Proalph aand its group companies are pursuing a common goal: to offer SMEs leading technologies for the digitalization of their business processes in order to give them a head start in the ongoing transformation process. To this end, the software manufacturer is currently working on a technology platform that will provide the infrastructure for hosting the applications as well as a methodology and platform for integrating the Proalpha applications. The various application services such as single sign-on, reporting and document management will be merged into a standard based on FOSS (Free Open Source Software). From a user perspective, role-based landing pages will be introduced to provide a consistent user experience.

The open technology platform is free from lock-in effects: "Our customers have an application landscape of 25 applications on average. In future, they will also be able to easily integrate and operate "best-of-breed" applications from third-party providers," says Otmar Zewald, Head of Product Management at Proalpha.

New technologies improve security, scalability and flexibility

With version 9, Proalpha is switching to a new version of the Progress platform: OpenEdge 12, which means that the software provider is now also using containerization technologies that not only drastically simplify the company's own products, but also enable them to be developed in an even more scalable and secure manner.

Proalpha ERP is also taking the step onto the web with the new Ray functionality. With Ray, customers can use Proalpha on any standard mobile device at any time and any place without the need to install a client. As this is a new technology, Ray is now being introduced gradually and will initially be made available to a selected group of customers. The interaction design will be further optimized and made more role-based in the coming releases in order to sustainably increase productivity and enable better-informed business decisions.

Seamlessly integrated ERP+ solutions

With the seamless integration of curecomp's cloud-native solution into Proalpha ERP, Release 9 provides customers with a new module for strategic procurement. The solution includes a supplier portal where customers can collaborate with their suppliers on tenders and procurement contracts. The solution also enables Proalpha customers to further digitalize their procure-to-pay process and reduce costs through improved efficiency. The strategic procurement module, which is deeply integrated into Proalpha ERP, is based on the proven cloud-native solution from Proalpha Group company Curecomp.

Proalpha is also expanding its portfolio to include a leading quality management product (CAQ) from the group company Böhme & Weihs. This enables customers to synchronize article and supplier data for quality development processes such as FMEA and PPAP. In addition, incoming goods, outgoing goods and production inspections can be integrated with Böhme & Weihs' leading quality inspection modules. However, this is only the first step, as the integration of further processes, such as complaints management, is already being planned.

Shorter release cycles and microservices

With the new version 9, Proalpha is introducing a completely new approach to its ERP software releases. "We are moving away from large, disruptive releases without predictable release dates towards a release train with smaller, manageable upgrades with a fixed rhythm," says Zewald. "The aim is to fully automate the updates and ensure that the installation time for customers is no more than one hour."

Proalpha is also accelerating the technological development of its ERP system towards a microservice architecture. Until now, customers were forced to update the entire ERP system when changes were made in a single business area. Microservices help to solve this problem by only installing software updates where it makes sense or is necessary. This allows customers to easily combine cloud and on-premise applications. The integration of the modules for strategic procurement and quality management are the first steps towards a technological focus on microservices with mix & match functionality.

The new release 9 of Proalpha supports the medium-sized manufacturing industry in benefiting from product innovations even faster, reacting to new market and technology opportunities at an early stage and thus securing their long-term competitiveness.