ERP solution for a diverse product range
Design freedom in planning and execution: architects, investors and building owners alike appreciate these points when selecting products. Manufacturers respond to this with a wide range of variants and configuration options. To prevent this from complicating production processes, the product configurator is a fundamental component of the complete ERP solution that Softbauware has developed. This simplifies the preparation of quotations, production management and the training of new employees.
Times are changing. Whereas in the past the same architect's drawing was used for an entire street for cost reasons, today the focus is on the individual design of the house for the client. It is important for planners and investors to know how diverse the possibilities are when it comes to designing buildings and constructions. Against this background, the demands on manufacturing companies are also changing. They are offering as many variants of their products as possible in order to meet current market demands and at the same time be able to compete with the competition.
However, every expansion of the product portfolio makes production and its processes more complex. This is because the large number of variants and configuration options also increases the range of potential problems for the manufacturer.
Sophisticated product configurator
Errors can be avoided first and foremost through forward-looking planning and good goods management. To ensure both, the software manufacturer Softbauware has designed a holistic ERP solution. This connects all areas of the company, from goods purchasing to production, employee management and logistics, in order to ensure the best possible production processes. An important component of the software - which was awarded the title of "ERP of the Year 2024" in the category of multi-variant production - is the product configurator. Within the application, articles can be divided into different features and characteristics. These include dimensions, color and the number of windows and sockets. To simplify invoicing, each individual characteristic can be assigned an individual price. Examples of configuration items in the precast concrete industry are stairs, columns, angle supports or even more complex systems such as garages. August Lücking GmbH & Co. KG has been using the system very successfully for years. Recently, it once again proved its worth in a technically highly demanding project. A spiral folding staircase made of concrete left the production line without any problems. Richard Lemke, who is an authorized signatory at the company, said: "We can only deliver a project as complex as a spiral folding staircase in this quality thanks to technical support. It is an excellent example of how digitalization and automation can work together. The technical draughtsman creates a 3D model of the staircase. This can be used to automatically transfer the reinforcement and formwork to the automatic bending machines and the CNC milling machine.
Central knowledge management
By storing all articles and configurations within the ERP system, production processes can be simplified. For example, it is possible to define what production can and cannot do - and therefore which variants are available at what time. This considerably simplifies the preparation of quotations. In addition, the background information for each product can be saved as a set of rules in the software. In this way, the solution also contributes to internal knowledge management and new sales employees can be trained more quickly. This is because the accumulated knowledge about products, configurations and production is stored centrally.
Thanks to the large number of presettings and intersections within the ERP system, detailed evaluations can be carried out using the product configurator. This means that it is always clear which products are being sold and to what extent. This not only makes the process completely transparent, but also allows conclusions to be drawn about the direction in which a product needs to develop in order to meet the challenges of the market and customer requirements.
The requirements for software solutions are in a constant state of flux. "New products can become obsolete or unusable within a few weeks due to market changes. To prevent this, the product configurator can be dynamically adapted to new conditions at any time. We supply the system's development environment for this purpose. This means that changes can also be made by the manufacturers themselves," explains Softbauware Managing Director Andreas Hougardy.
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