AmdoSoft Releases b4 V7.9 SP1 with New Designer Studio and Enhanced Security Features

AmdoSoft Releases b4 V7.9 SP1 with New Designer Studio and Enhanced Security Features

The new b4 Designer Studio, expanded rule-based automation capabilities, and updated software components improve usability, flexibility, and platform security.

AmdoSoft Systems announces the availability of b4 V7.9 SP1. The service pack introduces b4 Designer Studio as a new web-based entry point to the b4 environment. It also extends rule logic, enhances administrative control, and updates numerous software components. In addition to functional enhancements, the release includes bug fixes and technical improvements as part of the ongoing maintenance and development of the platform.

b4 helps organizations automate repetitive digital processes, orchestrate workflows across systems, and respond to predefined events. The platform can be deployed within existing IT environments, including those involving monitoring, IT service management (ITSM), and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. This enables organizations to reduce manual effort, execute processes more reliably, and make more efficient use of their existing IT infrastructure.

With b4 V7.9 SP1, AmdoSoft continues to develop the platform, combining new functionality and enhanced administrative capabilities with technical updates that support secure and maintainable operations.

Key Enhancements in b4 V7.9 SP1

b4 Designer Studio: A New Web-Based Entry Point

The new b4 Designer Studio provides a central web-based entry point to the b4 environment. Users can view the status of objects at a glance and access the b4 Dashboard directly.

Extended Rule Logic: Responding to Non-Selected Statuses

The new “Negate Selected Status” function enables object triggers in rule graphs to respond whenever an object has a status other than the selected one. This allows conditions such as “not UP” to be defined. The function is available both when triggering rules and within BRANCH and LOOP conditions, providing greater flexibility when designing event-driven workflows.

Greater Administrative Control Over Active Sessions

Members of the SuperUser group can now terminate active user sessions directly from the “Active Connections” view in the b4 Console. This simplifies the management of active connections and gives administrators greater control over user sessions.

Updated Software Components and Bug Fixes

Numerous software components have been updated to improve the platform’s security and technical currency. Additional bug fixes and technical corrections contribute to the ongoing improvement of software stability and reliability.

Continuous Development Focused on Customer Benefits

With b4 V7.9 SP1, users benefit from a more accessible entry point to the platform, more flexible rule-based workflows, and enhanced administrative control. Updated software components, bug fixes, and technical improvements also support secure, stable, and maintainable operations.

Availability

b4 V7.9 SP1 is now available. Existing customers can install the service pack using the b4 Update Manager.

Release Info: b4 V7.9 SP1

Release Info: b4 V7.9 SP1

We are pleased to announce that b4 V7.9 SP1 is now available for download and installation. It can be deployed either as a new b4 Controller installation or as an update to an existing system.

Customers already running a previous version of the b4 Controller will see version 7.9 SP1 available in the Update Manager and can perform the update directly from there.

For new installations, please use the Download Zone on our web portal to obtain the required package.

Automated Reconciliation for Greater Efficiency in Everyday Work

Automated Reconciliation for Greater Efficiency in Everyday Work

How AmdoSoft/b4 intelligently supports recurring checking and reconciliation processes

Every day, companies generate and process large volumes of information – contained in contracts, invoices, orders, delivery notes, policies, master data and industry-specific applications. Often, this information is not only spread across different documents, but also stored in different systems. One of the key challenges is therefore to reconcile the available information and reliably determine whether the data actually matches.

While checking a single transaction may be completed quickly, dealing with hundreds or thousands of records can turn into a time-consuming routine task. Employees have to gather information from different sources, compare it, identify discrepancies and then initiate the necessary next steps. These recurring checking and reconciliation processes offer significant potential for intelligent process automation.

AmdoSoft/b4 addresses precisely this challenge. The platform brings together information from different sources, performs defined checks and reconciliations, identifies discrepancies and can then automatically trigger the appropriate follow-up processes. A manual control task is thereby transformed into a structured and transparent automated process.

A typical use case: reconciling invoices, orders and delivery notes

A particularly straightforward example can be found in procurement and invoice processing. In many companies, incoming invoices need to be reconciled with the corresponding purchase orders and delivery notes. Do the supplier, order number, items, quantities, prices and other relevant details match?

