Open source management software, also known as enterprise resource planning (ERP), is software that helps manage businesses. This software is used to streamline business activities. It integrates multiple applications into one dashboard. This way, you can analyze your operations, production, sales and customer relations with the click of a button.
Never again will you need to be concerned about having to spend a fortune for online business software. This is because Open Source Software For Business Management has been created as the best alternative to the expensive proprietary software products which you will find in the stores. The benefits of using Open Source Software For Business Management are vast, and concisely listed below.
Odoo
Odoo combines project management, accounting, billing, inventory, manufacturing, and purchasing into one package. This is open-source and the different modules work together harmoniously. This ensures an efficient information exchange.
Odoo uses what they call ‘extensible architecture’, which allows the user to add different features according to their needs. This integrated software package is a little hard to set up and implement. It does contain a point of sales app, which makes it very practical for retail stores and restaurants.
Apache OFBiz
OFBiz is a Java-based multi-platform business package. It was developed by Apache Foundation. Its functionalities include accounting, CRM, enterprise, supply chain, and resource management.
The extensive online documentation and YouTube channel help the users get the best out of the software. Hence, it is a good choice for organizations with a small budget, or those that have customizability high on their priority list. It is compatible with any operating system that runs Java SDK, including Windows, Linux, OS X, and Unix.
iDempiere
iDempiere is a community-run project that finds its roots in ADempiere and Compiere. It contains CRM, ERP, and supply chain management solutions. It is a continuation of the iDempiere code but now includes the OSGi standards. It can handle multiple languages, currencies, accounting formats, organizations, so it’s a good option for international organizations with different sites.
The features offered include accounting, materials management, marketing, procurement, and sales. It is also Java-based but additionally requires PostgreSQL or Oracle databases. It is therefore compatible with Windows, OS X, and Linux.
OpenCart
OpenCart is a free and open-source shopping cart that is easy to set up. It is most suited for small and medium-sized shops. It manages orders and supports different payment options, either in-app or through extensions. It also allows customers to write product reviews and ratings. Support is provided through the OpenCart community.
OpenCart can manage various shop locations. It allows administrators to set rigorous user permissions for users and user groups.
PrestaShop
PrestaShop is a popular open-source eCommerce software option, due to its straightforward platform with many functionalities. It contains localization, marketing, product display, or export to eBay, taxes, and translation. Although the software is free to use, support and training are paid services.
Magento Community Edition
The Magento offers an Enterprise edition, which is a paid version, while the Community Edition is the free option. A customer can build his website using the Community edition, and then hire a web development team to customize it to the business’ needs. The community behind Magento is large with 200,000 users, so much support is available. However, the Enterprise edition is much more robust.
Open-Source ERP & CRM Software
Freshsales
Freshsales helps businesses with managing contacts and developing customer bonding strategies. Freshsales includes email marketing, integration management, lead management, and phone and email support.
Bitrix24 (Free and Open Source)
Bitrix24 is a top-rated free and open source business management software that provides you over thirty-five tools. These tools include task management, document management, customer relationship management, project, time, and project management.
You also can unleash various other advantages such as automation of the business process, invoicing, email marketing, and team collaboration. Also, there is HRMS, virtual PBX, company directory, shared calendar, etc., to streamline all your business activities.
Source: Bitrix24
Features
- Bitrix24 is a top business management tool that does not require any system administrator. It provides unlimited users and is known for user-friendliness.
- Bitrix24 supports both iOS and Android platforms.
- The client management feature allows CRM, sales automation, email marketing, virtual call center, and more.
- You can manage the projects through Gantt charts, to-do lists, planning the work, preparing the reports, etc.
- Manage your communications through social media platforms, online telephony, video conferencing, email server, group chat, etc.
- The software enables you to manage your workforce effortlessly with best-in-class features such as creating a company directory, work reports, approving leaves, etc.
Dolibarr (Free and Open Source)
Dolibarr is another viable option for the best free and open source business management software. The tool is used by all business organizations, including freelancers and startups, can implement and use it with ease. The software is a single and powerful web suite that helps to manage the entire business. The open source business management system allows you to incorporate features based on your specific business requirements. Also, there is the facility of upgrading the software anytime.
