the ERP system for the metal industry - ABAS Software AG

abas ERP: ERP system for the metal industry 

References – Satisfied users in the metal industry

Benefits of 

abas Business Software 

Over 2,500 companies 

in the manufacturing, 

distribution, and service 

sectors have selected abas 

Business Software. 

Here’s why: 

• Excellent price/ 

performance ratio 

• Short implementation 

period and easy 

implementation 

• Excellent customer 

satisfaction 

• Long-term security of 

software investment and fast 

return on investment (ROI) 

• Broad function coverage 

• Intuitive operation 

• Scalability (number 

of users, clients) 

• Continual software 

modernizations through 

upgrades 

• Upgrade-secure modifications 

enable high-level of flexibility 

• International and multilingual 

2 

Efficient software for your success! 

abas Business Software supports midsize production, distribution and service 

companies in all processes along the value added chain. The transparent handling 

of all relevant information provides a platform for proactively managing 

your business. 

ABAS places great value on making the solutions' design and operation as easy as possible. 

Focus is placed on the role-based visualization of data and processes. 

abas Business Software allows for the efficient management of your business processes. 

The system provides maximum flexibility when it comes to changes in the product, 

organization, or reacting to new strategic requirements. 

Whether complex automated processes in the supply chain, eBusiness or mobile 

applications – ABAS creates opportunity for developing competitive advantage. As a 

consequence, customers can focus on delivering product innovations, and establishing and 

extending customer and vendor relations. 

The evolutionary method for the continual and long-term modernization of abas Business 

Software is unique in the ERP market. This is extremely valuable to the abas user because 

as upgrades are deployed the customer is provided with a state-of-the-art solution, while 

individual modifications and settings are maintained. 

Our mission: using experience and innovation ABAS provides simple but, at the same time, 

modern technological solutions, which will help you to be successful in a constantly changing 

business environment. Today and in the future!

abas ERP in the metal industry 

The metal industry is characterized by midsize companies and is subject to a high level of 

competition in all global markets. Increasing raw material prices result in pressure to lower 

costs. Vendor processes are mostly extremely complex. Quality, reliability, delivery reliability 

and service are becoming more important in order to compete successfully and to secure 

and increase one's own position in the market. 

This sector of industry is very diverse: foundries, refiners, sheet metal forming, cutting 

procedures, metalworking and automotive component suppliers place specific demands on 

their IT solution. By means of a flexible ERP system, such as the abas Business Software, 

business processes can be optimized and efficiency can be increased. abas ERP supports 

made-to-order, small batch and made-to-stock production and provides extensive 

production planning. Important functions for the metal industry are, for example, the 

"extended workbench" and lot management. 

The complete solution, abas Business Software, covers all business areas. The range of 

features includes: purchasing, sales, CRM, production/PPC, service processing, scheduling, 

costing, materials management/MRP, material valuation, cost accounting, financial 

accounting, fixed asset accounting, group accounting, controlling, BI integration, eBusiness, 

portal technology, EDI, DMS integration, mobile applications. 

Performance range of abas Business Software 

3

Employees: 274 

Licenses: 86 

abas user since: 1993 

Products: 

Valves, stainless steel fittings, 

stainless steel pipes, pipe 

supports, angle type strainers, 

cleaning technology, scraper 

technology, stainless steel 

manholes, sight glasses, 

specialized production for 

pharmacies, food processing 

and breweries, etc. 

Project highlights: 

• Problem-free 

conversion to Linux 

• Completely reorganized 

warehousing 

• UPS and shipping connection 

• Connection to external 

financial accounting 

• Connection to a tool 

dispensing system 

• Integration of the document 

management system 

by HABEL 

• Quality and service support 

4 

Satisfied users in the metal industry 

Armaturenwerk Hötensleben GmbH in Hötensleben (D) 

www.awh.de 

Description of the ERP project: 

With the implementation of abas Business Software revenue continually increased by 

around 10–15% – with the same number of employees in the administration. The inventory 

management has become significantly more effective. Real savings could be made through 

the consistent implementation of the methods provided by abas ERP, in connection with an 

environment organized close to the system. It was possible to increase the lead times in 

production. The cost of paper used each year was reduced by around 5,000 EUR and around 

2,000 EUR are saved per year in postage costs. In quality assurance each process takes 

around 2 to 3 minutes less – for 8,000 processes a year that is a saving of around 20,000 

minutes or approx. 41 working days per year. Through the direct access to the ERP data and 

the increased transparency in the company, time savings were made in all areas. 

Project support: abas system gmbh, Berlin (D) 

”With exception of the picking list and packing slips, there are no more papers in circulation. This 

means that we were able to decrease our paper costs by EUR 5,000 and postage 

by EUR 2,000 per year. This did not include the savings made through the simplified 

processes which resulted through reducing the use of paper documents.“ 

Ingolf Wölk, Head of IT

Balton System GmbH & Co. KG in Mömbris (D) 

www.balton.de 


Due to the takeover of the worldwide business activities of leading shelving systems providers, 

the newly established company had to implement an ERP software at short notice in 2005. 

