In the workplace-business environment, the best solutions are always sought for the management of the various company branches and there are complex and very expensive programs to do even simple operations. We are therefore not talking about companies like Enel or Poste Italiane which can afford to buy the more expensive business management and management software configured by professional consultants, but of medium-small companies where SAP-like programs could become boomerangs that lead to heavy investments . The point is that there are completely free open source programs and software that can do the same things as commercial ones that require, as a single investment, the human one in the sense of studying the product and adapting to the specific business reality.
After having therefore seen some management programs and software aimed at economic balance sheets and money movements, we see here some of the best free and open source software for companies and business management .
The categories in which these programs enter are those of Business management including: Accounting or Accounting, CRM / ERP, Document Management, Project Management, E-Commerce and Human Resources . Their common feature and modernity lies in their easy implementation and integration also as web applications .
For the Accounting or Accounting branch we have two free software reports:
1) CRM Postbooks is a complete accounting solution that includes GL, AR, AP (they mean the financial terms Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger), financial reporting and inventory management. CRM PostBooks allows you to easily create supplier offers and orders for each customer, define and catalog products and inventory for multiple locations, and create work orders or create customizable reports. Among other things there are also the management of bills of materials, transactions, movements of materials, accidents or support calls (Incident Management) and a series of warehouse operations.
2) Free Invoice Programs, to generate invoices, receipts, declarations, estimates, and quotes with ease. Basically it is a tool on a web interface enhanced by the presence of a database that preserves the history and keeps track of products, customers, creditors, taxes and types of payment. There are three types of invoice: a detailed invoice that allows you to specify the quantity and type of objects, one that only requires a description of the services and the gross amount, and an invoice for consultancy. Once an invoice is generated, it can be exported in several formats, including PDF, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel or HTML.
For CRM / ERP we see 5 programs that I describe very quickly for synthesis needs.
1) Compiere is an application platform (MDA) that gives full freedom to customize the application in a way that adapts to the business reality in which you are located. You can easily modify the underlying database tables and the user interface without the need for programming and code.
2) OpenERP (ex TinyERP) is one of the most popular ERP suites in the world, which has capabilities ranging from CRM to accounting with over 200 functional modules to extend its possibilities.
3) Openbravo is an advanced web-based and Open Source management tool that allows complete control over the data of all sectors of the organization. A program that can be easily integrated with other business applications.
4) SugarCRM is a suite of Customer relationship management (CRM) programs with included project management tools all together in one package. SugarCRM offers powerful control over business relationships and has no use limitations making it good for both small and large companies. You can plan and manage sales, marketing, customer service, internal communications and more, using a customizable panel.
5) vTiger combines excellent CRM software with ease of use that greatly reduces the learning curve of this type of product.
It is publicly considered a suite to be mandatory for every small and medium-sized company.
For Document Management, document management and repository creation we have 2 programs:
1) Knowledge Tree Document Management to monitor, share and collaborate on document resources and for communication between employees.
2) OWL instead is a multi-user repository for documents and the publication of files / documents on the web suitable for companies, small businesses, a group of people, or simply for personal use.
For the management of human resources :
1) OpenHRM, free and open source, the most popular solution for managing a company's workforce, starting with hiring processes, taking into consideration the entire work management cycle.
2) TimeTrex is a Web-based tool for managing payments and working time.
For Project Management we had actually already seen free perlando Microsoft Project software and alternatives.
On this occasion, for integrated and multi-user solutions, we mention two other software: Dot Project and Gantt Project
Really, given the prolonged period of crisis and given that many companies end up cutting in the workforce, it would be better to try to save on management tools and software since you can and since the power of the open source is absolutely not less than that of programs celebrated as market leaders.
