Infor ION Integration Patterns for M3: BODs, ION Connect, and Event-Driven Architecture
Infor ION is the integration backbone that connects M3 to other Infor applications (d/EPM, Optiva, PLM), third-party systems, and cloud services. ION uses Business Object Documents (BODs) as the canonical message format, enabling loosely coupled integrations that survive application upgrades. Understanding ION's document flow model, connection point configuration, and event-driven patterns is essential for every M3 architect building a connected enterprise.
BOD Architecture and M3 Document Flows
ION communications are built on OAGIS-based Business Object Documents (BODs). M3 publishes BODs when business events occur—Sync.ItemMaster when items change in MMS001, Process.PurchaseOrder when POs are approved in PPS200, and Sync.CustomerPartyMaster when customers are updated in CRS610. Subscribing applications receive these BODs through ION connection points, enabling real-time data synchronization without point-to-point interfaces.
- Configure M3 BOD publisher in MNS860 for key document types: ItemMaster, PurchaseOrder, SalesOrder, ChartOfAccounts
- Map M3 fields to BOD elements using ION Desk mapping tools for custom field extensions beyond standard BOD coverage
- Set up BOD subscription filters in ION to route documents by M3 company (CONO), division (DIVI), or custom attributes
- Enable BOD acknowledgment tracking (ConfirmBOD) for critical integrations requiring guaranteed delivery
- Monitor ION document flow health in ION Desk: throughput rates, failed deliveries, and processing latency metrics
ION Connect, API Gateway, and Third-Party Integration
ION Connect enables non-Infor applications to participate in the ION message fabric. Connection points for REST APIs, SOAP services, flat files, and database tables allow any system to publish and subscribe to BODs. The ION API Gateway provides OAuth2-secured REST endpoints for M3 MI programs, enabling modern web and mobile applications to interact with M3 without MvxAPI dependencies. Third-party integrations use ION Connect for Salesforce, Workday, and e-commerce platform connectivity.
- Configure ION Connect file-based connection points for legacy system flat file integration (CSV, XML, fixed-width)
- Set up ION API Gateway endpoints for M3 MI programs with OAuth2 client credentials and JWT token validation
- Use ION Connect REST connection points for real-time integration with Salesforce, Shopify, and WMS platforms
- Implement ION data lake integration for M3 transactional data export to analytics and BI environments
- Configure ION Connect database connection points for direct table-level integration with non-M3 databases
Event-Driven Workflows and ION Process Automation
ION's workflow engine enables event-driven process automation triggered by M3 business events. When a purchase order exceeds a threshold in PPS200, ION can route an approval workflow to the procurement manager. When inventory drops below safety stock in MMS100, ION triggers a replenishment notification. These event-driven patterns replace scheduled batch processes with real-time responses, reducing reaction time from hours to seconds.
- Design ION workflows triggered by M3 BOD events: approval routing, notification chains, and escalation paths
- Configure ION alert rules for threshold-based monitoring: credit limit breaches, inventory exceptions, delivery delays
- Implement multi-step approval workflows: PO approval, customer credit override, price exception authorization
- Use ION workflow tasks for human-in-the-loop processes with mobile-friendly approval interfaces
- Monitor ION workflow execution: completion rates, average cycle time, bottleneck identification by approval step
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