BDE Software for Time & Factory Data Capture for Transparency in Production, Assembly, Project, and Service
With the factory data capture software COSMO ERP Factory Data Capture, you digitize the continuous collection of time and shop floor data, ensuring greater transparency for all processes in production, assembly, projects, and service. Times, quantities, and consumption are recorded directly at the point of performance (including barcode scanning) and processed in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central without detours – including plausibility checks and structured assignment via BDE dimensions.
The BDE software combines factory data capture (BDE), job, and simple personnel time tracking (PZE) in one seamless process. Feedback can be provided via terminals, desktop, or mobile devices. Work instructions, drawings, and inspection plans are available directly on the shop floor thanks to integration with the COSMO ERP Document Management System.
This creates reliable real-time data for production controlling, costing, and planning. You detect deviations early, reduce manual errors, and continuously optimize processes. The result: higher efficiency, better decision-making, and a scalable, future-proof platform without media discontinuities.
Efficient Performance Capture and Clear Billing for Projects and Services with COSMO ERP Factory Data Capture
In many companies, time and shop floor data capture is limited to production. Projects and service assignments are often recorded late or incompletely – with negative impacts on billing, utilization, and post-calculation. COSMO ERP Factory Data Capture specifically extends time and shop floor data capture to project and service processes.
With the factory data capture software, you can book times, materials, and expenses directly to projects and service orders – via mobile, scanner, or desktop. The data is then seamlessly available in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Work instructions and project documents are available directly on site via integration with the document management system (DMS).
Using dimensions, all captured data is clearly assigned to cost centers and cost objects in the ERP system. This creates reliable actual data for controlling and project management and a seamless process from performance capture to invoicing – transparent, auditable, and scalable.
How COSMO ERP Factory Data Capture Tackles Your Challenges
BDE System with Integrated Personnel Time Tracking for Reliable Time and Cost Controlling
Many companies record production and personnel times in separate systems. As a result, evaluations must first be laboriously merged (e.g., via Microsoft 365 Excel) – with discrepancies and low data quality.
The BDE system COSMO ERP Factory Data Capture combines shop floor data capture (BDE) in production and simple personnel time tracking (PZE) in one seamless process. This allows times to be reliably compared, evaluated by cost center, and shift models to be consistently mapped. Your teams record "clock-in", "clock-out", and breaks directly at the BDE terminal – optionally linked to work orders. If you use external personnel time tracking systems (PZE), you can integrate them directly – and reconcile BDE terminal data with data from the personnel time tracking system. This way, you can identify idle times, outages, and shift deviations early and take targeted action.
The result is reliable time and cost data for planning, post-calculation, and the HR department – without double entry or media discontinuities.
Features
Seamless integration into Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Postings are made directly to production and assembly orders, projects, and service orders. One system, one data flow – no additional interfaces or duplicate data storage.
Flexible capture via terminals, desktops, and mobile devices
Touch-optimized interfaces enable BDE, PZE, and job time tracking on the shop floor, in the office, or in the field. Barcodes are scanned and securely processed.
Plausibility checks and conflict-free postings
Automatic checks prevent duplicate or conflicting feedback. Times, quantities, and consumption are posted consistently and traceably.
BDE dimensions for cost centers and cost objects
Additional data such as cost center, cost object, quality codes, or machine numbers are captured via dimensions and enable detailed evaluations in production controlling.
Simple personnel time tracking (PZE) with shift models
"Clock-in"/"clock-out"/breaks can be recorded directly at the BDE terminal. Work areas and shifts are mapped. Alternatively, external PZE systems can be connected and reconciled with BDE times.
DMS integration with COSMO ERP Document Management System
Work instructions, drawings, inspection plans, and service manuals are displayed directly at the terminal or on mobile devices – always up-to-date and version-safe.
Integration of COSMO ERP Mobile Solution for shop floor scenarios
Interfaces and processes can be configured and extended with COSMO ERP Mobile Solution. This allows you to flexibly integrate scanners and MDE devices into shop floor data capture.
Automatic distribution for collective orders
Times and quantities for collective orders are automatically distributed to individual orders according to predefined rules. This ensures realistic costs and transparent post-calculation.
Take a look—here's how the system works in practice
Clear terminal menu for shop floor data capture (BDE), personnel time tracking (PZE), and job time tracking on the shop floor integrated into Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Curious? There are even more insights waiting for you here: DOWNLOAD THE FACTSHEET
Fully Integrated into Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
With the shop floor data capture software COSMO ERP Factory Data Capture, your shop floor data capture runs exactly where your master and transaction data reside: in the ERP system Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Production, assembly, project, and service orders serve as source documents to which times, quantities, and consumption are booked directly. Media discontinuities between terminals, mobile devices, and the ERP system are eliminated.
All feedback flows into a central data pool. Dimensions ensure clear assignment to cost centers, cost objects, and areas. Standard evaluations and individual analyses provide controlling, production, and management with a consistent view of actual data at any time.
The close integration of the BDE solution with COSMO ERP Mobile Solution, COSMO ERP Document Management System, and external PZE systems creates a fully digital platform – flexibly expandable and updatable in the Microsoft ecosystem.
COSMO CONSULT – Your Partner for Digital Time and Shop Floor Data Capture with Business Central
Introducing a digital time and shop floor data capture system affects production, controlling, IT, and HR alike. With COSMO CONSULT, you have a partner at your side who will accompany the introduction of COSMO ERP Factory Data Capture holistically – from the analysis of your processes through implementation to training and support. Our industry experts know the workflows in manufacturing, project business, and service and support you in mapping a tailored solution in Business Central.
It starts with a joint analysis of your processes and data structures. Based on this, we plan the implementation, set up terminals, mobile scenarios, and interfaces, and integrate documents from the DMS. Training ensures your teams can use the BDE software confidently and that shop floor data capture works in everyday operations. After go-live, we support you with support, further development, and optimization so your BDE system can grow with your requirements.
How Our BDE Software Is Used
17
customers use the shop floor data capture software as a SaaS variant in the cloud
Ø 17
users per installation
Current awards
6x Microsoft Solutions Partner
Awarded Microsoft’s highest quality seal in all categories.
Microsoft Dynamics Inner Circle
Ranked among the top 1% of Microsoft partners worldwide every year since 2014.
Top employer
Among the top 0.4% of all employers in Germany.
BARC Study 2026
Leading data and analytics partner: 11× Leader, multiple #1 rankings, and a 100% recommendation rate.
Current memberships
VDMA
The VDMA trade association connects software providers and digitalization experts with the mechanical and plant engineering industry.
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