Engineering2025-11-10T10:47:13+00:00

SAP Business One for engineering services

Build engineering excellence & growth with absolute precision

SAP Business One’s engineering software gives you the visibility and control to do so.

Work with an implementation partner who understands engineering precision matters in business too. Because we listen first, then deliver.

Talk to us. We’ll listen

Engineering SAP specialists

From PLM to PDM, we speak your engineering language as fluently as SAP.

40+ years

supporting engineering SMEs

98% client retention rate

We’re invested in your long-term success.

SAP-certified team

with 10+ years’ average experience

Hands-on discovery

before any SAP design

40+ years

supporting engineering SMEs

98%

client retention rate

Hands-on  discovery

before any SAP design

SAP-certified team

with 10+ years’ average experience

SAP Business One and APH’s expertise have given us a system truly designed for the 21st Century.

Stuart Turner,

Managing Director

Viking Precision Engineers Ltd

At-a-glance: SAP Business One’s engineering features

Blueprint your processes with control over every variable

So you can manage complex projects easily and scale your success with confidence.

Stop managing complex projects across disconnected systems. SAP Business One gives you the precise control and visibility you need across your entire operation – from initial specs and resource planning to project delivery. So you can make decisions for now and the future based on hard data.

Resource precision

Match the right expertise to the right projects, every time

Project control

Master complex multi-projects with complete accuracy.

Growth ready

Scale operations without compromising standards.

Margin control

Transform utilisation rates into profitable growth.

Quality assurance built-in

Built-in compliance and quality processes.

Future-proof

Scalable, affordable licencing.

Engineering industry challenges

Why scaling success is tough for SME engineering firms

Engineering SME firms today face a complex equation.

You need to optimise expensive technical resources across multiple projects – all the while maintaining the exacting standards that built your reputation. Growth demands standardised processes, yet every project brings unique variables. And while larger competitors can throw resources at these challenges, you need to protect your margins while scaling.

Resource optimisation across multiple projects.

Maintaining quality while scaling operations.

Managing complex compliance requirements.

Protecting margins while competing with larger firms.

SAP Business One’s engineering features

See how SAP Business One handles complex engineering variables

Manage projects, resources, billing and compliance from one platform.

See how the key features of SAP Business One help you streamline every aspect of your engineering operations, so you can do more with less – without compromising on excellence.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Plan, execute, and monitor complex engineering projects with precision

Streamline project delivery and improve profitability.

SAP Business One helps you manage every aspect of your engineering projects, from initiation to completion.

Milestone tracking: Monitor project progress and catch potential delays early.

Budget control: Track costs and profitability throughout the project lifecycle.

Document management: Centralise and control access to project documentation.

Real-time scheduling: Change plans quickly as demand shifts.

Materials planning: Keep the right amount of stock to avoid delays.

Capacity planning: Use resources wisely to meet targets without holdups.

Cost tracking: Watch and control costs to increase profits.

Quality checks: Ensure product quality at every step.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Optimise the utilisation of your skilled personnel and equipment

Maximise efficiency and productivity across your organisation.

SAP Business One enables you to allocate resources effectively, ensuring optimal performance on every project.

Skill-based scheduling: Assign the right personnel to tasks based on expertise.

Equipment tracking: Monitor usage and availability of specialised tools and equipment.

Capacity planning: Balance workloads and identify resource constraints in advance.

Smart reordering: Automatically order stock to avoid shortages.

Multi-location inventory: Manage stock across different warehouses easily.

Batch and serial tracking: Keep tabs on products for better recalls.

Barcode scanning: Speed up counting and reduce mistakes.

Supplier performance: Track how suppliers do to get better deals.

CONTRACT AND BILLING MANAGEMENT

Efficiently manage diverse contract types and ensure accurate billing

Improve cash flow and client satisfaction.

SAP Business One helps you handle complex contracts and billing scenarios with ease and precision.

Multi-contract support: Manage various contract types, including time and materials, fixed price and milestone-based.

Time and expense tracking: Accurately capture billable hours and project-related expenses.

Progressive billing: Generate invoices based on project milestones or percentage completion.

Compliance management: Auto-check rules to avoid penalties.

Quality assurance: Do regular checks to keep products top-notch.

Traceability tracking: Keep detailed records to fix issues fast.

Audit trails: Save clear records for reviews and audits.

Supplier quality: Check supplier quality for consistent materials.

Financial Management & Reporting

Gain real-time insights into your financial performance.

Full customer view: Access all customer information in one place.

