Why SME’s & SMB are Selecting Open Source ?

Enterprise Resource planning – ERP software used by big organization to manage their business process and to gain competitive edge in the business area. Any ERP software is selected to streamline their internal business processes. But now the focus of an ERP software implementation is changing from big organization to small and mid sized companies or SMB’s. Previously this was not the case with SME’s as any ERP implementation required heavy investment, time, effort money and due to high risks

Today SME’s are implementing ERP  and business software to gain the advantages of a Proper enterprise resource planning tool and this is because of Open source ERP  software available in the market easily with different modules to start with. Open source ERP software is attracting small and medium sized enterprises to implement ERP solution to manage their business. Another part is lots of ERP vendors started implementing ERP solutions for SME & SMB as the market is huge.

Let’s have a look on the most powerful points where SME are opting for Open source ERP solutions for their businesses.

Costing : One of the most important factors affecting SME to opt for Open source ERP software is the cost. As Open source allows you free code and installation and the company doesn’t have to pay heavy software licence fees every year, which was one of the case with the proprietary ERP software. Hence being costing is one of the factor and Open source ERP doesn’t involve any license fees and maintenance cost.

Easy and quick implementation : As being open to the community and lots of implementation material available online it get easy to implement open source ERP  with the help of technical team, SME’s can also opt for vendor implementation options if require.

Flexible: Another important point of selecting Open source ERP  software is the flexibility and customization ability in the tool, which is very difficult with the proprietary software and that too it involves high investment for certain customization.

Freedom: Open source provides you with the freedom, freedom from the vendor locking, freedom from licensing and so on. The source code of the Open source ERP software is with the client where he can modify in further future and can take support from the vendor whenever necessary.

Training and support: The support and bug fixing gets easy as communities are open to help for the bug fixing part; also the training after the implementation is minimal as compare to the Proprietary

We have covered some of the advantages on why SME’s are opting for open source ERP software but there are disadvantages too if not selected properly. It is necessary for an SME to do a proper study of their business processes before selecting Open source ERP package accordingly. There are lots of Open source ERP software available in the market some of them are OpenERP , OpenBravo, Compiere and so on. . Normally open source ERP software are targeted to those companies whose needs are not covered by the normal ERP  software available in the market and organization whose processes are not standard

How long does it take to implement OpenERP?

This post is specifically posted for those who are looking out for implementing OpenERP for their organization.

Time is one of the most important factors in implementing any Business software. OpenERP being Open source and modular in nature takes various timeline towards the implementation. Let’s divide the implementation strategies in various group to understand the timeline for OpenERP

OpenERP implementations with default modules available can take somewhere 2 months time again as we said it depend on business to business and case to case basis.

Another part of OpenERP implementation is the customization part – this is one part where the estimation is solely depend on the modification you want to do in the tool to match your requirements. Sometime there might be all modules you implemented need customization and sometimes there are few.

There further more features of OpenERP implementation such as creating the workflows, hierarchy, users, training, bug fixing, testing, uploading on client server, and again testing etc. considering all these points a normal OpenERP implementation minimum take 2 months of time (again as i said depending on case to case basis)

If you need a proper timeline for OpenERP implementation for your organization you can contact us on sales@bistasolutions.com

OpenERP partners if you feel there is difference in your timeline towards implementation of OpenERP kindly comment.

Why eCommerce merchants should implement ERP

implement ERP

An ERP solution today is considered as one of the most powerful transformation in IT industry and it is used by many organizations. There are many exclusive advantages of using ERP solutions for an organization one of them are proper management of your business processes.

Today online & eCommerce are rising at a higher rate as customers consider shopping online rather visiting virtual shops. Online purchasing provide many advantages to people some of them are wide range of products online available, best prices from different stores and less travel time to virtual shop.

There is not only online shops based on Magento, Prestashop platform but they also take the advantage of other online platforms for selling their products and services such as eBay.com, Amazon.com, buy.com etc. eCommerce merchant sell similar products on these multiple platform in relation to that they also use shipping services such as FedEx, UPS, USPS to name few.

Integration of Online stores with different online platforms help eCommerce vendors to manage various stores with the help on one tool; An ERP integration with these online stores with the ERP system helps the enhancement of the performance of each platform. Another significance of and ERP for ecommerce merchants they can handle same inventory for their different stores.

