13. Plugins – Industry solutions from industry specialists

When industry knowledge becomes software

Every industry has processes, terms and decisions that outsiders only really understand after years. This is exactly where the strength of X-ERP plugins: External industry specialists can translate their expertise into their own, reusable solution and integrate it directly into X-ERP.

This means there is no special programming that is difficult to maintain in the core system. Instead, a clearly defined plugin complements the X-ERP standard exactly where an industry has special requirements. This gives companies the stability of a broadly applicable ERP system and at the same time the depth of a specialized industry solution.

What external partners can develop

Depending on the task and technical approval, a plugin can provide, for example, industry-specific workflows, additional views, evaluations, automation, calculations or controlled connections. What is important is not the number of functions, but rather their technical value: The plugin should simplify a real process, avoid errors or make knowledge available at the right moment.

Typical starting points are:

• recurring work steps that take place differently in an industry than in the standard way
• special calculation, testing or release rules
• Industry-typical data, documents and evidence
• specialized machines, portals or external services
• Evaluations and key figures that are only relevant for a specific target group

Clear roles create trust

The plugin is developed by the external industry or solution partner as a separate product. This means that responsibility for the entire life cycle lies with the respective provider:

• technical conception and delimitation of the scope of functions
• Development and clean integration into X-ERP
• Tests with the supported X-ERP versions
• Documentation, introduction and training
• ongoing maintenance, troubleshooting and further development
• Support, updates and compatibility information
• Licensing, pricing, marketing and distribution

X-ERP forms the stable platform for this. The standard can be further developed independently while the external partner maintains its industry solution independently. This means that it remains transparent for users who is the right contact person for which function.

From an industry problem to a marketable plugin

1. Understand need: The partner describes the process from the perspective of the future users - including exceptions, responsibilities and measurable benefits.
2. Set boundaries: Standard function, configuration, interface and plugin are clearly separated from each other. Only the actually industry-specific part belongs in the expansion.
3. Integrate securely: Authorizations, data access, error situations and interactions with existing processes are taken into account right from the start.
4. Test realistically: The plugin is tested in a test environment with typical data, roles and complete workflows.
5. Prepare for operation: Supported versions, installation, updates, data backup, logging and support channels are documented.
6. Lead as a product: The partner provides its solution with understandable documentation, a comprehensible licensing model and a reliable maintenance promise.
7. Market independently: Target group, benefits, price, sales and customer support lie with the external partner who knows the industry problem and its market best.

What companies should check before use

• Who is the manufacturer and permanent contact person for the plugin?
• For which X-ERP versions and application scenarios is it released?
• What data does the extension read or modify?
• What rights does it require and how is access logged?
• How do installation, updates, backups and, if necessary, uninstallation take place?
• What response times, care services and costs are agreed?
• Is there a test and acceptance description for the affected processes?
• What happens if there is a major X-ERP update or a technical change?

The opportunity for industry specialists

Anyone who speaks the language of an industry can identify problems before they become visible in general specifications. X-ERP gives such specialists the opportunity to not only use this knowledge on a project-by-project basis, but also to offer it as their own product: reusable, clearly positioned and usable for multiple companies.

The external partner remains the entrepreneur of his solution. He decides on the scope of functions, further development, service and marketing - and at the same time is responsible for ensuring that his plugin remains technically understandable, technically maintained and can be operated reliably for customers.

What users get out of it

Companies do not have to choose between standard and specialization. You receive a reliable X-ERP core and can specifically supplement the industry knowledge that gives you a real advantage. That’s why good plugins don’t feel like a foreign body. They seem like the missing building block that suddenly makes a familiar process complete.

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▶Plugins

Related topics

1. For integration specialists – connecting APIs and external systems › 01. Integration architecture and release limits
2. For integration specialists – connect APIs and external systems › 03. API rights and your own integration user
3. For integration specialists – connecting APIs and external systems › 09. Error diagnosis, logging and restart
4. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Extra tables
5. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Extra fields

Frequently asked questions