Many people who start a company quickly notice that individual business software solutions can be practical, but always reach their limits in everyday life. Especially at the beginning, it is often sufficient to use individual tools for contacts, accounting, creating offers and personnel issues.
But as processes grow and become more versatile and it is repeatedly necessary to maintain and track data multiple times, the corresponding work steps usually require more and more time (and effort). And this is exactly where modern all-in-one business software options come into play. They are business solutions in which several areas come together in one system. Topics such as CRM, ERP, HR and finance are typically covered here. Therefore, the programs (depending on the provider and tool) cover, among other things, customer management, operational and commercial processes, all via a single platform. The following sections show what advantages are associated with solutions like these and what possible uses they have.
A look at the details: What do classic all-in-one solutions offer?
All-in-one solutions are suitable for all companies that want to bundle as many options as possible in one place (or on one platform). In this context, many of these solutions cover the following areas:
CRM
The CRM area makes it possible, among other things, to maintain contacts and leads and to take a closer look at a provider’s customer history. Sales benefit from having an overview of open inquiries, offers and more at all times, and at the same time learn more about the demands of the respective target group. A well-maintained CRM system helps to save time because the platform takes into account offers, invoices and possible service cases at the same time. Everything is connected.
ERP
The company’s operational processes are mapped via the ERP area. Typical topics that fall into this area include order processing, purchasing, inventory management and scheduling. With the help of the appropriate systems, business processes should be controlled centrally and media disruptions avoided. Among other things, they also play here well thought-out logistics strategies an important role when it comes to efficiently managing flows of goods and optimally coordinating them with each other. Which processes have been integrated into an ERP system depends on the respective solution.
HR
The HR area covers a lot of things related to the topic of “human resources”. This is primarily about personnel master data, digital personnel files, time recording and recruiting. Interestingly, the integration of this complex of topics is still a relatively recent development that is now being taken up by more and more providers.
Finance/FI
As the name suggests, this is about finances. The corresponding solutions relate to areas such as accounting, dunning, controlling and liquidity planning. In this context, interfaces are often offered for collaboration with the tax advisor or for using DATEV. And it is precisely at this point that it becomes clear why using such an all-in-one business software can save such a large amount of time. Because: If offers, invoices and payments are based on a single database, the manual effort for individual employees is reduced.
All-in-one solutions and their advantages: This is how companies can benefit
The biggest advantage of a modern all-in-one solution is that data is stored in a single place. This means that important details and documents, such as:
- Customer data
- Bills
- Project information
- Personal data
are no longer in different places and many classic mistakes can be avoided. Processes are accelerated and processes become more transparent, among other things because it is no longer necessary to save relevant information in Excel tables. Modern all-in-one solutions focus on clear workflows. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly clear that the… Use of AI continuously increasing in this area. Many medium-sized companies in particular are now using artificial intelligence, for example to evaluate data, create forecasts and automate processes. With the help of the corresponding options, it is easier, for example, to identify developments in demand earlier, to optimize inventory levels and to plan sales channels better.
And this is exactly what usually results in increased efficiency. A typical example: An employee who can create an order directly from a CRM offer and then create the invoice and complete the booking process saves time and effort. In addition, the evaluations that are created after an order to identify any need for optimization also become more reliable, as the necessary data does not come from different sources and therefore does not have to be merged manually.
Last but not least, many people in charge now opt for all-in-one solutions because they are easily scalable (depending on the provider). Regardless of whether the company is growing, requirements are changing or it is about avoiding system breaks: the various platforms are an enormous help when it comes to using solutions that “grow” with the user. This is a convincing argument, especially for medium-sized businesses, where experience has shown that commercial, sales and operational aspects are often closely interlinked.
