VLEX EN

It‘s time for mature decisions!

Whatever product interests you, with VlexPlus you make the correct decision!

Do you want ...  to be well positioned among your global competitors  to optimize your processes and reduce costs  customer loyalty by offering tailored products  to master the complexity of the sheer variety of your products  to minimize your data/administration expenses  a variant-related cost calculation and price generator  flexibility and transparency in your production  collaborative integration of your value-added chain  software partners who know their stuff

... then here is:  VlexPlus - Semiramis inside, the ERP software for variant production in your industry  a technologically leading and forward-looking ERP solution  a team, which will bring you success due to Albert-Schweitzer-Straße 16

its many years of experience

95326 Kulmbach, Germany  project-related services and general support.  a portfolio of IT-products that leaves nothing to be desired  software that will inspire you

Please ask for further information or a meeting to discuss your requirements at: info@vlexplus.com or

Telefon +49 92 21 - 8 95 11 - 00 Telefax +49 92 21 - 8 95 11 - 11 info@vlexplus.com www.vlexplus.com

www.vlexplus.com The publisher reserves the right at any time to make changes or additions to the texts or pictures displayed. © by VLEXsolutions AG

ERP-Software Healthy processes for your variant production

VLEXgroup – the ERP experts in variant production

VLEXgroup – the ERP specialists near to the customer

More than thirty years of experience in the development of high-performance systems for variant production and technical wholesale have contributed to the solutions of the VLEXgroup.

Since 2009, a common holding company has united under one umbrella the Kulmbach-based update Solutions AG and the companies of the SWING Group, based in Achim near Bremen, Germany.

With skills and expertise resulting from more than

of the VLEXgroup for every requirement of modern,

thirty years of ERP development and project business,

growth-oriented manufacturing and wholesale busines-

the VLEXgroup stands for customer-oriented business

ses. With a network of six locations in Germany and

software for small and medium-sized firms that is tried

Switzerland, today the VLEXgroup is one of the leading

and tested in practice.

medium-size providers of variant-oriented ERP solutions.

As sales unit, VLEXsolutions AG offers turnkey comprehensive solutions in co-operation with all companies

Configuration and implementation

Training, support and maintenance

For the basic set-up of the test and productive system,

Before going live with the system, extensive training of

all necessary system parameters, user profiles and

the final users and/or key user takes place. If desired,

roles, as well as all classified and controlling base data

we support your business after the productive start

and organizations, will be provisionally set up to serve

with extensive services such as a hot line, training

as examples. Necessary adjustments will be defined

or services relating to software modification. Beyond

in realization concepts and realized as development

that, we keep your customized software environment

orders, tested under everyday conditions, and prepared

available on our systems and thus ensure the ease of

for going live.

adaptation of new releases and release levels.

The VLEXgroup supports its customers with the Project management

selection, procurement and installation of all ne-

The defined activities will be recorded by us in a project

cessary hardware and software components. Du-

plan, in accordance with the project definition and the

ring the introduction process, optimization of the

specified working parties, and assigned priorities, dates

company‘s operational process chains is a central

and resources in a phase model. The main focus here

component in a successful and forward-looking IT

is on planning, controlling and monitoring of costs, due

strategy. An extensive partner network, as well

dates and workflows, as well as guaranteeing quality

as further service features complete the portfo-

and documentation in the project.

lio and guarantee the success of the IT project.

As »Semiramis inside« partners, the companies of The companies of the VLEXgroup can look back on a success story lasting more than thirty years. With

the VLEXgroup are without equal in dealing with variant production.

a total of six locations in Achim (Lower Saxony), Dürnau (Baden-Wuerttemberg), Koblenz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Kulmbach (Bavaria), Rheineck (Switzerland)

A solution that brings together all the conditions necessary for a successful IT project:

and Sursee (Switzerland) and more than 450 regular customers – including multinationals – the VLEXgroup ranks among the leading manufacturers of variant ERP for medium-sized businesses in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

» Extensive experience in ERP projects » Competence in and understanding of business processes in the environment of variant production » State-of-the-art and future-proof technology

The ERP variant solution VlexPlus - Semiramis inside takes centre stage in the range of products on offer.

