Companies can now display all project deadlines and milestones in a compact, Gantt-based overall view. Using drill-down, navigation down to the task level is possible. In addition, an integrated shift function for service phases allows the direct simulation of impacts on employee workload and resource planning.

“With this new view, the effects of project delays can be easily visualized and ‘what-if’ scenarios simulated in real time,” explains Christian Paucksch, Managing Director of Sta*Ware EDV Beratung GmbH.  

“Quotes can also be incorporated into planning. Overloads of individual employees or resource pools become immediately visible and can be quickly balanced using the integrated functions.”

Quotes are created within minutes using the integrated fee assistant and service catalog. Converting them into an order is possible with just a few clicks. You can then generate your internal project structure tailored to the project and assign all related documents, emails, and notes within this structure.

Workflows and tasks for internal processing can be activated with a click. Each individual processing step is documented, and time tracking is carried out simultaneously. Functions for defect management and logging are fully integrated.

Based on the quote and order items with the assigned resources or resource pools, an initial percentage-based rough plan is calculated from the fee and distributed over the planned service period.

With the start of individual project phases, detailed planning is activated. This is based on the specific tasks to be completed. Through the directly connected time and performance tracking, the remaining effort up to the next milestone is determined.

The embedded workflows and the business process engine support project staff by automatically providing the next tasks and process steps.

Employee workload takes into account individual working time models, vacation planning, all public holidays, and other operational absences.

Merry Christmas and a successful New Year!

The year is coming to an end – a time to pause and say thank you. We would like to sincerely thank you for another year of collaboration, trust, and shared successes.

Christmas is a time for reflection, coming together, and enjoying the little joys. We also take this opportunity to recharge our energy for the coming year.

We wish you and your loved ones a reflective Christmas and a healthy and successful start to the New Year.

We look forward to continuing to stand by your side and working successfully together in the coming year.

Warm regards,  

Your Sta*Ware Team

Also, the software manufacturer matters too

Mayer Engineers from Böblingen specialize in civil and road construction. Their expertise makes them sought after by cities and municipalities. For BMSP software manufacturer Sta*Ware from Starnberg, the new client is also a gain. As beta testers, the engineering firm provides new impulses for software development. Managing Director Michael Mayer reveals the benefits of this and why the choice of software also depends on the manufacturer.

Roads, sewers, and water pipelines are vital lifelines without which cities and municipalities could not exist. As an engineering firm for municipal civil and road construction, Mayer Engineers specialize in the long-term preservation of this infrastructure. “We see it as an important task to maintain these valuable facilities and prepare them together with the municipalities for future requirements,” explains Managing Director Michael Mayer, describing the company’s self-understanding, which has become almost the “DNA” of the company founded in 1926 by Gottlob Mayer. With the takeover by his grandchildren in the third generation, Mark and Michael Mayer, the engineering firm focuses on planning and maintaining municipal infrastructure as well as technical and economic consulting.

Sta*Ware Business Navigator E&P replaces multiple programs

The company uses specialized programs for design, tendering, calculation, or simulation, as well as for office and project management. At 10 PC workstations, the office and management software for planning offices (BMSP) Sta*Ware Business Navigator E&P is used, which was recently introduced and replaced several programs in the office. In addition to a document management system, an email and appointment management program, an existing BMSP solution was also replaced. “Unfortunately, the software could not represent our processes in the required level of detail. That’s why we were forced to make a change,” Mayer comments on the software switch. This began a longer selection process for the company. Mayer remembers this challenging phase well, alongside ongoing business operations: “Our employee responsible for office organization first documented our process flows. Based on this, a list of requirements for the new BMSP software was compiled. We then used this specification as the basis for our market research.” Using an online product comparison from the IWW Institute, the Mayer Engineers team then made a preliminary selection. Two programs finally made the shortlist, Mayer recalls: “We chose Sta*Ware Business Navigator E&P for several reasons: above all, everything is now under one roof – office and project management, document, email, and appointment management. We can also continuously create and manage our fee proposals and invoices. We were immediately convinced by the consistent process system and the creation of individually customizable processes and tasks, including time tracking.” Sta*Ware Business Navigator E&P follows a proven concept: the project structure can be generated directly from the order. The tasks of the individual service phases can also be automatically called according to HOAI or an office-specific workflow scheme. This process-oriented approach has the advantage that everything is documented and booked step by step, so that no service is forgotten during billing.