A large selection: Many providers come from the American region
Anyone looking for a provider of modern all-in-one solutions often quickly comes across big, international names. Many companies have managed to make a name for themselves, especially in the American region. Oracle NetSuite is certainly one of the best-known providers of cloud-based business management suites. This solution primarily covers the areas of financial management, CRM and core operational processes. With Microsoft Dynamics 365, however, ERP and CRM applications come together. And companies that would like to focus more on HR and sales may find the right solution on a modular level in Business Central. Sage also offers comprehensive solutions for various target groups. This provider focuses, among other things, on financial management, ERP and HR.
When researching in the enterprise or upper medium-sized segment, the German provider SAP, which has managed to make a name for itself internationally, remains relevant. With solutions such as SAP Business ByDesign and various cloud ERP offerings, SAP is primarily aimed at medium-sized and larger companies.
And what applies to the DACH region?
The number of providers offering comparable all-in-one solutions in the DACH region is smaller. Nevertheless, there are some companies that have been able to establish themselves here. The provider TOPIX has been active on the market since 1990, for example. The corresponding solutions bundle the areas of CRM, ERP, finance and HR on one platform. In total, the company has around 4,200 installations in the DACH region. The focus here is primarily on the areas of trade, services and rentals and on companies that combine these topics with each other. With a turnover of 6.2 million euros and around 50 employees, TOPIX focuses primarily on supporting medium-sized businesses.
This approach offers clear advantages, especially for companies that do not want to consider trading, service and rental separately because it is important to represent individual details in integrated business models. Isolated solutions that have to be considered on their own again and again quickly reach their limits, while higher-level systems usually ensure more transparency and efficiency.
Further providers for the roof region at a glance
In addition to TOPIX, there are other providers of all-in-one solutions in German-speaking countries who have managed to make a name for themselves. These include, among others:
Lots of X360
Haufe X360, like TOPIX, has focused on medium-sized businesses. This solution primarily covers central ERP functions. HR functions were also integrated.
Scopevisio
At Scopeviso, ERP, financial management and document management come together. But: The provider’s HR offering has also been continually expanded in the past.
weclap
Weclapp’s target group primarily consists of small and medium-sized companies. The cloud solution covers CRM, inventory management, accounting and project management. HR areas are also available.
SAP
The fact that the provider SAP should not be missing from a list of all-in-one solutions for the DACH region has already been indicated above. Many of the provider’s tools are aimed at larger medium-sized companies and corporations.
Saw
Sage now also offers different solutions for accounting, ERP and HR for German-speaking countries. However, these are often more product line-based and are less considered a fully integrated platform.
Odoo
Odoo is an open source platform that covers a wide range of CRM, accounting, ERP and HR solutions. However, Odoo acts more as a modular system and less as a classic full-service provider.
How do founders find out which all-in-one solutions suit them best?
For Founders who want to become self-employedand SMEs, all-in-one solutions are particularly useful when it comes to creating a stable and scalable overall system for the company in question from a collection of individual tools. It’s worth taking a closer look here, because not every solution fits every business model.
When looking for the best option for each individual, it makes sense to proceed as follows:
- Analyzing your own processes
In the first step, those responsible should ask themselves which areas should be covered and integrated with the corresponding solution. In many cases, the classic core functions (CRM, ERP, HR and Finance) are mentioned. However, it is also important that the respective tools not only offer the corresponding functions, but that they also work together. If this is guaranteed, a common database is created that can make work easier. - A look at the business model
Hybrid structures often play an important role in medium-sized companies. This could be the case, for example, if trade, services and rentals are combined. Constellations like this place special demands on the respective software because it involves closely interlinking processes. - The scalability
Many start-ups start out using simple tools, but then realize that these solutions are not enough. A good all-in-one solution should be able to not only cover current needs, but also adapt. More complex processes, additional business areas and the like should be able to be supported. - Supply and demand must match
The international market for all-in-one solutions is heavily influenced by large providers. These often offer an impressive number of functions, but sometimes do not fit the needs of small and medium-sized companies. In German-speaking countries the selection is smaller, but is often tailored to SMEs.
It is therefore important to keep in mind that the “best” all-in-one solution is not necessarily the one with the most functions, but rather the one that fits your own processes, the size of the company and the growth strategy you are pursuing.