IFS vs Infor CloudSuite Distribution

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Our analysts compared IFS vs Infor CloudSuite Distribution based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Distribution Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Infor CloudSuite Distribution Software Tool

Product Basics

IFS offers is a suite of connected workflows such as accounting, warehouse management, distribution, sales and HCM. By integrating a range of front- and back-office workflows, the program aims to alleviate internal snags and streamline operations.

The software contains real-time insights and can be accessed either through the cloud or via on-premise installation. It’s intended for use by medium and large companies. The program is highly integrative and contains various online support and training options for users.

To learn more about their primary ERP offering, visit our IFS Cloud page.
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Infor CloudSuite Distribution helps businesses manage inventory, finances, distribution and purchasing. It’s available through cloud-based deployment and specializes in assisting enterprises in centralizing their workflows.

All of the data is stored by AWS, making it exceptionally secure. It’s also highly integrative to the outside modules, and new functionalities are continually being offered — it adds more capabilities every 30 days. It’s personalizable and allows users to track key metrics through dashboards and centralized notifications.
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Product Insights

  • Accessibility: IFS solutions can be deployed through different avenues: SaaS, cloud service models, IFS Managed Cloud or on-premise. With cloud deployment, the program can be accessed at any time and any location as long as there is an internet connection available. 
  • Real-Time Data: The program includes real-time data and visualizations. For example, engineering changes, bottlenecks in the production system and any material shortages can be analyzed as they occur. Barcode scanning is also included to track the movement of products and materials throughout the supply chain. 
  • Revenue Boost: By identifying and reducing bottlenecks, forecasting demand and honing the sales process, revenue can be increased. IFS includes a range of features that can maximize revenue through elements such as reduction in spoilage and increased efficiency. 
  • Increase Productivity: IFS helps streamline and automate facets of workflows such as sales, manufacturing and distribution. By reducing the amount of time that employees spend on tasks such as supplier invoicing, which can be automated through this tool, more time is freed up for staff to work on other important tasks. 
  • Legal Compliance: This program helps to ensure company compliance with a range of industry or governmental standards and regulations. For example, IFS Human Capital Management can keep track of and manage employee health and safety measures in accordance with legal requirements. A dedicated maintenance tool is also available to help ensure that the company adheres to rules. 
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  • Accessibility: Deploy the solution through the cloud to make it accessible to remote users. Access the system at any time and from any location, as long as there is an internet connection. This allows employees to use the system while working on the production floor, away from their desks. 
  • Increase Revenue: Boost revenue through the purchasing tool. It provides visualization of opportunities for improvement regarding purchasing. It reduces the amount of money wasted on unwanted products or waste materials that never go into production. 
  • Boost Productivity: Increase productivity through a range of features. With automation, employees perform fewer manual tasks, which frees up time to work on other activities. For example, the solution can handle complex pricing changes without employees having to constantly monitor discounts to ensure the correct implementation. 
  • Centralize Operations: Centralized inventory management, financial management and distribution management operations allows data to be shared across departments. It helps users develop insights and reduce duplicated work. 
  • High-Security System: Protect data from cyberattacks with robust physical and network security systems. 
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  • IFS Financials: IFS includes basic accounting tools such as general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable and fixed assets. It also contains business planning functionality that uses customer-defined planning models to enable demand-driven planning. The eInvoice tool automates supplier invoicing and enables electronic invoicing. Consolidation can also be conducted across multiple companies and with multiple reporting currencies. 
  • IFS Human Capital Management: This system allows employees to manage their own data as well as perform tasks such as applying for leave and updating time and expense reports. HR personnel can also manage payroll procedures, maintain health and safety information in accordance with government regulations and develop internal training programs through the tool. Recruitment can be done through the program’s connectivity with third-party applicant tracking systems (ATS). 
  • IFS Engineering: This feature includes the ability for continuously updated data related to factors such as design elements, products and facilities to be accessed throughout an organization. Change management capabilities allow users to view, approve and check changes before going ahead with change orders. The commissioning tool also ensures that facility components are designed, tested, etc. in accordance with operational requirements through the use of punch lists and mechanical completion packages. 
  • IFS Projects: IFS includes project management, risk management, project reporting and project budgeting features. Specific functionality consists of the ability to process project cost transactions, create projects using WBS, develop project schedules and develop forecasts using multiple versions of project estimates, reviews, budgets, etc. Estimate to Complete (ETC) and Estimate at Complete (EAC) principles are supported and spreading rules are available. 
  • IFS Manufacturing: This tool can calculate capacity requirements, conduct Master Scheduling for finished goods, manage the production to order process and enable employees to report production information quickly. Project-based, discrete, repetitive and batch process manufacturing are also supported through the system. Visualization of the production plan is included and enables users to identify bottlenecks and material shortages. 
  • IFS Supply Chain: IFS offers demand forecasting, supply chain planning, inventory replenishment, sales order management, procurement, rental management, warehouse management and shipment management features. The inventory function is connected to the demand forecasting tool and includes different planning strategies such as economic order quantity and service level-driven safety stocks. Item traceability is also supported through barcode functionality, which provides real-time stock information. 
  • IFS Sales & Service: This feature controls the customer lifecycle from the time a lead comes in to the time that a product reaches its final destination. It assists with transportation by allowing users to visualize driving routes. It also supports service quote and contract management. Sales efforts can be streamlined through the sales configurator, which includes a product advisor that uses a series of questions to define requirements and recommend products. 
  • IFS Maintenance: IFS enables users to evaluate potential improvements in equipment performance, communicate with subcontractors through a collaboration portal, develop leaner MRO operations and manage preventive maintenance schedules. It also makes regulatory compliance for vehicle fleets easier and manages tasks such as fault reporting, preparation, execution and final reporting for maintenance-related matters. 
  • IFS Business Enablers: This solution includes role-based portals and personalized access to ensure that employees, customers and suppliers view the most relevant information and that no one has access to privileged information that they should not be able to review. The solution contains real-time data and allows for the connection of internal and external programs through web services. Add-ins and add-ons can be implemented to customize the solution through RESTful oData APIs from IFS. 
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  • Order Entry: Streamline order fulfillment workflow and speed up the process of entering orders. Specific functionality includes item recommendations, optimized counter sales and non-stock or special order options. 
  • Complex Pricing Requirements: Develop and implement complex pricing rules. The system can handle discounts, contract pricing, SPAs and packaging breaks, among other unique pricing needs. 
  • Inventory Control:  Achieve inventory visibility and control with tools for inventory turns, optimized levels, demand and ultimate profitability. 
  • Financial Management: Centralize financial information from multiple locations, companies and currencies. The financial management feature can manage global operations. 
  • Comprehensive Services: Provide detailed solutions to distributors with key features such as kitting, private labeling, light manufacturing and assembly. 
  • Rebate Claim Management:  Manage the entire rebate claim process, recover rebates and monitor profit margins. 
  • Purchasing: A centralized interface with color-coded notifications for problems and exceptions allows users to visualize the purchasing workflow and make informed decisions. 
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Product Ranking