For individual invoices, such a check can easily be carried out manually. However, as the number of transactions increases, this can quickly become a repetitive administrative task. Employees have to collect information from different documents and systems, compare the relevant data and decide how to proceed if discrepancies are identified.

AmdoSoft/b4 can support this process automatically. Relevant information is brought together from the available documents and systems and compared according to defined rules. If the data matches, the transaction can be processed automatically. If discrepancies are identified, b4 can detect and document them and, depending on the defined process rules, for example, forward the transaction to the responsible employee for further review.

The key benefit is that not every transaction has to be checked manually from start to finish. Instead, employees can focus on those cases where a discrepancy has actually been identified and where expert assessment or a decision is required.

A principle that can be applied across industries

The underlying principle is by no means limited to invoice processing. Almost every company has situations in which information from different sources needs to be compared. The recurring question is: Do the available pieces of information match – and what should happen if they do not?

In the energy sector, for example, meter readings, meter data, master data and billing information can be reconciled. In industrial companies, purchase orders can be compared with order confirmations, orders with delivery notes, or delivery notes with invoices. In retail and logistics, order data, advance shipping notices, goods receipts and invoice information can be automatically compared.

The insurance sector also offers numerous opportunities. Contract data and insurance policies, for example, can be reconciled. Policyholder details, contract periods, insured sums, excesses, tariffs and other contract characteristics can be checked against each other based on defined rules. If discrepancies are identified, they can be documented, classified and forwarded to the responsible employee for further processing.

In finance, invoices can be compared with purchase orders, delivery notes or agreed terms and conditions. In HR, working time data, employee master data and payroll information can be reconciled. In telecommunications, contract data, subscribed services, tariff information and billing data can likewise be checked automatically for consistency.

This makes one thing clear: reconciliation is not a single use case, but a recurring pattern found across a wide range of business processes.

From data reconciliation to automated follow-up processes

The value of AmdoSoft/b4 does not lie solely in comparing information. What really matters is connecting the reconciliation with the subsequent process.

If, for example, a discrepancy is identified between an invoice and a purchase order, b4 can trigger different follow-up actions depending on the defined process rules. The transaction can be flagged, the responsible employee notified, information updated in an existing system or another automated process step initiated.

This creates an end-to-end process chain: information is captured and brought together, compared, discrepancies identified and the appropriate actions subsequently triggered. The specific rules can be adapted to the requirements of the individual company and business process.

Putting employees where their expertise matters

The practical benefits of this type of automation become particularly apparent when dealing with large volumes of data. Employees no longer need to check every transaction individually. Instead, they receive targeted cases where a discrepancy or exception has been identified. Routine tasks are reduced, allowing employees to apply their expertise where professional assessment or decision-making is genuinely required.

At the same time, automated, rule-based checks can provide greater transparency and more consistent processing. Individual process steps can be structured in a traceable way, while recurring checks can be carried out according to the same predefined rules.

Another advantage is that AmdoSoft/b4 can integrate existing applications and systems into automated processes. Companies therefore do not have to fundamentally replace their existing IT landscape in order to automate individual recurring workflows.

A simple question with significant automation potential

Whether it is an insurance policy, invoice, purchase order, meter reading or employee record, a process often starts with a seemingly simple question: Do the pieces of information match?

When this question has to be answered hundreds or thousands of times a day, it is worth taking a closer look at the potential for automation. AmdoSoft/b4 enables companies to turn such reconciliation tasks into structured processes – going beyond simply identifying discrepancies to automatically initiating the necessary follow-up actions.

This transforms a manual control task into an intelligent, transparent and scalable process – across industries and tailored to the individual requirements of each company.

Interested to learn more? We look forward to your enquiry.

Intelligent Process Automation with AI and b4

Intelligent Process Automation with AI and b4

Helping organisations unlock the full potential of Artificial Intelligence – securely and cost-effectively

Artificial Intelligence is evolving at an unprecedented pace, creating new opportunities for organisations to process information more effectively and optimise business operations. One of the most talked-about developments is the emergence of AI agents, which promise to analyse tasks autonomously, support decision-making and intelligently connect different business applications.

The term AI agent is used in a variety of ways. In general, it refers to software systems that use advanced AI models to understand information, plan tasks and determine the most appropriate actions. Unlike traditional chatbots, AI agents do far more than answer individual questions. They can interpret documents, recognise relationships, evaluate possible courses of action and, within defined boundaries, determine the most appropriate next step.