Dolibarr is one of the most user-friendly ERP and CRM tools, compatible with all platforms. It is also an extensible and customizable tool used by several developers.
Source: Dolibarr
Features
- The CRM and sales features include managing sales orders, customers, proposals, contracts, identifying opportunities, etc.
- You can also manage HR activities such as managing employees, leave requests, monitoring the timesheets, recruitment, and expense reports.
- Streamline your e-commerce business with features like CMS, POS, etc.
- Keep track of finance and billing.
- Marketing becomes more straightforward with emailing and surveys.
- Escalate productivity with improved task scheduling, planning, and proper execution of projects
- The software can be aligned with external tools and provides a module builder for the developers.
Axelor ERP (Free and Open Source)
There is one more option to choose from when you search for free and open source business management software. Yes, one is talking about Axelor ERP., which is known for its scalability, robustness, and best-in-class customization. It is a modular and smart business management solution that provides advanced business apps to streamline ERP, BPM, and CRM.
You can deploy this software tool both on the cloud and on-premise. It integrates with more than twenty-two tools that include purchase, sales, human resources, accounting, production, project, and more.
Source: Axelor ERP
Features
- The BMS, in combination with the ERP tool, helps to surge business productivity, optimize tasks, and minimize costs.
- Enhance customer experience and satisfaction level by automating the sales force and scalable CRM.
- Make changes with ease and keep track of business apps in real-time.
- Axelor also provides a wide range of tools, each of which can be installed and used separately.
- It offers intuitive design and simple navigation.
- Teams can interact with each other in real-time.
Apache OFBiz (Free and Open Source)
Apache OFBiz is a top-rated free and open source business management software extensively used across many industries. This tool provides a typical architecture that enables developers to add or extend custom features. The software application is powered by Java and a web-based framework, including a widget-powered user interface helping developers to create app prototypes with ease.
The software empowers business organizations with flexible and scalable ERP systems and CRM solutions. The open source nature allows you to make changes in business apps. The software is free for a lifetime. You need to download it.
Source: Apache OFBiz
Features
- Apache OFBiz provides an extensive array of modules that include accounting, CRM, order management, warehouse management, e-commerce, manufacturing, etc.
- Manage your product and catalog list with ease.
- Pricing and promotion management gets streamlined.
- Implement the tool to fulfill the supply chain management requirements.
- Manage payment, billing, and contracts quickly.
- The software is flexible, scalable, reliable, and customizable to help your business grow.
Odoo (Open Source)
Odoo is one of the top and extensively used open source business management tools to run any organization efficiently. It is simple and integrated with several apps. With Odo, you can find suitable software to streamline your business activities. For instance, you can look to escalate your sales, boost customer relationship management, and increase point of sale.
At the same time, you can even manage projects, employee timesheets, manage finance, invoice, billing, inventory, purchase, and much more.
The integration of various applications allows you to automate the business process.
Source: Odoo
Features
- The e-commerce app allows you to display the product catalog with viable descriptions easily.
- CRM provides real-time visual information regarding the next set of actions.
- Inventory management helps to minimize the process times and upgrade the stock levels.
- Automate the procurement process, track purchase orders instantly with the sync of purchase software.
- Odo manages all manufacturing operations efficiently.
- Easily manage all the HR-related activities.
- Track marketing campaign performance with top-rated software to upsurge the conversion rates.
OpenPro ERP(Open Source)
If you are searching for complete open source business management software that can control all vital business activities, then you can look forward to choosing OpenPro ERP. You can gain full control over enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management, human resource management, payroll, timesheet, e-commerce, etc.
In addition to these, OpenPro ERP also specializes in managing wholesale distribution, inventory control, supply chain, point of sale, and more.
Source: OpenPro ERP
- Business Management Software aligns with the ERP tool to streamline sales process orders, inventory, purchasing, etc
- Get job costs, ledger, and manage fixed assets, payroll, HRS, budget, and more with financial tools.