Sales pipeline tracking: Follow leads through to sales to improve success rates and forecasts.

Customer segmentation: Send the right message to the right audience based on their behaviour.

Marketing campaign tools: Create and manage targeted campaigns to boost ROI.

Customer support tracking: Monitor and improve response times for better satisfaction.

Customer Relationship Management

Build stronger client relationships and win more business.

Supplier performance tracking: Track how well suppliers perform to negotiate better deals.

Purchase order automation: Save time with automated purchase orders and approvals.

Cost control: Manage procurement costs with real-time data on prices and contracts.

Vendor relationship management: Work better with vendors for a steady supply.

Global supplier management: Manage suppliers across regions and currencies.

Procurement & Vendor Management

Streamline purchasing and manage supplier relationships effectively.

Smart reordering: Automatically reorder stock at optimal levels.

Multi-location inventory: Manage stock across multiple warehouses efficiently.

Supplier performance management: Track supplier performance to improve relationships.

Batch and serial tracking: Enhance product traceability for better recalls.

Barcode scanning: Speed up and improve inventory processes.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

Ensure high-quality deliverables and meet industry standards.

Dynamic budgeting: Set, track, and adjust budgets as needs change.

Multi-currency support: Handle global transactions easily.

Financial consolidation: Quickly merge data from different sources for a complete view.

Bank reconciliation: Automatically generate cash flow and financial reports.

Stay compliant: Reduce risks with built-in controls and audit trails.

Customisable Analytics & Reporting

Get key insights to make better decisions, instantly.

Custom department dashboards: Give each team the exact data they need to drive performance

Automated reporting: Save time with scheduled reports for daily, monthly and quarterly reviews

Instant alerts: Stay ahead of issues and opportunities with automated notifications

Mobile analytics: Access and share critical insights anywhere, on any device

Business Intelligence & Analytics

Make data-driven decisions to improve performance.

AI-assisted predictive analytics: Quickly link all your data to predict trends and make confident growth decisions.

Customisable dashboards: Create role-specific views of key performance indicators.

Ad-hoc reporting: Quickly generate reports to answer specific business questions.

Data visualisation: Present complex data in easy-to-understand charts and graphs.

Drill-down capabilities: Dive deep into data to uncover insights and root causes.

WHY APH?

SAP B1’s success depends on having experts who understand both worlds

And who genuinely care about your success.

ERP implementation failures hit engineering firms particularly hard, disrupting project delivery, affecting client relationships, and compromising quality control. Success depends on having a partner who can bridge the gap between SAP and engineering operations. And one that listens to everyone – from design teams to project managers – to ensure the solution meets your unique needs and vision.

Proven experience

We speak your language but listen first

You’ll work with a team that’s implemented SAP for engineering firms across the UK. That’s why we spend time with your project teams, talk with your designers, and ensure SAP aligns perfectly with your operation.

  • Average 10+ years’ experience of SAP engineering implementations.

  • Expert team with an average tenure of 7 years.

  • Direct access to our MD for personalised support.

  • Team members with previous careers in your industry.

  • 98% client retention rate.

They knew what our problems were and asked the right questions. But there was an element of, “Been there done that, don’t worry about it. It’s all good. We know what we’re doing.

Steve Horder / CEO, PCS Instruments

Strategic partnership

You’ll want to run ideas by us, not costs

We believe successful implementations start with understanding your unique processes and challenges. That’s why we spend time on your factory floor, talk with your team, and ensure SAP aligns perfectly with your operation.

  • Initial on-site discovery with your entire team.

  • Regular strategy sessions to align SAP with production goals.

  • Champions training for your in-house team.

  • Proactive advice based on industry experience.

  • On-call, on-site expertise when you need it.

I don’t think there’s any IT project that we wouldn’t discuss with APH first.” “We’ll sound them out and they may come back and say, “Have you thought of doing it this way?” And it’s better. With our past vendor, we’d call them and say, “How much does that cost?

Max Sheridan / Managing Director, Algeos

Family-run values since 1984

We continue earning your trust long after go-live

With APH, it’s always personal. We may have grown in expertise, but we’ll never outgrow your business. And we’ve never sold out.

  • 80% implementations delivered on time and in budget.

  • Dedicated account team who knows your business and SAP.

  • Direct access to our Managing Director and your team, not a call centre.

  • Solutions that flex with your needs

  • Long-term partnership focused on your growth.

The APH team is knowledgeable, approachable, and genuinely invested in our success. It’s clear that APH values strong relationships and takes pride in delivering a service that feels both personal and professional.