The abas partner was contacted on the recommendation of the key manufacturer. Four 

weeks after the first contact was made the system was ready to go live. The actual project 

with the distribution package, abas Distribution, only took three weeks. Amongst other things, 

the external warehouse was connected and the reworked master files were imported. The 

next planned step is to use the abas EDI tools more extensively. 

Project support: ABAS Projektierung Rhein-Main GmbH & Co. KG, Langen (D) 

Employees: 15 

Licenses: 12 


Products: 

Flexible shelving systems 

made of steel with an 

extensive selection of 

dimensions, colors and 

combination possibilities 

made from glass and wood, 

as well as accessories. 


• Quick implementation 

• Mass data processing 

• Customized pricing 

• Reaction time of abas partner 

• Checking the plausibility 

of data entries using an 

abas FOP 

• Stable Linux installation 

”The positive experiences our vendor made with this software influenced us considerably in 

making a decision to implement abas Distribution. Looking back, I am still thrilled with 

the quick implementation which considerably increased the efficiency of our daily processes, 

as well as with the positive experience we’ve had with the support team of our abas partner, 

even after the real start. The possibility to realize our tasks ourselves using the abas 

tools gives me the security and confirmation that we started with the right partner and the right package. 

If the server had been available earlier, we would have started earlier, too.“ 

Armin Brückner, Head of Finance and IT 

5


Licenses: 50 


Products: 

Flanges and fittings made 

of carbon steel, stainless 

steel and alloy as well as 

bright steel 


• Approx. 65,000 products 

• Individual QA system 

with abas connection 

• Detailed material and 

product management 

with valuation 

• Product and customerrelated 

contribution 

margin accounting 

• Very extensive, individually 

created program runs 

• Parallel operation in India 

6 

Flanschenwerk Bebitz GmbH in Bebitz (D) 

www.bebitz.de 


Flanschenwerk Bebitz GmbH has been in business since 1911 and has maintained the 

highest quality standards. Business processes and IT applications continually improve. The 

abas Business Software was implemented in purchasing and sales, materials management, 

scheduling, production, financial accounting, cost accounting and fixed asset accounting. The 

products are subject to detailed lot management in individual levels. Palette management 

has been integrated into dispatch handling. The storage location management goes by the 

principle of chaotic warehousing. The UNIX-based environment has provided Bebitz with a 

problem-free IT operation since 1990. 


”We have been working with abas Business Software since 1990. 

Monetary union, trust agency, reprivatization, inability to pay and 

since 2004 successful on the market again with an Indian management – 

all of this is due to ABAS. You can't find anything better.“ 

Roland Leitloff, Controlling


Beutter Präzisions-Komponenten GmbH & Co. KG in Rosenfeld (D) 

www.beutter.de 


Beutter was established in 1909 and has made a name for itself nationally and internationally, 

as a specialist in the supply of precise mechanical components. Premium precision 

components with a high production depth are produced by approx. 110 highly qualified 

employees – ideally in small and medium series. Beutter places great emphasis on flexibility 

and reliability when planning due dates and resources. abas Business Software is the optimal 

tool to help Beutter handle sales orders for extremely complex individual components and 

modules, as well as customer requests. 

Project support: ABAS Projektierung GmbH, Karlsruhe (D) 

”ABAS knows what customers require AND what they want: 

a flexible ERP software which is particularly upgrade secure.“ 

Dr. Ing. Wolf-Dieter Kiessling, CEO 


Licenses: 30 


Products: 

Small batch production of 

precise mechanical components 

with a high production depth 


• Connection to the archiving 

solution by HABEL, 

the PDC system by Isgus 

and the product LOGA by P&I 

all in one step 

• Linux 

7

Employees: 50 

Licenses: 9 


Products: 

Sheet metal processing, 

laser cutting, nibbling, 

chamfering 

8 

Projekthighlights: 


• Smooth implementation 

• Capacity planning 

• Interfaces to Datev and Zeus 

• PDC implementation 

• Implementation of costing 

and quotation management 

• Unlimited upgradeability 


Erich Deinzer Stahl- und Metallverarbeitung GmbH in Nürnberg (D) 

www.deinzermetall.de 


Deinzer GmbH is a specialist for sheet metal processing and provides everything in this 

industry from a single source. The 50 employees of the family-owned company design and 

manufacture the perfect solution according to customer requirements. Since 2000 the 

company has been supported by abas ERP. Processes can be represented in the ERP solution 

which ensures smooth handling of the many products. Due to the continual development of 

abas Business Software, Deinzer is always up-to-date and new functions are available with 

every new version, e.g. the optional DMS integration. 

Project support: ABAS Consulting GmbH & Co. KG, Höchberg / Würzburg (D) 

”Precision in sheet metal at Deinzer and abas ERP – a strong team! 

