On the surface, the market for finance and controlling systems appears to be relatively homogeneous. Thus, many functionalities are strongly regulated by legal foundations and should be part of the standard. There are also hardly any fundamental functional differences between the various sectors, as in the case for PPC (e.g. plant engineering vs. process industry) or MMS (food retail vs. technical wholesale). Nevertheless: On closer inspection, the market for finance and controlling systems is as heterogeneous and intransparent as the MMS or PPC market.
There are well over 100 finance and controlling solutions offered in German-speaking countries, although a large proportion of these are aimed at small and micro enterprises. Nevertheless, even for a medium-sized company, a large number of established - potentially suitable - solutions remain.
Financial accounting, bookkeeping | payment processing | asset accounting | controlling, cost accounting | personnel administration (HRM) | payroll accounting | applicant management (recruiting) | travel expense accounting | personnel time recording
The accounting solution has its functional focus on accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, cost accounting and controlling. In addition, some providers in this group also offer solutions for asset accounting and liquidity management.
Integrated ERP software has its origin in the field of production planning or merchandise management, or has changed from a financial accounting system to an ERP system in the course of its existence. Here the financial module - or financial modules - is part of the ERP system.
The consolidation, planning and reporting software are special solutions for the respective subtasks of financial management. Some of these systems can also be classified as business intelligence systems.