Device for producing and further processing slabs of a metal, preferably steel, which comprises: a continuous casting device which is equipped to produce at least one cast strip (S) and to transport it in a transport direction (T); a cutting device which is arranged behind the continuous casting device as seen in the transport direction (T) and is equipped to cut the cast slab (S) into slabs ; at least one first route (R1) and second route (R2) which at least in sections implement different process lines for further processing of the slabs ; a process management system equipped to make, in dependence on at least one measured or computed process variable, a route decision which is individual to slab and which assigns to the respective slab one of the several routes (R1, R2) and causes further processing of the corresponding slab along the assigned route (R1, R2); and a furnace , preferably a walking beam furnace, which is arranged behind the cutting device as seen in the transport direction (t) and is equipped to heat the slabs to a reshaping temperature suitable for reshaping of the slabs in a reshaping unit, preferably a rolling mill , wherein the first route (R1) is arranged to insert the corresponding slab into the furnace substantially directly after cutting by the cutting device so that the corresponding slab is inserted at a surface temperature of 600° C or more into the furnace , and the second route (R2) is arranged to feed the corresponding slabs after cutting by the cutting device to a slab store for intermediate storage, wherein in addition a heating device arranged to preheat slabs , which have undergone cooling-down in the slab store , to a temperature of 600° C or more is provided. a continuous casting device which is equipped to produce at least one cast strip (S) and to transport it in a transport direction (T); a cutting device which is arranged behind the continuous casting device as seen in the transport direction (T) and is equipped to cut the cast slab (S) into slabs ; at least one first route (R1) and second route (R2) which at least in sections implement different process lines for further processing of the slabs ; a process management system equipped to make, in dependence on at least one measured or computed process variable, a route decision which is individual to slab and which assigns to the respective slab one of the several routes (R1, R2) and causes further processing of the corresponding slab along the assigned route (R1, R2); and a furnace , preferably a walking beam furnace, which is arranged behind the cutting device as seen in the transport direction (t) and is equipped to heat the slabs to a reshaping temperature suitable for reshaping of the slabs in a reshaping unit, preferably a rolling mill , wherein the first route (R1) is arranged to insert the corresponding slab into the furnace substantially directly after cutting by the cutting device so that the corresponding slab is inserted at a surface temperature of 600° C or more into the furnace , and the second route (R2) is arranged to feed the corresponding slabs after cutting by the cutting device to a slab store for intermediate storage, wherein in addition a heating device arranged to preheat slabs , which have undergone cooling-down in the slab store , to a temperature of 600° C or more is provided. <EOS>