In the age of the Internet, VlexPlus - Semiramis inside

VlexPlus - Semiramis Inside: Innovation prizewinner of the 2010 SME Initiative:

has been specially developed in order to best meet the requirements of companies with a product portfolio that is rich in variants. As one of the first products of a new generation of business software („Next Generation ERP“), VlexPlus - Semiramis inside sets new standards in terms of future-proof technology, flexibility, scalability, and ergonomics.

The VLEXgroup provides comprehensive industry-specific knowledge, a high level of investment protection, and a high-performance ERP variant solution - and all of this as a one-stop service. Just see for yourself!

The IT innovation prize is awarded by the SME Initiative and the Huber publishing house for new media under the patronage of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.

Professor Dr. Norbert Pohlmann of the University of Applied Sciences in Gelsenkirchen and Boris Groth, Managing Director of the Fraunhofer Group „Information and Communications Technology“ (IuK), represented the 60-member jury of scientists, specialized journalists, and IT experts.

The Way to Economic Variant manufacturing Only ERP software with coherent and integrated product and variant management can fulfill your complex requirements on a long-term basis.

The global competition from low cost countries and a

however, is still all too frequently gained by a loss of

sharper focus on export mean that many businesses

efficiency in the workflow. Rising prices and competitive

in various industries have to manufacture more and

pressure is the result. Production costs and flexibility

more product variants, at the same time as batch

become crucial factors of success in variant-oriented

sizes are decreasing.

manufacturing - no matter whether this involves con-

For years, the requirements in manufacturing have been growing appreciably – ever greater customiza-

sumer goods, furniture production, or the working and processing of metal products.

tion, increasing variant variety, declining batch sizes and shorter delivery times are major challenges for manufacturing businesses. Flexibility in manufacturing,

Growth requires flexibility and efficiency in production.

In order to extend their market share, companies must be more customer-oriented in their production, without thereby effectively increasing their underlying costs.

The specific challenge is to produce the multiplicity of variants in a cost-efficient way, thereby making optimum use of their resources, and to meet the delivery deadlines on time. Here, however, companies have frequently reached their limits in both business and technical terms. In order to achieve optimum valueadded, a coherent variant logic is strongly recommended in all areas of value creation. The variant logic should ensure an efficient mapping of the production process and simultaneously assume strategic control of variant management in terms of costs, complexity and quality.

Sophisticated Variant Processes are our Specialty With VlexPlus - Semiramis inside, manufacturing companies have the ability to optimize the complex processes of cost calculation, production planning, and manufacturing in a sustainable way and to organize them cost-effectively.

Here are some of the things that you need to make

1960

sure of in a successful IT project: »» The technologies used by the software partner must

Number

be forward looking to the future.

of items

»» The software partner must have a high degree of industry-specific competence and project experience

Quality

in the relevant business processes.

Variant manufacturing/

There are of course a few good systems on the market

Customization

that focus on variant manufacturing. Usually, however,

2008

these applications operate with variant aspects that Regional

International

are only partly integrated or have been added on later and are based on outdated hardware and software

The potential savings due to an effective variant system

technologies.

are enormous. By means of accompanying organizational measures, fully integrated variant systems lead

Business management/Controlling

to more efficient manufacturing and to permanently leaner operational procedures.

Optimized variant management will significantly minimi-

Sales

Production

Purchasing

Logistics

ze expenditure on data acquisition and maintenance.

Where a company used to administer hundreds of

Variant logic

thousands of master data records, bills of materials, and routings, these can now easily be consolidated into a substantially smaller number of base items.

The upshot of this is that, e.g., invalid configurations of products cannot be excluded by means of comprehensive plausibility checks, cost calculations are not available online, and much precious time must be invested in master data activities or so-called „workarounds“.

VlexPlus – Efficiency with System VlexPlus - Semiramis inside offers the necessary basis for cost-effective mapping of the increasing demands made on variant-oriented production.

