Industry

Craft

In an increasingly digital world, craft businesses face the challenge of making their business processes more efficient and adapting to constantly changing demands. Digital solutions can play a crucial role in gaining a competitive edge and leading the craft sector into the future. Despite widespread prejudices against digitalization in the craft sector, specially developed tools can offer significant advantages.

An outstanding solution in this area is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system tailored to the specific needs of the skilled trades. Such an ERP system integrates various functions, including workforce planning, order processing, construction site planning, and time tracking. It thus offers a comprehensive solution for the digital optimization and simplification of business processes in the skilled trades. This article explains exactly what an ERP system is and what functions and benefits the software can offer your business.

AvERP in the crafts sector

While AvERP cannot directly solve the skilled worker shortage for craft businesses, it can help to use available resources such as personnel and materials more efficiently.

Optimizing processes can generate savings that can then be reinvested in other areas of the business. In addition to financial benefits, more efficient order processing can also lead to shorter waiting times for customers and improved customer satisfaction. AvERP focuses on the automated and integrated management of all business processes. It provides craft businesses with a comprehensive overview and presents data centrally and digitally. Typical functional areas include finance, purchasing, sales, and human resources.

Current challenges for the craft sector

Whether painter, electrician, hairdresser, or carpenter – the skilled trades encompass a wide range of activities related to commercial sectors. In all these industries, the primary focus is on providing services or manufacturing products according to individual requirements.

A common challenge for many businesses in this diverse sector is the shortage of skilled workers. Many craft businesses report difficulties in finding trained and qualified personnel. This leads to further problems, such as the partial or delayed fulfillment of orders.

Functions of AvERP in the trades

Due to the diverse demands placed on craft businesses, ERP software solutions play a central role. It’s important to emphasize that not every craft business requires all functions equally. The diversity of the industry necessitates a flexible and adaptable ERP solution like AvERP, which takes into account the individual needs of each business.

1. Order management and creation

The first step in every project for a craft business is cost calculation and quotation preparation. This can be simplified by directly integrating requirements from tenders using AvERP. Linking it to inventory management and workforce planning makes it transparent which resources are available for the project and under what conditions it can be carried out. This not only accelerates the quoting process but also ensures more accurate figures. Construction documentation also benefits, as all project-relevant information – from the initial quote to completion – is stored centrally in the system and documented in a traceable manner. This increased efficiency allows for more quotes to be generated while simultaneously saving resources.

2. Inventory Management

AvERP's inventory management modules provide a comprehensive overview of all goods flows within a craft business. Upon receipt, all items are scanned and recorded in the system. The system then calculates the optimal storage location and, if necessary, assigns it to a specific process step. When items are removed from the warehouse, this is visible to all involved parties, and a reorder can be initiated as needed. This reduces warehouse overhead and frees up resources that can be used profitably elsewhere. Field staff can check the stock levels of specific items at any time, reserve them, or reorder them as required. This ensures that all necessary items are always available to the craft businesses.

3. Tool management with integrated ERP system

Managing tools is a common challenge in trades businesses. Tradespeople often waste valuable time searching for specific tools, unaware that a colleague might be using them. An efficient solution is a tool management system seamlessly integrated with the ERP system. This provides transparency into when, where, and for how long each tool is in use. Additionally, maintenance schedules can be defined for each tool, ensuring that maintenance is carried out promptly and the tools are unavailable during these periods. Such integrated tool management optimizes processes and increases the overall efficiency of the business.

4. Mobile time tracking with connection to the ERP system

Mobile time tracking is an indispensable tool for craft businesses to accurately document their employees' working hours and allocate them to the appropriate cost centers. Employees can conveniently record their working hours for specific projects or work processes via their smartphones. Thanks to the integration with AvERP, the recorded data can be seamlessly processed. The hourly rates stored in the system enable the ERP software to automatically calculate invoice amounts for customers based on the respective hourly rates of each employee. Since different employees have different hourly rates (such as master craftsmen, journeymen, or apprentices), mobile time tracking makes invoicing more transparent and efficient.

5. Personnel and resource planning

Planning personnel and resources is crucial for the efficient execution of orders. AvERP supports the management of employees, their qualifications, and their optimal task allocation. This minimizes downtime and increases productivity. Automated planning saves time and minimizes errors, while the focus on strategic aspects enables an agile response to changes, ultimately contributing to a company's long-term competitiveness.

6. Customer Management and CRM

Effective customer management and customer relationship management (CRM) are essential for long-term success. AvERP enables the centralized management of customer data, the recording of order and contact histories, and the targeted planning of marketing activities. This ensures personalized customer service and strengthens customer loyalty. Overall, AvERP offers a wide range of functions for tradespeople, all aimed at optimizing business processes, increasing efficiency, and improving customer satisfaction.

The license-free ERP system for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Conclusion – The ideal solution for craft businesses

Finding the right ERP software for craft businesses can be challenging, but it’s worth the effort. Once the system is properly configured, it can offer numerous advantages at all levels of the business. Digital solutions for craft businesses help save resources and use them efficiently elsewhere to increase profits.

With AvERP, you benefit from a customized, industry-specific ERP solution that is both tailored to your needs and offers standard functionality. We continuously work to further develop and adapt AvERP. Would you like to learn more about AvERP? Zögern Sie nicht, uns zu kontaktieren.