Infor XA is commercial ERP software used to control the operations of manufacturing companies. Its prior name, MAPICS, is an acronym for Manufacturing, Accounting and Production Information Control Systems. MAPICS was created by IBM. The product is now owned by Infor Global Solutions.

Infor XA
Other namesMAPICS
Original author(s)IBM
Developer(s)Infor
Initial release1977
Stable release
Release 10
Written inRPG, Control Language
Operating systemIBM i
TypeEnterprise resource planning
Websitewww.infor.com/products/xa

Originally all MAPICS code ran only on IBM midrange systems like the IBM System 34, 36, 38 and the IBM AS/400, via succeeding versions of the platform - currently IBM i on IBM Power Systems. Early versions were written in IBM RPG, augmented with Control Language programs. IBM's version of SQL is also utilized on the OS integrated database system called Db2 for i . Recent development efforts have added object oriented components written in the Java programming language, which extends a portion of the XA product to servers running Java.

However, the Infor XA product still requires the IBM i operating system. The Java components provide an application runtime which allow user customizations, a rich user interface, an optional web-based interface as well as support for XML interfaces.

Timeline

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1977 IBM develops and markets MAPICS
1993 IBM sells MAPICS to Marcam
1997 Marcam splits into two companies and MAPICS Incorporated is created[1]
2000 MAPICS Inc. acquires Pivotpoint (for its MS Windows based Point.Man ERP system)[2]
2003 MAPICS Inc. acquires Frontstep (for its Progress and .NET based SyteLine ERP system)[3]
2005 MAPICS Incorporated is acquired by Infor. MAPICS is renamed Infor ERP XA[4][5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Bill Mcllvaine (1997-06-01). "Marcam Splits, Re-focuses ERP". managingautomation.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
  2. ^ Garnham, Jonathan. "Technology News - CNET News - CNET". News.cnet.com. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
  3. ^ Renee Boucher Ferguson (2002-11-25). "Mapics Acquires Frontstep". Eweek.com. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
  4. ^ Dan Burger (2017-08-07). "IBM i Trading Punches In The Automotive Supply Chain". www.itjungle.com. Retrieved 2018-06-12.
  5. ^ Debra Kelly (2005-01-28). "Infor to Acquire MAPICS for $350 Million". managingautomation.com. Archived from the original on 2006-10-15. Retrieved 2006-10-15.