FAQ
Answers to what you actually want to know.
Everything we get asked in first calls - ERP, automation, timelines, cost, team effort. Straight answers, without sales talk.
Process and timelines
How we work with you
Four clear phases, realistic timelines, honest team effort. No buzzwords, no bloated workshops.
How does an ERP project at onboos work?
We work in four clearly separated phases. First we understand your processes and numbers in detail. Then we give you a neutral system recommendation with alternatives. Next comes the implementation step by step in productive modules. Finally we optimize during live operation. You get a clear result and decision basis for every phase - no surprises at the end.
How long does an ERP implementation take for an SME?
For a typical SME with 10 to 50 employees we plan 3 to 6 months until go-live. Simpler setups or cloud ERPs like weclapp or reybex are often faster. More complex projects with production, multi-warehouse or customs take longer. The realistic timeline depends on your processes, data quality and team availability.
What do I need to prepare before we start?
For the first call you need nothing. For the project itself, three things help: a rough process overview, volume numbers (invoices, customers, items) and access to your current system. We send you a short checklist before kick-off. You don't need to write 50-page requirement catalogs - that's our job.
How much time does my team need to invest in an ERP project?
Plan for 1 to 2 days per week for the project owner and 2 to 4 hours per week for each department during the core phase. This time is not negotiable - without internal commitment every ERP project fails. We take as much work off your plate as possible, but decisions, tests and sign-offs have to happen internally.
When will I see first results?
Within the first 2 to 3 weeks. In the analysis phase we show you process weaknesses and quick wins - often things you can improve immediately without a big project. Noticeable operational relief typically comes after 6 to 12 weeks, once the first modules are live. Measurable KPI improvements (lead time, error rate, revenue per employee) take 3 to 6 months.
ERP selection
Which ERP fits - and which doesn't
weclapp, tricoma, reybex, exact, JTL and co. The system matters less than getting the fit right.
Which ERP systems does onboos recommend?
We work with weclapp, tricoma, reybex, exact Premium Online and JTL Wawi as our core stack. Additionally we have know-how in Odoo and Xentral. Which system fits you depends on your business model: retail and webshop, wholesale, production, service or multi-channel commerce. We only recommend after the process analysis - not before.
Are you really vendor-independent or do you get commissions?
We get partner conditions with some vendors - that's standard in the industry. Our recommendation is still exclusively based on your use case. Concretely: we also clearly tell you when a system from our portfolio doesn't fit. And we name alternatives we don't implement ourselves. This transparency is our core promise.
Which ERP fits a webshop or e-commerce business?
For e-commerce-focused SMEs tricoma, reybex and JTL Wawi are strong - depending on volume, marketplace connections and warehouse logic. weclapp is a good fit if you also have B2B trade or service alongside the webshop. Key are interfaces to Shopify, Shopware, Amazon, eBay and your shipping providers. You choose the system after a process mapping - not by feature lists.
Which ERP suits wholesale or production?
For wholesale with complex pricing and B2B processes we often recommend weclapp or exact. For manufacturing SMEs with bills of materials, production orders and material planning, weclapp, exact or Odoo are fitting candidates. For very specific industries (food, batches, serial numbers) we check alternatives. More important than the system is having your processes cleanly defined beforehand.
Our current ERP no longer fits. Is a switch worth it?
Not always. Often a targeted process or automation project solves the problem more cheaply than an ERP switch. A switch makes sense when three factors come together: missing functionality for your business model, high manual effort and limited extensibility. We analyze this neutrally in the first call - and tell you if staying is the better option.
Automation and AI
What's actually possible - and what isn't
Rule-based automation, AI where it makes sense. Real business cases, no AI theatre.
Which processes can realistically be automated in SMEs?
Realistically well-automatable: invoice capture and processing, order handling, master data sync between systems, reporting and dunning, email routing and ticket classification, and document filing. Rule of thumb: rule-based, recurring tasks with clear input and output. Automation doesn't replace decisions - it takes the dumb work before and after off your plate.
What's the difference between classic automation and AI?
Classic automation works on fixed rules - if A, then B. Ideal for invoice capture, data sync or reporting. AI automation processes unstructured content like emails, PDFs or free text and makes decisions with probabilities. Both have their strengths. We often combine both - classic for hard rules, AI for anything that needs context.
How fast does an automation pay off?
For a quick win starting at CHF 2'500 we plan for a 3 to 9 month payback - depending on task type and volume. Example: an automatic invoice capture that saves 4 hours of manual work per week typically pays off within the first six months. We calculate the business case transparently before starting - no automation without clear benefit.
Is AI safe in a business context? What happens to our data?
Security and data sovereignty matter to us. We work with EU or Switzerland-based models where possible. For sensitive data we use closed API access without training on your data. For highly regulated areas (finance, health, law) we recommend local or private deployments. We document data flows transparently - so you meet your privacy obligations.
Can we introduce automation without a new ERP?
Yes, and it's often the right entry point. Many automations run independently of your ERP or sit on top of existing systems (email, accounting, CRM, shop). A quick win can show you what's possible - without the risk of a big ERP project. Often the ERP decision only matures once the first automations show impact.
Pricing and budget
No surprises. Clear budgets before we start.
Ranges with disclaimers, fixed prices where possible, license costs always separately disclosed. So you can calculate honestly.
What does an ERP implementation cost for an SME?
For a typical SME project we plan for CHF 8'000 to 25'000 - for our consulting and implementation work. Simpler setups are lower, more complex projects with multi-warehouse or production are higher. ERP vendor license costs come separately. Before project start you get a fixed-price or clear budget-range offer - no hidden extra costs.
What does an automation or quick win cost?
Individual automations and quick wins start at CHF 2'500. Typical range is CHF 3'000 to 8'000 per use case. The exact price depends on effort, connected systems and data volume. We give you a binding fixed price or clear effort before starting - so you can calculate the business case cleanly.
Is there a retainer or support model?
Yes. The onboos retainer starts at CHF 800 per month and covers ongoing optimization, minor extensions and availability. Fits if you have a system in productive use and need a reliable partner - without requesting a quote for every ticket. Hours and scope are defined individually based on your needs.
Are there additional license costs for the ERP system?
Yes. License or subscription costs from ERP vendors are typically CHF 30 to 100 per user per month - depending on system and module scope. We disclose costs openly in the system recommendation so you can compare total cost of ownership over 3 years. License costs are never part of our consulting budget - we keep that clearly separate.
What's free in the first call and where does paid work start?
The 30-minute first call is free and non-binding. We listen, ask questions and give you an initial assessment. Paid work starts with the structured process analysis - typically as an analysis package from CHF 3'500. You decide after the first call whether to go further. No pressure, no subscription, no follow-up costs.
Your situation
Every situation is different. Yours too.
Your question isn't here? Book a free 30-minute call - we'll answer directly, concretely, and honestly.
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