With its coherent variant logic covering all areas of

These characteristics ensure that a greater number of

sales, purchasing and production processes in the

product variants can be effectively realized in production

business, VlexPlus - Semiramis inside offers excellent

at considerably lower data acquisition/maintenance

flexibility and efficiency in variant production.

costs and higher flexibility, at a time when batch sizes are decreasing. Feature options and option groups help

Industry-specific features and functions, a sophisticated

reduce complex product item structures. Precise bills

set of rules for product configuration, as well as full-

of materials and routings optimize other operating se-

level variant management are the core characteristics

quences in sales and purchasing, through to production

of its integrated variant functionality.

and dispatch. The purchasing department, for example, can react quickly to changes to customer requests.

Erroneous orders can be minimized or completely avoided, and materials scheduling can respond flexibly to shifts in deadline. The sophisticated, integrated costs management determines the variant costs as well as the profit margins. In addition the costs management helps companies, for example, save costs or reduced lead times.

VlexPlus - Semiramis inside is a high-performance ERPII all-in-one solution of the newest generation.

VlexPlus - Semiramis inside is a high-performance ERPII all-in-one solution of the newest generation.

It was conceived specially for modern medium-size variant manufacturers, in order to automate their demanding processes to meet industry-specific needs in an up-to-date way.

The solution not only has sophisticated variant management and a high-performance product configurator, but it also offers process-oriented and collaborative system architecture based on the latest Java and Internet technology. The modern basis architecture therefore allows companies to be independent of hardware, databases and operating systems. Coherent workflow management, business intelligence, archiving and document management as well as business finance applications are also components of the solution.

The Advantages of a Coherent Variant Logic In the standard version, VlexPlus - Semiramis inside already contains extensive functionalities in fourteen integrated Frameworks.

Basis The integrated variant logic of VlexPlus has defined sets of rules, resulting in simplification and significant minimization of the data administration of your company‘s variant products. This gives you greater freedom in your product specification, allowing an unlimited number of features.

Sales The main requirement on VlexPlus is to enable the customer to quickly arrive at a purchase decision by all product information being available. At the same time

there must be maximum flexibility for the customer‘s preferences. The check on possible technical and economic feasibility through to unique identification for further processing as a customer order plays an important role here. Just as important is process integration of the entire value-added chain: customer, supplier and staff.

Procurement VlexPlus supports you extensively in reacting rapidly to customer changes to sales and purchase orders.

It is not just that you can take an informed decision whether to manufacture in-house or procure your order with optimized batches and variants via a third party, but it also helps you to reduce or completely avoid wrong orders.

Materials Scheduling By means of sophisticated batch sizing, VlexPlus allow you optimum utilisation of your resources. With the help of the system, you can react flexibly to changes in deadline. Unlike non-integrated variant systems, the VlexPlus batch sizing means that no fixed product items

from stock, VlexPlus automatically results in significantly lower costs for staff deployment and the necessary storage capacities. This means you can identify at any time all product variants and assign them right through to the customer order line. This includes withdrawals from and returns into the production cycle for re-use.

need be created for flow production.

Costs Management You can make your decisions easily, quickly, and safely by means of easy-to-use evaluation methods for all functional areas and product and feature stages, including a

More Semiramis© Standard Frames:

break-even analysis. Multidimensional evaluations show

»» Relationship Management (CRM/PRM)

you both in-house and market trends that may have

»» Financial and Human Resources Management

an impact on how you organise your product range.

»» Financial Accounting and Liquidity Management »» Asset Accounting

Manufacturing

»» Cost and Profit Management

Due to the VlexPlus option of modifying the orders during

»» Data Warehouse

the entire production process - including the realloca-

»» Workflow-Management

tion of prefabricated or ordered components - you can

»» Software Development

reach an optimal degree of capacity utilization. There is an improvement in lead time, and your production factors - staff, materials, and machinery - are employed more cost-effectively.

Warehouse Logistic Thanks to the option of variant transfer to and release

»» System-Management

VlexPlus Vitamins for your Processes Freely and simply definable sets of rules for feature-dependent variants.