Also ERP system helps the ecommerce merchants to see the sales order coming and other business process such as inventory management to handle them effectively and efficiently. Any Ecommerce merchant who doesn’t have virtual stores must implement ERP system integrated with their various e stores to ease their online operations.

Book your free Open Source ERP Demo today!

open source erp

Open Source ERP today called as Odoo ERP is the best ERP for any business with its vast inbuilt custom based apps. From ERP to CRM, eCommerce to CMS, Manufacturing to Supply chain open Source ERP (Odoo) covers all in its community as well as in enterprise version. Open Source ERP has brought tens of thousands of developers and customers to portal and have upgraded to the level where Odoo has become one of the best and most preferred ERP by all industries. You can find Open Source ERP Demo & download link here as well as you can download it from Odoo web portal.

Some the in-built Open Source ERP (Odoo) Apps:

                    SALES APPS                                                                            FINANCE APPS

Odoo CRM Odoo POS Odoo sales Odoo subscription                       Odoo Accounting Odoo Invoicing   Odoo Expenses

         

OPERATIONS APPS                                                                                MANUFACTURING APPS

Odoo Inventory    Odoo project    Odoo timesheets  Odoo Purchase                Odoo MRP  Odoo PLM   Odoo Quality

Some of the Open Source ERP benefits include;

  1. In-depth Customization: With its in-built 35+ applications and 200+ customized applications, open source ERP has become the most customized and suited ERP with maximum number of applications available.
  2. Scalable: Open Source ERP is easily scalable and can be frequently upgraded with no disruption. With growth in business & increased users, many companies realize that upgrading the software is costly and time consumable but with the open source ERP you can update user base with least implementation.
  3. Lower Costs: Open Source ERP (Odoo) implementation costs lower than any other main frame ERP’s. It is available in both versions Community & Enterprise, where community version is free and is good for the small scale companies with very less operations. Enterprise version suits best to the businesses with medium size operations.
  4. Demo Easily Accessible: Open Source ERP demo is easy accessible and available to download. Companies can access Open Source ERP Demo to test it at their own speed and discretion.

In case you looking for an open source ERP demo or implementation, we  Bista Solutions are the best Odoo ERP (Open Source ERP) gold partner with more than 250+ implementations across different industries. To book your free Demo contact us by filling the form.

Web based ERP v/s server based ERP

Any web based ERP solutions or business software provide advantage to Small and Mid-sized business. Being the world is connected through internet communications for every time, web based ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software provide you with real time information about the sales, purchases, employee, finances etc. It increases the business cycles and improves the level of services to the customers, suppliers and your external partners. It also helps you to increase the productivity of your business.

Let’s have a small example: A sales man moves from office for sales meeting. After client meeting, he/she gets to know the lead can be converted into a customer for future. With online ERP logins available the sales person can feed the information through the internet connectivity from his Smart phone, or laptop. This provides a real time data input on the CRM (Sales management) part to plan for future for Higher Management.

It not only helps in sales but one can manage their suppliers, partners, bill payments, shipping information etc through the web base ERP software.

Another advantage of a web based Enterprise Resource Planning solution is that there is no need to install the software on every machine, in addition to that it help you in quick data entering in the software. Whereas on server based solutions you have to install on every machine and data entering process is slow if the movement of employee is high.

Do check out our next post  tomorrow on the Demo links for One of the leading Open source web based ERP software.

ERP systems can improve business performance

erp systems

Enterprises Resource Planning (ERP) solution is considered as one of the most integrated solutions which help you to integrate all your different business processes in one single login quickly and effectively.

So what are the points where an ERP system help an organization to improve their effectiveness in the business so let’s have an example, Whenever a customer place an order with you the customer representative take customer order. In this case with an ERP system the customer representative have all the necessary information to make quick completion of the order. And when the order is completed ERP helps it to move the order to the next process or to the department automatically.

Whenever any department require the information on this particular order they can fetch easily by just login into their ERP system. This helps in quick movement of customer order completion and increase the reputation of your organisation with zero errors.

This was just a single part of advantage with ERP system implementation similarly ERP system helps in different process of your warehousing processes, Manufacturing processes, Accounting processes etc. It help both the organization also and the customers plus the stake holders to generate the reports and information as an when require.

