Understanding M3 Version Numbering
Jan 28 2017
In this re-post of one of our most popular articles, George Zagas, one of our senior M3 technical folk sheds some light on M3 version numbering. For anyone who is managing legacy Movex / M3 systems, considering upgrades, or new to M3, this is a valuable resource.
Video Content included.
Includes:
- A Quick Guide
- Detailed Video Explanation
Understanding M3 Version Numbering
Many of us have experienced confusion related to version numbering associated with M3. Way back in 1992 Movex Release 7 integrated “AMACS” and “Movex” into the one system. In 1998, Movex Version 11 saw the Application Layer being split from the Business Engine which led to increasingly split version numbering as the years rolled on. In 2005, Movex changed to M3, which accounted for another leap in numbering to M3 Version 5, and then as GUI interfaces (such as Smart Office) with their own numbering came into being, it added yet more complexity. Today we have M3 Version 13.x, M3 Engine Version 15, and Infor Smart Office Version 10. Of course with Infor’s impressive Infor10x (which delivers a new level of capability to Infor’s core products, including M3), the numbering just went up a notch.
The reasons are many but basically come down to the following:
- Changing companies – Intentia, Lawson, Infor
- Changing name – Movex, M3
- Changing release strategies – more responsive, easier upgrades and updates
- Changing technology – splitting out the application layer, adding usable interfaces, adapting to the cloud and ‘consumer-style’ software demands.
I could write for hours about the why’s and wherefores of the version numbering, but I thought it might be more efficient to give you a couple of visual aids.
1. The Quick Guide
(note from editor – we suggest you bookmark or print this one out – its a great snapshot of whats what)
|
Year |
M3/Movex Version |
GUI Version |
Business Engine Ver. |
Notes |
|
1992 |
Movex Release 7 |
n/a |
n/a |
AMACS and Movex integrated into one system. |
|
1994 |
Movex Release 8 |
n/a |
n/a |
|
|
1995 |
Movex Release 9 |
GUI |
n/a |
Screen scraping interface |
|
1997 |
Movex v10 |
Movex Explorer |
n/a |
|
|
1998 |
MIA 10 |
11 |
Movex Industry Applications minus Paper and Steel integrated into “Movex Standard”. | |
|
1999 |
Movex v11 ThisGen and V11 NextGen |
11 |
Java version called NextGen introduced as version 11 pilot to some select customers. | |
|
2001 |
Movex v12 ThisGen and V12 NextGen |
MvxExplorer (ThisGen), |
12 |
Movex 12 NextGen is on BE12 |
|
2002 |
Movex 12.5 RPG |
12 |
Paper and Steel (ACP) functionality included in 12.5RPG. | |
|
2003 |
Movex 2003#2 |
12 |
New notion of Editions is introduced. | |
|
2004 |
Movex 2004#1 and #2 |
12 |
No more RPG version releases. | |
|
2005 |
M3 v5.1 and v5.2 |
12 |
||
|
2006 |
M3 v5.2US |
12 |
US version. Lawson merges with Intentia. | |
|
2007 |
Lawson Smart Client |
|||
|
2008 |
M3 v7.1 |
Lawson Smart Client v10.0.5 |
13 |
Decoupling M3 Technology and M3 Application. |
|
2009 |
M3 v10.1 |
Lawson Smart Office v10.1.1 |
14 |
M3 Enterprise Search introduced. |
|
2010 |
M3 v10.1 (HB 201005) |
14 |
Lawson Cloud introduced. Flexible Subscription licencing of M3 on Amazon. | |
|
2012 |
Infor merges with Lawson. | |||
|
2013 |
M3 v13.1 |
15 |
Introduction of Feature Packs for M3. | |
|
2013 |
Infor H5 |
New HTML5-based thin client for M3. | ||
|
2014 |
Infor Smart Office v 10.2 |
|||
|
2014 |
M3 v13.2 |
15 |
2. The Documentary Version
If you are a visual/auditory person, or if you would like to understand some of the detail about what the different versions include, this is the one for you. In this 5 minute video, I talk you through some of the history aided by a helpful graphical timeline.
If you have any questions about M3 version numbering, don’t hesitate to contact me on george.zagas@comactivity.com.au
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