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ElbDesk Whitepaper

Tailored software for SMBs - faster, more economical, and more independent than ERP customizations or full custom development.

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Start on a finished foundation
9 ERP modules
6 native platforms
GDPR compliant

Executive Summary

ElbDesk is a mature platform with professional UX, multi-platform support, and scalable features. On this foundation, we develop your individual business processes without starting from zero.

The middle path between expensive ERP customization and lengthy custom development: Software tailored to your business - not the other way around.

Every business has processes that make it unique. These are precisely the processes that rarely fit into standard software - leading to workarounds, spreadsheets, and broken workflows.

ERP customizations promise relief, but reality looks different: exploding costs, risky updates, and complete vendor lock-in. The alternative - full custom development - requires a long time just for the base infrastructure before the first business process is implemented.

ElbDesk offers a third path: A mature platform foundation on which custom processes are developed without starting from zero. You get professional UX, native apps for all platforms, and finished ERP modules - without the risks and costs of building from scratch.

Fast

to production

Predictable

investment

ERP Modules

Native Platforms

switching fee

GDPR

Compliant

The Challenge

Companies with unique business processes face a dilemma: standard software forces compromises, while the alternatives each carry their own risks.

ERP Customization: The Bottomless Pit

Every update becomes complex and risky
Maintenance costs grow with every customization
Complete vendor lock-in
Performance issues from an overloaded system
Technology lock-in to proprietary ERP frameworks

Custom Development: The Marathon

Long lead time just for the base infrastructure
Multi-platform support must be built from scratch
High ongoing costs for maintenance and updates
Knowledge risk from developer turnover
High upfront investment

Low-Code Platforms: The Golden Trap

Vendor lock-in through proprietary technology
Limited flexibility for complex processes
Limited integration capabilities
Rising costs with growing usage

The ElbDesk Solution

ElbDesk combines the best of both worlds: the speed and cost-effectiveness of a mature platform with the flexibility of custom software development.

The Platform Approach

ElbDesk is not off-the-shelf software that gets customized. It is a mature technical foundation - with professional UX, multi-platform support, and everything modern enterprise software requires. On this foundation, we develop your specific processes.

Speed

Much faster than building from scratch. Because the platform infrastructure already exists, we start directly with your business processes.

Clear rules

Usage rights, term, fees and exit are set out bindingly in the terms of Asertion GmbH. Data export and switching provider come without an additional switching fee.

ERP Independence

Your processes run alongside the ERP, not inside it. Switching ERP? Your processes remain unaffected.

Professional UX Included

No additional development for user interfaces needed. High user acceptance from day one.

Two Paths to Your Solution

With Existing ERP

Processes run outside the ERP. Integration only where it makes sense (e.g., master data). Processes are preserved during ERP migration.

Without ERP

Proven modules: CRM, Sales, Purchasing, Warehouse, Accounting. Pre-configured but individually customizable. Perfect for growing SMBs.

Platform Capabilities

ElbDesk delivers a desktop-like experience on all devices - with features that are otherwise only available in native applications.

6 Native Platforms from One Codebase

Windows, macOS, Linux, Web, iOS, Android. Seamless device switching. Available online and offline.

Windows
macOS
Linux
Web
iOS
Android

Desktop Environment

Window Manager

Multi-window support with native desktop experience. Freely move, resize, and arrange windows.

Spotlight Quick Menu

Intelligent search for instant access to all functions, records, and actions.

Smart Taskbar

Shortcuts, live notifications, and quick access to frequently used processes.

Window Links

Share windows as links - a revolution for team collaboration.

Live Notifications

Real-time notifications, push messages, and email alerts.

Integrated Team Chat

Chat integrated directly into all processes. Works cross-platform.

Productivity Features

Smart Entity Linking - Link any records to each other.
Multi-Window Workspace - Multiple windows simultaneously for efficient work.
Custom Tables & Fields - Departments extend the system without programming.
Offline Mode - Automatic synchronization upon reconnection.

Technical Architecture

ElbDesk is built on a modern, modular architecture that ensures scalability, security, and extensibility from the ground up.

Database

Highly scalable PostgreSQL database. Proven for enterprise applications with millions of records.

API Layer

REST APIs for custom integrations. Bidirectional system connectivity to any third-party systems.

Modular Architecture

Clean separation of UI, business logic, and data layer. Independently scalable and extensible.

Multi-Platform Runtime

One codebase for 6 platforms. Native performance on every device.

AI-Ready Architecture

ElbDesk is prepared for the integration of modern AI technologies:

GPT integration for intelligent text processing
Custom ML models for industry-specific predictions
On-premise AI server for data-sensitive applications
Cloud API compatibility for maximum flexibility
GDPR-compliant AI integration

Integration & ERP

ElbDesk integrates seamlessly into existing system landscapes - or works as a standalone solution.

