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The Q1 2026 update for Novacura Flow has arrived, showcasing a major leap forward in ERP system expansion. This quarter, the focus is squarely on the transition to Flow Connect, the introduction of Generative AI, and streamlining the migration path for IFS Cloud customers. Here is a breakdown of the most significant updates from the March 27th session. The Rise of Generative AI in ERP: From Prompt to Wireframe The new Flow Builder is Novacura’s first step into generative AI. It allows developers to describe a business need in natural language, which the AI then uses to generate a functional wireframe, including automatic IFS Cloud OData API integrations. Flow Builder (Generative AI): This new tool allows developers to create application wireframes in seconds using natural language. By describing a workflow, the AI generates the logic, handles clarifying questions like a consultant, and can even write Flow Script for IFS Cloud OData integrations. AI-Powered Translations: Located within the new “Phrase Book” assets, you can now request instant Swedish (or other language) translations for entire applications or individual missing cells. Flow Connect & The New Web Designer Starting April 1st, 2026, the Web Designer becomes the default for all organizations in Flow Connect. No Installation Required: Move away from thick-client Windows installations to a fully browser-based experience. Important Note: Applications committed in the Web Designer cannot be reopened in the older Windows designer. Plan your team’s transition accordingly. Solving the IFS Cloud Migration Puzzle For customers moving to IFS Cloud, Novacura introduced two powerful “killer apps”: IFS Comparison Tool: This tool scans your existing workflows and compares them against different IFS versions. It highlights exactly which APIs or OData methods have changed, giving you a clear CSV report of what needs to be fixed for your next upgrade. PL/SQL to Flow Script Converter: A breakthrough for migrations, this tool uses AI to convert legacy PL/SQL blocks into modern Flow Script and OData calls. It targets an 80% automation rate for common workflow steps, significantly reducing manual consulting hours. New Technical Capabilities Local Storage: A game-changer for offline apps. It allows data manipulation directly on the device (offline) that persists across different apps within the same session. Expanded Connectors: The addition of ODBC (accessing MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.), FTP, and OPC UA (for shop floor IoT devices) bridges the gap for customers migrating from Flow Classic. Octa Integration: Native support for Octa login is now available for identity management. Flow Classic: The Road Ahead While the focus is on Flow Connect, Novacura remains committed to Classic users. Standard Support: Continues through the end of 2026. Restricted Support: Begins Q1 2027 and ends September 30th, 2027. Transition: For those who must remain on-premises, Flow Connect Edge is slated for release in Q4 2026. Marketplace Updates: Now Free for Everyone In an effort to expand the community, Novacura has introduced a Free Plan for the Marketplace. Even without an active subscription, users can now access basic applications, tutorials, and supportive tools to learn the platform. New Marketplace Highlights: AI Lead Capture: An app that lets you scan […]

