Why Open source ERP software is Gaining Popularity ?

Open source ERP software implementation is gaining huge popularity; the main reason for the same is the affordable pricing. Open source ERP software is much cheaper as compare to the proprietary software.  Further ERP is considered as one of the most important part of every organization to manage their business processes. Every organization cannot afford ERP systems from closed source such as SAP Oracle and so on. .  This is the main reason that organizations are opting for Open source ERP software.

Open source ERP software is available freely from the internet and can be downloaded within few clicks and can be installed on a server machine. Further Free is the term used for freedom of other cost and ease of installation if you are looking out for implementation you can hire vendors for the services who can mapped your organizational processes, hierarchy & other aspects into the ERP software.

Open source ERP softwareDo not that since the software is available freely it doesn’t mean of low value in terms of features – the features and capabilities of Open source ERP software is much way stronger than proprietary. There are community members who are contributing towards new ideas everyday to help various organizations. Same as Wikipedia users contribute to make the article stronger enough for the users.

Today many small and mid-sized businesses are opting to implement Open sources ERP software since it is less expensive and with Open source they can introduce technology in their organization. Apart from that there are no license fees for ERP users therefore it makes quite cost effective for huge organizations also.  Apart from the above customizations and integration with 3rd party tool add the advantage where organizations are opting for open source ERP software.

 Learn more about Odoo, an open source ERP platform.

ERP for Small & Mid Sized Business

ERP for SME

Before going into detail Explanation about ERP for SEM let’s see what is the base definition of ERP system?

What is an ERP system?

ERP or Enterprise Resource Planning system is defined as an integrated Business solution that offers a company with tools or modules which help to manage the decisions effectively. These tools offer you with the information of your organization as and when required in an easy way.

The above definition or explanation is very generic to simplify, An ERP system allows every individual to work more effectively; with the high degree of knowledge and responsiveness.

Why are ERP systems required?

Various departments work together to achieve organizational goals and “Change is the only thing which remains constant” Every moment changes in information appears and updated. It is difficult if one need to remember every change without the use of any software and therefore making the decision is also becomes difficult. Therefore ERP system helps you to make decision based on the current data and information updated in the software, which further helps you to make quick and effective decisions.

When you need an ERP system?

That is another important question asked by the decision makers in Organizations that when we require an ERP system in place? For this there are many reasons to consider an implementation of an ERP system some of them are:

  • Things are busy and slipping through the cracks
  • Poor Processes
  • Poor financial performances
  • Duplication of entries or mistakes in entries
  • No forecast plans in production or manufacturing
  • No evaluation tools for performance and so on . . .

Notes for Small and Mid-Sized Industry to remember:

SME or Small and Mid-sized businesses should remember that there are various aspects with respect to the implementation, some of them are the key people involved in the selection process of ERP system. Some of the thing before selecting the ERP system SME should remember is as follows:

  • ERP which is implemented should offer information as an when requiring in a timely manner
  • Increase of Productivity across various branches of the organization
  • Important people should be less busy after the implementation of ERP system
  • Flexibility in your Business process after ERP implementation is a key.
  • Vendor selection is an important aspect of the implementation
  • Proper improvement and communication at the bottom line after ERP implementation.

Facts: Many SME feels that ERP is a big investment for both times as well as money, and due to this many SME’s avoid switching or implementing ERP solutions. But the fact is that the longer they wait is higher the wasting your money and staff capabilities.

SME’s can implement ERP in various Phases or stages which will allow them to spread their cost in long run.  Apart from that, there are many solutions out there which allow you towards ERP implementation at a low cost. Some of them are best suited for SME’s are in Open source category – SME can take the initial advantage of Open source ERP and then can move to Big software as the organization grows.

If you have any questions or are interested in ERP implementation for your SME, let us know using our contact form. We’d be happy to help.