Their greatest strength lies in working with unstructured information. Emails, invoices, contracts, forms, reports and free-text documents often contain valuable business information that first needs to be identified, interpreted and converted into structured data. Modern AI can analyse content, extract relevant information, classify documents and support decision-making. This enables organisations to automate processes that were previously difficult or uneconomical because they relied heavily on unstructured information.

Not every business process requires Artificial Intelligence

As powerful as modern AI has become, not every business process benefits from it. Organisations continue to rely on a wide range of standardised, rule-based processes that can already be automated efficiently, securely and cost-effectively using conventional process automation.

Data transfers between business applications, master data maintenance, invoice processing, approval workflows, reporting, file transfers and cross-system routine tasks generally follow clearly defined rules. In these scenarios, Artificial Intelligence often provides little or no additional value. In fact, where processes can be described precisely, deterministic automation is typically the more efficient, transparent and economical solution.

The b4 Automation Platform from AmdoSoft has been specifically developed for these requirements. Its bots automate repetitive business processes regardless of whether applications are connected through user interfaces, APIs, databases, web services or file-based interfaces. b4 orchestrates complete end-to-end processes, integrates virtually any business application and ensures every process is executed reliably, transparently and with full auditability.

As a result, organisations can already realise a significant proportion of their automation potential without relying on Artificial Intelligence. Faster processing times, fewer errors, improved data quality and reduced workload for employees are often achieved simply by consistently automating standardised business processes.

Applying AI where it delivers genuine business value

“Not every bot requires Artificial Intelligence—but every bot can become intelligent whenever the business case demands it.”

This is one of the key strengths of the b4 platform. Rather than replacing existing automation, Artificial Intelligence extends it precisely where traditional rule-based automation reaches its limits.

Whenever documents need to be read, emails understood, free-text analysed or information extracted from unstructured data, modern AI models can be seamlessly integrated into existing automation workflows. AI is responsible for interpreting the information and delivering structured results that can be used by the downstream process.

The execution of the business process itself remains under the control of the b4 bots. They transfer data, update ERP and CRM systems, initiate follow-on processes, generate documents, communicate with business applications and provide complete traceability of every action performed. Organisations therefore benefit from the strengths of Artificial Intelligence without compromising process stability, governance or operational reliability.

Because the b4 platform is technology-agnostic, organisations can integrate a wide range of AI models and AI services with complete flexibility. This avoids dependency on any single AI vendor and allows new technologies to be incorporated into the existing automation landscape whenever required.

How AI and b4 work together

A simple comparison illustrates the relationship perfectly:

“Artificial Intelligence provides the brain—b4 provides the nervous system and the hands of the organisation.”

AI understands language, recognises context, interprets documents and supports decision-making. The b4 platform, meanwhile, connects business systems, orchestrates processes and reliably translates decisions into concrete actions.

It transfers data, triggers downstream processes, processes documents, communicates with enterprise applications, monitors deadlines and records every process step in a fully traceable manner. At the same time, it centrally orchestrates all automations, monitors their execution and ensures processes remain stable, transparent and fully repeatable.

Only through this combination is truly intelligent end-to-end automation achieved, with each technology being used where it delivers maximum value.

One platform for enterprise-wide automation

The b4 platform offers far more than simply running software bots. It provides a central automation platform for the entire organisation, enabling different technologies, business applications and automation approaches to be orchestrated, monitored and continuously expanded within a single architecture.

In addition to traditional process automation and AI integration, b4 provides comprehensive capabilities for monitoring, scheduling, exception handling, escalation management, role-based access control and central administration. This creates scalable automation solutions that meet both today’s operational requirements and tomorrow’s business challenges.

Rather than investing in isolated automations or standalone AI solutions, organisations invest in a long-term automation platform that can evolve alongside their business.

Conclusion

The next generation of enterprise automation is not about adding Artificial Intelligence to as many processes as possible. Success depends on selecting the right technology for each individual task.

Rule-based business processes can be automated efficiently, transparently and reliably using the b4 Automation Platform. Wherever information needs to be understood, documents interpreted or decisions supported, Artificial Intelligence adds an additional layer of capability.

