R&D

ERP for machinery, automotive and manufacturing R&D

Link prototype parts, trial production runs, supplier quotations and field expenses to the related R&D project, and see the real cost of the project before moving to series production.

Cost tracking from prototype to series production

In industrial R&D, a project goes through cycles of design, prototype manufacturing, testing, revision and trial production. Each cycle brings new spending on materials, subcontracted work, molds and fixtures. When this spending mixes with production cost, the real cost of the project and the expenses within R&D scope can no longer be separated.

In Factorbooks, the purchases, payments and budget of an R&D project are tracked in Project Management (VECTRA and ABM packages), and prototype and trial production runs in Production Management (SYNTRA and higher). Measurement data from test rigs and quality records stay in your own systems; data can be exchanged through the API in Integration Management when needed.

Key benefits for industrial R&D teams

  • R&D and production cost kept apart

    Prototype purchases are linked to the project record and tracked under Project Costing without mixing with series production cost.

  • Prototype BOMs

    Bills of materials and work orders are opened for trial runs, and the material consumption of each revision is recorded.

  • Traceable parts

    Prototype and test parts are tracked by number in stock and in movements with Serial / Lot Management.

  • Comparing supplier quotations

    Quotations for molds, machining and subcontracting are compared in Quotation Evaluation, and the selected one becomes an order.

  • Test rigs and fixtures

    Test benches, molds and fixtures are recorded as fixed assets, with depreciation tracked in SYNTRA and higher packages.

  • Field and test expenses

    Test drive, trade fair and supplier visit expenses are recorded through Expense Entry and matched with business advances.

Featured industry-specific solutions

Project Management

Assign a budget to each R&D project with Project Budgeting, and track spending with Project Purchases, Project Payments and Project Transactions. Close a completed project with Project Closing & Capitalization. Included in VECTRA and the ABM packages.

Production Management

Run prototype and trial production with Production Bills of Materials and Production Work Orders. Production Costing shows the cost of trial batches. Included in SYNTRA and higher packages.

Materials and Inventory Management

Define prototype parts, sample materials and spares with separate warehouses or stock codes. Keep track of test parts with Material Serial / Lot Management, Goods Receipt and Stock Reservations.

Supplier Relationship Management

Request quotations for molds, machining and subcontracted work with Requests for Quotation and Supplier Quotations. Evaluate prototype suppliers with Supplier Performance and Supplier Risk & Evaluation records.

Asset and Employee Expense Management

Record test benches, molds and fixtures under Fixed Assets. Field and test expenses of the R&D team are tracked with Expense Entry and Advance & Expense Transactions.

Related Factorbooks modules

See module coverage and package availability on each module page.

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Other industries

All industries

Let’s find the right Factorbooks package for Industrial R&D (machinery, automotive, manufacturing technologies)

We go through your priority processes together, identify the packages and modules that fit your needs and prepare your annual quote.

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