Let’s have a look on the points where an ERP system can improve the Business performance:

  • ERP software integrates and automates all your business process and provide you with the information in real time which improve the customer services.
  • It helps in different functional areas such as sales, accounting, finance management, human resource, purchases etc. This facilitates the information from all the departments.
  • ERP systems not only provide integration across departments but also for your sister concern business. It allows you multi company management.
  • ERP solutions can also be used for better project management
  • ERP system not only helps you in current issues but also helps you in the improvement of your business process continuously for further future.
  • ERP system helps your employee to take better decision and improvement in your business process as it provides you with tools like business intelligence, data mining, reporting etc.

Accounting software – ERP Software – The Difference

difference between accounting software and accounting ERP

Businesses dealing with large volumes of financial or operational data often turn to customized software solutions to enhance their management strategies. Two of the most essential tools in this regard are Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and accounting software. While both play a vital role in streamlining and simplifying key processes, they are frequently used interchangeably. However, the primary distinctions between ERP and accounting software lie in their scope and scale. Understanding these differences is crucial for selecting the right solution for your business.

In this blog, we will explore the key differences between ERP and accounting systems, highlight the essential criteria to consider when selecting an ERP system, and discuss the benefits that come with integrating ERP with accounting systems for businesses.

Accounting Software Overview

Accounting software is mainly designed to help accountants and record-keepers track and report an organization’s financial transactions. It offers an automated reporting system that streamlines processes, saving time, reducing accounting costs, and freeing up office space. By eliminating the need for physical binders, accounting software enables professionals to conduct audits more efficiently and stay organized in a simplified way.

Accounting software is designed to offer greater visibility into your business’s profits and losses while also generating relevant reports to support informed decision-making.

Simplicity: Accounting software focuses solely on financial management, making it easier to implement and use. Its streamlined functionality ensures that users can quickly handle financial tasks without the complexity of additional features found in broader systems.

Cost-Effective: Accounting software is generally more affordable for small businesses with limited accounting needs. Its simpler scope and functionality make it a cost-effective solution for businesses that primarily require basic financial tracking and reporting.

Efficiency: Accounting software automates routine accounting tasks, enhancing accuracy and minimizing manual errors. Streamlining processes such as data entry and calculations helps ensure more reliable financial reporting and saves valuable time.

ERP Overview

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software differs from accounting software because it offers a comprehensive, integrated solution for businesses. In addition to providing all the functionalities of accounting software, ERP allows companies to manage inventory, customer relationship management (CRM), human resources, marketing, and other business operations through a single application. 

As a result, ERP provides a comprehensive view of operations, helping businesses make informed decisions based on a complete understanding of their performance.

Streamlined Operations: ERP software offers a unified platform that enhances communication and coordination between departments. Centralizing data and processes allows teams to collaborate more effectively.

Scalability: ERP software is ideal for growing businesses that require more than just financial management. As these businesses expand, they need a solution that can integrate various functions, such as inventory, HR, and customer relations, into one cohesive system, streamlining operations and supporting further growth.

Real-Time Insights: ERP software provides a comprehensive view of business performance, enabling data-driven decision-making. Consolidating information from various departments gives leaders and managers real-time insights.

Improved Reporting: ERP software facilitates advanced financial reporting and forecasting across multiple departments. Consolidating data from various areas of the business enables more accurate financial analysis, helping organizations predict trends.

Industry Applications of ERP and Accounting Software

ERP and accounting software play critical roles across various industries, providing customized solutions to address specific operational and financial requirements. Here’s an overview of how they are applied in different sectors:

Financial Services

ERP: In banking and financial institutions, ERP and accounting software are used for compliance management, risk assessment, and automating workflows.

Accounting Software: In accounting and finance, software primarily focuses on generating detailed financial reports, ensuring tax compliance, and managing transactions. 

Logistics and Supply Chain

ERP: In logistics and supply chain management, ERP and accounting software optimize transportation management, inventory control, and real-time tracking of goods. 

Accounting Software: In logistics and supply chain management, ERP and accounting software track expenses related to transportation, warehousing, and overall operational costs.

Healthcare

ERP: In healthcare, ERP and accounting software streamline patient records, billing, supply chain logistics for medical equipment, and regulatory compliance. 

Accounting Software: In healthcare, accounting software handles billing cycles, insurance claims, and financial reporting for healthcare providers. 