The remarkable thing about VlexPlus is that you can

As a user, you can assign as many options as you

freely define features.

want to a feature.

Variants can be formed by the allocation of as many

The integrated variant generator of VlexPlus is conti-

desired features and feature options to a base item

nuously available and allows the variant logic to be used

as you want. „Features“ here means characteristics

across all product structure levels through to procu-

of individual component parts, assemblies or items.

rement. At any stage, feature options can influence

Examples of features are: color, shape, accessories etc.

the final price. Depending on the feature option, both

Feature options are the possible values that a feature

proportional as well as fixed surcharges and discounts

can assume. Taking, for example, the feature „color“,

can be specified.

then, e.g., the following feature options are possible: yellow, blue, green, red etc.

VlexPlus Variant logic

Complexity

Feature options

Base item

Shape

Customer‘s

Color

option:

Surface

perfect fit

Structure

Production progress

Using the continuous reservation logic and an excellent

Using the variant feature options, the relevant variant

identification system within the materials scheduling

bills of materials and routings are generated from

chain, individually manufactured variants and compo-

modules and routing master data that are stored to-

nents can be located at any time.

gether with their versions. The process allows access

Item variants need not be pre-defined, but, once a combination of feature options is configured, they can be generated as variants or stored with the transaction.

to customer-specific rules and formulas.

There are Many Reasons in Favor of VlexPlus VlexPlus - Semiramis inside combines comprehensive functionality with the latest technology.

As one of the first products of a new generation of

You choice of database, operating system, and

business software („Next Generation ERP“) VlexPlus

hardware platform is completely up to you. Existing

- Semiramis inside sets new standards in terms of

systems can be used.

future-proof technology, flexibility, scalability, ergonomics and functionality.

»» Security is taken very seriously »» Latest interfaces and output management

requirements of small and medium-sized businesses, the latest technology is needed. The Internet and the JAVA programming language constitute the technological basis of VlexPlus - Semiramis inside and consequently allow extremely flexible utilisation of the software.

»» Highly flexible and scalable »» Comprehensive functionality »» Future-proof software »» Allows simple mapping of collaborative processes over the entire value-added chain

Quelle:Comarch Semiramis GmbH

To be able to satisfy at reasonable cost the process

„Next generation ERP“ for Variant Production VlexPlus – for efficient mapping of complex business processes and product variants in the system.

The wide range of services and the requirement to

Whatever your business model looks like today and

offer suitable solutions for businesses of all types in

however it‘s going to develop in the years to come,

the medium-sized sector are not a contradiction in

VlexPlus ensures you get:

terms to VlexPlus - Semiramis inside. »» User-controlled presentation of the data Each user in the company only sees the functionality he needs. In addition, each workstation can be tailored to the relevant tasks.

The business processes of a company, as well as the structures and processes of a company group with several organizational units can be mapped using the multi-site functions. The use of multi-site functions range as far as joint use of master data, as well as the handling of cross-organizational business processes.

»» Reproduction of all the process structures »» Multisite ability and eCollaboration »» The latest in output management »» Internationality »» The highest level of security

You Have a Requirement – We Realize it!

We are known for seamless rapid integration that deals with all your requirements

Identification, potential analysis and initialization We visit you on your premises and discuss with your management the objectives you want to achieve with the introduction of new ERP software. Sector by sector, we discuss with you how you can obtain clear competitive advantages by employing an integrated variant solution and what the requirements would be for your organization as a result.

Process-Assessment Together with you, we analyze your business processes.

We do that internally, with your business partners, and with your customers, and from this we develop solutions for optimized processes. Already at this point, the product logic and product strategy your company wants to implement plays a role, as do the advantages you can achieve by employing integrated variant management in the production process.

Initial design, planning and evaluation All the requirements we identify, including the necessary hardware infrastructure, will be matched for you with a solution design, a costs estimate and a timetable and schedule for implementation. This is done on the basis of the ERPII solution Semiramis© and our integral and coherent extensions of all manufacturing processes relating to »variants«.

