ERP integrations: How to expand your digital scope of action.

Automation and digitalization with long-term benefits: This is what Enterprise Resource Planning stands for. A future-proof solution that meets constantly growing requirements, understands the functional needs of the industry, serves as a "true" source of information and at the same time is technologically up to date. How can all this be reconciled? The trick lies in interfaces that connect the ERP with other solutions. Read the blog post to find out why they play a key role for companies, what you should look out for and what opportunities they offer.

By definition, an ERP integration is the bridge that connects an ERP system with other applications that are not directly available in the ERP. This can be a laboratory connection, a connection in production or a digital document management system, for example. As a connector, an ERP integration makes it easy to combine different systems and to link and automate a variety of business processes. The potential for saving time is huge.

Companies often use multiple software applications to manage business processes such as accounting, human resources and warehousing. By ensuring the exchange of data between these solutions, an ERP interface seamlessly integrates them. Consistency and accuracy of data increases and less data needs to be entered manually. When selecting an ERP system, companies should therefore make sure that interfaces are guaranteed.

From the ordering process to goods issue - the number of processes that an ERP system covers and automates is enormous. The solution alone raises you and your processes to a level of efficiency that would be impossible to achieve manually. Nevertheless, the potential for automation is huge. By integrating additional solutions that cover specific subject areas, an even more comprehensive range of functions is created. Typical examples of applications that are connected to an ERP via an interface include

Maximum security, strict regulations, top quality: in order for companies in the process industry to meet the high requirements and still be able to use an ERP system, they need a special solution. This is precisely why our industry-specific ERP solution extends the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central ERP system and is seamlessly connected to it. Important functions such as batch management, quality control and production support provide you with the tools you need to work smoothly with Microsoft ERP. But there are numerous other solutions that can be combined with Business Central thanks to ERP integrations:

Electronic data interchange

EDI for retail

With this solution, you can automate your data exchange with trading partners efficiently and accurately and connect them smoothly to your ERP system via an interface. The connection is possible with almost any retail partner that is EDI-capable, for example Lidl, Amazon, Walmart, Edeka, Siemens and Hornbach. More about EDI trade.

EDI for the automotive industry

You can also connect automotive suppliers directly to your ERP system and exchange data automatically. The requirements of the automotive industry are reliably met. Your work is also designed to meet the standards of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), Odette or AIAG. More about EDI Automotive.

Intercompany

Use the Intercompany solution for automatic electronic data exchange within your group of companies. You can use it quickly thanks to ready-made best practices templates and work with shared master data in several clients. You can also manage master and transaction data, assign authorization concepts, optimize your sales planning and much more.

Document management

Our DMS solution is Yaveon ProDocs. It combines the proven DMS of our partner d.velop AG with our unique, highly efficient implementation methodology. Anyone using Yaveon ProDocs manages their documents centrally, clearly and in a technically audit-proof manner - seamlessly integrated into Business Central via the appropriate interface.

Process automation

Scanning app

One part of the Yaveon ERP industry solution is the scanning app. By simply scanning warehouse items during processing instead of having to manually enter the change into your system, you save time and optimize your warehouse processes.

Workflows with the Microsoft Power Platform

Microsoft Power Platform tools create workflows that fit perfectly into your IT environment and integrate seamlessly into your ERP system. You can digitize ancillary processes such as IT requests, vacation management or customer and supplier portals easily and efficiently. This saves time and creates transparency.

Data analysis and reporting

BI cockpits

Ready-made cockpits tailored to the needs of target groups such as Finance or QM provide you with meaningful insights into your data situation and analyses for data-based decisions. The following cockpits are available:

• Quality control: with the quality control cockpit, you can reliably keep an eye on the quality of your items as well as the necessary responsiveness. If necessary, you can act in good time. This is based on the Business Central inspection orders.
• Sales: Based on all available figures and information, the Sales Cockpit provides you with the data you need to take your sales processes to the next level.
• Purchase: You can view the current status of your purchasing processes digitally at any time using our Purchase Cockpit. The trick: all the information used for this is based on currently imported data.
• Incident Management: Incident Management provides you with all the information you need to identify the causes, types of origin and reasons for complaints.
• Cash flow: With our cash flow cockpit, you can always keep an eye on your cash flows and make well-founded decisions based on precise data analyses.
• Range planning: Our range planning cockpit shows you precisely which items are available in your warehouse stock and in what quantities, when they will be available and whether potential bottlenecks are imminent.
• Finance: With our Finance Cockpit, you can easily create reliable balance sheets, sales figures and reports digitally.

More about the BI cockpits.

Financial processes

ERP Invoicing

Use the Invoicing app to automatically create invoices electronically directly from your ERP system instead of having to process documents manually. Depending on your requirements, you can send documents by email, post, fax or as a digital invoice.

