How to Automate Infor CloudSuite Data Export (No API...

Introduction

Infor CloudSuite is a comprehensive industry-specific ERP system that manages finance, supply chain, manufacturing, and operations for various industries. While Infor CloudSuite provides API access, browser automation offers a powerful solution for automating industry-specific compliance workflows, syncing logistics data with ERP production plans, and streamlining enterprise workflows when direct API access is limited or unavailable.

Why Use Browser Automation for Infor CloudSuite Data Export?

• Limited API Access: Infor CloudSuite has restricted API access for many complex operations and reporting functions
• Industry Compliance: Automate industry-specific compliance workflows for regulated industries
• Logistics Integration: Sync logistics data with ERP production plans for efficient operations
• Dashboard-Only Features: Some advanced analytics and reporting tools are only available through the web interface
• Historical Data: Easier access to older transactions and reports beyond API limits
• Real-Time Sync: Automate real-time synchronization of logistics and production data
• Bulk Operations: Process large volumes of data for compliance and reporting

Setting Up Infor CloudSuite Data Export Automation

Here's how to automate data collection from Infor CloudSuite using browser automation:

import { chromium } from 'playwright';

const response = await fetch("https://api.anchorbrowser.io/api/sessions", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "anchor-api-key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    'headless': false,
    'proxy': {
      'type': 'residential',
      'country': 'US'
    }
  }),
});

const { id } = await response.json();
const connectionString = `wss://connect.anchorbrowser.io?apiKey=YOUR_API_KEY&sessionId=${id}`;

const browser = await chromium.connectOverCDP(connectionString);
const context = browser.contexts()[0];
const ai = context.serviceWorkers()[0];
const page = context.pages()[0];

// Navigate to Infor CloudSuite
await page.goto("https://your-infor-system.com");

// Login with AI agent
await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
  prompt: 'Log in to Infor CloudSuite using the provided credentials. Wait for the dashboard to fully load.'
}));

Use Case 1: Automate Industry-Specific Compliance Workflows

Automate industry-specific compliance workflows for regulated industries:

const automateComplianceWorkflows = async (page, ai, complianceCriteria) => {
  // Navigate to compliance module
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to the Compliance or Regulatory Reporting module in Infor CloudSuite'
  }));
  
  // Set compliance parameters
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Set compliance parameters: compliance type ${complianceCriteria.type}, reporting period ${complianceCriteria.period}, regulation ${complianceCriteria.regulation}, business units ${complianceCriteria.businessUnits.join(', ')}`
  }));
  
  // Execute compliance workflow
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Run compliance workflow and wait for results to load'
  }));
  
  // Wait for results
  await page.waitForLoadState('networkidle');
  
  // Extract compliance data
  const complianceData = await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Extract compliance data including: compliance type, reporting period, regulation requirements, compliance status, required documentation, audit trail, approval status, and compliance metrics. Return as structured JSON array.'
  }));
  
  // Export compliance report
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Export compliance report as Excel or PDF, including all required documentation and audit trails'
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  const path = await download.path();
  
  return {
    compliance: JSON.parse(complianceData),
    exportPath: path,
    complianceDate: new Date().toISOString()
  };
};

Use Case 2: Sync Logistics Data with ERP Production Plans

Automate the synchronization of logistics data with ERP production plans for efficient operations:

const syncLogisticsData = async (page, ai, logisticsCriteria) => {
  const logisticsUpdates = [];
  
  // Navigate to logistics section
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to the Logistics or Supply Chain Management section in Infor CloudSuite'
  }));
  
  // Set logistics filters
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Set filters: date range ${logisticsCriteria.startDate} to ${logisticsCriteria.endDate}, shipment status ${logisticsCriteria.status || 'all'}, warehouse ${logisticsCriteria.warehouse || 'all'}`
  }));
  
  // Execute search
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Click Search or Filter and wait for results to load'
  }));
  
  // Wait for results
  await page.waitForLoadState('networkidle');
  
  // Extract logistics data
  const logisticsData = await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Extract logistics data including: shipment numbers, delivery dates, warehouse locations, inventory movements, production orders, material requirements, transportation status, and delivery confirmations. Return as structured JSON array.'
  }));
  
  const shipments = JSON.parse(logisticsData);
  
  // Sync each shipment with production plans
  for (const shipment of shipments) {
    // Get shipment details
    await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
      prompt: `Open shipment ${shipment.shipmentNumber} to view full details`
    }));
    