We, as a supplier in the sheet metal industry, have to be quick and flexible 

and produce high-quality products which are tailored to customer requirements. 

abas ERP helps us in this process; we would never want to give it up again.“ 

Claudia Weber, Authorized Representative

Eisenwerke Friedr. Wilh. Düker GmbH & Co. KGaA in Laufach (D) 

www.dueker.de 

Projekthighlights: 


For what seems like eternity in the fast moving IT industry, abas Business Software has 

partnered with Düker GmbH & Co. KGaA. The company has a wide range of products. 

Focusing on the core competences "casting" and "surface finishing", a variety of products 

are manufactured for individual areas of application. This is a challenge for a business IT 

in terms of flexibility, adaptability and releaseability. abas ERP has been handling this job 

brilliantly since 1997. Through regular upgrades Düker is able to benefit from the technological 

progress without losing individual adjustments. For example, the reorganization of 

the entire logistics could be represented in the standard software without difficulty. 



Licenses: 125 


Products: 

Foundry products 

Produkte: Blechverarbeitung, Laserschneiden, 

Nibbeln, Abkanten, 


• Highly complex product 

generator 

• Comprehensive pricing, 

bonus and discount calculation 

• Shipping control system 

• Molding box processing for 

the foundry 

• Set processing with variant logic 

• Costing expansions per 

sales order 

• Expanded processing 

of confirmations 

• Loading equipment 

management 

• Diverse workflows 

• Expanded vendor valuation 

”Especially during the upgrade, I am amazed about the options abas Business Software provides 

thanks to its specific software architecture. In the past years, we often adjusted functions that we required by 

means of the flexible user interface programming which is integrated in the software. These modifications 

remain after an upgrade. We carry out the adjustments as well as the upgrades, which can be implemented 

in one weekend, ourselves. In the case of capacity bottlenecks, we can always rely on the help of our 

supporting abas partner ABAS Consulting. Including all costs, i.e. maintenance costs or costs 

for an upgrade, abas Business Software scores excellently when compared to other systems.“ 

Christian Kern, Head of IT 

9


Licenses: 32 


Products: 

Aluminum and 

magnesium wires 


• Conversion of cost 

accounting & fixed asset 

accounting from an external 

system to abas ERP 

• Individual complaint 

handling 

• Sales order status by 

means of PDC 

• Connection of the detailed 

planning software Simcron 

• Connection of an external 

shipping planning system 

• Connection of a CTI system 

10 

Drahtwerk ELISENTAL W. Erdmann GmbH & Co. in Neuenrade (D) 

www.elisental.de 


Since its implementation, abas Business Software has substituted many isolated solutions 

and is now used in all company areas. Since 1999, the number of employees in the 

administration has remained almost constant, even though there has been a 50% increase 

in production. abas ERP's ability to be flexibly adjusted enables many individual evaluations 

(including the respective printouts) in all areas. Transparency of business processes has 

increased considerably. 

Project support: ComputerKomplett SteinhilberSchwehr GmbH, Mettmann (D) 

”Despite continuous product expansions and an increased complexity of the software, 

the system can still be individually adjusted. It is very stable and does not need a lot of maintenance. 

We have no regrets about choosing abas ERP.“ 

Arndt Kollhorst, Head of IT

E. Ernst GmbH Umformtechnik in Oberkirch-Zusenhofen (D) 

www.ernst.de 


For decades Ernst Umformtechnik has been a well-established automotive component 

supplier. Metal forming parts for the automotive industry are important generators of 

revenue and growth. As an acknowledged development partner in the automotive supply 

chain, Ernst Umformtechnik's long-term regular customers are not only vehicle manufacturers 

but also system and module suppliers. Housings for air bags, electric motors, 

electronic components and also transmission, cooling and suspension elements are the 

most common references. For the automotive industry and its system suppliers, Ernst 

Umformtechnik supplies components for airbag systems, transmission, clutch and 

gear-change systems, fastening elements and housings for control units. Ernst is also a 

well-known vendor in the household appliances and electric motor branch. Whether white 

goods, kitchen appliances or do-it-yourself equipment, metal casings and structural parts 

are a decisive component for the quality of the final product. 



”We have been working successfully with abas Business Software since 1997. 

Through annual upgrades we are always using state of the art technology. 

Using abas eB we have realized our vendor connection to abas ERP. 

Communication with our vendors was significantly simplified. 

We are impressed with the quick realization of our requirements in abas eB. 

Due to our positive experience we will also use the abas eB application in other areas.“ 

Rolf Wingert, ERP Team Leader 


Licenses: 88 


Products: 

Stamped and drawn 

components, 

sub-assemblies 


• Individually created lists 

and forms 

• Connection of the subsidiaries 

in the US and France 

11

Employees: 30 

Licenses: 8 


Products: 

Metal processing 


• Connection of design 

software 

• Reduction of 

time-to-market 

12 


Estampaciones Metálicas JOM S.A. in Lliça d’Amunt (ES) 

www.estampacionesjom.com 


Estampaciones Metálicas JOM specializes in the stamping, pressing and cold-pressing 

of metals as well as various sheet metal processing production processes, such as laser 

cutting, stamping and welding. All requirements were fulfilled in the course of the abas ERP 

implementation, such as the connection of the technical office to abas ERP, integration of 

production, planning and sales, plant data collection as well as parts management over 6 to 

7 value-added levels. 

