ERP, or enterprise resource planning, is a holistic software suite used to manage a business’s operations. An ERP is meant to integrate many company systems to increase efficiency and productivity. Investing in a robust ERP system is a time-consuming and costly process. As a result, many businesses have to change their internal workflow and business processes to implement ERP. Despite the high cost and lengthy implementation process, companies must select the appropriate open source ERP software to automate processes and boost productivity.

Custom ERP System Implementation Plan by Pegas Technology Solutions

At Pegas Technology Solutions, we have a team of professionals with extensive knowledge, experience, and expertise in ERPnext, Odoo ERP, Fectra ERP, and Prosper ERP modification, enabling us to create customized ERP solutions at a low-cost development cost and with less risk. We’ve been delivering ERPNext, Prosper ERP, and other custom solutions to small and medium businesses for years, assisting them in maximizing their business’s profitability.

This blog will cover all you need to know about the open source ERP system and how it works. Additionally, we will examine some of the top open source ERP software currently available on the market.

What is Open Source ERP?

In comparison to proprietary software, open-source enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems provide greater control and flexibility. Due to the lack of source code in proprietary software, customers must rely entirely on the vendor’s offers or pay a premium for unique features. However, customers of open source ERP software have access to the source code and can alter it to match their own needs.

Open-source enterprise resource planning software has a lower total cost of ownership. Additionally, ERP software is available to the general public (with some catches). There is, however, no licensing fee, and users of the open source ERP system have free access to the source code. The majority of credible and established open source ERP vendors charge an additional cost for ancillary services such as hosting, support, and enhanced capabilities (more on this later).

Pros and Cons

Open source ERP — software that is freely available, adaptable, and publicly accessible – sounds like a dream. While it undoubtedly has numerous advantages, it also has drawbacks. We’re going to discuss and explain the advantages and disadvantages of open source ERP software below.

Pros

Low Cost

As indicated previously, there are no license fees associated with the source code download. As a result, self-hosting your open source ERP system without vendor support is entirely free. For those who dont want to manage their system altogether, a vendor offering software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions can be found. They are typically billed monthly, and the cost will vary depending on the services you choose and the number of users.

Highly Scalable

When defining your requirements for ERP software, it’s critical to consider the future state of your buisness. This is because adding features or the number of users in the future can cost development or reimplementation if you didn’t select the right open source ERP from the start. Our personal favorite is ERPNext. It works with most size businesses. However, because an open-source system is scalable, a growing organization can adjust to its ERP system as needed.

Access to Open Source Communities

Numerous open-source platforms are backed up by solid user communities – support that is both experimental and transparent. Open source might be an attractive option for IT workers that enjoy being engaged in this environment. These communities are well-known for their rapid response to system faults, the sharing of pre-built customizations or modules, and much more.

Cons

Requires Knowledgeable IT Team Or and Open Source ERP Consulting Company

With an open source ERP implementation, you take on the role of the project’s software specialist. This obligation is a significant obstacle, and it might instantly dissuade businesses lacking tech-savvy personnel from giving these solutions a try.

Overly Complex

By their very nature, all ERP implementation projects are challenging, but open-source implementations can seem overly complex. Without a clear plan in place, available adaptations can quickly spiral out of control and become unproductive.

Potential for Increased Risk

Today, highly established and financially solid open-source software vendors are few on the market. Some may view working with startups as a commercial risk.

The 6 Best Open Source ERP Software Systems For 2021

ERPNext

ERPNext powered by Frappe Technologies is a free and open-source comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. It is developed using JavaScript and a Python-based server-side framework. Pegas Technology Solutions Maintains a fork at Prosper ERP that is focused on USA Market and it is our most recommended ERP system. 

The quickly gains popularity among its users because of its adaptable and straightforward interface. It enables the management of inventory across various warehouses. This intelligent ERP solution allows you to manage your factory setup, client relationships, and other business operations.

Key Features:

• Simple setup system with a simple wizard-style interface—rapid, adaptable, and scalable
• manage several user roles concurrently
• Using forms available in 70 different languages, collect information about your business.
• Additionally, you can tailor the system to your specific business requirements.

Dolibarr

Dolibarr ERP is an Open Source business management software suite designed for small, medium, and big businesses, freelancers, and foundations. It began in 2002. Dolibarr is written in PHP and utilizes databases from PostgreSQL, MariaDB, and MySQL.

However, the user interface of this system may not appeal to you as much in today’s world. However, you find its capabilities beneficial to your company. Dolibarr has modules for managing customer relationship management (CRM), sales, logistics, inventory, projects, invoicing, accounting, human resources, and manufacturing, among others.

Key Features:

• intuitive and straightforward UI distributed under the GPL3 license flexibility to enable only the features you require
• The cross-platform (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and the web-based program is highly adaptable or modular.
• Additionally, it features an app store. You can get applications from there to enhance its functionality. Additionally, you may view its source code on GitHub.

Axelor ERP

Axelor ERP is one of the most feature-complete open source ERP systems available on the market, with over 20 components. All of the system’s modules include an intuitive and engaging interface, making it easy for workers to take advantage of the system’s benefits. The interactive interface of Axelor ERP is also referred to as one of the most intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, which sets the system apart from its competitors.

Key Features:

• Accounting Sales Cash management Stock Invoices, and Others

Metasfresh

Metafresh is a Java-based Open Source Software suite that was forked from ADempiere. It is adaptable to shifting market conditions. Recently, it began offering sophisticated quality assurance, warranty, training, and planning services. They are devoted to maintaining a modern and straightforward codebase.

It is compatible with Linux, Windows, OS X, Android, and iOS. It is distributed under the GPLv2/GPLv3 license. The source code is available under the GPLv2 license on GitHub, while the cloud version is licensed under the GPLv3.

Key Features:

• For self-hosted customers, the service is free.
• simple to adapt to changing client needs
• accessible via the Java, JavaScript, XML, and SQL programming languages
• Profitable for small and medium-sized businesses, transparent, and provides an excellent chance for innovation

Odoo

Odoo is an open-source enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) solution. It has a robust technical architecture that functions seamlessly with all applications—initially launched in 2005. Python is used to write the source code. While the system is published under the GPL 3 license, it also includes a proprietary SaaS (software as a service) model for individuals who prefer to pay directly for the service.

Odoo provides many user-friendly applications like customer relationship management, accounting, invoices, website builder, eCommerce, email marketing, project management, and inventory management.

Key Features:

• deliver an easy-to-use interface
• comparable to Google Drive
• provides an intuitive and modern user interface on which to work
• supports third-party applications built by members of the Odoo community

Flectra

Flectra, our newest solution, combines the functionality of ERP and CRM software. Since its launch in 2016, this system has gained popularity, with many users stating that Flectra is exceptionally user-friendly. It was created using Python and the Postgresql database framework.

The package contains CRM, purchasing, content management, project management, inventory management, point of sale, support, accounting, and human resources, among others. It is offered for on-premises self-hosting or as a SaaS solution.

The Conclusion

This finishes our list of open source enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. We hope this post helped you gain a better knowledge of the open source ERP market. To choose which ERP system is best for you, begin by figuring out the requirements of your business needs. Once you’ve defined your requirements for a system, you can utilize our complimentary pricing guide to delve deeper into the software decision process.

Therefore, if you haven’t previously implemented an ERP system, now is the time to invest in a dependable and completely open source ERP system that will enable you to stay ahead of the competition. If you are looking for assistance in deploying an ERP system for your business, contact us today. We can help you with ERP development. Customization services.