Good support from the manufacturer

BMSP software is not an off-the-shelf product. Sta*Ware Business Navigator E&P also had to be adapted to the individual office and project workflows of Mayer Engineers—for example, to special tasks, process flows, templates for fee proposals, evaluations, or printouts. Mayer was grateful for the manufacturer support: “Sta*Ware actively assisted us in customizing the software. This allowed us to work quickly, efficiently, and productively. We are also very satisfied with the company’s service. During business hours, a personal contact is always available, and problems can be quickly resolved via remote access. We’ve had different experiences with other manufacturers. Quick response times are very important when time is critical.” An important aspect of the software switch was also the transfer of existing data, which the engineering firm solved pragmatically: “We decided on a clean break and thus less effort. New projects were handled with the new program, and only selected documents from old projects were exported and imported in Explorer format, which worked relatively smoothly.” For software manufacturer Sta*Ware, the new client is also a stroke of luck. With its specialized practical knowledge, the engineering firm is now not only an experienced tester of beta versions but also an important driver of software development. For example, the Process Engine, which allows workflows and tasks to be created and customized individually, or the Reporting Center for real-time evaluation, could be expanded in some areas—benefiting all users. Mayer sees this as a classic win-win situation: “Since we are always interested in software development tailored to our needs but also happy when other users benefit, the collaboration is a gain for all parties involved.”

As important as CAD, AVA & Co.

Sta*Ware Business Navigator E&P has now become as important an office tool as CAD, AVA & Co. Employee acceptance is also very good. Mayer suspects that the involvement of employees in the software selection process also contributed to this: “The program is particularly popular due to simple time tracking, central management and automatic project assignment of emails, or the ability to access key functions via mobile app or record and synchronize data on-site. A home office workstation can also be quickly set up via VPN.” Mayer especially values the fee module: “For precise proposals, we can directly access HOAI data, quickly determine the billable costs, calculate the offer according to HOAI service specifications, service phases, basic services, special services, incidental costs, or surcharges, and then send it as a PDF via email. The cross-project real-time evaluation with forecasting is also very helpful. This way, I always have an overview of individual processes, project status in the various service phases, billing status, budget, or liquidity.” Another quality Mayer appreciates is the flexibility: “Each office can create its own individual solution, which continuously evolves and helps companies optimally offer their expertise to clients.” Further information: Sta*Ware EDV Beratung GmbH, Moosstraße 16, D-82319, Starnberg, Tel.: 08151 / 18795 20, info@staware.com, www.staware.com

Background info:

Sta*Ware Business Navigator E&P: The holistic office and project management software for engineers and architects. Sta*Ware Business Navigator E&P enables more efficient workflows, easier information distribution and communication, smooth process flows, and real-time evaluations. Features include an integrated HOAI calculator with detailed interim and final billing, consistent offer and order processes, individual project structures with processes and workflows, a unified and automated project filing system for all documents, emails, notes, processes, or tasks, real-time reporting, and a Win client, app, and online portal for mobile applications or integration of external project participants.

Sta*Ware GmbH: Sta*Ware EDV Beratung GmbH, based in Starnberg, has specialized for over 20 years in developing and implementing compact and innovative business solutions for medium-sized companies. It unites customer management (CRM), enterprise resource management (ERP), project management, document management (DMS), e-collaboration, controlling, and quality management in one system. Clients include engineering, architecture, and planning offices, prefabricated house manufacturers, property management companies, tax advisors, government authorities, and consulting firms.

Sta*Ware BusinessNavigator now with integrated AI adapter

New version SW3.04 enables direct chat with various AI systems

Starnberg, October 25, 2025.

Sta*Ware EDV Beratung GmbH is bringing an AI innovation to the market with the current release SW3.04 of its office and project management software **StaWare BusinessNavigator E&P**:

For the first time, users can submit requests directly from the software to various AI systems – via an integrated chat dialog that works seamlessly with project data, documents, and emails from the BusinessNavigator.

“With the new AI adapter, we are creating a bridge between existing company knowledge and modern AI technologies,” explains Christian Paucksch, Managing Director of Sta*Ware EDV Beratung GmbH.

“Users can now interact with the AI without switching systems, have content analyzed, or generate new texts and reports – directly within the ongoing project.”

Submit documents and emails directly to the AI

For the initial request, documents, emails, or notes from the current project can be selected and sent to the AI system.

Additional content can be added during the course of the chat.

The AI-generated responses can be immediately saved and further processed as a note, document, or email within Sta*Ware BusinessNavigator.

The adapter is currently available for:

ChatGPT

OpenAI

Azure OpenAI

Ollama

Semantic Kernel

The list of supported AI systems is continuously being expanded.

AI support in DMS, ECM, and E-Collaboration

With the new release, the DMS, ECM, and E-Collaboration modules are enhanced with the AI adapter.

This allows even complex documents, reports, or project evaluations to be created with just a few steps.

The integrated project structure and document repository ensure that users can quickly access all relevant information – for more precise and efficient AI queries.

AI-assisted employee scheduling reduces costs

In a further development step, Sta*Ware is expanding BusinessNavigator with AI-based functions for project and employee scheduling.