Project support: ABAS Business Solutions Ibérica S.L., Barcelona (ES) 

”With abas ERP we were able to reduce time-to-market, since the 

design software was integrated into the ERP system. We were therefore able to 

considerably decrease the time to realize new projects.“ 

Josep Ma Calls, CEO

FRIESE GmbH & Co. KG in Mupperg (D) 

www.friese-rockwelle.de 


10 years after the company was founded it could hardly be controlled by means of an 

Office package anymore and a change became necessary. This is the reason why when the 

specialist for corrugating roll production and roll reworking started a selection process – the 

decision was made for abas ERP. After an intense survey of processes, which was carried 

out with the support of the abas software partner, the project went live after 6 months. Each 

of the two clients represents a company for coating technology and one for roll processing 

respectively. 


Employees: 65 

Licenses: 8 


Products: 

Corrugating rolls, 

pressure rolls, glue rolls, 

cassettes, tungsten 

carbide coating 


”The adaptability while upgradeability remains impresses me again and again. 

I have adapted almost all infosystems within abas ERP to our company. 

The cost-conscious associate will especially be pleased with this. Also, our project manager 

from ABAS Projektierung was always able to realize our requirements.“ 

Uwe Sünnemann, Project Manager 

• Multiple machine operation 

• Made to order production 

• Lot management 

• Machine data collection 

• Project control with 

infosystems 

• Cost accounting 

13


Licenses: 99 


Products: 

Worldwide market leader 

in technical textiles for 

architecture, filter media and 

process bands 


• Combination of large 

series, small series and 

make-to-order production 

• Lot management 

• Support of the 

restructuring process 

within the company 

• Connection of the 

subsidiary GKD-USA 

14 

GKD-Gebr. Kufferath AG in Düren (D) 

www.gkd.de 


GKD-Gebr. Kufferath AG is a market leader providing technical meshes for architecture, filter 

media and process belts. The meshes being produced in the three GKD business divisions 

differ considerably. Orders in the CREATIVE WEAVE area often have a batch size of one. But 

GKD also produces in larger series. Some machines are producing the same product for 

months. This mixture of large series, small series and make-to-order production is also a 

challenge for the ERP system. A flexible, adaptable and future-proof system, such as abas 

Business Software is needed, which can adapt to the constantly changing requirements 

of GKD. With regular upgrades of the ERP system, which was implemented in 1991, the 

market leader for technical meshes from Düren is provided with the newest functions and 

technologies and is therefore always "up-to-date". 

Project support: ABAS Software AG, Karlsruhe (D) 

”We have been using abas Business Software since 1991. Through upgrades we 

remain always up-to-date, in terms of technology and function. The software supports 

our complex requirements optimally due to its flexibility and adaptability. 

Without abas Business Software we would not be what we are today: 

world market leader for technical meshes.“ 

Dipl.-Ing. Ingo Kufferath-Kassner, Manager

Erwin Halder KG in Achstetten-Bronnen (D) 

www.halder.de 


Over 70 years of experience, 200 employees, sophisticated machinery equipment as well as 

a comprehensive range of products are the essential prerequisites to enable rapid and 

reliable fulfillment of the most diverse customer requirements in the product areas 

aviation products, workholding systems, standard parts and soft-face mallets. Whether 

standard parts, special solutions or quality tools for industry and trade are concerned, Halder 

is the competent partner. 

Project support: ABAS Informationssysteme GmbH, Uhingen (D) 


”We needed a new ERP software with a very high consistency in all business areas. 

The abas project was implemented and realized in all departments in a very short time. 

Thanks to the quick and flexible adjustment to all business requirements, 

benefits could be quickly achieved in all departments.“ 

Anton Wahler, Project Manager 


Licenses: 60 


Products: 

Aviation products, 

workholding systems, 

standard parts, 

soft-face mallets 


• Replacement of Baan IV 

• Very short implementation 

time in all business areas 

• Representation of four 

lines of business 

• Connection of the warehouse 

management system 

MEGALOGISTIK 

• Integration of SmartCRM 

• Reduction of shipping 

processing times through 

connection of shipping 

software BEO 

• Representation of single unit, 

series or special production 

• PTR/PDC connection AVERO 

15


Licenses: 35 


Products: 

High-quality spherical 

bearings, reference and 

fixturing systems 


• Excellent conversion 

from legacy system Comet 

to abas ERP 

• Product flexibility 

• High level of system stability 

• Investment security through 

continual further 

development 

• Upgradeability remains, 

despite many individual 

adjustments 

16 


HIRSCHMANN GmbH in Fluorn-Winzeln (D) 

www.hirschmanngmbh.com 


The modern plant in Fluorn-Winzeln employs approx. 120 people in design, production and 

sales. The company is certified according to DIN ISO 9001 and EN 9100. Distribution of the 

company's products and customer support is carried out through a worldwide network of 

company sales agents, subsidiaries and representatives. The program portfolio comprises 

rod end bearings and spherical bearings according to DIN ISO 12240-4 (DIN 648K) and 

CETOP, customized special solutions as well as pre-finished system solutions, axial 

shaft seals, fixturing, palletizing and handling systems, CNC rotary axis and OEM products 

such as "C" Axis and toolchangers, as well as special components for erosion and high 

speed milling machines. abas ERP is being used in all company areas. The departments 

sales, purchasing, production planning/scheduling, materials management and accounting/ 

controlling process the main part of the daily business using abas ERP. 

