CSB-System

CSB-System is an integrated ERP platform for businesses in food and beverage, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and trade. Its modules cover finance, procurement, inventory, production, sales, traceability, maintenance, and other management and supply-chain processes. The vendor offers BASIC ERP for small and medium-size businesses, INDUSTRY ERP for large enterprises, and FACTORY ERP for production facilities in corporate groups. All listed packages include traceability and quality management. INDUSTRY ERP adds MES functions for shop-floor visibility and connections to systems, machines, and robotics. Cloud versions are listed for all three packages, and CSB BASIC ERP is available in the cloud. Interfaces include financial accounting software and hardware such as scales, mobile devices, and cash registers; equipment and machine connections are listed for INDUSTRY and FACTORY ERP. CSB says release changes are largely automated and the system is upward compatible. Its Cloud Services information management system for data center and customer IT infrastructure is certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2022. Support is described as available around the clock through a customer portal, email, and phone. Pricing is available on request.

CSB-System brings ERP functions for process industries and trade together in three packages for different business sizes. Consider which package and deployment option fit your organization; pricing requires a request.

CSB BASIC ERP is designed for small and medium-size businesses. INDUSTRY ERP is aimed at large enterprises, while FACTORY ERP is positioned for production facilities within corporate groups.

CSB-System is an ERP platform for process industries and trade, with packages aimed at businesses ranging from small and medium-size firms to corporate production groups. It is best suited to manufacturers that need production, traceability and core business operations in one system. Its industry-specific breadth is the draw; custom pricing means buyers need to assess package fit directly with the vendor.

Overview

CSB-System brings management, supply chain and manufacturing processes into one ERP: finance, procurement, inventory, production, sales, traceability and maintenance. Recipe formulation, production planning, lot traceability, quality management and compliance records make it a strong fit for businesses that must manage products through production and trade. Companies looking only for a general-purpose business system may not need this operational depth.

The packages target different scales and roles. BASIC ERP is designed for small and medium-size businesses, INDUSTRY ERP for large enterprises, and FACTORY ERP for production facilities belonging to corporate groups. CSB-System SE also provides hardware, services and business consulting for process industries and trade. Founded in 1977, it is headquartered in Geilenkirchen, Germany.

Key features

Production and product control

Traceability and quality management are included across the packages, alongside inventory management, production planning and recipe formulation. That coverage supports businesses that need product control connected to day-to-day operations, rather than a standalone shop-floor tool. FACTORY ERP is positioned specifically for production facilities and integrates with a parent group ERP, a practical distinction for corporate groups managing local production within a broader system.

Shop-floor connectivity

INDUSTRY ERP includes MES functions for shop-floor transparency and connectivity with systems, machines and robotics. Equipment and machine interfaces are also listed for INDUSTRY and FACTORY ERP. These capabilities make those packages more relevant to manufacturers seeking links between enterprise planning and production equipment; BASIC ERP has standard interfaces for financial accounting software and hardware such as CSB-Rack, scales, mobile devices and cash registers.

Cloud and maintenance

CSB BASIC ERP is available in the cloud, and cloud versions are offered for all three packages. CSB says the system is upward compatible and that release changes are automated to a large extent, with the latest version operational within hours. CSB Cloud Services' information management system for providing and operating a data center and customer IT infrastructure is certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2022. The vendor also describes 24/7 support through its customer portal, email and phone, plus training tailored to users' industries and knowledge levels.

Pricing

All three packages use custom pricing, with pricing available on request. No seat limits, quotas, trial terms or renewal terms are given, so organizations should compare proposals against the package scope and deployment option they need.

• CSB BASIC ERP: Custom pricing. An industry-specific turnkey ERP for small and medium-size businesses, covering core processes, traceability, quality management and financial accounting interfaces. It is the natural starting point for smaller firms that need those processes without a package positioned for large enterprises.
• CSB INDUSTRY ERP: Custom pricing. A modular industry ERP covering the full value chain, including finance and controlling. Its MES functions and equipment connectivity suit large enterprises that need shop-floor visibility alongside broader operations.
• CSB FACTORY ERP: Custom pricing. An industry-specific shop-floor solution that integrates with a parent group ERP and scales to international structures. It fits corporate groups focused on production facilities, rather than firms seeking one standalone package for every business function.

Platforms

CSB-System supports Android, iOS, web, Windows and self-hosted deployment. Cloud versions are offered for all three ERP packages, giving buyers a cloud option as well as a self-hosted platform.

Who it's for

Food and beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and trade businesses are the intended audience. BASIC ERP is aimed at small and medium-size companies; INDUSTRY ERP is for large enterprises; FACTORY ERP is for production facilities in corporate groups. Businesses whose operations depend on production, traceability or quality management have the clearest reason to consider it. Organizations that do not need industry-specific process coverage may find the package breadth unnecessary.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Traceability and quality management run across all three packages, supporting product control throughout the business.
• Pro: INDUSTRY ERP adds MES functions and connectivity with systems, machines and robotics for shop-floor transparency.
• Pro: Package choices address small and medium-size businesses, large enterprises and corporate production facilities separately.
• Con: Custom pricing across the packages makes costs harder to compare before requesting a proposal.
• Con: Equipment and machine interfaces are listed for INDUSTRY and FACTORY ERP, so buyers considering BASIC ERP should verify that its standard interfaces cover their hardware needs.

Alternatives

Odoo Manufacturing is worth considering for buyers who want a free starting point: its One App Free plan costs nothing and allows unlimited users, with Android, iOS and web support.

Infor ERP is another paid ERP option for organizations comparing industry-specific CloudSuite offerings; its CloudSuite ERP pricing is by fixed-price package quote.

POLOXY Food Processing ERP is a paid alternative with an Essential Operations package covering core finance and inventory, focused implementation, standard training and support.

Proginov ERP is another paid ERP option.

TraceSense is a paid CMMS option for teams focused on maintenance; its Essential CMMS plan costs £295 a month for up to 250 assets and five users, with preventive maintenance, work orders and reporting.

Infor Public Sector is another paid Infor option for readers comparing software from that maker.

SAP Business One is a paid alternative priced by quote based on business requirements.

Aptean Industrial Manufacturing ERP Traverse Edition is a paid manufacturing ERP option with a free trial.

Browse the Food Manufacturing Software directory for more options in the category.

Verdict

CSB-System is a strong candidate for process manufacturers and trade businesses that need industry-specific ERP coverage, especially where traceability, quality management and production operations belong in the same system. The three packages give smaller businesses, large enterprises and corporate production groups distinct starting points. Choose it when those processes justify a tailored ERP; look elsewhere if you need transparent upfront pricing or a simpler general-purpose system.