The 5 Best Open Source ERP Software To Run Your Business

ERP definition

An  ERP  ( Enterprise Resource Planning , or  PGI  in French, for  Integrated Management Software ), is a tool that facilitates and unifies the management of the company.

ERPs have 2 advantages:

• uniqueness : all  the  functionalities necessary for business management are grouped together in  a single software , which includes independent but complementary modules that can be linked. This “all-in-one” is the strength of ERPs , since the company is no longer obliged to resort to different programs or services in order to manage the multiple departments of its activity.
• customization  : the other strong point of  ERPs  is their  ability to adapt to customer needs . A company, in fact, has its own expectations and requirements. ERPs contain ready-to-use modules, but which will gain in efficiency when they are personalized according to the profile and qualities of the client and his company.

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Please note: this personalization can be carried out by oneself or subcontracted by service companies that use free downloadable software and offer paid services to customers.

The example of the company LocalHost Digital is rather particular. LocalHost Digital , in fact, is an SME that develops tailor-made software for business management . At the same time, it offers its services and expertise in the integration of Open Source ERP.

Using the software requires attention and skills that not all entrepreneurs have (or time for training and self-learning that they cannot afford). LocalHost Digital offers them various services to assist them and offer them formulas that perfectly match the needs of their business: software implementation, customization, maintenance, assistance, repair and update services.

Free ERP and Paid ERP

We tend to believe that the difference that separates  open source  ERP from proprietary ERP is that the software is free.

It’s wrong.

An open source ERP is an ERP whose code is open (ie free to access and modifiable by users). Proprietary ERP, on the other hand, is locked, and only the manufacturer can change the code.

There are free proprietary ERPs, just as there are paid open source ERPs . What really separates them is  the openness of the code  : proprietary software is closed, while open source (as the name suggests) is open.

Always free, ERP?

“Mixed” versions are also available on the market. For example, Odoo 9 has an open and free “Community” version, as well as an “Enterprise” version, which is still open but paid.

Proprietary ERPs like CloudKit, SAGE, Microsoft Dynamics or Navision, on the other hand, are chargeable. They are under copyright license, in other words, you cannot touch their code (nor study it, improve it or distribute it), and by buying them you acquire  the right to use them, not to modify them .

	Coded	Software
open-source ERP	open	free or paid
Proprietary ERP	firm	free or paid

The 5 free ERPs that we are going to present to you are downloadable on the web, and will allow you to significantly increase the performance of your company, whether small or large.

Dolibarr

Dolibarr is undeniably one of the best developed and most complete free and open source ERPs on the market.

Downloadable for free on the net, it is mainly aimed at  companies, self-employed entrepreneurs and associations .

Note that it is also found in solutions called “ready to use” in the cloud.

Dolibarr’s motto is its 3S  formula  :

•  Simple to install
•  Simple to develop
•  Simple to use

Free and simplicity, 2 watchwords of Dolibarr open source ERP

Like Odoo, it offers a  complete list of modules  for business management:

• customer directory
• bank account management
• business management
• inventory management
• invoice management
• project management
• diary
• etc

Note that if you are looking for an online hosting specially adapted and optimized for Dolibarr with an outsourcing service, we advise you to look at  Dolisim from Simafri .

OpenConcerto

OpenConcerto is one of the free ERPs that can also be downloaded from the web.

It adapts to small and large companies, and, for the latter, includes modules for multi-company management and for the traceability of all movements (entries, exits, internal transfers, for example, of company assets from one warehouse to another).

The software includes the components:

• business management
• accounting
• paid
• points of sale

It allows you to manage quotes, invoices, orders, delivery notes, and gives an overview that takes into account items, customers, suppliers, orders, sales, purchases and stocks.

For its accounting component, Dolibarr immediately includes French standards, which avoids double entries.

neogia

Among the free ERPs, Neogia was designed to meet the specific needs of SMEs and SMIs (Small and Medium Industries).

It includes the following apps:

• financial management software 
• software to manage  logistics collaboration  (with production and distribution management)
• a  CRM  or customer relationship management software (with, included, marketing, sales management and after-sales service)

Neogia is built as a web server: it is easily accessible and installable via the intranet.

This ERP also has an e-commerce module that allows you to create a merchant site.

OFBiz

OFBiz, in our 5 free ERPs classified here, in addition to being a complete, open source and free ERP, has a notable feature: it is  only managed by an international community of users  ! Mainly in Germany, Thailand, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy and France (in connection with Neogia).

Individuals and companies ensure its improvement and development (and not a single company, as in the case of other ERPs), which is undoubtedly not to displease the founder of free software, Richard Stallman, when we know how the concept of freedom is dear to him…

OFBiz, an ERP managed by the international community!

Just as complete as in other open source ERPs, the functionalities of OFBiz are as follows:

• CRM
• Accounting
• eCommerce (electronic commerce)
• Supply chain management
• Requirements planning
• Computer-aided maintenance management (for enterprise architecture)
• Project management
• Human Resources Management
• Marketing
• Point of sale
• Content management

OFBiz can be used by small businesses (simple management of a catalog of items) as well as by large groups (international shipping, eCommerce sites, etc.), which makes it a very flexible community management tool.

Odoo, a free ERP that is no longer popular

Open source and free ERP, Odoo offers the most efficient and simple open source business management solution on the market.

With an intuitive interface, it fulfills all the functions of an ERP, from sales management to customer relations, including human resources management, accounting and finance.

Regarding its freeness, you should know that until Odoo 8, the software was completely free. With the release in October 2015 of Odoo 9, the software now offers 2 versions:

•  a “ Community ” version, which is free and downloadable for free. Version already complete in itself.
•  an “ Enterprise ” version, which is free and paid. It features new modules and extensions; note that some modules, formerly free, have become chargeable in version 9.

Odoo 9 now offers a paid Enterprise version

In summary, Odoo is still one of the free ERPs, but you must be sure to check beforehand whether the functionalities you need have not been transferred to the Enterprise version.

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The N°1 Digital Transformation Agency LocalHost Digital is at your disposal for all your projects. Our Digital Agency specializes in the Development and Integration of Digital Solutions for Companies (ERP, CRM, Commercial Management, Dedicated Solutions, etc.), the Creation of Professional Websites , the Development of Web and Mobile Applications , the Development of Business applications, Digital Marketing , as well as in Graphic Design and Practical Training in the various Digital professions . We are a  Digital Transformation Company which stands out for its wide range of services and creative strategies, but above all for the quality of our achievements. We support and educate our customers so that they get the most out of the solutions we build with them.

We publish and integrate software solutions designed to simplify and optimize the management of specific businesses and activities:

Take advantage of the promotion to launch your professional website

We are specialists in the Creation of Professional Websites with several years of experience serving companies and individuals around the world. Consult our achievements by CLICKING HERE

Some Recent Achievements of LocalHost Digital: Best Web and Digital Agency in Cameroon