Custom ERP system development
A custom ERP system that fits your business processes exactly. No superfluous features, no compromises. We build modular, scalable ERP software that grows with your organisation and integrates seamlessly with your existing systems. Want to read more? See also replacing legacy software.
Why a custom ERP system?
Off-the-shelf ERP packages offer generic functions that work for many organisations but are not always the right solution for every one. When your business processes are unique, you run into limitations: superfluous modules you pay for, missing functions you have to work around, and limited integration options with your other systems. Want to read more? See also building a DocuSign integration.
Software that fits your processes
A custom ERP system is built around your existing workflows and business logic. Rather than adapting your organisation to the software, the software adapts to your organisation. You get exactly the functionality you need, no more and no less. That means higher adoption among your staff, fewer errors and a system that genuinely adds value.
At Appfront, we build custom software that is fully owned by you. You are not dependent on licence fees that rise every year, or on a supplier that discontinues features you use every day. Your custom ERP grows with your organisation and can always be extended or adjusted.
Modules we build
A custom ERP system consists of modules that you assemble based on your needs. Each module is built as a standalone component that works seamlessly with the rest of the system. Start with what you need now and expand later.
Financial management & invoicing
Automate your financial administration with custom invoicing, accounts receivable, accounts payable and financial reporting. Connect directly to your accounting software for real-time insight into your cash flow and outstanding items.
- Automated invoice generation
- Accounts receivable and payable management
- Financial dashboards and reports
- Integration with accounting packages
Inventory & warehouse management
Keep a firm grip on your inventory with real-time insight into stock levels, locations and movements. From incoming deliveries to outgoing orders, every product is tracked through the warehouse with barcode or RFID support.
- Real-time stock levels
- Location management per warehouse
- Automatic reorder points
- Barcode and RFID scanning
CRM & sales management
Manage your customer relationships, sales opportunities and quotes from a central system tailored to your sales process. From lead to invoice, with a full history and insight into your sales funnel.
- Customer and contact management
- Quotes and order processing
- Sales funnel and pipeline
- Customer history and communication log
Procurement & supplier management
Streamline your purchasing process from request to receipt. Manage suppliers, compare quotes, track orders and keep control of delivery times and costs. All from a central overview.
- Supplier evaluations
- Purchase orders and approval workflows
- Price comparison and contract management
- Goods receipt and quality control
Project management & planning
Plan projects, allocate resources and track progress in real time. From simple task lists to complex project planning with dependencies, timesheets and budget monitoring.
- Project planning and Gantt charts
- Resource and capacity planning
- Time tracking per project
- Budget and cost monitoring
Reports & dashboards
Get real-time insight into your operations with custom dashboards and reports. From operational KPIs to strategic analyses: all the data from your ERP modules combined in clear visualisations.
- Real-time KPI dashboards
- Automated reporting
- Data export and analysis
- Role-specific views
Each module can be built as part of your ERP or as a standalone web application. We are happy to advise you on the best approach for your situation.
Custom ERP vs standard ERP packages
Choosing between a standard ERP package and a custom ERP solution is a strategic decision. Both options have their place, and the right choice depends on your specific situation, business processes and growth plans.
Standard ERP packages
Standard packages such as SAP, Microsoft Dynamics or Exact offer a broad range of features suited to common business processes. They often have a large ecosystem and can be set up quickly. However, once your processes deviate from the standard, you run into limitations.
- Broad functionality out of the box
- Large ecosystem of partners and add-ons
- Limited adaptability to unique processes
- Recurring licence costs
- Dependence on the vendor and their roadmap
Custom ERP by Appfront
A custom ERP is built precisely around your business processes. You only pay for the functionality you actually use, and you have complete freedom over how the system looks, works and integrates with your other software. Your organisation doesn't adapt to the software; the software adapts to you.
- 100% tailored to your business processes
- Ownership of the source code
- Unlimited integration possibilities
- No recurring licence costs
- Free choice of hosting and management
Unsure which approach best suits your organisation? Our IT modernisation consultants are happy to help you think through the right strategy for your specific situation.