Social Media Integration with OpenERP Version 7.0

OpenERP Version 7.0 Introduction

Today no organization can neglect the power of social media in today’s business. Social Media is not just a way to connect with others but a lot more in terms of brand building, lead generation, customer relationship, PR, etc. OpenERP in its new version 7.0 has exactly given what it’s needed in the current scenario. OpenERP is now integrated with Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google +, Skype, Tumblr, etc.

OpenERP effectively integrates social media into your existing system and allows you to share documents, files and media with people all around the world. OpenERP understands the importance of social links and social feeds, which is why it can now be customized to enter social network details of your contacts and partners. With that in mind, it becomes easier to contact them through Skype, instant messaging, email, and other forms of communication.

When social communication is boosted, business naturally improves. It is no secret that social media has taken over the business world and businesses cannot simply use an ERP system without using social media. Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and other social networks can be integrated into OpenERP and when combined together, you will have a very powerful enterprise resource planning system in place. You will not only be able to contact your business partners and clients but will also be able to track their conversations which are public.

It is always easier to know what they like beforehand so that your communication is more effective. For instance, when you have access to a lead’s Twitter feed, you will know the likes and dislikes of that particular person. You can change your sales pitch to suit their tastes and effectively convert them into opportunities or better still, customers.

Business communication is often taken for granted even when companies assume they are taking it seriously. There is no way one can shift through various social feeds and contact details when your business grows. Using an ERP system like OpenERP becomes extremely important when it comes to business communication. With that in mind, OpenERP can be an effective tool to bring your email tools, social media, marketing campaigns, sales programs and client communication under a single umbrella. The resulting communication will be holistic and will satisfy not only you but also your prospective clients and customers.

In coming months, with more updates and more integration with social media OpenERP will over shine its competitors.

See screenshots of OpenERP 7.0 here.

Features of CRM in OpenERP

  • by bista-admin
  • Mar 06, 2013
  • 0
  • Category:

CRM in OpenERP

Customer Relationship management or Lead management software plays a very vital role in any organization since it allows you to track all your sales and leads pipeline to make powerful business decisions. In today’s cut-throat business competition customer are the keys who allows you with revenue, and providing proper service to them is again an important task of any organization.

In this post we will discuss about OpenERP CRM module which can help you to manage your client interactions, sales prospects, lead management in an efficient manner. Apart from that following are the important features which OpenERP CRM module supports for your client management.

Lead Management

One of the first basic features of OpenERP crm is lead management where you can manage all the leads by various users of your organization. You can further convert the lead into opportunity and as Account. Creating lead is simple with few steps.

Opportunities management

The leads which is converted are considered as important to track the sales pipeline of your organization. You can track the opportunities in various stages and can schedule meetings and phone calls related to the opportunities. Meetings Management

Meeting Management

With OpenERP CRM you can manage and schedule all your meetings with your client with single click of a button. Another good feature is that it allows you with an integrated Calendar.

Phone Calls Management

Another important module of OpenERP CRM is the Phone call management module where you can manage all your incoming and outgoing calls. You can even plan and schedule the calls to various clients.

After sales services

Support module of CRM within OpenERP allows you to help your customers with after sales services, some of the features of Support management is client claims management, resolutions management, helpdesk etc.

What’s more ? You can manage all your sales team divided into various zones such as countries, areas, client base etc. This helps to know about the future business your sales team would be closing and to plan your activities accordingly.

Interested in implementing CRM for your business? We’d be happy to answer your questions. You can contact us here.

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About Bista Solutions:

Bista Solutions is a dynamic software company providing world-class business solutions to a wide range of enterprises. Bista Solutions has presence in US & Canada with development center in India. We provide world-class consulting services at competitive prices. We have a number of years of expertise in analyzing the requirements of businesses and developing applications to meet their business needs.

Is Stock Management in OpenERP effective?

The stock management/warehouse management function is probably one of the most important modules in OpenERP. Specifically for manufacturing and eCommerce companies it helps streamline the business. The Stock Management module of OpenERP helps your organization in managing the inventory at various locations, which include locations internal to the organization and external locations such as that of customers & suppliers. The entire module is based on location hierarchy which makes the management of inventory highly efficient and convenient.

