN environment.
If you have undocumented interfaces around LN or Baan, we can discuss using a private model to draft specifications from existing code and logs, reviewed by your developers.
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