#73

among all
Distribution Software

#3

among all
Distribution Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

87
84
97
93
76
62
73
64
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Mobile capabilities
Accounting and Financial Management
Inventory Management
Reports, Dashboards and Business Intelligence
Purchase Order Management and Procurement
Inventory Management
Purchase Order Management and Procurement
Reports, Dashboards and Business Intelligence
Warehouse and Transportation Management
Accounting and Financial Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

IFS
Infor CloudSuite Distribution
+ Add Product + Add Product
Accounting And Financial Management Customer Relationship Management E-commerce Capabilities Integrations And Extensibility Inventory Management Mobile Capabilities Purchase Order Management And Procurement Reports, Dashboards And Business Intelligence Sales Order Management Warehouse And Transportation Management 97 76 73 72 96 98 91 94 81 83 93 62 64 39 98 76 97 97 84 97 0 25 50 75 100
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94%
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6%
100%
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56%
33%
11%
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88%
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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 121 reviews
Great User Sentiment 83 reviews
80%
of users recommend this product

IFS has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 80% when considering 121 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

82%
of users recommend this product

Infor CloudSuite Distribution has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 82% when considering 83 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

n/a
4.2 (7)
3.6 (20)
3.9 (34)
n/a
4.5 (11)
3.7 (22)
n/a
4.2 (65)
n/a
4.1 (14)
4.2 (31)

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated IFS and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Mobile capabilities.