Claire Nihill, Operations Manager, Gawith Hoggarth & Co Ltd

APH CUSTOMERS

Specialists in SAP Business One implementation

for engineering SMEs

How APH delivered a “system truly designed for the 21st Century.“

Eliminating errors and duplication, enhancing efficiency – with the power of SAP B1 & APH’s expertise:

  • Seamless integration: Unified financial and inventory systems.

  • Real time insights: Instant access to stock levels and pricing.

  • Increased efficiency: Reduced duplication and errors.

The ease of use, power and flexibility of SAP Business One combined with the expertise of APH have enabled us to move to a system truly designed for the 21st Century.

Viking Precision

Engineers Ltd

Ready to engineer your success?

Our SAP Business One methodology

SAP’s proven methodology and our expertise are the building blocks

It’s how we deliver it that shows we’re as invested in your success as you are.

We know how much rests on your SAP project being delivered on time, to your exact needs. Our Accelerated Implementation Program builds on over 40 years of experience and SAP best practices. But it’s how we deliver it that makes the difference.

We listen & understand first

  • Deep discovery sessions to understand your business inside out.

  • On-site business process mapping with your team.

  • Industry experts who speak your language, not just SAP.

Clear expectations & communication at every step

  • Transparent timelines and resource requirements.

  • Regular progress updates in plain English.

  • No hidden surprises or last-minute demands.

Dedicated support that builds your in-house expertise

  • Super user training to build in-house expertise.

  • Direct access to decision-makers throughout.

  • Proactive support that prevents issues, not just fixes them.

Our 7-step SAP B1 implementation methodology

1/

Initiate

Setting the foundation for success.

2/

Requirements

Turning your needs into actionable plans.

3/

Design

Mapping your path to success.

4/

Build

Creating your solution.

5/

Train

“Super Users”: Train the Trainer.

6/

Test

Ensuring everything works.

7/

Go-live

Your smooth transition to success.

INTEGRATION PARTNERS & APPS

Integrate SAP Business One with leading engineering and business add-ons

Our SAP Business One integration partners

SAP FAQs
How long does a typical engineering SAP implementation take?2025-03-24T14:50:13+00:00

Most implementations are completed within 9-12 months. We’ll provide a detailed project timeline during our discovery sessions, working around your project commitments to ensure minimal disruption.

Will SAP implementation affect our ongoing projects?2025-03-24T14:50:38+00:00

No. Our phased implementation approach ensures business continuity. We’ll plan around your project schedules and provide comprehensive training to ensure smooth transition.

Can SAP Business One handle different types of engineering projects?2025-03-24T14:50:59+00:00

Yes. Whether you’re handling fixed-price contracts, time-and-materials billing, or milestone-based projects, SAP Business One adapts to your needs. We’ll configure it to match your specific project types and billing requirements.

How does SAP Business One help with resource allocation?2025-03-24T14:51:20+00:00

The system provides real-time visibility of resource availability, skills, and utilisation rates. This helps you assign the right people to the right projects, optimise billable hours, and identify capacity issues before they impact delivery.

Which engineering software can SAP Business One integrate with?2025-03-24T14:52:56+00:00

SAP Business One integrates with various engineering tools including:

  • CAD/CAM systems

  • Project management software

  • Document management systems

  • PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) tools

  • Billing and time-tracking systems

We’ll assess your specific systems during discovery.

How does SAP handle engineering documentation?2025-03-24T14:54:45+00:00

SAP Business One provides robust document management capabilities including:

  • Version control

  • Access permissions

  • Revision tracking

  • Document workflow

  • Integration with common engineering file formats

Do you understand engineering processes?2025-03-24T14:55:46+00:00

Yes. We not only thoroughly understand engineering processes – we spend time understanding your specific workflows, visiting your offices, and talking with team members across all levels – from designers to project managers. This ensures SAP aligns with your actual working practices.

How does SAP Business One handle quality control processes?2025-03-24T14:56:14+00:00

 SAP Business One includes built-in quality management features that we can configure to your specific standards and compliance requirements. This includes approval workflows, inspection processes, and documentation control.

What’s the typical ROI timeframe for engineering firms?2025-03-24T14:57:40+00:00

While immediate benefits include better project visibility and resource tracking, most firms see significant ROI within 6-9 months through:

  • Improved resource utilisation

  • Better project cost control

  • Reduced administrative overhead

  • More accurate billing

  • Faster month-end closing

Ready to transform your business?

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