Stuttgart – September 15, 2026 -- Stuttgart-based ERP vendor Planat GmbH has launched an 'AI Ready' strategy that lets manufacturing SMEs integrate artificial intelligence tools without committing to a single vendor or deployment model.
Planat decouples AI integration from fixed vendor lock-in
Marco Bux, Principal Product Manager and Head of Development at Planat, said the ERP system is built so that customers can select AI technologies and operating models that match their own requirements rather than being forced into a predetermined path. "AI Ready means for us that new AI technologies should be integrable in the future without users having to commit early to a specific route," Bux said, framing the approach as a matter of investment protection for mid-sized manufacturers.
Planat ERP supports on-premise, external data center and cloud-hybrid operation
The system can run on a company's own infrastructure, in an external data center, or be supplemented with cloud-based services as needed. Bux noted that local processing can require upfront hardware investment compared with cloud-only deployment, but strengthens data sovereignty—a factor Planat considers critical for SMEs facing strict data protection or regulatory requirements.
Strategy targets manufacturers with 50-500 employees and up to €50 million revenue
Planat's AI roadmap is aimed specifically at mid-sized manufacturing companies with roughly 50 to 500 employees and annual revenue of up to approximately €50 million. Many of these firms run IT operations primarily within Germany and do not require globally distributed cloud infrastructure, making local data centers or hybrid models a more economical and secure fit, according to the company.
Company develops first AI-assisted functions focused on information retrieval
Planat is currently developing its first AI-supported assistance features within the ERP system, initially focused on helping users search for information, run evaluations and access knowledge. The company plans to allow customers to connect Planat-developed AI functions, third-party technology partner solutions, or their own in-house AI applications to the ERP platform, positioning the system as an integration layer rather than a closed AI stack.
European data sovereignty concerns shape deployment options
Planat cited rising geopolitical and regulatory pressure as a driver behind the flexible architecture, noting that companies increasingly want to avoid dependency on decisions made by external international technology providers for critical business processes. The company said modern frameworks now allow large language models to run on a company's own infrastructure, offering an alternative to cloud services for numerous enterprise applications.