Path 1: With Existing ERP

Your custom processes run outside the ERP
Integration only where it makes sense (e.g., master data, orders)
Bidirectional real-time synchronization
Your processes are fully preserved during an ERP switch
No vendor lock-in - ERP and processes are decoupled

Path 2: Without ERP (Standalone)

Proven standard modules: CRM, Sales, Purchasing, Warehouse
Accounting & Finance integrated
Pre-configured, but individually customizable
Grow with it: Start with modules, expand as needed
Perfect for growing SMBs

Integration Approach

API-First

REST APIs for every integration

Bidirectional

Data flows in both directions

Real-Time

No batch processing, instant synchronization

Flexible

Master and transactional data by your rules

Industry Solutions

ElbDesk is used across numerous industries. Here we show typical use cases and their concrete benefits.

Manufacturing & Production

Problem

Paper-based quality checks, manual data entry, no real-time transparency

Solution

Digital QA directly in production
Tablet apps for inspectors on the shop floor
Offline capability without WiFi
Automatic ERP synchronization

Result

Error-free data capture, faster inspection processes

Logistics & Field Service

Problem

Handwritten delivery notes, delayed invoicing, no real-time dispatching

Solution

Real-time transparency across all locations
Native iOS/Android apps with GPS tracking
Digital signatures and proof of delivery
Automatic invoice generation after delivery

Result

Invoicing straight after delivery, noticeably less effort for drivers

Trade & Sales

Problem

Manual order entry, confusing price structures, field staff without system access

Solution

Automated order processes
Customer-specific catalogs and pricing
Mobile app with offline ordering
Multi-level approval workflows

Result

Much faster order processing

Pharma & Compliance

Problem

Rigid validation processes, paper-based audit trails, complex GxP documentation

Solution

Complete audit trail
Immutable audit paths for all process steps
Digital signatures with timestamps
GxP-compliant workflows following SOPs

Result

Flexible compliance, complete documentation

Project Manufacturing & Plant Engineering

Problem

Custom products don't fit standard ERP, distributed project data, no real-time overview

Solution

Real-time project transparency
Project-related order structures
Dynamic BOMs with variants
Milestone tracking with real-time updates

Result

Complete project overview, less rework

Procurement & Purchasing

Problem

Non-transparent supplier evaluation, manual certificate management, slow approvals

Solution

Digital supplier management
Supplier self-service portal
Automatic certificate and deadline tracking
Objective evaluation system

Result

Transparent, traceable procurement processes

Hosting & Security

ElbDesk offers flexible hosting options with high security requirements - hosted in Germany, GDPR-compliant, and configurable to your requirements.

ElbDesk Cloud

Managed hosting in German data centers
Professionally operated infrastructure
GDPR-compliant operation
All updates and security patches included
Optional: Bring Your Own Database

Ideal for: Companies that want to focus on their core business

On-Premise

Installation on your own servers or private cloud (AWS, Azure, etc.)
Complete data control
Requirements: Docker & PostgreSQL
Optional: Managed Services by ElbDesk

Ideal for: Companies with strict compliance requirements

Security Standards

German data centers
GDPR-compliant
Encrypted data transmission
Regular security audits

Investment Model

Our model is based on three pillars - set out bindingly in the terms of Asertion GmbH, which develops and provides ElbDesk.

Clear rules

Usage rights to Core, modules and adaptations: terms, sections 26 and 27
Data export and switching without a switching fee: section 32
No buyout required to switch
All provisions publicly available

Ongoing fee

Fee as per offer, unchanged for the contract period
Per-user, module or storage prices only if agreed
A new fee only with your consent
Twelve-month term, cancellable three months before it ends
Hosting and infrastructure as a separate item

Buyout (optional)

Available as an option under section 33 of the terms
Scope, requirements and limits set out there in detail
Not required for data export or switching provider

Project Phases

Development

Depending on scope and complexity
Operation

Ongoing fee as per offer
Optional

Buyout under section 33 of the terms

Comparison

How does ElbDesk compare directly with the alternatives?

	ElbDesk	ERP Customization	Custom Development	Low-Code
Time to Market	Short	Long	Very long	Medium
ERP Independence	Flexible integration	Tightly coupled	Independent	Limited
Professional UX	Included	Limited	Must be built	Included
Multi-Platform	6 platforms included	Additional costs	Must be built	Platform-limited
Investment	Moderate	High	Very high	Variable
Update Safety	Clean core stays stable	Every update a risk	Own responsibility	Platform-dependent

Time to Market

ElbDesk: Short
ERP Customization: Long
Custom Development: Very long
Low-Code: Medium

ERP Independence

ElbDesk: Flexible integration
ERP Customization: Tightly coupled
Custom Development: Independent
Low-Code: Limited

Professional UX

ElbDesk: Included
ERP Customization: Limited
Custom Development: Must be built
Low-Code: Included

Multi-Platform

ElbDesk: 6 platforms included
ERP Customization: Additional costs
Custom Development: Must be built
Low-Code: Platform-limited

Investment

ElbDesk: Moderate
ERP Customization: High
Custom Development: Very high
Low-Code: Variable

Update Safety

ElbDesk: Clean core stays stable
ERP Customization: Every update a risk
Custom Development: Own responsibility
Low-Code: Platform-dependent

Ready for Software Tailored to Your Business?

Let's discover in a free initial consultation how ElbDesk can digitize your business processes.

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