Powerful tool to check the profitability of a job

With 'Project Controlling' you can also see if the financial picture is right for each job

It is not always easy to continuously keep track of the financial picture of an assignment in addition to the commercial and technical aspects. What amount has already been invoiced? Are the costs of an assignment currently within the predetermined framework? Was the assignment worthwhile in the end? With "Project Controlling," the South German software manufacturer 3E Datentechnik GmbH, a specialist in ERP software for end-to-end digitization in window construction, introduces a module with which one can keep an eye on costs, turnover and margin of an order at all times.

In a previous edition of this magazine, the specialists at 3E Datentechnik GmbH indicated that, as a software supplier, they grow stronger from the cooperation with customers and partners within "Together Better," as well as from the interest in new ideas and the will to roll up their sleeves. They cannot and should not rest on their laurels, because the market is evolving rapidly and a customer's needs are constantly changing. Proactive action is the message and, with this in mind, the software house continues to continuously optimize its flagship 3E-LOOK. 

"A good example of our innovative approach is the new module 'Project Controlling,' which is, however, only available in the current version 15 of the leading window construction software package," indicates Frans Visscher, international consultant 3E-LOOK. "Since data is extracted from the 'Customer Management', 'Material Management' and 'Post Calculation' modules, this is only possible if the window manufacturers actually use them."

A clear financial overview

And what information does the Project Controlling module need to generate a clear and workable financial statement? "As a rule, it is all the data from the three modules mentioned above, which is needed to determine costs and profitability. Some of that data is transmitted automatically and can be linked directly to an order or project. One can also assign the data based on certain characteristics, such as customer, properties, item or storage location, or, in certain cases, link it to profit items, departments and cost items," explains the international consultant. 

"That data includes, for example, revenue entries from the 'Customers & Orders' module. Furthermore, one finds the time indications for employees and machines under 'Post-calculation' and under 'Material Management' are the data on the material flow, in particular booking in, booking out, consumption, but also incoming invoices and price differences. The link with the original bookings in the outgoing modules makes it possible to consult detailed data at any time. This data can be transferred to the accounting system via the "Project Controlling" module and, if desired, analyzed using dashboards. This makes it easy to keep financial records for each order."

Powerful monitoring tool

With its "Project Controlling" software, the South German IT specialist offers window manufacturers an efficient tool with which they can check the progress and profitability of an order at any time. "The user sees where costs arise and, based on the data, can see what measures can be taken to make adjustments," concludes Frans Visscher. "Last but not least, 'Project Controlling' is the ideal tool for complying with the legal requirements imposed in different countries."