Retail and eCommerce

ERP: In retail and manufacturing, ERP software manages inventory levels, customer orders, and warehouse operations. It also integrates with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to enhance sales and marketing efforts.

Accounting Software: In retail operations, accounting software supports tracking sales revenue, payment reconciliation, and tax calculations. These systems simplify the management of daily transactions, ensure accurate revenue reporting, and streamline payment processes.

Construction and Real Estate

ERP: In project management, ERP software tracks project timelines, resource allocation, contract management, and compliance requirements. 

Accounting Software: In project management, ERP software manages project budgets, payroll, and expense tracking to ensure cost-effective operations. 

Key Differences Between Accounting Software and ERP Software

Feature Accounting Software ERP Software
Primary Focus Financial transactions, compliance, and reporting Integrated business operations across various departments
Functionality Core accounting tasks such as GL, AP, AR, and reporting Broad functionality covering finance, HR, CRM, supply chain, etc.
Scope Limited to financial management Covers multiple areas of business beyond accounting
Integration Typically, standalone or with basic integration Seamlessly integrates with various business functions
User Base Finance and accounting teams Various departments, including finance, operations, HR, and more
Customization Limited customization for financial needs High customization to fit specific industry or business requirements

Which Solution Is Right For Your Business?

Choosing between accounting software and ERP software largely depends on the size, complexity, and growth stage of your business. If you’re just starting out or running a small operation with relatively simple financial needs, accounting software provides the essential features you need without overwhelming your team. It’s a cost-effective and straightforward solution for managing basic financial tasks, allowing your business to operate efficiently without unnecessary complexity.

However, ERP software is the ideal choice if you’re managing a larger, more complex operation where multiple departments need to be integrated into a single system. It streamlines processes across various functions, such as finance, inventory, HR, and customer relations, into one cohesive platform, improving collaboration, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making as your business grows.

Why Choose Bista Solutions?

At Bista Solutions, we specialize in delivering customized ERP solutions tailored to the unique needs of your business. Our team of experts will guide you through the implementation of an ERP system that integrates seamlessly with your accounting, inventory, HR, and other business functions. This ensures that your operations are streamlined, boosting efficiency and enabling you to focus on growth and success.

Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s take your business to the next level with the right software!

POS Systems and Point of Sale Software in OpenERP

OpenERP POS helps you with one of the easiest-to-use and fully customizable Point of Sale systems and POS software to meet the specific needs of Retail stores or other businesses. OpenERP Point of Sale system and POS software offers you the most extensive and widely used Open-source ERP software integrated.,

We at Bista solutions being the official partners of OpenERP in the USA and Asia provide you with our OpenERP customization services and POS installation services. With a big development team in India specializing in OpenERP programming, we provide you with various services for the successful development and implementation of OpenERP across the globe.

OpenERP touch screen Point of sales allows you to have proper management of your sales very quickly. Some of the most important features of OpenERP POS – Point of sale software are given below :

  • Web-based software which means that there is no need for any deployment of any software on different sales shops. The other advantage of using OpenERP point of Sale is that it is Open source in nature which removes the licensing cost from your budget.
  • Another advantage of using OpenERP POS is that OpenERP is a complete ERP software based on Modular architecture it allows you to handle various departments of your organization such as warehousing, manufacturing, purchases, Accounting, etc.
  • OpenERP POS also allows you to work without internet connectivity – which means that if you are unable to find your internet connectivity you can continue working and after internet connectivity is available all the previous data will be synched easily.
  • OpenERP POS – Point of sale is easy to use easy to deploy and quick in speed. These features help you because it even doesn’t require training for the users and in any industry where POS is used the quickness is any POS plays an important role because of lot many order comes at a time.
  • OpenERP point of Sales also allows you to integrate with a Barcode scanner which further eases your work

For OpenERP implementation & customization services please mail us at sales@bistasolutions.com

For more videos and screenshots kindly visit – www.bistasolutions.com

Configuation of Advance Manufacturing in OpenERP

“This video is a part of a series of videos showing how OpenERP can be used for management of Advanced Manufacturing and the related costing. This video shows the various configurations which need to be setup for Manufacturing operations. It illustrates the setup of Work Center, Operation, Routing & Bill of Materials.

For more videos on OpenERP kindly visit our website – www.bistasolutions.com – Official partners of OpenERP