Custom ERP for mixed production
Appfront builds custom ERP for companies that combine discrete and process manufacturing: bills of materials alongside recipes, batch numbers alongside serial numbers, and planning that makes both worlds work together in one chain. We align with your actual production process, your traceability requirements and the systems you already use. Built for manufacturers who don't fit a standard ERP that only supports either discrete or process production.
What is ERP for mixed-mode manufacturing?
ERP for mixed-mode manufacturing, also known as mixed-mode ERP, supports businesses that run both discrete production (with bills of materials, assembly and serial numbers) and process production (with recipes, batches and yields). Think of a manufacturer that makes semi-finished products via a recipe and then assembles them into a discrete end product.
Many standard ERP packages are built for one or the other. If you combine both, you run into separate systems, duplicate data entry and gaps in traceability. Custom ERP follows your actual process, links recipe and bill-of-materials logic in one chain, and can grow as your product mix changes.
Looking for a broader ERP without the mixed-mode focus? See custom ERP system. To understand how integrations with other systems work first, read ERP integrations, everything you need to know. You can learn more about our approach at custom software development.
Bill of materials and recipe together
Discrete bills of materials and process recipes in one system, so a product created via both routes is managed within a single production structure without duplicate data entry.
End-to-end traceability
Batch and serial numbers are carried through the entire chain, so you can trace from raw material to end product what was used where and where it went.
Planning across both worlds
Production planning that accounts for batch sizes and yields as well as assembly steps and capacity, so the chain is scheduled realistically.
How we build your mixed-mode ERP
We work in stages and involve your production, planning and quality teams early in the process. From a thorough review of your production routes and traceability requirements through to go-live and ongoing management, every step is aimed at a system your shop floor understands and trusts.
We map out your production routes, bills of materials, recipes, traceability requirements and the integrations you need. Together we decide which functionality matters most and the order in which we build it.
We design the data model for items, bills of materials, recipes, batches and serial numbers, along with the planning model and the approach to integrations.
We build in short iterations with automated testing and monitoring. You test real production scenarios along the way and help steer priorities and how well it fits day-to-day practice.
Controlled go-live with data validation and migration of existing item and stock data, followed by ongoing management and further development.
If a food safety plan runs in the same factory, those records sit alongside order administration. For the deviations side of that, see the app for deviations at a critical control point.
What mixed-mode ERP actually does
We tailor every application specifically to your production routes and traceability requirements. Below are the features we most often deliver for manufacturers who combine discrete and process production.
Item and bill of materials management
Management of items, multi-level bills of materials and variants, with version control so changes to composition stay traceable and production runs on the correct structure.
Recipe and batch production
Recipes with ingredients, yields and tolerances, with batch registration and handling of by-products, for the process side of your production.
Production orders and work orders
Create and track production and work orders across both routes, with progress, consumption and completion reports from the shop floor.
Inventory and warehousing
Stock by location, batch and serial number, with receipts, issues and intermediate semi-finished products, so your inventory picture is always accurate.
Traceability and quality
Full traceability from raw material to finished product, with quality checks and recording of rejects, for recalls and accountability.
Planning and capacity
Planning that combines batch sizes, lead times, assembly steps and capacity, so you can schedule the chain realistically and spot bottlenecks early.
Who we build mixed-mode ERP for
Mixed production occurs across a wide range of sectors. For each of them we build an ERP that fits their production routes and their traceability requirements.
Food and beverage producers
Companies that make semi-finished products through recipes and then package and assemble them into discrete end products, with strict traceability.
Chemicals and coatings
Producers that mix on a process basis and then supply in discrete packaging or sets, with batch recording and quality control.
Manufacturing with machining
Manufacturers that process materials on a process basis and then assemble them into composite products with serial numbers.
Private label producers
Companies that produce for multiple clients and need to manage recipes, bills of materials and specific traceability for each order.