Location Management

Manage all internal as well as external locations of your organization with a click – create physical/virtual locations, manage delivery methods and pricelists according to each location, categorize them as warehouses, create and the entire location hierarchy.

Products

Use the product management module to add products and view their stock details in a single click. At any point of time, you may choose to view products at a single location by choosing the location from the location structure. These locations can be linked in order to define paths for movement of products.

Traceability

Tracking is possible with the help of concepts such as Tracking Lots and Production Lots. While tracking lots allow users to track a set of products, production lots are used to track a set of single product. Products are moved from one place to another several time before they reach their destination and OpenERP not only allows users to track (both upstream and downstream) every move of the product, but also provides them with the facility to view transactions of the past or transactions that are planned for future.

Automatic Procurements

Script minimum stock rules to avoid running out of stock at any point of time. Specify minimum and maximum stock levels that will ensure that your stock is automatically procured to keep up with your stock requirement. Purchase orders are generated automatically during such transactions.

Warehouse Management

Manage all your incoming products, internal moves, outgoing products and delivery orders. Incoming products are ones that are sent by suppliers on raising a purchase order. You also have the flexibility to manage back orders and reception of products by order lines. Internal moves represent movement of products within internal locations (generally warehouse) of your organization. You can define internal movements, create new transactions, approve such transactions for packing and track them till destination.

Outgoing products are orders that are moved from the warehouse to another location (for instance, delivery) on confirmation of sales orders. Delivery orders represent the final movement to the customer. You may choose to move your products to the customer in a single go or choose to do so by moving the product from stock to say, quality and further to the customer after confirmation.

The best part of using OpenERP warehouse management is that it can be integrated with other modules like Sales, Accounting, Logistics, etc. The Sales person knows whether the product is available or not, if yes then when can it be delivered. The accounts person knows when to order new raw materials and finally the logistic person knows where he has to ship with the exact number of quantity.

Want to implement inventory management for your business through Odoo (OpenERP)? Get in touch with us today.

OpenERP Human Resource Management Module – Features

Human Resource modules (HRM) – OpenERP

Employees are considered as one of the biggest assets of any company, A smooth and effective working of a company depends on its employees. In this post we will discuss how OpenERP Human Resource Management (HRM) module can help your organization to manage your resource properly. With OpenERP HRM you can manage all your staff working effectively and efficiently such as contracts, time management, skills management and other related activity.

OpenERP Human Resource Management (HRM) module is specifically crafted to meet the ever growing needs of your enterprise. This comprehensive module facilitates in managing your most crucial resource – people, in the most efficient manner, thus providing an ideal platform to manage your HR processes and align the same to your business goals.

Some of the key features which you can use out of OpenERP HR module:

  • Staff Management
  • Timesheet management
  • Contract management
  • Attendance Management
  • Leave Management
  • Department Management
  • Expenses Management
  • Staff Productivity
  • Recruitment management
  • Employee Evaluation management
  • Holiday Management
  • Payroll Management

For more information, contact us here.

OpenERP Magento Integration – Success

Does Magento work well with OpenERP?

That’s the biggest question any eCommerce vendor asks before selecting the ERP software. In the fast-growing eCommerce industry, the online merchant has many options when selecting eCommerce platforms such as Magento, Drupal, Zencart, OS commerce, etc. Our research (both primary & secondary) tells us that Magento is probably the best eCommerce platform available today.

Advantages of using Magento:

• Community: It’s big, it’s talented, and it’s growing fast.

• Support: Minimal for the free Community Edition (CE), but eBay did buy Magento as the eCommerce platform of choice for their forthcoming X commerce suite.

• Architecture: Although it may seem over-architected, never before we have worked with a system powerful enough to meet our every need. Magento is built to scale from 1 to a million, avoiding common pitfalls for developers. Code reuse, maintainability, debugging, support, etc. are all huge, expensive problems that e-commerce solutions providers must tackle. Magento makes them all a breeze.