These analyze ongoing projects and take into account changes, amendments, or delays to ensure optimal resource allocation at all times.

Figures and captions

Calling the AI adapter

Selecting the desired documents, emails, and notes

Chat dialog with the AI system

(All figures: Sta*Ware GmbH)

About Sta*Ware

Sta*Ware EDV Beratung GmbH, based in Starnberg, has been developing integrated business solutions for medium-sized companies for over 30 years.

The software Sta*Ware BusinessNavigator E&P combines CRM, ERP, project management, document management (DMS), E-Collaboration, controlling, and quality management in one system.

Customers include engineering, architecture, and planning firms, prefabricated house manufacturers, property management companies, tax consultants, government agencies, and management consultancies.

Press contact:

Sta*Ware EDV Beratung GmbH

Moosstraße 16, D-82319 Starnberg

Tel.: +49 8151 18795-20

Email: info@staware.com

Web: www.staware.com

(Reprint free – copy requested)

On vacation, you dream of islands, in the software landscape they are a nightmare…

With the industry solution Sta*Ware BusinessNavigator for engineers and planners, you are able to manage all your processes seamlessly in one system.

Creating quotes with the integrated fee assistant and service catalog takes just minutes, and converting them into an order requires only a few clicks. Afterwards, you generate your internal project-specific project structure and assign all relevant documents, emails, and notes to this structure. Workflows and tasks for internal processing can be activated with a click. Every single processing step is documented, and time tracking runs automatically. Deficiency management and reporting are integrated.

The integrated AI connection supports you in creating reports, documents, and emails. With the integrated Sta*Ware portal, you can share projects with your clients and partners. Project spaces can be connected and fed with documents and tasks from Sta*Ware BusinessNavigator, as well as transfer documents from there to the local system. With the Sta*Ware APP, your data becomes mobile, and you have transparent access to the Sta*Ware BusinessNavigator at all times.

Invoice preparation provides the project manager with all important information in one interface. The creation of interim and final invoices is carried out according to industry standards, optionally also as an e-invoice. Incoming payments are automatically matched to the corresponding outgoing invoice. Controlling is always just one click away and provides up-to-date figures at any time.

A dream? No, attend our free webinar on 25.09.2025 from 09:15 to 10:00.

The Sta*Ware BusinessNavigator provides optimal support for implementing the legal requirements for e-invoicing.

Outgoing invoices can be very easily created and sent in the X-invoice format. With a pre-configuration in the customer master data, this step can also be automated. After the invoice is created and approved via the data entry screen, the X-invoice file is generated automatically and remains permanently linked to the invoice process. PDF documents can be pre-marked and then included in the X-invoice. Transmission of the X-invoice to customer web services is provided.

Incoming invoices are processed with a click or automatically upon receipt. The incoming invoice workflows already implemented in Sta*Ware BN are fed with data from the X-invoice and then prepared for invoice approval. Incoming invoices in PDF format can, of course, still be analyzed and processed with OCR text recognition. If the incoming X-invoice references a purchase order, a check of prices and quantities is also carried out immediately.

Sta*Ware offers the possibility to import X-invoices in the standard formats UBL from version 2.1 and CII (UN/CEFACT Cross Industry Invoice). For creating the X-invoice, the UBL format 3.0.1 is used. Invoice items and embedded documents are also supported.

Support for the X-invoice has been implemented for these invoice types:

– Progress invoice

– (Partial) invoice

– (Partial) final invoice

– Credit note

With the new release of Sta*Ware BusinessNavigator E&P (Engineers and Planners), we additionally offer an integrated fee module and industry configuration for the construction sector. Time tracking, HR, and an interface to financial accounting are also included.

With the Sta*Ware Portal, you can easily involve your clients directly in your projects and exchange information and documents.

Thanks to Sta*Ware BusinessNavigator, you are able to reduce your software landscape to a single package. At the same time, with the help of the integrated Sta*Ware ProcessEngine, you can make your internal processes significantly more efficient and reduce administrative effort substantially.

We look forward to hearing from you and are happy to provide an initial analysis of your current situation.

Sta*Ware BusinessNavigation addresses this exact point. CRM, ERP, project management, document management, e-collaboration, controlling, business analytics, and quality management are all integrated into a single system based on a database. Continuous processes, automated workflows, and simple, individualized configuration precisely implement the digital organizational structure and the automated management of the business processes and projects of Sta*Ware customers.

Implementation is carried out using the modular, database-based enterprise software Sta*Ware BusinessNavigator. The foundation is the Sta*Ware InfoCenter module, the pool of all projects and operations within the system. The InfoCenter is complemented by the BusinessProcessEngine module. Through this, continuous process management and automated workflows within individually predefined workflows in project and process management are realized. Automated workflows regulate the processes and dependencies of operations and tasks, from the offer to the final invoice, including contract review, order completion, project execution, quality control, and delivery.

