Speaking is Lissa Verhoog, Product Marketing Manager at ECI Ridder IQ. In
an open conversation, she explains how ERP solutions make the difference in a world
where manufacturers increasingly have to do more with less. No fluffy
visions of the future, but practical digitalisation that has a direct impact on the
shop floor. From real-time insights to smart links with engineering: Ridder iQ
is built by and for the manufacturing industry.
ERP as the foundation for growth
What makes Ridder iQ unique? According to Verhoog, it's the origins: “Ridder itself once
started out as a machine builder. As a result, hands-on knowledge of the shop floor is deeply
embedded in the software.” The result is an ERP system that doesn't follow a generic
approach, but is fully tailored to the processes of metalworkers,
equipment builders, sheet-metal fabricators and other manufacturers. “Multi-level bills of materials,
post-calculations, margin projects – everything is geared towards making complex
production processes manageable.”
Digitalisation you can feel on the shop floor
Digitalisation often sounds abstract, but at Ridder iQ it's very concrete. “We
help companies produce more and more efficiently with the same people. By
automating processes intelligently, you save time in engineering, purchasing and
production. Whether it's automatically creating multi-level bills of materials
from CAD files or real-time insight into material statuses – the efficiency gains
can be felt on the floor. The engineer who used to spend three hours on a
bill of materials will soon do it in one hour. And the production worker sees exactly
what to do on a tablet, without paper work orders.
AI is only useful when it's practical – and that starts with automation that saves time directly
in everyday practice.
Although AI is a popular buzzword, Ridder iQ deliberately opts for practical
applications. “We don't build hype, we build solutions. Think of AI that
automatically reads purchase invoices or a ‘bom builder’ that completes bills of materials based
on a design file.” In addition, Ridder iQ works with its own AI tool
that integrates with business intelligence or your ERP system's help functions,
making complex information accessible. Say you want to know who your
most profitable customers were last quarter – you should simply be able to ask that,
and get a clear answer right away.
Start small, avoid the pitfall of over-analysis
A common mistake with digitalisation is trying to start too big. Verhoog: “The
data is there, but companies sometimes want to tackle everything at once. We help
identify bottlenecks and focus on those first. Start small. Organise
your processes, and only then move on to automating.
Ridder iQ works without detours: direct implementation and support
With Ridder iQ and all our other packages, you have direct contact with
specialists at the head office in Leusden. This is where all the software is developed,
maintained and continuously improved – by people who truly understand your challenges in the
manufacturing industry. No resellers, no intermediaries, but direct
contact with the people behind the solution. “That makes the difference. As a customer, you talk
to someone who knows the system and understands your sector.” The contact also remains intensive
after implementation. Customers get a dedicated account manager and
support via phone, a support portal and extensive help functions. “And if
there are specific requirements? Then we actively think along and work together on a
suitable solution.”
A suitable solution for every company size
Ridder iQ offers two ERP variants:
● Ridder iQ for larger manufacturers with complex processes.
● Ridder iQ Essentials for smaller companies that want to get started quickly, with a
minimum implementation of five days.
Many smaller manufacturers do want to digitalise, but are put off by the high
barrier of a complex, generic ERP system. Ridder iQ Essentials lowers
that barrier with a fast, practical entry-level solution specifically tailored to
the manufacturing industry – and one you can easily grow into later on. “No lengthy
projects, just getting straight to work with what you really need.”
Real-time dashboards are no longer a luxury
Reviewing data after the fact is a thing of the past. “Real-time dashboards ensure that the
right information reaches the right person, without you having to dig through Excel.” From
material consumption to production planning – Ridder iQ shows at a glance where action is needed. “Your inventory management works on the basis of live data.
As soon as something is scanned in the warehouse, the system knows whether a new
order is needed.”
Although the manufacturing industry is traditionally cautious about cloud solutions,
Ridder iQ sees a clear shift. “The need for scalability, security
and automatic back-ups is making the cloud increasingly attractive. Moreover,
more and more technological developments are taking place in the cloud, simply because that's where
the future lies. Think of applications like shop floor control on a
tablet – easily accessible via a web browser, anytime and anywhere. Anyone looking ahead
chooses a cloud environment that grows with the company's ambitions.**
Closing thought:
ERP is not an IT project – it's a growth journey. Verhoog emphasises that ERP is not a
standalone software choice. “It's a strategic step, a change in how
you work.” And that requires a plan, buy-in and commitment. “We guide
companies from A to Z. From the first conversation to further development after go-live.
Because Ridder iQ is not a one-off implementation – it's the engine of your business.”
Coming soon: deindustrie.online will soon publish an in-depth
podcast with Lissa Verhoog and Martijn Lieshout, in which they share practical examples
from the manufacturing industry. Keep an eye on the platform