The entire Yaveon portfolio integrates perfectly and also enables external connections to Shopify, Amazon and DATEV, for example. Our focus: start-ups and small and medium-sized companies in the process industry.

Bidirectional connection

Make sure that the ERP integration is suitable for a bidirectional connection. This allows you to both transfer and receive data from the ERP and access a uniform and consistent view of your business processes.

Cloud solution

Opt for a solution that is cloud-based and future-proof. The technology enables scalability, provides flexibility and reduces costs. The reason: erp integrations based on the cloud require fewer resources for hardware and software. Users also have mobile access to content at any time.

Security and data protection

Check whether the ERP integration complies with all the necessary security standards to ensure confidentiality and availability in a regulated manner. Important factors: the transmission and storage of data is encrypted, users must authenticate themselves and data protection laws are complied with.

Software partner

Implement the interface and the associated systems with a partner who is familiar with the ERP system itself as well as your requirements and industry, and get training. This will allow you to make the most of the interface's possibilities and introduce the solutions with confidence. You will also increase user acceptance and ensure that the existing systems are actively used. But which partner is the right one? In addition to experience and industry expertise, connection options should be available and the solutions should be compatible.

There are numerous reasons why erp integrations are important for companies.
Some of them are

Import and export in one solution

ERP integrations make it possible to import data from external sources. This includes, for example, data from business partner systems such as suppliers and customers. At the same time, ERP integrations also serve to export data from the ERP so that it can be used in other applications. The benefits can be seen, for example, in reports that are created in reporting tools such as Microsoft Power BI and thus enable a holistic view.

More time

Interfaces in the ERP make it possible to automate further business processes such as connections to warehouse management systems or other third-party systems. The result: less effort and fewer errors. Work processes can be accelerated and customer satisfaction increases.

Long-term companion

Requirements and conditions change. An ERP integration allows you to react flexibly to this by improving connectivity and interoperability with platforms, devices and applications.

Better communication

ERP integrations facilitate the flow of data between business processes and applications by integrating, synchronizing and updating information from different sources. This allows business performance to be accurately represented.

Working on one interface

Instead of stand-alone solutions that run in parallel, you rely on fully integrated systems that work together. By combining existing business processes in different solutions via the interface, you have the option of working on a single interface.

More reliable data

Data quality is improved because you create a uniform and accurate data source for all business areas. All data available in the various solutions is managed centrally in one place.

More efficiency

You increase efficiency because manual data entry and transfer are reduced and you save time.

Fewer errors

You avoid redundancies and the risk of making manual errors, as data is processed centrally in one place instead of being duplicated in several locations. By relying on a single source of information instead of silos, you optimize processes and results at the same time. Quality gates between the systems serve to ensure data quality.

Transparency and access

You gain transparency because integrated systems give users comprehensive access to the current data status.

More informed decisions

Aggregating, filtering and visualizing sources simplifies and optimizes data analyses and thus contributes to more accurate decisions. Because up-to-date information is provided via an ERP integration and all aspects are taken into account, performance can be measured accurately, trends identified and recommendations for action made. Practical and useful at the same time!

Faster results

You work in an agile and more targeted manner, because all the people involved can be integrated into your processes. This increases flexibility and speed.

Stand up to the competition

You improve your competitiveness because your systems interact with each other, enabling you to react more quickly to new market conditions and customer requirements.

Real-time information

A well-integrated ERP integration enables companies to view information on their business processes in real time. This provides decision-makers with an optimal data basis for well-founded decisions.

Better customer service

By exchanging information seamlessly thanks to ERP integrations, companies can offer customers a more tailored service. For example, customer service can easily access information on stock levels and respond to customer queries more quickly.

Scalability

Companies change and grow. Erp integrations, on the other hand, ensure that software grows with your needs. They are scalable and can be easily expanded using additional solutions and software.

Compliance and security

Company data is consolidated across the board in a central ERP system. This makes it easier to adhere to applicable compliance regulations and better manage and control data security.

Erp integrations therefore offer numerous possibilities and opportunities. However, they also present challenges that need to be overcome. The good news first: if approached with care, they are easy to manage. An experienced software partner also ensures that hurdles are kept to a minimum even before the implementation phase.

The following challenges are particularly typical:

1. ERP integrations are not always easy to implement and manage, as they can present various technical, organizational and security challenges.
2. In addition, bugs or malfunctions can occur, resulting in the loss of data or falsifications, or the necessary maintenance of the ERP integration can prove to be complex and expensive.
3. The issue of data security also repeatedly presents companies with challenges that should be clarified before the system is used.

The non-profit association Remar processes numerous booking requests via Bookings. In the past, this was done manually - time-consuming, error-prone and annoying. Today, the transfer is automated, as Bookings and Business Central are connected to each other via a Power Platform interface. For Remar, this means less effort and fewer errors, as well as more resources to tackle the actual tasks.