Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) integrates different software applications in a company to ensure internal communication and improve manufacturing productivity or management efficiency. It can be part of a company’s whole management system that combines customer relationship management (CRM) software, supply chain management, human resources (HR) management, project management (PM), or Business Intelligence (BI) software.
Best EPR Services Solutions for Manufacturing and Accounting Systems
ERP originated from MRP (Material Requirements Planning or Manufacturing Resource planning) and CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing) systems. Big software companies mainly focus on the EPR implementation of complex manufacturing projects. Their solutions include Infor ERP Baan, IFS ERP, QAD ERP, SAGE Pro ERP, mySAP ERP, Oracle PeopleSoft ERP, SSA ERP, IBM ERP, SAP Business Suite, etc.
For example, Infor ERP Baan, formerly Baan ERP, is a fully integrated manufacturing ERP solution for big companies in industries such as equipment and machinery, high-tech electronics, component producers, commercial aerospace, and ship building. It helps manufacturing companies lower their costs of stocks, assembling, orders, technology management, etc.
Sometimes commercial ERP developers also provide free editions or free-trial editions. For example, Tally ERP 9.0 provides a free educational edition and a free trial edition for users.
Best Free and Open Source ERP Software Comparison and Reviews
Proprietary ERP software can be too expensive for small or medium business owners. On the other hand, there are a lot of free and open source ERP projects available for download in Internet. They can be simple, easy and small ERP solutions:
- Compiere is free and open source business ERP software. It integrates functional features such as order management, supply and inventory management, and accounting. Compiere can be used as retail ERP.
- Openbravo is a professional web-based online open source ERP solution and package. It is easy-to-use and provides ERP modules and packages such as integrated accounting, sales management, CRM solutions, procurement, inventory, manufacturing and production, and customer support service management, and project management. Openbravo can be used as an apparel, garment, food, and textile ERP for free.
- BlueErp is web-based online PHP ERP accounting freeware for sales management of small and medium business. It provides ERP modules and features such as double entry accounting, sales order management, analytical accounting, accounts receivable, user defined sales analysis, purchase orders, accounts payable, recurring invoices, inventory management, and general ledger.
- Opentaps is an open source business ERP application that provides functions such as inventory accounting, order management for warehouse and business management.
- OpenERP is open source ERP software that integrates the functions of CRM and SRM, human resources, project management, accounting and finance, logistics, etc.
- Other top best free and open source ERP software systems include CK-ERP, Keen CRM/ERP, Jazz ERP, Adempiere, Dolibarr, Postbooks, SQL-Ledger, ERP5, Fedena, GNU Enterprise, JFire, Kuali Foundation, LedgerSMB, OFBiz, Tryton, WebERP, etc.
Free and open source ERP provide cheap and good computer management and accounting solutions for small or medium companies to operate efficiently at low cost. But these companies should consider ERP integration with their existing management programs to avoid ERP failures.
Related articles:
- Best Open Source ERP Software Systems 2011 Reviews
- ERP Costs and Prices Comparison and Reviews
- Free and Open Source CRM Software: Best Customer Tracking and Contact Management Solutions
- Best Free Project Management Software: Open Source Project Planning Tools Comparison
Chen Nanyang - Chen Nanyang's journalist career began in 2002 when he started writing for China's Nanfang City News, Singapore's United Morning Post and ...