Mobile capabilities Award

No awards.

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Intuitive interface: Users consistently praise IFS for its user-friendly design and easy-to-navigate interface, which reduces training time and improves adoption rates.
Flexibility and customization: The system's modular architecture allows for a high degree of customization, enabling businesses to tailor it to their unique processes and requirements without extensive coding.
Strong industry focus: IFS is particularly well-suited for industries such as aerospace, manufacturing, and energy, offering deep functionality and expertise in these areas.
Mobile accessibility: Users can access the system from any device, including smartphones and tablets, enabling them to stay connected and productive while on the go.
Robust project management: IFS provides comprehensive project management capabilities, from planning and scheduling to resource allocation and cost tracking, helping businesses deliver projects on time and within budget.
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User-Friendly: The solution is user-friendly and intuitive, according to 78% of users.
Integration: According to 71% of users who reviewed this pro, it can be well-integrated with other systems, such as Excel, for further data analysis.
Navigation: About 80% of users who mentioned this pro said the system is easy to navigate.
Customization: Regarding this feature, approximately 67% of users said it provides a plethora of customization options.
Customer Support: According to 67% of users who reviewed this, the support team is knowledgeable, and user queries are resolved immediately.
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High upfront investment: IFS can require a significant initial investment for implementation and customization, potentially exceeding budgets for smaller businesses.
Steep learning curve: The system's complexity can lead to a steeper learning curve for users, requiring extensive training and support to achieve full proficiency.
Limited out-of-the-box functionality: While configurable, IFS may not offer pre-built features for specific industry needs, necessitating additional development or workarounds.
Integration complexities: Integrating IFS with existing systems can be challenging, requiring specialized expertise and potentially leading to data silos.
Performance bottlenecks: Large or complex implementations may experience performance issues, requiring careful optimization and infrastructure considerations.
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Speed: The tool’s speed is considerably slow, according to 100% of users.
Training and Documentation: According to 80% of users who reviewed this con, the experts don't provide sufficient user training and the documentation isn’t easy to comprehend.
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User reviews for IFS paint a picture of a powerful and flexible ERP system, but one that demands investment and expertise. Fans praise its intuitive interface and industry-specific depth, especially in sectors like aerospace and manufacturing. "The power of IFS is amazing and overwhelming," one user gushes, noting its ability to handle 95% of their business processes. The modular architecture allows for significant customization, a major draw for many. "It can be tailored to fit almost any business environment," says another reviewer, contrasting it with the "rigid" feel of competing products like SAP. However, IFS isn't for everyone. The initial investment and customization needs can be daunting, particularly for smaller companies. "The cost can be high," admits a user, comparing it to the "more affordable" options like Microsoft Dynamics 365. Additionally, the complexity can lead to a steep learning curve. "It's not as user-friendly as NetSuite," says another reviewer, highlighting the need for extensive training. Integration challenges and potential performance bottlenecks are also mentioned as drawbacks. Ultimately, IFS seems best suited for companies with specific industry needs and the resources to invest in its extensive capabilities. "If you're looking for a deep dive into your industry, IFS is amazing," one user concludes. "But if you need something quick and easy, there are other options."

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Is Infor CloudSuite Distribution the "in" thing for managing your supply chain? Infor CloudSuite Distribution has garnered praise for its user-friendly interface and ability to scale with businesses as they grow, enabling them to handle more orders, customers, and inventory without breaking a sweat. One user raved about how it streamlined their operations and boosted customer service, claiming they couldn't function as efficiently without it. This highlights the software's capacity to simplify complex processes and enhance customer satisfaction, key factors for success in today's cutthroat market. However, some users have expressed concerns about the software's price tag and occasional difficulty of use. One user described it as a powerful tool but acknowledged its steep learning curve. This suggests that while Infor CloudSuite Distribution offers robust functionality, it may require significant investment and training to fully leverage its capabilities. Overall, Infor CloudSuite Distribution appears to be a good fit for large wholesale distributors with complex operations who need a comprehensive solution to manage their entire supply chain. Its scalability and industry-specific features make it particularly well-suited for businesses in sectors like building materials, electrical, industrial, plumbing, and HVAC supplies. However, smaller businesses with simpler needs may find the cost and complexity prohibitive.

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