VLEXgroup – the ERP experts in variant production

VLEXgroup – the ERP specialists near to the customer

More than thirty years of experience in the development of high-performance systems for variant production and technical wholesale have contributed to the solutions of the VLEXgroup.

Since 2009, a common holding company has united under one umbrella the Kulmbach-based update Solutions AG and the companies of the SWING Group, based in Achim near Bremen, Germany.

With skills and expertise resulting from more than

of the VLEXgroup for every requirement of modern,

thirty years of ERP development and project business,

growth-oriented manufacturing and wholesale busines-

the VLEXgroup stands for customer-oriented business

ses. With a network of six locations in Germany and

software for small and medium-sized firms that is tried

Switzerland, today the VLEXgroup is one of the leading

and tested in practice.

medium-size providers of variant-oriented ERP solutions.

As sales unit, VLEXsolutions AG offers turnkey comprehensive solutions in co-operation with all companies

Configuration and implementation

Training, support and maintenance

For the basic set-up of the test and productive system,

Before going live with the system, extensive training of

all necessary system parameters, user profiles and

the final users and/or key user takes place. If desired,

roles, as well as all classified and controlling base data

we support your business after the productive start

and organizations, will be provisionally set up to serve

with extensive services such as a hot line, training

as examples. Necessary adjustments will be defined

or services relating to software modification. Beyond

in realization concepts and realized as development

that, we keep your customized software environment

orders, tested under everyday conditions, and prepared

available on our systems and thus ensure the ease of

for going live.

adaptation of new releases and release levels.

The VLEXgroup supports its customers with the Project management

selection, procurement and installation of all ne-

The defined activities will be recorded by us in a project

cessary hardware and software components. Du-

plan, in accordance with the project definition and the

ring the introduction process, optimization of the

specified working parties, and assigned priorities, dates

company‘s operational process chains is a central

and resources in a phase model. The main focus here

component in a successful and forward-looking IT

is on planning, controlling and monitoring of costs, due

strategy. An extensive partner network, as well

dates and workflows, as well as guaranteeing quality

as further service features complete the portfo-

and documentation in the project.

lio and guarantee the success of the IT project.

As »Semiramis inside« partners, the companies of The companies of the VLEXgroup can look back on a success story lasting more than thirty years. With

the VLEXgroup are without equal in dealing with variant production.

a total of six locations in Achim (Lower Saxony), Dürnau (Baden-Wuerttemberg), Koblenz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Kulmbach (Bavaria), Rheineck (Switzerland)

A solution that brings together all the conditions necessary for a successful IT project:

and Sursee (Switzerland) and more than 450 regular customers – including multinationals – the VLEXgroup ranks among the leading manufacturers of variant ERP for medium-sized businesses in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

» Extensive experience in ERP projects » Competence in and understanding of business processes in the environment of variant production » State-of-the-art and future-proof technology

VLEXgroup – the ERP experts in variant production

VLEXgroup – the ERP specialists near to the customer

More than thirty years of experience in the development of high-performance systems for variant production and technical wholesale have contributed to the solutions of the VLEXgroup.

Since 2009, a common holding company has united under one umbrella the Kulmbach-based update Solutions AG and the companies of the SWING Group, based in Achim near Bremen, Germany.

With skills and expertise resulting from more than

of the VLEXgroup for every requirement of modern,

thirty years of ERP development and project business,

growth-oriented manufacturing and wholesale busines-

the VLEXgroup stands for customer-oriented business

ses. With a network of six locations in Germany and

software for small and medium-sized firms that is tried

Switzerland, today the VLEXgroup is one of the leading

and tested in practice.

medium-size providers of variant-oriented ERP solutions.

As sales unit, VLEXsolutions AG offers turnkey comprehensive solutions in co-operation with all companies

Configuration and implementation

Training, support and maintenance

For the basic set-up of the test and productive system,

Before going live with the system, extensive training of

all necessary system parameters, user profiles and

the final users and/or key user takes place. If desired,

roles, as well as all classified and controlling base data

we support your business after the productive start

and organizations, will be provisionally set up to serve

with extensive services such as a hot line, training

as examples. Necessary adjustments will be defined

or services relating to software modification. Beyond

in realization concepts and realized as development

that, we keep your customized software environment

orders, tested under everyday conditions, and prepared

available on our systems and thus ensure the ease of

for going live.

adaptation of new releases and release levels.

