If your small business is interested in discovering enterprise resource planning (ERP), you can always request a demonstration of the software system. You can also investigate open source ERP. Some small businesses are exploring this approach to enterprise software. Open source software can be gotten for free, or for a fee. A proprietary version, for example, would cost you. but a version of the software that offers no support may be offered for free. If you are tech savvy, you can also arrange to receive the enterprise code for free and then manipulate it as you wish.

ERP Software

Open Source ERP is in on the action

But, in order to do that, you would have to be pretty tech savvy or know someone who is. Open source software might work better for those in the architecture, software or engineering businesses. These are businesses they sometimes like to tweak the software or customize it to better suit their needs.

Configuring and manipulating software code takes knowledge and experience. So, if you are considering the open source approach, just be sure that you have the technical skills required to do so. There are many open source enterprise software vendors in the marketplace. ERP Vendors, such as Compiere, SugarCRM and Opentaps, are actively providing open source platforms to small businesses. There are open source packages available for accounting, manufacturing, supply chain management, distribution and customer relationship management, among others.

Businesses that go with open source are generally looking at experimenting with the software system to see how they can truly make it their very own. This involves re-writing or tweaking code in order to develop a personalized platform.

Customer relationship management is an area where increasingly companies are placing more emphasis. SugarCRM has a following for its customer management software because it gives businesses an opportunity to manipulate the software and fine tune it to meet their particular platform needs. CiviCRM offers packages for local governments. And Opentaps has an open source ERP enterprise platform that is designed for a broad range of management needs. Those going with open source usually have a specific reason for doing so. And, again, they are more technically inclined. This just goes to show how flexible this software system is and how easy it is for you to manipulate the code for your own unique purposes.

If you are going to need support or a lot of hand holding, then open source is not for you. But, just as with commercial ERP, you can get a demo of the software and make comparisons. Take your tech specialist along with you so that he can explain what you are seeing and answer questions relative to utilizing the software. Vendors will also have questions for you. They will want to know that you understand what you’re getting and what your responsibilities may be. in regards to how you purchase or receive the software.

Open source ERP isn’t for everyone. But those who seek it out do so for a purpose. Look into it and see how it might work for your business. You may be able to get it for nothing, but be prepared.