Project support: ABAS Projektierung GmbH, Villingen-Schwenningen (D) 

”In the past years the abas Business Software has proven to be a very robust system. 

Since its implementation we have not had any downtime due to software errors.“ 

Horst Schneider, CEO

Ewald Kaufmann GmbH + Co. KG in Remchingen (D) 

www.kaufmann-mikromechanik.de 


With its partner companies Stanztronic and Mega Umformtechnik, Kaufmann Micromechanik 

is a fast growing company on the micromechanics market with best technical standards, 

working with most modern and efficient machines. In order to also meet these high requirements 

in terms of business IT, Kaufmann was looking for an ERP system which could be 

easily and quickly adjusted to the constantly increasing company requirements and would 

support the continual company expansion. In the abas Business Software they found exactly 

what they were looking for: a flexible ERP software which will remain up-to-date in the 

years to come, thanks to its evolutionary system approach. 



Licenses: 65 


Products: 

Turned and stamped parts 


”The decision for ABAS Projektierung and abas ERP was setting the tone for our company. 

The entire project team cooperated well. We came to know and love ABAS. 

There is nothing that can't be done. Since going live we have been optimizing the system 

permanently to our requirements and those of our customers. Already two weeks after the 

go live all departments were working routinely. All employees were able to safely operate the system. 

The decision for ABAS was right, I would make it all over again.“ 

Kai Höpfinger, Member of the Management 

• Independence of 

operating system 

• Methodical ERP 

implementation with abas 

project management 

17


Licenses: 56 


Products: 

High-quality sheet metal 

and metal parts for casing, 

apparatus, machine, plant 

and commercial vehicle 

construction 


• Warehouse management 

connected to abas ERP via 

abas eB scanner solution 

• Stocktaking is less error 

prone and time effort is 

reduced 

• RFID in paint shop 

• Upgradeability and further 

development support 

company growth 

18 

KLB Blech in Form GmbH in Herbolzheim (D) 

www.klb-kuri.de 


KLB Blech in Form GmbH is one of the leading addresses for complex and high-quality 

sheet metal parts or modules made of metal in any form and size. When the previous 

business software, which consisted of many isolated solutions, reached its limits, the sheet 

metal specialist KLB was looking for a new ERP system. A suitable solution was found in 

the flexible and at the same time upgradeable abas Business Software. The ERP system has 

been supporting the unparalleled expansion of KLB since 2003. Three organization changes, 

a tripling of the number of employees and ten times as many processes were represented in 

the business software without migration. Despite the many customizations, KLB carries out 

upgrades in only one weekend. 

Project support: ABAS Projektierung GmbH, Freiburg (D) 

”Our ERP system has been growing with us evolutionary in all areas. 

eBusiness, warehouse management with barcode scanners, detailed planning 

with etagis and use of RFID are only some highlights. To recognize production 

bottlenecks quickly and to rearrange capacities, we have, for example, 

connected our detailed planning with the ERP system through an infosystem. 

Make-or-buy, our IT now shows me clearly where a problem is. 

Our productivity has increased considerably. With other systems we would 

have had to migrate twice to achieve what we have now.“ 

Tobias Hofstetter, Head of Sales


Leicht & Müller Stanztechnik GmbH + Co. KG in Remchingen (D) 

www.leicht-mueller.de 


The four divisions of Leicht & Müller are the production of high performance stamping tools, 

the production of high precision stamped parts, the development of stamping lines to provide 

complete solutions and the production of hybrid parts with metal and plastic in the form of 

overmolding stamped parts or complete assemblies. The automotive supply industry always 

has been one of the principal customers. It ensures that stamped parts by Leicht & Müller 

are used in most German cars and can there contribute to security and comfort. 


”Thanks to abas ERP we have all processes under control. 

Our processes have become more transparent, this gives us full control at any time. 

