Overview

abas ERP spans operational and administrative work, from purchasing and production to finance and management. Its planning capabilities cover one-off, repetitive, project, contract and subcontracting manufacturers, making it a stronger fit for varied production environments than for a business seeking only a narrow planning tool.

Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, abas reports more than 4,000 implementations in over 30 countries and more than 120,000 users. The company says its software is certified according to ISO 9001:2015. It also says it regularly updates security protections, but does not publish details of its security strategy.

Key features

Production planning and control

Production scheduling, multi-level bills of materials, purchase planning, capacity planning and multi-site planning address the linked decisions manufacturers must coordinate across production and purchasing. Demand inputs can come from both sources. Advanced planning and scheduling adds scope for companies whose production requirements extend beyond a simple, single-workflow setup.

Customization and integration

Low-code customization lets companies tailor processes, while the system is described as upgrade-compatible after those changes. That combination matters to manufacturers whose workflows do not map neatly to standard software, though it does not remove the effort involved in implementation and configuration.

Abas Connect provides graphical, low-code connections to software and devices, including CRM, machine controls and warehouse management systems. The REST API offers real-time read and write access through ERP core logic and company-specific customizations, a useful approach when external systems need to work with tailored processes. Connectors include DMS and Microsoft SQL, plus standard PDM connections to PRO.FILE and keytech PLM.

Deployment and access

Abas uses Linux as its server operating system and offers a cloud edition on AWS infrastructure. Users can access the system from Windows computers and mobile devices; its browser-based web client works from internet-connected computers or devices. Hybrid deployment is an option, giving buyers a deployment model beyond choosing only a self-hosted or cloud setup.

After implementation, customers can use interactive training and workshops, a user group and phone support from the Abas team. Those resources can help customers get oriented, but the ongoing support fee is part of the buying decision.

Pricing

Abas ERP: custom pricing. The plan includes production scheduling, multi-level BOMs, purchase planning, capacity planning and multi-site planning. Costs include a one-time software cost, implementation cost and ongoing support fee; implementation costs vary with user count, process complexity, data migration, required functions and adjustments.

This is a paid product with no published seat price, quota or trial term to compare. Buyers should budget for more than the software license: implementation scope and continuing support are also material costs. That structure may suit a manufacturer prepared to scope a tailored ERP project, but makes it harder to assess affordability before discussing requirements.

Platforms

abas ERP supports Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, web access, an API and self-hosted deployment. Its cloud edition runs on AWS infrastructure, and hybrid deployment is supported.

Who it's for

abas ERP is most appropriate for midmarket manufacturers coordinating production with purchasing, inventory, finance and other business processes, especially those handling several production models or operating across multiple sites. Low-code tailoring and connections to systems such as machine controls and warehouse management systems strengthen the case when standard workflows are not enough.

It is a less natural fit for a small business seeking a simple, low-cost tool or for a buyer who needs a clear upfront price before scoping a project. The implementation and support costs, along with the need to plan integrations and customization, call for a buyer ready to make a considered ERP investment.

Pros and cons

Pros

Planning breadth: scheduling, capacity, purchasing, multi-site planning and multi-level BOMs address connected manufacturing needs.
Multiple production models: support for one-off, repetitive, project, contract and subcontracting work suits manufacturers with diverse operations.
Tailoring with upgrade compatibility: low-code customization is described as upgrade-compatible, helping accommodate company-specific processes.
Integration options: Abas Connect, a REST API and named DMS, SQL and PDM connectors support links to business software and equipment.

Cons

Costs require project scoping: implementation varies with users, complexity, migration and adjustments, alongside software and ongoing support fees.
Security strategy lacks public detail: Abas says protections are updated regularly but does not publish its security strategy.
Not a lightweight purchase: implementation, customization and continued support make this a more involved commitment than a narrowly focused tool.

Alternatives

Cetec ERP is another paid manufacturing ERP, with a free trial and API, self-hosted and web platforms; compare it if those terms matter to your evaluation.

Epicor Kinetic is a paid option with cloud packages, concurrent user licenses and industry bundles, worth considering if that packaging better suits your deployment and licensing needs.

Odoo Manufacturing offers a free plan with unlimited users for one app, as well as paid tiers; consider it if starting with one free app is a priority.

Carbon has an open-source Community edition covering core ERP, MRP, MES and QMS under AGPL-3.0, while enterprise features require a commercial agreement. It is a relevant alternative for buyers weighing open-source access.

Exact Online offers web-based accounting plans that include CRM, bank feeds and invoicing, making it an alternative to consider when those functions are the priority.

Genius ERP is another paid option, with pricing that varies by shop size, user count, hosting model and required features.

QAD Adaptive ERP is another paid ERP option to compare.

Rootstock ERP offers tiered plans, including an Advanced option with advanced manufacturing and a focused set of add-ons; compare it if that packaging aligns with your needs.

Verdict

Choose abas ERP if you are a midmarket manufacturer that needs broad production planning, multiple production models and the flexibility to tailor processes and integrations. Its strongest case is the combination of manufacturing breadth and upgrade-compatible customization. Look elsewhere if a straightforward price, limited implementation work or a simpler standalone tool matters more than that scope.

	abas ERP	CostFlow
Free plan	No	No
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	—	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, api, iOS, Linux, self-hosted, Web, Windows	Web
Free plan	—	No
Costing methods	—	both
Job costing	—	Yes
Variance analysis	—	Yes
Overhead allocation	—	Yes

abas ERP vs CostFlow

abas ERP

CostFlow