The b4 platform brings both worlds together within a single architecture. Organisations benefit from automation that applies Artificial Intelligence where it creates genuine business value while continuing to rely on the stability, transparency and security of professional process automation.

The result is intelligent, scalable and future-ready end-to-end automation across the entire enterprise.

Let us explore together how intelligent automation can help your organisation achieve greater efficiency, transparency and value. We look forward to your enquiry.

AmdoSoft/b4 participates in international partner enablement sessions with TD SYNNEX

AmdoSoft/b4 participates in international partner enablement sessions with TD SYNNEX

As part of ongoing partner enablement activities with TD SYNNEX, AmdoSoft Systems GmbH recently participated in several international online sessions to introduce the AmdoSoft/b4 automation platform to partners and customers. The sessions provided an opportunity to showcase various intelligent process automation use cases and discuss practical implementation scenarios with channel partners and end users.

Three Sessions, Multiple Automation Scenarios

The first session focused on introducing AmdoSoft and the AmdoSoft/b4 platform. Participants gained insight into how organisations can automate repetitive and time-consuming business processes, reduce manual effort and improve process quality. Particular emphasis was placed on the platform’s flexibility and its ability to support rapid implementation of automation projects.

A second session explored the technical capabilities of AmdoSoft/b4 in greater detail. Different automation approaches for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), system integrators and their customers were presented and discussed. The session highlighted how the platform can be used not only to optimise internal operations but also to expand existing service portfolios with automation-driven offerings.

The third session featured a real-world HR use case. In this scenario, a b4 Bot automates the processing of retirement applications by intelligently extracting more than 50 data fields from various document types, including machine-readable PDFs, handwritten forms and Excel files. The extracted information is then automatically transferred to SAP. By automating this process, the organisation significantly reduced processing times while minimising the risk of manual errors.

In addition, AmdoSoft/b4 has been included in the TD SYNNEX AI ISV Portfolio Catalogue. The catalogue provides an overview of international AI and software vendors, highlighting their technological capabilities and industry use cases. AmdoSoft is listed in the category of Intelligent Process Automation.

Added Value for System Integrators and Managed Service Providers

For system integrators and Managed Service Providers, AmdoSoft/b4 offers a wide range of opportunities to expand their service portfolios and generate additional revenue streams. Beyond software licensing, partners can provide consulting, implementation, support and optimisation services related to process automation projects.

This creates opportunities for both project-based business and recurring revenue through managed services, maintenance and ongoing support contracts. At the same time, partners can help their customers accelerate digital transformation initiatives without requiring extensive changes to existing IT environments.

The platform also enables partners to enter the rapidly growing field of AI-driven automation and enhance their offerings with innovative solutions that address real operational challenges. Thanks to its flexible architecture, AmdoSoft/b4 can be deployed in both small-scale automation projects and enterprise-wide automation initiatives.

Automation Opportunities Across Industries

As a platform-agnostic and industry-independent solution, AmdoSoft/b4 can automate a broad range of standardised and customer-specific business processes. Typical use cases include invoice processing, order management, master data maintenance, document processing, approval workflows and the automated handling of incoming emails.

Particularly valuable are automation scenarios involving highly specialised business processes that often require significant manual effort and cannot easily be addressed through standard software solutions. Examples include meter data clearing processes in utility companies, customer-specific validation and reconciliation workflows, service and support request handling, contract management and data exchange between multiple business applications.

By combining intelligent document processing, system integration and process automation, organisations can reduce processing times, minimise errors and free employees from repetitive tasks. At the same time, they establish a scalable foundation for future digitalisation and AI initiatives.

Through its participation in the TD SYNNEX sessions, AmdoSoft further demonstrates its commitment to helping partners and customers identify practical automation opportunities and unlock new potential through intelligent process automation

Bei Fragen oder Interesse an einer persönlichen Beratung freuen wir uns über Ihre Kontaktaufnahme.

AmdoSoft optimises meter data clearing in the energy sector through intelligent process automation

AmdoSoft optimises meter data clearing in the energy sector through intelligent process automation

With the b4 automation platform, energy companies improve efficiency, data quality and process reliability in meter data management

As digitalisation progresses and the adoption of smart metering systems increases, the energy sector is facing a growing volume of data. In particular, the area of meter data clearing – the validation, verification and correction of consumption data – is subject to continuously rising demands in terms of efficiency, speed and data quality.