The VLEXgroup supports its customers with the Project management

selection, procurement and installation of all ne-

The defined activities will be recorded by us in a project

cessary hardware and software components. Du-

plan, in accordance with the project definition and the

ring the introduction process, optimization of the

specified working parties, and assigned priorities, dates

company‘s operational process chains is a central

and resources in a phase model. The main focus here

component in a successful and forward-looking IT

is on planning, controlling and monitoring of costs, due

strategy. An extensive partner network, as well

dates and workflows, as well as guaranteeing quality

as further service features complete the portfo-

and documentation in the project.

lio and guarantee the success of the IT project.

As »Semiramis inside« partners, the companies of The companies of the VLEXgroup can look back on a success story lasting more than thirty years. With

the VLEXgroup are without equal in dealing with variant production.

a total of six locations in Achim (Lower Saxony), Dürnau (Baden-Wuerttemberg), Koblenz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Kulmbach (Bavaria), Rheineck (Switzerland)

A solution that brings together all the conditions necessary for a successful IT project:

and Sursee (Switzerland) and more than 450 regular customers – including multinationals – the VLEXgroup ranks among the leading manufacturers of variant ERP for medium-sized businesses in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

» Extensive experience in ERP projects » Competence in and understanding of business processes in the environment of variant production » State-of-the-art and future-proof technology

It‘s time for mature decisions!

Whatever product interests you, with VlexPlus you make the correct decision!

Do you want ...  to be well positioned among your global competitors  to optimize your processes and reduce costs  customer loyalty by offering tailored products  to master the complexity of the sheer variety of your products  to minimize your data/administration expenses  a variant-related cost calculation and price generator  flexibility and transparency in your production  collaborative integration of your value-added chain  software partners who know their stuff

... then here is:  VlexPlus - Semiramis inside, the ERP software for variant production in your industry  a technologically leading and forward-looking ERP solution  a team, which will bring you success due to Albert-Schweitzer-Straße 16

its many years of experience

95326 Kulmbach, Germany  project-related services and general support.  a portfolio of IT-products that leaves nothing to be desired  software that will inspire you

Please ask for further information or a meeting to discuss your requirements at: info@vlexplus.com or

Telefon +49 92 21 - 8 95 11 - 00 Telefax +49 92 21 - 8 95 11 - 11 info@vlexplus.com www.vlexplus.com

www.vlexplus.com The publisher reserves the right at any time to make changes or additions to the texts or pictures displayed. © by VLEXsolutions AG

ERP-Software Healthy processes for your variant production

It‘s time for mature decisions!

Whatever product interests you, with VlexPlus you make the correct decision!

Do you want ...  to be well positioned among your global competitors  to optimize your processes and reduce costs  customer loyalty by offering tailored products  to master the complexity of the sheer variety of your products  to minimize your data/administration expenses  a variant-related cost calculation and price generator  flexibility and transparency in your production  collaborative integration of your value-added chain  software partners who know their stuff

... then here is:  VlexPlus - Semiramis inside, the ERP software for variant production in your industry  a technologically leading and forward-looking ERP solution  a team, which will bring you success due to Albert-Schweitzer-Straße 16

its many years of experience

95326 Kulmbach, Germany  project-related services and general support.  a portfolio of IT-products that leaves nothing to be desired  software that will inspire you

Please ask for further information or a meeting to discuss your requirements at: info@vlexplus.com or

Telefon +49 92 21 - 8 95 11 - 00 Telefax +49 92 21 - 8 95 11 - 11 info@vlexplus.com www.vlexplus.com

www.vlexplus.com The publisher reserves the right at any time to make changes or additions to the texts or pictures displayed. © by VLEXsolutions AG

ERP-Software Healthy processes for your variant production