At the same time, the required data follows the process chains across departments and based on permissions. Through the Sta*Ware TaskCenter and the Sta*Ware Kanban Board, the individual process steps, their assignment, and deadlines are visualized. With Sta*Ware Business Analytics, all process data can be evaluated.

Sta*Ware BusinessNavigator thus optimizes end-to-end corporate processes down to the smallest detail across the entire enterprise. The result is up-to-date processes, targeted and seamless data flow, increased efficiency and productivity, as well as cost reduction.

Newly available is the Sta*Ware solution Sta*Ware Engineers and Planners (Sta*Ware E&P). It encompasses the automation of business processes, projects, and office organization for engineering and planning offices.

In addition to commercial processes such as creating fee proposals according to HOAI 2009-2021, DIN 276, orders, interim invoices, and final invoices, Sta*Ware E&P also includes project management according to service specifications, project phases, operations, and tasks. Resource allocation and time tracking can be performed directly in the project’s Gantt chart. Digitized communication, including emails, notes, and chats directly linked to individual operations, as well as the integrated calendar, optimize collaboration. Documents are created automatically and plans are stored according to the corresponding operations. Database-supported evaluations of liquidity, vacation, unfinished tasks, actual vs. planned hours, and ad hoc real-time filters provide planning security. Supported by the Sta*Ware APP and Sta*Ware Portal, everyone from the managing director to engineers, project managers, draftsmen, back-office staff, suppliers, and clients work efficiently and productively hand in hand.

Topics:  

HOAI Module:  

The HOAI calculator is directly integrated into the invoice functions of the Sta*Ware BusinessNavigator. This allows the billable costs for the fee proposal to be quickly calculated according to DIN 276, with all service specifications, asset groups, phases, and surcharges included. With a single click, the proposal is transferred into the appropriate Word format, the document receives the correct designation via metadata, and is sent directly via email from the fee proposal transaction type. As before, the direct continuation of the proposal into interim and final invoices is possible with just a few clicks.  

Project Management:  

With the new “Generate Project Structure” function, the project structure along with the associated tasks can be created directly from the proposal. It can then be further supplemented and modified. Project steps and billing items are assigned tasks once, significantly simplifying future project structure setup. Additionally, tasks can be assigned estimated times, automatically creating the project timeline. This can then be specified with a few clicks in the InfoCenter/Gantt chart or Kanban board. For example, in planning offices, the project structure with tasks and assigned times can be generated directly from the HOAI fee proposal.  

Furthermore, resources can either be pre-assigned to individual tasks via the “Assign Participants” function or selected individually within the Gantt chart/InfoCenter or Kanban board.  

Proposal Calculation:  

Using the “Set Calculation” function, resource services can be linked proportionally to individual tasks, allowing a calculated proposal to be quickly determined within the framework of categorical project types.  

Workflow Configurator:  

With the Sta*Ware Business Process Engine, process workflows can be managed individually. The so-called flow control allows the appropriate tasks to be triggered depending on the completion status of the preceding task and assigned to the defined resources. The workflow is automated.  

Kanban Board:  

The Kanban board with backlog and swimlanes for priority, transaction types, service phases, and trades provides a clear overview of all tasks in the InfoCenter and supports agile working methods. Tasks can be addressed and completed according to individually defined priorities. Direct time tracking on the task allows the real-time display of the processing status.  

Time Tracking:  

Time tracking is now possible directly on individual tasks, not only in the InfoCenter but also in the Gantt chart. Internal notes can be added within the scope of hourly fees, and multiple hourly rates can be stored.  

Task Center:  

The Task Center allows cross-project sorting of tasks by employee, phase, transaction type, status, or as needed.  

Document Management:  

By assigning predefined document names when creating a document using building blocks/meta-items combined with the document type, automatic and unambiguous assignment of the document to document type, project, and transaction is ensured. A separate folder structure based on document type, such as for formwork plans, is not necessary.  

Summary:  

Automation and analysis of commercial processes accelerate workflows and provide clarity on the financial situation in real time. The simple creation of the project structure and its display in the InfoCenter, Gantt chart, and Kanban board, combined with specific flow controls, creates a clear roadmap at the start of the project that can be directly implemented in daily business.  

The automatic interplay of individual areas and departments forms a stable basis for smooth daily operations. Focus is on value-added work. Significant productivity gains are the result.  

Press Contact:  

Sta*Ware EDV Beratung GmbH  

Constanze Strauss  

Moosstraße 16  

82319 Starnberg  

Phone: 08151 1879526  

www.staware.com