Use abas ERP with AI via MCP
In many manufacturing companies, abas ERP steers the path from quotation through bill of material to production order. The system does not ship with an MCP server, so we build the connection to CompanyGPT individually on its documented REST interface.
What is abas ERP?
abas ERP comes from abas Software GmbH in Karlsruhe, today part of the Forterro group. The system targets discrete manufacturing in mid-sized companies and covers quotations and orders, bills of material and routings, production orders, costing, purchasing and inventory. Its defining trait is adaptability: many installations have been tailored to a company’s own processes over years and run in the customer’s own data centre.
For AI applications that makes for an unusually rich data set – and one that is hard to unlock. Anyone who wants to know which production orders for an item are still open, or how a calculation is composed, needs to understand the structure of the system. An agent that takes over exactly those queries makes the information usable for sales, work scheduling and management as well.
Connection at a Glance
- MCP server
- None available – custom integration
- Interfaces
- abas REST API (web interface for third-party systems), EDI/abas Connect
- Authentication
- Token- or user-based via the abas web services
- Operating model
- Predominantly on-premises, partly partner-hosted
- Alternative route
- Existing iPaaS connectors or automation platforms
- Specifics
- Heavily customized installations – scope is defined per object
How to Connect abas ERP to CompanyGPT
There is no MCP server for abas ERP – neither from the vendor nor as a dependable community project. That does not rule out an AI integration; it simply moves it to the existing interfaces. abas provides a REST web interface for third-party systems, already used today to connect MES, DMS and shop systems. It is therefore the natural starting point for CompanyGPT as well.
Together with your abas partner we review which objects and reports your use cases actually need, set up a service user with an appropriate permission scope, and expose the interface as MCP tools in your CompanyGPT environment. Authentication is token- or user-based via the abas web services, depending on the installation – the exact form depends on your version and configuration. The principle stays the same: any API with a machine-readable description can be made available as an MCP integration.
Where an integration platform is already in place – via iPaaS connectors or an automation platform such as n8n, which innFactory operates as a separate service on request – it can serve as an additional route. Since abas ERP typically runs inside your own network while CompanyGPT is operated in your own Azure tenant, the network connection is part of the project from the start and is implemented together with your IT.
Note for on-premises operation: CompanyGPT runs in your own Azure tenant – so your on-premises network can be connected directly: via a site-to-site VPN (Azure VPN Gateway) or ExpressRoute between your corporate network and the virtual network of your CompanyGPT environment. The system does not need to be publicly reachable; we set up the connection together with your IT team.
Typical Use Cases
How AI agents in CompanyGPT work with abas ERP
Answers from work scheduling
Asked about open production orders for an item, the agent returns quantity, date and status without anyone having to search the order overview.
Understanding bills of material quickly
Sales and costing have the structure of an assembly explained to them – including the listed positions and quantities as a basis for quotations.
Preparing purchasing decisions
Purchasing condenses order history and current stock for critical parts to assess procurement needs for the coming weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
abas ERP and AI – the most important answers
Is there an MCP server for abas ERP?
Not as things stand. Neither abas nor the community provides a production-ready MCP server. The connection is therefore built individually on the existing REST interface.
How does abas ERP get connected to an AI assistant then?
Through the abas web interface, which is also used for MES, DMS and shop integrations. We map the required queries as MCP tools, released in CompanyGPT by role like any other integration.
Does this work with heavily customized installations?
Usually yes – and that is exactly where the groundwork pays off. Together with your abas partner we determine which objects and fields matter in your setup and start with a few clearly scoped queries.
Can the AI also create or change data in abas?
Technically the interface allows it, but it is a deliberate decision. Many projects start read-only; write tools are added once the departments can judge the benefit.
Where does the ERP data go during a query?
The connection runs between your network and your CompanyGPT environment, which operates in your own cloud tenant. No additional intermediary service is involved.
Related Integrations
ERP & Merchandise Management
abas ERP and Your AI – GDPR-Compliant with CompanyGPT
CompanyGPT is the enterprise AI assistant in your own cloud tenant: all relevant AI models, your company data and integrations like abas ERP – centrally managed, with roles and permissions. We set up the connection together with you.
abas ERP is a trademark of its respective owner (abas Software GmbH (Forterro group)). Its mention describes compatibility and does not imply any partnership or endorsement. Availability and scope of the connection depend on the respective vendor.