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 →Technology and integrations
We build on a modern, maintainable web stack and integrate with the systems you already use, such as your accounting software, machines on the shop floor, and systems belonging to customers or suppliers. For more on integrations, read ERP integrations, everything you need to know, and for our way of working, see custom software development.
Why Appfront for your mixed-mode ERP?
Appfront builds custom software and always starts with a thorough analysis of your production routes, bills of materials, recipes and traceability requirements. An ERP for mixed-mode manufacturing has to fit how your shop floor actually works, not the other way round.
We write clear documentation and deliver transparent code, so your own team or a future supplier can understand and manage the software. No black box, just clear agreements on the data model, integrations and maintenance.
You work with a fixed point of contact who understands both the technology and the production reality. That keeps communication short and speeds up decisions during the build.
See also custom ERP system and the knowledge base on ERP integrations. Questions? Get in touch with us.
- Custom ERP for discrete and process manufacturing
- Bill of materials and recipes in one system
- Batch and serial numbers throughout the chain
- Planning across both production routes
- Integrations with accounting and the shop floor
- Migration of existing item and stock data
- Clear documentation your team can manage
- A fixed point of contact, no account managers passed around
- Ongoing maintenance and further development
- A way of working aligned with your existing IT landscape
Security and continuity for mixed-mode ERP
An ERP is business-critical: it holds your production data, inventory and traceability. That is why we build with security and continuity as starting points, with role-based access so employees only see and do what suits their role, and with complete logging of changes.
We build to the OWASP security standards and the GDPR, with encryption in transit and at rest, automated testing and monitoring. For traceability, we record who changed which production data, which supports accountability and any necessary recalls.
We set up back-ups, monitoring and recovery procedures so your production can keep running. You can read more about security in our information security policy, or get in touch via our contact form.
- Role-based access and least-privilege principles
- Watertight audit logging of changes
- Encryption in transit (TLS 1.2+) and at rest
- Built to OWASP security standards
- Back-up, monitoring and recovery procedures
- GDPR-compliant processing of personal data
- Automated testing in the development pipeline
- Documentation for management and continuity
Frequently asked questions about ERP for mixed-mode manufacturing
Answers to the questions we are asked most often about custom ERP for businesses that combine discrete and process manufacturing.
Mixed-mode ERP for manufacturing supports businesses that run both discrete production, with bills of materials and serial numbers, and process production, with recipes and batches. Custom ERP connects both worlds in one chain, so a product created through a recipe and then assembly is managed in a continuous structure, with traceability from raw material to finished product.
Many standard ERP packages are built for either discrete or process production. If you combine both, this often leads to separate systems, duplicate data entry and gaps in traceability. Custom ERP follows your actual production routes and links bill-of-materials and recipe logic, giving you a system that fits your product mix and can grow with you.
Yes. That is precisely the core of mixed-mode. Batch numbers for the process side and serial numbers for the discrete side are carried through the entire chain, so you can trace which raw materials went into which finished product. This supports quality control, accountability and any product recalls.
Yes. We build custom integrations with your accounting software, with machines or scanners on the shop floor, and with systems belonging to customers or suppliers, for example via EDI. This prevents duplicate data entry and keeps your stock and production picture up to date. Our knowledge base explains more about how ERP integrations work.
We build custom solutions. Manufacturers that combine discrete and process production differ greatly in their production routes and traceability requirements. Custom ERP matches your actual process and can grow as your product mix changes. After an initial consultation, we agree priorities together, without promising a fixed timeline or price we cannot yet substantiate.
Yes. At go-live we handle a controlled migration of your existing item, bill-of-materials and stock data, with data validation and a safety net. We can also take over existing applications, review the architecture and integrations, and modernise step by step towards a maintainable setup.
Ready to build your mixed-mode ERP?
Tell us how your production is set up and where you run into problems, from bills of materials and recipes to traceability and planning. We are happy to think along with you on the data model, integrations and shop floor. In a no-obligation first conversation, you will get a clear picture of what custom ERP can do for your production.