AFAS ERP: who doesn’t know this Dutch all-in-one software platform? For countless organizations, AFAS is the backbone for payroll, HR, CRM administration, and order management. But what if the standard AFAS features don’t fully meet your needs and you’re missing crucial functionality? That’s when low-code for AFAS comes in. With it, you can build a flexible low-code layer on top of AFAS, without modifying your ERP core. In this blog, we’ll explain how and why.

When standard AFAS doesn’t match your processes

Let’s start by acknowledging the strengths of AFAS. It’s powerful, regularly updated, well-supported, and covers most standard processes effectively. But what happens if your process is not standard?

That’s where AFAS often struggles to align with real-life workflows. The result: inefficiency, delays, and frustration. Out-of-the-box solutions aren’t always available. Some organizations then turn to “vrije inrichting” (free configuration), customizing their AFAS ERP setup with stkkr, U-turn, or Flow. While creative, this approach can quickly spiral into risks.

Too much tinkering can make your ERP system messy, harder to manage, and slower in performance. And that means your processes won’t run smoothly either.

Don’t lose your unique business value

At this point, you might think: “I’ll just stick with standard AFAS processes and drop my custom requirements.” But that’s a missed opportunity. The processes that don’t fit AFAS are often exactly what makes your business unique.

A non-standard process doesn’t mean it’s broken, it’s often what differentiates you from competitors. Abandoning it because ERP software can’t handle it out of the box means giving up your competitive advantage.

With AFAS low-code customization, you don’t have to compromise. You can extend AFAS with a flexible layer that perfectly fits your workflows, without touching the AFAS core.

Keep the core clean with low-code

This approach follows a golden ERP principle: keep the core clean. In other words, customize without interfering with your core ERP software. A clean AFAS core means your ERP remains stable, secure, and high-performing. By building “on top,” you create room for flexible ERP apps tailored to your needs.

For AFAS users, keeping the core clean offers clear benefits:

• AFAS stays fast and efficient, without being overloaded with custom data.
• Automatic updates and security patches remain intact.
• System management and documentation stay clear and lightweight.
• The AFAS ecosystem remains transparent and transferable—knowledge isn’t tied to a single admin.

So why is low-code on top of AFAS so powerful?

The benefits of AFAS low-code apps

With low-code, you can build ERP extensions and apps quickly, delivering exactly the functionality your AFAS system is missing. Examples include:

• Process automation like rostering and workforce scheduling.
• Product configurators with instant pricing, quotes, and invoicing.
• Purchase proposals generated automatically from parameters and historical data.
• Advanced production planning & inventory management tailored to your business.

Almost any unique process can be supported with low-code for AFAS. Better yet, these solutions can be ready in weeks, not months. You avoid long development projects, keep momentum, and can easily adjust if your processes change.

By extending AFAS with a low-code layer:

• Your processes run faster.
• Errors are reduced.
  Repetitive tasks disappear, boosting employee satisfaction.
• Your business stays agile, adapting instantly to change.
• You preserve the reliability of your AFAS ERP core.

And because the apps integrate seamlessly, users find them intuitive and easy to use. You define the functionality, and the app is built exactly to fit.

Ready-to-use AFAS low-code apps

In addition to custom ERP extensions, there are also ready-to-use low-code apps for AFAS. Together with our partner CoreCubes, we’ve built plug-and-play applications on top of AFAS.

Take our Journal App, for example. It combines travel declarations, salary changes, and timesheets into one user-friendly screen. Submitting and reviewing become faster and easier, both for employees and managers.

We’ve even added Mendix GenAI to some of these apps. Meet Debby, the smart assistant that automatically categorizes expense receipts for AFAS users.

Choosing the right AFAS customization approach

So what’s best for your organization, free configuration, ready-to-buy apps, or custom AFAS low-code solutions? The answer starts with a strong business case. Consider:

• Benefits: Which features are critical, and which are “nice to have”? Think efficiency gains, happier customers or employees, or new revenue opportunities.
  
  
• Costs: Include development (time, money, external expertise) and ongoing maintenance. Don’t forget training or knowledge transfer.
  
  
• Risks: What risks come with your choice? Consider long-term management, process changes, or staff turnover.
  
  

Unlock the full potential of AFAS with low-code

In short: do you use AFAS but feel limited by its standard setup? Then AFAS low-code customization is the solution. Not sure whether you need ready-to-buy apps or tailor-made ERP extensions? Or wondering how low-code can make AFAS truly fit your business?
Let’s talk, we’d love to show you what’s possible.