    // Extract full shipment information
    const shipmentDetails = await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
      prompt: 'Extract full shipment details including: shipment number, items (SKU, quantity), source warehouse, destination, delivery dates, production order references, material requirements, transportation method, and status. Return as structured JSON data.'
    }));
    
    const shipmentData = JSON.parse(shipmentDetails);
    
    logisticsUpdates.push({
      shipmentNumber: shipment.shipmentNumber,
      deliveryDate: shipment.deliveryDate,
      status: shipment.status,
      shipmentData: shipmentData,
      lastSynced: new Date().toISOString()
    });
    
    // Sync with production plans (example: update production schedules)
    if (shipmentData.status === 'in-transit') {
      console.log(`Shipment ${shipment.shipmentNumber} in transit - update production plans`);
      // Add integration logic here to update production plans
    }
    
    // Small delay between shipments
    await page.waitForTimeout(1000);
  }
  
  return logisticsUpdates;
};

Exporting Financial Reports

Export financial reports and accounting data:

const exportFinancialReports = async (page, ai, reportType, dateRange) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to Reports or Financial Reports section'
  }));
  
  // Set report parameters
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Run ${reportType} report for date range ${dateRange.start} to ${dateRange.end}`
  }));
  
  // Export report
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Export report as Excel or PDF and wait for download to complete'
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Collecting Transaction Data

Extract transaction and accounting data for analysis:

const collectTransactionData = async (page, ai, criteria) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Navigate to transactions and set filters: transaction type ${criteria.type}, date range ${criteria.startDate} to ${criteria.endDate}, company ${criteria.company || 'all'}`
  }));
  
  // Extract transaction data
  const transactions = await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Extract transaction data including: document number, posting date, account, amount, currency, reference, cost center, department, and description. Return as structured JSON array.'
  }));
  
  return JSON.parse(transactions);
};

Generating Custom Reports

Create custom reports with specific filters and criteria:

const generateCustomReport = async (page, ai, reportConfig) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to Report Builder or Custom Reports'
  }));
  
  // Configure report
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Create custom report: report type ${reportConfig.type}, criteria ${JSON.stringify(reportConfig.criteria)}, fields ${JSON.stringify(reportConfig.fields)}, date range ${reportConfig.startDate} to ${reportConfig.endDate}`
  }));
  
  // Execute and export
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Execute report, wait for results, then export as Excel or CSV'
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Best Practices for Infor CloudSuite Automation

• Security: Use secure credential storage and enable 2FA handling for Infor CloudSuite system access
• Rate Limiting: Add delays between requests to avoid overwhelming the system and account restrictions
• Data Validation: Verify exported data completeness and accuracy before processing, especially for compliance
• Error Handling: Implement retry logic for transient failures and network issues
• Transaction Safety: Ensure all data extraction is read-only and doesn't modify system data
• Compliance Accuracy: Verify compliance requirements and documentation before finalizing reports
• Logistics Sync: Coordinate logistics syncs with production planning cycles
• Compliance: Ensure all data handling meets industry-specific security and compliance requirements
• Regular Updates: Monitor for changes in Infor CloudSuite's interface and update scripts accordingly

Handling Authentication

Infor CloudSuite may require multi-factor authentication. Here's how to handle it:

const handleInforAuth = async (page, ai, credentials) => {
  // Navigate to login
  await page.goto("https://your-infor-system.com");
  
  // Enter credentials
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Enter username ${credentials.username} and password, then click Login`
  }));
  
  // Handle 2FA if required
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'If a 2FA prompt appears, wait for the code to be provided and enter it'
  }));
  
  // Wait for dashboard
  await page.waitForLoadState('networkidle');
};

Resources

• Anchor Browser Documentation - Complete API reference and guides
• Anchor Browser Playground - Try browser automation in your browser

Conclusion

Browser automation provides a flexible alternative to API access for Infor CloudSuite data export. By leveraging intelligent browser agents, you can automate industry-specific compliance workflows, sync logistics data with ERP production plans, and streamline enterprise workflows that aren't easily achievable through API calls alone. Whether you need to manage compliance workflows, synchronize logistics with production, or generate custom reports, browser automation enables efficient data management from Infor CloudSuite while maintaining enterprise security and compliance.

Start automating your Infor CloudSuite workflows today and streamline your enterprise resource planning processes!