• Out-of-the-box feature set: Magento handles concepts properly and in an organized manner. Stock Magento comes with Simple, Configurable, Grouped, Bundled, Virtual, and Digital Products. You can use it to sell amusement park tickets and digital music at the same time, without any extensions.

• Extensions: You knew it was coming. If Magento doesn’t already do it, you can easily find someone else who already has done it. 90% chance it’s already available and most of these extensions are very economical.

There are many more advantages, but I feel those are the highlights.

Integration of Magento with OpenERP helps the merchant to sell on different online platforms. Also, the eCommerce vendors can manage various stores with the help of one tool. Another significance of the integration of Magento with OpenERP for eCommerce merchants is that they can handle the same inventory for their different stores. OpenERP integration streamlines the business process for online merchants using the Magento platform.

All the orders on the Magento website can be processed within OpenERP thereby reducing the hassle. The Magento store is the face of your eCommerce while OpenERP acts as the backbone for the website.

Interested in Magento integration with OpenERP? Send us a message using our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

From Closed to Open Source ERP software

Are you using Closed source or Licensed ERP software in your organization?

Do you tend to implement costly tools for your business even you are a too young organization for the investment?

There are many ERP software which are costly some of the examples are  SAP, Oracle and Microsoft’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software specifically crafted for Small and Midsized Businesses.

As commonly known as proprietary or Paid software; SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft do implement ERP software for small & midsized companies but with the huge dent on their balance sheet. Being proprietary software there is the minimal scope or no scope of customization. The license fee is not just a one-time affair but it’s an ongoing one. The company has to pay Annual Maintenance fees and also yearly license fees.

Probably these are few reasons companies are looking out for more cost effective options like Open source ERP software for Small and Medium Size business. This will make a huge difference in the pocket of your organization since if you have a low budget you can opt to even test for your organization adaptation. There are many Open source ERP software available in the market and the leading one is OpenERP, Our research says that in 3 years time the number of downloads has been doubled with more than 3 version – Recent is OpenERP 7.0.

OpenERP provides ERP implementation that is known for its openness and cost effectiveness. The USP of OpenERP is its scope of customization. The user can customize it as per his requirement making it more effective and efficient than the other proprietary software. Also, OpenERP is backed by the strong community of developers; they have helped over the years to grow the community and keep it as open source.

Now a day’s companies are switching to OpenERP from their existing proprietary software just to reap the benefits of customization and cost effectiveness. Not only big corporations but also small & midsized companies are actively selecting OpenERP as their ERP tool. To summarize it, good software is the one which works according to you and not the other way round. Similarly, OpenERP works for you as per your needs and not the other way round as in a case of SAP, Microsoft, and Oracle.

If you’re interested in open source ERP software or have any questions, get in touch! You can reach us using our contact form.

What’s New in OpenERP 7.0 ?

OpenERP introduces 7.0

Being a SILVER partner of OpenERP it gives us pleasure to talk about the latest version of the renowned OpenERP software. OpenERP has come a long way from V 5.0 to the latest v 7.0. As open source software, it will see more upgrades in near future. The version 7.0 has some of the path breaking features which we have shared below:

Latest features in OpenERP 7.0

  • The new Point of Sale (POS) module comes with touch screen ability.
  • New Timesheets to keep track on multiple projects data entries through a single window
  • Integration with Google docs
  • Invoice as per the scenario i.e different invoicing as and when required
  • Account automatic reconcile
  • Multiple email configurations within one window. Receive alerts from the groups subscribed.
  • OpenERP alerts notification
  • All notes and tasks in one place
  • Manage and monitor tasks progress with colors
  • OpenERP v 7.0 will get long term support until v 9.0
  • Social Media integration with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google plus, etc

These are the few new features from the bunch of many new ones. Apart from this the existing modules/apps will work as they did before. See here for images.