Another year at Infoteamdagene has confirmed that the Norwegian industrial landscape is at a crossroads. As we gathered for the 2026 edition – marking another consecutive year of Novacura’s proud sponsorship of this vital community – one theme resonated louder than any technical update: the growing friction between ERP complexity and operational reality. Beyond our role as sponsors, we had the privilege of presenting a live look into how leaders are solving this friction. Our session, “How Møre Trafo Synchronized Production, Logistics, and Quality with Novacura Flow,” demonstrated that when you align your ERP with your people – rather than the other way around – the results are transformative. Insights from the 2026 M3 Roadmap Infoteamdagene 2026 provided a clear view of the road ahead. Our team engaged with several key pillars of the current M3 ecosystem: Maximizing M3 Value: Strategies for squeezing every drop of ROI out of existing implementations while preparing for modernization. The Cloud Transition: Moving to the Cloud is no longer the “future”—it is the present. The focus is now on how to migrate without losing the unique competitive advantages built into your current processes. AI and Automation: The integration of AI is shifting from hype to high-level automation, particularly in Supply Chain and Finance. Technical Deep Dives: Exploring how modern APIs and extensions can finally allow for a “Clean Core” strategy. The “Reporting Lag” and the Complexity Barrier As was mentioned many times during the event, for many organizations running Infor M3, the ERP has become an administrative burden on the shop floor. When a reporting process is too complex to complete in the moment, operators revert to paper or delayed entries. This is the Complexity Barrier. By the time the data reaches the management dashboard, it is already “historical fiction,” leading to over-purchasing, inventory inaccuracies, and a loss of strategic control. 35% Claim Reduction and Strategic Control: The Møre Trafo Customer Case At Infoteamdagene 2026, Møre Trafo – Scandinavia’s premier manufacturer of distribution transformers – demonstrated how they shifted from “ERP-centric” thinking to “operational intent.” In a high-precision industry where technical deviations carry heavy financial risks, Møre Trafo needed a way to ensure that shop-floor reality perfectly matched their digital records. The Challenge: The Friction of Manual Oversight Despite a robust ERP, Møre Trafo faced a common “Complexity Barrier”. Vital quality data was often captured manually, creating a “reporting lag” that prevented proactive course correction. This fragmentation made it difficult to maintain full traceability and contributed to avoidable costs from non-conformity and claims. The Solution: The “Template-Block” Framework To eliminate this friction, Møre Trafo implemented a process-optimizing low-code layer using Novacura Flow. Instead of forcing technicians to navigate complex ERP screens, they deployed a “Template-Block” architecture that enforces engineering rules at the point of execution. This mobile-first interface guides workers through mandatory technical gates – such as pressure tests or specific measurements – ensuring that data is captured correctly the first time. If a technical tolerance isn’t met, the process stops, preventing defects from moving downstream. The Result: Strategic Control and a 35% Claim Reduction By moving their complex […]

Beyond The Buzzwords: Real-World AI At IFS Connect DACH 2026 IFS Connect DACH 2026 in Munich was more than just a calendar event; it served as a critical launchpad for the future of industrial operations. While the sessions buzzed with the launch of IFS.ai Logistics and the broader vision of Industrial AI across manufacturing and field service, the real value emerged in the spaces between: the face-to-face connections that spark genuine innovation. However, beneath the excitement of new product launches like the Softeon acquisition – which promises to bolster IFS’s logistics capabilities – a familiar challenge remains for many organizations. The Agility Gap: Why Business Intent Stalls In the world of high-stakes ERP management, the primary bottleneck isn’t the software’s capability – it is the technical friction between a business idea and its execution. Traditionally, if a logistics manager identifies a need for a new mobile workflow or a specific data integration, they face a daunting timeline. Translating that intent into a functional IFS Cloud workflow typically requires deep technical expertise and weeks of development. This complexity acts as the ultimate brake on organizational agility. Organizations find themselves waiting for “coding windows” rather than reacting to market shifts in real-time. Introducing The Flow ERP Fusion AI Engine At our booth in Munich, the Novacura team demonstrated a shift in this paradigm. We are currently entering the final development phase of the Flow ERP Fusion AI Engine, a domain-optimized tool designed specifically to bridge the gap between human intent and the IFS Cloud API. This isn’t “AI for the sake of AI.” It is a process-optimizing layer designed to eliminate manual “heavy lifting”: Natural Language Interaction: Users describe the required workflow in plain language. The AI understands the business context, not just the syntax. Consultative Intelligence: Much like a human consultant, the engine asks clarifying questions to ensure the generated logic aligns with specific operational needs. Automated Logic Generation: The engine instantly drafts the necessary FlowScripts and OData integrations, slashing the time required for development. Insights From The Floor: The Changing Ecosystem The landscape of the IFS ecosystem is shifting. A notable observation from our team in Munich was the absence of traditional middleware giants like Dell Boomi. As these legacy platforms move further from the IFS core, the positioning of Novacura Flow as a dedicated integration and process engine becomes even more vital. While IFS continues to expand its product footprint – most notably in reporting and logistics – there remain significant gaps in how users can flexibly extend the system without getting stuck in modifications. By keeping the core “clean” and using a low-code layer for innovation, companies can prepare for future upgrades without losing their competitive edge. From Technical Dependency To Operational Fluidity The goal of the Flow ERP Fusion AI Engine is simple: ERP Agility without the Bottleneck. By removing the requirement for deep manual coding for every new process, we enable a shift from technical dependency to operational fluidity. You no longer need to wait for a developer to catch up with your business requirements. Instead, you orchestrate flows that match how your people actually […]

