In the face of rising cost pressures, global manufacturers and suppliers are reassessing their operations to remain competitive in an increasingly unpredictable environment—driven by complexities such as fluctuating US tariffs. Disruptions in supply chains, fluctuating input costs, shifting consumer demand, and the drive toward localization are just a few of the challenges today’s manufacturers grapple with. These conditions often result in inventory delays, pricing uncertainty, and reduced margins—all while operational expectations continue to grow.

In today’s blog, we explore how Infor Factory Track offers a powerful solution, enabling manufacturers to improve visibility, automate processes, and make data-driven decisions that help overcome these disruptions and drive operational efficiency.

The challenges manufacturers face amid rising cost pressures

Today’s manufacturers operate in a complex and cost-sensitive environment. From increased prices for imported components and rising labor costs to the need for agile supply chains and tighter production timelines, businesses are being pushed to evolve. These pressures are especially acute for industries with globalized supply chains—such as automotive, technology hardware, and chemicals—where even small disruptions can have outsized impacts.

Companies with cross-border operations or dependencies on offshore suppliers are managing greater logistical uncertainty, volatile lead times, and rising transportation costs. Simultaneously, they must contend with demand fluctuations and economic shifts that make long-term planning more difficult than ever.

The benefit of Infor Factory Track in this environment

As manufacturers respond to the ripple effects of these changes the need for greater operational efficiency is more urgent than ever. Traditional systems like standalone WMS, shop floor management tools, or ERP terminals fall short in today’s demanding factory environments, where transactions take place in fast-paced settings.

Infor Factory Track offers a practical, industry-ready solution to these challenges. Purpose-built for manufacturing operations, it acts as a lightweight yet powerful extension of your Infor ERP system, enabling on-the-ground visibility and real-time data capture across shop floor and warehouse environments. It comprises three integrated modules:

Shop Floor Module: Supports paperless manufacturing with a kiosk-based interface, allowing multiple operators to record labor, track job operations, and monitor Work in Progress (WIP) and finished goods—all in real-time.

Warehouse Mobility Module: Delivers barcode-enabled inventory control, helping automate everything from material receipt and movement to cycle counting and dispatch.

Time Track Module: A configurable time and attendance system that helps enforce shift, labor, and absence policies—vital for managing workforce productivity in leaner, cost-sensitive operations.

Technically it is optimized as a cloud solution with many features which offer ease of useability and maintenance with modern features including:

• A platform independent HTML5 user interface which has been optimized for touch screens.
• Ability to be deployed on handheld scanners, mobile and fixed tablets and kiosks as well based on the requirement of the specific workstation.
• Configurable barcode scanning functionality making it compliant with all current standards and custom ones as well.
• Capability to customize the application workflow in order to automate the transaction entry and minimize the transaction entry time and key presses or selections which the user is required to go through.

Solving operational challenges with Infor Factory Track

Here’s how Infor Factory Track becomes an essential ally during periods of heightened cost pressures and supply chain complexity:

Real-time inventory control: With inventory carrying costs on the rise, manufacturers must minimize waste and maintain lean stock levels. The Warehouse Mobility module provides real-time tracking, automated stock movements, and streamlined receiving and dispatching—helping reduce costs tied to overstocking, stockouts, or misplaced materials. Barcode support enhances accuracy even in high-volume operations.

Labor tracking at scale: In an environment where workforce efficiency is key to profitability, Factory Track’s Shop Floor module enables accurate tracking of labor hours, WIP, and job operations. Whether scaling production or adjusting to resource changes, this visibility empowers manufacturers to allocate resources effectively and improve throughput.

Operational resilience through automation: Delays and disruptions—whether due to logistics issues, labor shortages, or supply bottlenecks—are increasingly common. Factory Track’s Time Track module automates attendance tracking and supports custom labor rules, helping manufacturers manage shifts, absenteeism, and overtime to maintain productivity and compliance.

Designed for the realities of the shop floor: Factory Track’s mobile-friendly interface ensures that critical data flows directly from the shop floor to the ERP system—eliminating inefficiencies caused by manual data entry or reliance on fixed terminals.

In short, Infor Factory Track doesn’t just digitize manufacturing operations—it strengthens them. It empowers manufacturers to respond faster, adapt smarter, and operate leaner in a global environment that’s anything but predictable.

Success speaks volumes

An Australian frozen food manufacturer replaced its legacy ERP system with Infor CloudSuite Food & Beverage, improving operational efficiency and reducing costs. Fortude’s integration of Infor Factory Track enabled streamlined warehouse and production reporting, and standardized implementations facilitated easy rollout across multiple entities in Australia and New Zealand. The solution improved order, inventory, production, and financial visibility, enabling quicker decision-making and better compliance. Application Managed Services helped reduce infrastructure costs, stabilized finance processes, and improved ticket trends, aligning business processes with strategic goals.

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In a time of intensifying cost pressures and operational complexity, manufacturers need smart, scalable solutions to stay competitive. Infor Factory Track offers the tools required to enhance visibility, streamline processes, and automate critical workflows. With better control over labor and inventory, real-time data integration, and a user-friendly interface, manufacturers can boost efficiency, improve resilience, and drive long-term growth.

If you’re keen to learn more about how Infor Factory Track can support your operations—or how to manage and monitor cost impacts like the US tariffs in your Infor system—get in touch with our Infor-certified consultants.