- Augment customer experience and satisfaction with CRM solutions.
- The manufacturing system deals with master production, scheduling, bills of materials, requirement planning, product routing, etc.
- Make your system user-friendly, simplify workflow management, communications, information management with the system management module.
- The e-commerce applications streamline business transactions and payment processing.
TaskJuggler
Easy to install and completely free, TaskJuggler offers a simplistic approach to complex projects. The project management tool comes with a set of libraries and command-line tools, capable of automatically planning individual tasks. It’s also particularly good at resolving conflicting situations, and you can enter specifications such as timelines for the project, resource assignment and a project budget.
It’s one of the more powerful software on the market, making it ideal for serious project managers. It includes a comprehensive range of features, including customisable reporting functions, cost and revenue planning and risk and communication management. The planning tools allow you to visualise a project before you begin and helps you map out the project based on time, cost and resources.
Freedcamp
One of the most popular and robust project management software systems is Freedcamp. It offers a responsive, intuitive and smooth design which allows for easy navigation between projects and tasks. You can share your calendar with other team members, track timings and issues and you can access it on the go. It also gives you the option to integrate your Google Calendar, Google Drive and Dropbox.
Freedcamp targets everyone, from serious businesses and companies to members of the public looking to plan a weekend break with friends. This accessibility is reflected in its user-friendly style and design. Freedcamp is used in some of the biggest companies in the world, including Deloitte, Apple and Google.
HelpDeskZ
This simple, streamlined software comes with an array of helpful functions, including a customisation feature which allows users to personalise their dashboards to display relevant processes and services. Another highly convenient aspect is HelpDeskZ’s automating pipelining function which helps with e-mail and messaging. Finally, its also multilingual, making it especially useful for international businesses.
OpenMAINT
If you’re looking to manage specifically movable assets, that’s to say buildings, plants, technical devices, furniture and other maintenance activities, then you should take a look at OpenMAINT. OpenMAINT is one of the sleeker asset management tools out there, with an intuitive and user-friendly user interface. The application helps you see, organise and update data related to the assets, so you can track scheduled maintenance, monitor spare parts in the warehouse, keep track of your maintenance budget and see how much you’re spending on energy costs.
OpenMAINT not only has the capacity to gather all this related information on the assets, but it can also analyse the data to generate customised reports. These reports are helpful for operations teams and management to make company decisions.
AssetTiger
One of the most accessible asset management software packages is AssetTiger, which you can use on the web, on a tablet or even on your mobile. You can, therefore, track your assets from anywhere, at any time. AssetTiger boasts a huge range of impressive features which puts it in the same league as many of its expensive proprietary counterparts. Categorisation functions mean you can quickly sort, track and manage your assets.
It’s also got a lot of scope when it comes to customisation. While an unlimited amount of users can access the account, it’s got the option to personalise the access permissions per user. You can also customise the asset logs to show different information. You can even set alerts on the account for assets that require maintenance, repairs or insurance renewals.
Ralph
Ralph is a more lightweight option, available under the Apache 3.0 license. It’s created using Django and Python, which allows for easy customisation to suit your own business’ needs. It combines the best features of DCIM, Asset Mgmt, and CMDB systems to create one, easy to use and well-integrated interface.
Using Ralph, you can keep track of assets purchases and use flexible flow systems to monitor the assets’ life cycle. This package is designed specifically for data centres and back offices and includes extra support for these.
ResourceSpace
This software specifically focuses on digital asset management. It’s sleek and customisable, meaning you can restyle and tailor the app to your business. One of its accessible features allows users to easily share files from one central hub among teams. Advanced privacy settings ensure that only the right people have access to the correct files and data.
Digital assets might include media assets, such as photos and high-definition videos. ResourceSpace allows you to easily manage, sort, archive and preserve collections of these digital assets from a range of sources and in a variety of document formats.
Conclusion
I am sure you don’t want to spend days searching for relevant open source software. This overview compares the best open source software in the area of business management software. Check out this guide to get an overview of alternative solutions which are rated according to user satisfaction, popularity, and other relevant criteria.