Technologies we use
A custom ERP system must be reliable, fast and maintainable. We choose technologies that have proven themselves in production environments and have an active community. That way we build systems that last for years.
Backend & databases
The backbone of every ERP system is a solid backend. We work with Node.js and Python (Django) for application logic, PostgreSQL as the relational database, Redis for caching, and GraphQL or REST APIs for communication between modules and external systems.
If you want to take the Intrastat declaration out of your own administration, see our Intrastat submission integration.
- Node.js and Python (Django)
- PostgreSQL and Redis
- GraphQL and REST APIs
- Message queues for asynchronous tasks
Frontend & interfaces
An ERP system is used daily by your team, so the interface must be fast, intuitive and pleasant to work with. We build with React and TypeScript for a responsive, accessible interface. With Next.js we deliver fast loading times and a good user experience on every device.
- React and TypeScript
- Next.js for performance
- Responsive design (desktop and tablet)
- Accessible interfaces (WCAG)
Cloud & infrastructure
Your ERP runs on reliable cloud infrastructure. We work with AWS and Google Cloud for hosting, Docker and Kubernetes for containerisation, and CI/CD pipelines for automated deployments. This keeps your system always up to date and scalable.
- AWS and Google Cloud
- Docker and Kubernetes
- CI/CD pipelines
- Monitoring and alerting
Test your idea first: a working prototype in 1 day
With OneDayBuild, we turn your idea into something tangible in one day for €1,150, so you can see whether further development is worth the investment. Decide to go ahead with the full build? Then we credit the full cost.
Explore OneDayBuild →Integrations with your existing systems
A custom ERP system only works optimally when it collaborates seamlessly with the software you already use. We have extensive experience building API integrations with a variety of platforms and systems.
Accounting packages
Integrate your custom ERP with accounting packages for automatic synchronisation of invoices, payments and financial data. We build integrations with Exact Online, Twinfield, AFAS and Xero so your administration is always up to date.
E-commerce & webshops
Synchronise products, orders, stock and customer data between your ERP and e-commerce platforms. We integrate with Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento and Lightspeed for a fully automated order flow.
Custom & legacy
Do you have systems without a standard API? We build custom middleware to connect legacy applications, internal tools and industry-specific software to your ERP system.
Why Appfront for your ERP system?
Building a custom ERP system is a significant investment. You want a partner who is not only technically strong, but who also understands how your business processes work and how technology can best support them.
Our approach
We begin every ERP project with a thorough discovery phase, in which we map out your processes, data flows and integration points. Only then do we start building, in sprints, so that you can work with functioning software early on. Each sprint delivers visible results that you can test and use straight away.
- Discovery phase upfront: mapping processes and data
- Agile development in two-weekly sprints
- Working software after every sprint
- Direct communication with the development team
- Comprehensive documentation and knowledge transfer
Take a look at our full range of services for an overview of all our expertise.
What you can expect from us
We build software designed to last for years. That means clean code, good documentation, automated testing and an architecture that is easy to extend. After handover, we remain available for maintenance, support and further development.
- Ownership of all source code
- Transparent communication on progress
- Management and support after handover
- Scalable architecture for future growth
- Knowledge of various sectors and business processes
Curious about how we work in practice? Have a look at our work for examples of projects we have delivered.
Security and compliance
Your ERP system holds sensitive business data: financial records, customer information, purchase prices and business processes. Security is therefore not an afterthought but a core component of every system we build.
- Full GDPR compliance in data processing and storage
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) for granular authorisation
- Audit trails for all changes and actions within the system
- Encrypted data in transit and at rest (TLS/AES-256)
- Automated backups with recovery procedures
- Regular security audits and penetration testing
Read more about our information security policy and vulnerability disclosure policy.
Frequently asked questions about a custom ERP system
Ready to streamline your business processes?
Find out how a custom ERP system can make your organisation more efficient, more transparent and future-proof. From the first conversation through to full delivery and support, we guide you every step of the way. View our services, read more about us, or get in touch directly for a no-obligation conversation.