Infor XA
| Company type | Software |
|---|---|
| Industry | Enterprise Resource Planning software |
| Predecessor | MAPICS |
| Founder | IBM |
| Products | Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution for manufacturing |
| Owner | Infor Global Solutions |
Infor XA is a commercial Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution tailored to oversee manufacturing processes. Previously known as MAPICS—an abbreviation for Manufacturing, Accounting, and Production Information Control Systems—this software was initially created by IBM and is currently under the ownership of Infor Global Solutions.
MAPICS was originally designed to operate solely on IBM midrange platforms including the IBM System 34, 36, 38, and the IBM AS/400. It evolved alongside these systems to run on today's IBM i environment hosted on IBM Power Systems. The earliest releases were developed using IBM RPG and Control Language, leveraging IBM's SQL within the integrated Db2 for i database. More recent updates have incorporated object-oriented Java elements, allowing segments of XA to function on Java servers.
Even with these Java-based enhancements, Infor XA continues to depend on the IBM i operating system. The Java components offer an application runtime environment that supports user-driven customizations, a contemporary user interface, optional web accessibility, and XML integration features.
Timeline
| 1977 | MAPICS is developed and marketed by IBM |
| 1993 | MAPICS is sold by IBM to Marcam |
| 1997 | MAPICS Incorporated is formed following Marcam's division |
| 2000 | MAPICS acquires Pivotpoint, adding the MS Windows-based Point.Man ERP system |
| 2003 | MAPICS purchases Frontstep, integrating the Progress and .NET-based SyteLine ERP |
| 2005 | Infor acquires MAPICS; product renamed Infor ERP XA |