This requires excellent maintenance and a safe handling of the abas ERP system, 

which is tailored to our requirements. Transparency = control!“ 

Marco Müller, Head of Sales + Project Management 

Employees: 70 

Licenses: 9 


Products: 

Stamping technology 


• EDI integration 

• Connection of a time 

recording system 

19


Licenses: 9 


Products: 

Pre-finished cast parts made 

of aluminum, yellow brass 

and bronze 


• Problem-free data transfer 

• More flexibility in 

purchasing and costing 

• Quality improvement 

• Improvement in delivery 

reliability 

20 


METTEC Guss Metallgießerei und Formenbau GmbH in Wels (A) 

www.mettec.at 


In November 1999, the metal foundry opted for abas ERP with an ambitious target: the ERP 

implementation was to be concluded in five months. The actual advantages and the potential 

of abas Business Software became more apparent, day by day, as the tool was used. Not 

only the management and the commercial department profited from the ERP solution, 

design and production also use the system intensely. Production and foundry manage without 

work scheduling. Not only are for these areas up-to-date product master files available, 

they also contain design drawings, which are produced using Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 

and Inventor. 

Project support: Nittmann & Pekoll GesmbH, Vienna (A) 

”Today we can plan in more detail and are therefore able to improve 

delivery reliability. This was received well by our customers.“ 

Christian Kirchschlager, Acting CEO

Michelfelder Unternehmensgruppe in Fluorn-Winzeln (D) 

www.michelfelder.de 


Michelfelder is a midsize group of companies, located in Fluorn-Winzeln and further 

locations in Haan and Bursa (Turkey). In addition to the outsourcing of the Michelfelder 

Automotive GmbH on January 1st, 2001, from the Michelfelder Edelstahltechnik GmbH, as 

well as the upcoming integration of the subsidiary MIGA Sealtec, there was a requirement 

in 2005 to change from the existing solution to a multi-client capable ERP system that 

was able to comply with current requirements and processes of Michelfelder, and would 

also be adaptable and evolutionary in the future to cover upcoming requirements and 

continuous improvement. 


”Both, the high coverage of our functional requirements in the standard, 

and the therefore manageable adjustments, as well as the methodic implementation 

by the partner ABAS Projektierung GmbH in Karlsruhe have helped our 

decision in favor of ABAS. This has proven to be true during the course of the 

project and the successful implementation on time.“ 

Elke Ade, Head of IT 

Employees: 100 (group) 

Licenses: 35 


Products: 

Special solutions in tailored 

tubes production, 3D laser 

processing, design service 


• Integration of all companies 

of the group 

• Connection of future 

locations 

• Methodical implementation 

• Simple upgrades 

21


Licenses: 55 


Products: 

Precision flat steel, wearing 

plates for molding boxes in 

the limestone industry, screw 

conveyors, metering systems, 

solid feeding systems for 

biogas plants 


• Short implementation 

period, go live within 

3 months 

• Use of many upgradeable 

individual adjustments 

• System stability: 

no unplanned system 

downtime since 1997 

• Integration of all ERP 

modules 

22 

PRÄZI-Flachstahl AG in Everswinkel (D) and 

PRÄZI-Fördertechnik GmbH in Bohmte (D) 

www.praezi.de 


On the basis of available IT solutions and a lack in Euro compatibility of the old IT system, 

PRÄZI was searching for a complete and future-safe ERP system for the made-to-order 

and small batch production. In addition to the pure ERP functionality including financial 

accounting, the system flexibility and upgradeability using a Linux/Unix operating system 

was the deciding factor to buy. abas ERP is also being used in the European subsidiaries, e.g. 

in Hungary and the Czech Republic. 


”A high performance and stable ERP system which has proven its upgradeability 

many times and to our utmost satisfaction despite many individual adjustments 

carried out by ourselves. We have no interface problems due to the integrated database. 

Everyone wants a functioning and low maintenance ERP environment!“ 

Dipl.-Wirt. Ing. Torsten Kallweit, Head of IT/Organization

Reischauer GmbH in Idar-Oberstein (D) 

www.gold4nine.de 



Well-known German ERP providers had already declined to do a presentation for Reischauer 

GmbH due to the substantial industry specifics. The family company, founded in 1913, 

had been working with a system for over 10 years, which could only be kept up-to-date 

with a lot of effort. Therefore, the selection team of Reischauer GmbH was looking for an 

upgrade concept to maintain the current status. This, the experience of the management 

with a competitor and the know-how of the presenter, who later became the project 

manager, lead to the decision in 2006 to use abas ERP. Since then, several 

upgrades were carried out which affirmed this decision. Since 2009 the company has 

been represented on the Internet at www.gold4nine.de with asset products made of gold 

and silver. Processes are directly carried out in abas ERP which is linked to the eBusiness 

solution abas eB. 


Employees: 55 

Licenses: 15 


Products: 

Production and sales of coins/ 

medals and asset values, 

production and sales of 

semifinished products for 

the jewelry industry 


• Management of precious 

metal accounts and stock 

levels 

• Up-to-the-minute daily 

price calculation in the 

processes 

• Cuvette production 

• Platform for integrated 

eBusiness 

• Business intelligence link 

(analyzer) 

• Infosystems for controlling 

”The requirements that were necessary for us and were already shown in the 

first presentation were fully confirmed in the project. Upgradeability and flexibility are 

no empty promises. With abas ERP we are able to represent new fields of business without problems. 

