What does paying your Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF) do for you? Every year as an Infor customer you pay your annual maintenance fee, just like all other software owning companies. Many of you may feel like this is an expense that you see no return for. This could not be further from the truth. This email, as well as two emails that will follow, will explain your AMF and show you the value in staying current on it. Your AMF is based upon the number of FACTS or TakeStock users you have as well as the number and type of modules you own. This Annual Maintenance Fee is then used to develop the software you own and to create new version of the software that you can obtain for FREE. No matter what version of the software you are on, you can obtain the newest version at no cost as long as you are current on your AMF. By staying current you will be able to obtain for free any new version of software that is released in the future. Other benefits include:

• Eligibility for upgrades.
• Eligibility for bug fixes
• The ability to add or drop modules
• Incidentals like the ability to change company names, change platforms or operating systems, etc.
• Membership to Infor365, an interactive portal enabling you access to the tools, information and people that can help you optimize your solutions and be more competitive – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  In addition to keeping your system up-to-date by providing access to the latest software versions/releases and ensuring that your business stays up and running by making it possible to access the support services that you need, Infor365 has also created online communities where you can interact with other customers in your industry as well as:             
  • Leverage their knowledge anytime, anywhere in the world. 
  • Participate in discussion groups
  • Develop business relationships and partnerships
  • Grow your network of industry contacts and discuss best practices
  • Read Blogs from Infor product experts to get the latest on your product, solution or industry 

In the upcoming version of the FACTS software there are some exciting new and innovative features that will be included. These features will all have their base in a new software architecture that Infor has developed called Infor’s Service-Oriented Architecture or SOA. Your AMF has directly supported the development of this revolutionary new software architecture that will allow you to enjoy certain benefits like:

• Doing upgrades on your schedule and at a pace you're comfortable with because it will do away with the old "rip and replace" method.  This will allow you to replace only the modules that you want to replace. If you like the new GL module in the newest version of FACTS you can update just your GL module while keeping the rest of your software at its current version.
• Add Infor modules that were not originally written for FACTS, SX.e or A+
• Do away with "interface" programming designed to link two modules together
• Run a hybrid environment allowing you to consolidate information from other sources
• Have role-based home pages (MyDay) allowing you to view the information that you need to do your specific job
• View "one single version of the truth" in instances where more than one application deals with inventory, as an example, via the Business Information Server. 

As mentioned above one the new features that will be available for free to FACTS customers current on AMF is the revolutionary new interface that connects information with action. MyDay will provide a customizable interface that will provide a person with the information they need to complete their daily jobs. Click on the link below to visit our MyDay page to learn more about Infor MyDay! You can also view an informational video about SOA and MyDay by clicking on the second link.

Infor MyDay Page

Infor SOA and MyDay Video