For years, the promise of Artificial Intelligence in manufacturing has been hindered by a fundamental disconnect. While modern ERPs can predict a machine failure or a supply chain delay with startling accuracy, the “last mile” of that insight – getting a human or a system to actually do something about it – in many cases remains manual, fragmented, and slow. This is the Industrial AI Paradox: we are data-rich but execution-poor. With the introduction of IFS.ai and the 2025 acquisition of TheLoops — now integrated as IFS Loops — ERP is evolving into something fundamentally different: a system of action, capable of autonomous execution, real-time decision-making, and continuous operational orchestration. This shift is not incremental. It is architectural. IFS.ai: Intelligence As An Infrastructure IFS has fundamentally rejected the “AI-as-an-add-on” philosophy. Through IFS.ai, they have built an infrastructure where artificial intelligence is a core component of the ERP architecture. This isn’t just about generating text; it’s about industrial-grade predictive and prescriptive logic. For a Logistics Manager, this means the system doesn’t just record that a shipment is late. IFS.ai analyzes the impact of that delay on downstream production schedules, evaluates the shelf-life of the raw materials involved, and recommends a specific rerouting strategy to minimize financial loss. It is pervasive, touching everything from Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) to Service Management. For more insights on IFS.ai check out: IFS Cloud – IFS.ai  The Strategic Shift: Why IFS Acquired TheLoops To understand where industrial software is heading, we must look at the 2025 acquisition of TheLoops.  Traditional ERP systems act as “systems of record,” storing and reporting data after events occur. With the emergence of agentic AI platforms like IFS Loops, ERP evolves into a system of action — autonomously executing multi-system processes and making context-driven decisions while humans focus on high-value exceptions. IFS Loops: The Rise of the Digital Worker   IFS Loops introduces the concept of the Digital Workers, specialized autonomous AI agents capable of context-aware decision making and execution across enterprise systems. Unlike rigid RPA scripts, they dynamically plan and perform complex tasks such as order management or maintenance scheduling with significant operational impact. To understand the breadth of this technology, we can categorize these agents by the operational “Villains” they defeat: The Supplier Order Manager (The Procurement Sentinel): In a traditional setup, if a supplier changes a delivery date via email or a portal, a human must read the notification, check the ERP, assess the impact on production, and manually update the purchase order. The Loop: The Digital Worker monitors these external signals autonomously. It identifies a 48-hour delay, cross-references it with current safety stock levels in IFS Cloud, and—if the delay doesn’t risk a line-stop—it updates the PO and notifies the planner. If it does risk a line-stop, it automatically flags the exception for immediate human intervention. The Demand & Inventory Replenisher (The Capital Optimizer): Manual replenishment often relies on “gut feeling” or static reorder points that don’t account for seasonality or sudden market shifts. The Loop: This agent continuously analyzes consumption patterns against external market signals. If it detects a trend—for example, a sudden spike in demand for a specific […]

Novacura participated in the IFS Sales Kick-Off (SaKo) 2026 in Dallas, Texas—one of the key events in the IFS ecosystem. The summit highlighted the shift from traditional ERP to Autonomous Industrial AI and showcased strategic priorities like AI-driven sales, digital workers, and partner-driven growth. Insights from the event reinforce Novacura’s role in helping customers bridge advanced IFS AI capabilities with real-world operational needs using Novacura Flow.

Usability is becoming the defining factor in ERP efficiency. In this interview, Aksel Jarlbäck explains how Novacura is transforming the Infor M3 experience by making business applications intuitive, user‑friendly, and adaptable.