The best example for this is our website www.gold4nine.de which was recently launched, 

and is equipped with up-to-date precious metal prices and uses abas ERP and 

abas eBusiness as a base. The decision for abas Business Software was dead right.“ 

Burkhard Görner, Head of Sales 

23

Employees: 40 

Licenses: 15 


Products: 

Coaxial valves, armatures, 

metal valves, special valves, 

plastic valves 


• From isolated solutions to an 

integrated business software 

• Increase in delivery reliability 

and decrease of lead times 

by using the scheduling 

• Increase in productivity 

• Error prone double entries 

no longer exist 

24 


RSG Regel- und Steuergeräte GmbH in Ingelfingen (D) 

www.rsg-top.de 


RSG Regel- und Steuergeräte GmbH has a wide range of products and this variety must 

also be represented in the business software. Until the end of 2006, RSG's IT environment 

consisted of a number of isolated solutions. It became more and more difficult to represent 

the continuously changing requirements in the solutions. This is the reason why RSG was 

looking for a new company IT. The system should be integrated, flexible, upgradeable and 

easy to use. The abas Business Software was selected. The software went live on January 2, 

2007. Since then, transparency and productivity in the company have increased, lead times 

could be decreased and delivery reliability has also increased. 


”Our entire sales order processing is now created in abas ERP. We can thus determine and 

confirm delivery dates on short notice. Ever since we have been using scheduling, our delivery 

reliability has increased and lead times were reduced. Productivity has increased. 

Time-consuming and error-prone double entries are a thing of the past. RSG produces 

small series from 1 to 10,000 pieces, perforce there are many product innovations which 

we constantly represent in our ERP system. In this way the system optimally supports 

our internal, continuous improvement process. Our consignment warehouse, which is managed 

according to Kanban principles, is also managed in our ERP system. We are absolutely sure 

that we will also be able to represent all future requirements in our business IT.“ 

Rainer Werthwein, Head of Sales

SMW-AUTOBLOK Spannsysteme GmbH in Meckenbeuren (D) 

www.smwautoblok.de 


In an export company with such a wide range of products such as SMW-AUTOBLOK, the 

sales side is of great significance. Not only the sales processes were optimized with the 

implementation of abas ERP, significant improvements can also be recognized in other 

areas of the business: lower production lead times, improved machine load, increased 

transparency. The production is transparent, free capacity or bottlenecks are displayed 

clearly. Already running orders can be edited, e.g. concerning machine and time, only the job 

ticket is printed. The integrated PDC system is completely sufficient for the requirements of 

SMW-AUTOBLOK. The abas infosystems provide extensive options in all areas to quickly and 

clearly evaluate the data. 


”After many years of cooperative working with ABAS I can still to this day say: 

it was the right decision to make. We started after a nine month preparation period 

with 40 licenses in the old ASCII interface and an IT department with 1.5 people. 

Now we work with 80 licenses in the modern graphical interface which 

has many new options. The annual upgrades are imported without problems and 

our individual adjustments remain. The IT department still consists of only 1.5 people.“ 

Joseph Wirth, Head of IT 


Licenses: 80 


Products: 

Workholding systems 


• Efficient sales control 

• Work preparation is less 

time-consuming 

• Production lead time has 

been improved 

• Optimization of machine load 

• Use of a detailed planning 

25

Employees: 85 

Licenses: 9 


Products: 

Foundation plates, 

base frames, pedestals, 

machine housings, 

linear bearings, portals 


• Various specific adjustments 

to optimize the materials 

management and production, 

e.g. priorities list, compilation 

of sorts of material, etc. 

• Short implementation period: 

3 months from the data 

transfer to the individual 

adjustments 

26 

Metalltechnik Tamke GmbH in Soltau (D) 

www.metalltechnik-tamke.de 


The Metalltechnik Tamke GmbH was able to optimize business processes by implementing 

abas Business Software. The main reason for the decision was that abas ERP can be 

implemented with relatively low procurement costs and can be run at a low cost. The 

implementation time was relatively short: the conversion phase of the data transfer and 

the individual adjustments was completed after only three months. The sales order process 

is transparent, the work preparation is more effective because processes become more 

clear and the capacity planning is a valuable aid for the production control. Also guaranteed 

is the security of the costing and final costing. 


”The decision made to use abas ERP was not a difficult one. All requirements were fulfilled – 

and some were more than fulfilled. Using abas Business Software the business processes 

are clearly represented in each phase of the project. The production planning and 

control is now more transparent, more flexible and faster whereby we fully 

utilize a significant amount of rationalization reserves.“ 

Wilhelm Tamke, CEO

Trefz GmbH in Cleebronn (D) 

www.trefz-gmbh.de 



When Trefz was founded in 1969, emphasis was placed on the subcontracting of ground 

parts for the electronics and mechanical engineering industries. Today the company 

precisely, quickly and efficiently produces modules and sophisticated customized precision 

parts. High precision in the production, reliability in the sales order processing and ongoing 

investments ensure growth - now and in the future. At the end of 2005 the decision was 

made for the ERP solution abas ERP, implementation took place within a very short time. 

