The ERP system as a central platform in small and medium-sized enterprises

Modular software structure and diverse interfaces are in demand

Particularly in small and medium-sized companies, employees are often responsible for overlapping areas of responsibility, which makes central recording of all data and information of enormous importance. What is needed here is a central platform in which all data converge and which allows all authorized persons to access the current status at any time. An ERP system tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises is an ideal tool for this purpose and contributes greatly to the automation of routine activities and to the relief of employees.

Modular software structure creates the necessary flexibility

A decisive criterion in the selection of an ERP system is a modular software structure, which ensures the necessary flexibility, especially for small and medium-sized companies: It should be possible to enter the ERP system according to the current need for functionality and user licenses. As the user becomes more confident in using the system and/or the company grows in size, it should then be possible to flexibly expand the modules and licenses in order to automate the processes step by step. Examples in this context are automated contact and quotation tracking, creation of purchase orders, external production orders and production orders as well as deadline tracking in purchasing. Areas such as warehouse management, preliminary and final costing, and the transfer of incoming and outgoing invoices to the accounting system - including the tax advisor - are also often suitable for the implementation of correspondingly automated processes in small and medium-sized companies. In addition, an ERP system should offer the option of automatically determining material requirements on the basis of the order or the bill of materials. With the help of ERP systems specially developed for medium-sized project and order manufacturers - such as the company software "FactWork" from F.EE - the bills of materials can be automatically transferred from various design tools - such as "Autodesk Inventor" and "EPLAN".

Interfaces and integrations contribute to process automation

To drive the elimination of time-consuming and costly manual processes, an ERP system for small and medium-sized enterprises should provide a wide range of interfaces and integration solutions. "As an automation specialist, F.EE has been using the "FactWork" enterprise software for more than 25 years. Therefore, we know from our own experience how important the perfect interaction of an ERP system with, among others, engineering, CAD, PDM/PLM as well as document management systems is and how much this facilitates the daily work routine", says F.EE managing director Johann Fleischmann and adds: "Our know-how in project and contract manufacturing also allows a continuous, practice-oriented further development of the enterprise software and makes the implementation of project- and customer-specific solutions possible." 

For many years, both companies with five employees and larger companies with more than 250 employees from a wide range of industries have benefited from these and other advantages of the "FactWork" business software - such as the option of mobile software use via app. As a central platform, "FactWork" makes a decisive contribution to improving the transparency and consistency of processes in small and medium-sized companies.