Manual processes as a bottleneck in meter data clearing

The manual handling of incorrect or incomplete meter data is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. At the same time, accurate and consistent data is essential for correct billing, stable market communication and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Automation with b4 as a solution

AmdoSoft Systems GmbH addresses these challenges with its powerful automation platform b4. By leveraging robotic process automation (RPA), b4 enables intelligent, rule-based processing of meter data across system boundaries – efficiently, scalably and in a fully auditable manner.

Typical use cases in meter data clearing

Within meter data clearing, b4 handles tasks such as automated plausibility checks of incoming meter readings, the identification and classification of anomalies, and the initiation of appropriate data correction measures. These include, for example, automated substitution value generation, the creation and routing of clarification cases, and integration with existing billing and energy data management systems.

Seamless integration into existing system landscapes

A key advantage of b4 is its ability to connect heterogeneous system environments without the need for complex interface adjustments. Existing applications – for example in ERP, market communication or meter data management – can be seamlessly integrated and centrally automated. This eliminates system discontinuities and significantly reduces process cycle times.

Greater efficiency and relief for specialist departments

Automation delivers its full potential particularly for energy suppliers, grid operators and municipal utilities with high metering point volumes. Standardised validation rules and recurring processes can be reliably handled by software robots, allowing specialist teams to focus on complex exceptions.

Measurable added value for organisations

The benefits are substantial: in addition to a significant reduction in manual effort and error rates, organisations benefit from faster billing cycles, improved data quality and greater process transparency. At the same time, automation frees up resources for strategic tasks and helps organisations meet the growing demands of the energy market in a sustainable way.

Future-proof process landscapes with AmdoSoft

With b4, AmdoSoft provides a future-proof solution that enables organisations to design efficient meter data clearing processes and consistently advance their digital transformation.

For any questions or interest in a personal consultation, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Release Info: b4 V7.9

Release Info: b4 V7.9

We are pleased to announce that b4 V7.9 is now available for download and installation. It can be deployed either as a new b4 Controller installation or as an update to an existing system.

Customers already running a previous version of the b4 Controller will see version 7.9 available in the Update Manager and can perform the update directly from there.

For new installations, please use the Download Zone on our web portal to obtain the required package.

Customers running the b4 Controller on Windows Server 2019 can update to version 7.9 and apply Hotfix 207919. However, further updates will not be available on this platform, as future versions will only be supported on Windows Server 2022 and Windows Server 2025.

Assessing the ROI of Automation Holistically: More Than Just Hours Saved

Assessing the ROI of Automation Holistically: More Than Just Hours Saved

Automation as a Lever for Risk and Quality Management

When evaluating automation initiatives, the benefits are often calculated solely in terms of labour hours saved. However, this approach falls short. Modern automation platforms such as AmdoSoft/b4 deliver their true economic value where process stability, response speed and service quality are critical.

Many business and IT processes do not generate costs primarily through the time required to complete them, but rather through delays, downstream errors or contractual breaches. Missed service-level agreements, incorrectly transferred data or delayed responses to system events can result in rework, contractual penalties or dissatisfied customers. These factors are frequently overlooked in traditional ROI calculations, even though they often have the greatest financial impact.

By introducing automated workflows, organisations can systematically reduce such risks. Software bots execute tasks consistently, document every step and respond immediately to events. As a result, processing times are significantly reduced, error rates decrease and processes remain reliably available even outside regular working hours. In service-critical areas such as IT operations, order processing or support, this leads to a measurable improvement in service quality.

A realistic assessment of economic impact therefore considers several dimensions:

• avoided SLA penalties and escalations
• reduced error rates and rework costs
• shorter process and response times
• improved customer satisfaction and service continuity
• freeing up skilled employees for higher-value tasks

In many cases, organisations discover that the greatest benefit lies not in saving individual minutes, but in preventing rare yet costly disruptions and achieving more stable operational processes. Automation therefore evolves from a pure efficiency tool into a key instrument for risk management and service optimisation.

The economic success of automation is therefore reflected not only in reduced personnel costs, but above all in predictable processes, reliable services and higher customer satisfaction. A holistic view of ROI makes this value visible and supports well-informed investment decisions.

For more information and personalized advice, please feel free to contact us.