Since it is very easy to become familiarized with the software, a lot of in-house adjustments 

are possible. The abas Business Software steadily grows with the company. 


”Why did we not start using abas Business Software earlier?“ 

Uwe Trefz, CEO 

Employees: 20 

Licenses: 7 


Products: 

Modules and 

sophisticated 

customized 

precision parts 


• Smooth implementation 

and very short 

implementation time 

• Easy familiarization 

27

Employees: 95 

Licenses: 11 


Products: 

High precision punched, 

pressed, drawn and bent 

parts including the 

respective tool sets 

and assemblies 


• Interface to CAQ, 

HYDRA and Datev 

• Software flexibility 

28 


WKF-GmbH Metallwarenfabrik in Sömmerda (D) 

www.wkf-metall.de 


When WKF-GmbH Metallwarenfabrik was founded in 1992, the focus of production was 

placed on the production of transfer and follow-on composite tools in the factory-owned tool 

shop. Little by little the machinery and product portfolio was expanded. Today, in addition to 

tools and assemblies, the company also produces high-precision punched, pressed, drawn 

and bent parts, and since March 2010 also laser parts. The abas ERP system was a constant 

companion who has been growing continuously with the company's requirements since its 

implementation in 1999. 


”The flexibility and customizability in the display area as well as for evaluation 

options make the abas ERP system a true partner – also for the future.“ 

Heiko Krüger, Factory manager

Westdeutscher Metall-Handel Friedrich Hermann GmbH in Essen (D) 

www.wmh.de 


Successful merchants not only have a great product range but also offer their customers 

a service which distinguishes them from their competitors. Someone who is able to 

reconcile these two things and also works profitably, will be a successful player on the 

market. Westdeutscher Metall-Handel (WMH) has been winning over a large number 

of customers for decades thanks to a plus in service. The certified supplier has also 

established itself in the aviation industry. The numerous requirements at WMH are 

realized in the ERP system by ABAS. The system, which was implemented by the IT 

service provider ComputerKomplett SteinhilberSchwehr, provides all the necessary 

information and ensures a high level of information transparency as well as informative 

cost accounts. 


”We are certain that we have made the right decision with ABAS and 

ComputerKomplett SteinhilberSchwehr and that we will be able to deal with future 

challenges in the metal trade. Information transparency has been increased considerably. 

Key figures can be represented quicker and more clearly. Many processes in our company, 

such as plant data collection or cost accounting, could not be realized before.“ 

Frank Hermann, CEO 

Employees: 70 

Licenses: 32 


Products: 

Materials made of aluminum, 

CNC machining for 

complicated special parts 

both in mass production 

and small batches, 

processing of non-ferrous, 

semi-finished products. 


• Lot-related residual length 

management 

• Warehouse management 

including high rack 

warehouse 

• Service processing 

• Connection of the Chinese 

importer to the ERP system 

• Webshop with abas eB 

• Cut optimization for metal 

plates using the connection 

software Ardis 

• Connection of abas ERP 

to the telephone system 

per CTI 

• PTR/PDC by IVS 

• Connection of the customs 

software BEO (ATLAS) 

29

30 

Software from a midsize 

business for midsize businesses 

The core competence of ABAS Software AG is the development of flexible 

ERP and eBusiness software for midsize companies. The ABAS company was 

founded in 1980 and has now become an international group of companies with 

50 abas partners in 30 countries. ABAS covers the entire range of small and 

midsize businesses from 4 to 400 ERP users. 

Corporate philosophy: „The Spirit of ABAS“ 

Satisfaction, quality, and service go together – ABAS is guided by this principle in its daily 

work. The main idea is that ABAS customers can concentrate on what is of most importance 

to them: their core business. ABAS lives with its users and looks for the constructive dialog 

with them, their suggestions give important impetus for the further development of abas 

Business Software. Directness and trust contribute to a continually profitable cooperation. 

ABAS has proven this for over 30 years.

Solid economic basis 

ABAS has always relied on a stable economic basis. It is the requirement to invest in 

innovations and for long-term planning. For over 15 years ABAS has been profitable. The 

strategy of the sustainable development in connection with independence of banks and 

investors is important for ABAS in the future. 

Global partner network through common dedication 

ABAS has assembled a global network of qualified implementation partners: about 50 abas 

software partners in 30 countries worldwide know the requirements of their local markets. 

They guarantee short reaction times and high service quality. With the international abas 

implementation methodology which has been proven in numerous projects, ABAS ensures 

implementation success even across borders. 

31

www.abas-software.com 

Find us on: 

ABAS Software AG · Südendstraße 42 · 76135 Karlsruhe · Germany · Tel. +49 721 / 9 67 23 - 0 · Fax +49 721 / 9 67 23 -100 · info@abas-software.com 

© ABAS Software AG · As of June 2011 · Subject to change without notice · Prod. no.: Reference folder metal industry

the ERP system for the metal industry - ABAS Software AG

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