越来越多的中小企业选择开源ERP系统(5)
So Rosa hired a consultant to customize the Apache Open For Business open-source ERP software for his firm's distribution arm.
But the project management spun out of control, causing the effort to go over budget. The first problem: The consultant had no experience with Open For Business, and its learning curve was steeper than expected. The second problem: Because Open For Business is very customizable, both Prevention Partners and its consultant "got caught up" in much customization, Rosa recalls. And Open For Business is based on Java, which Rosa's developers aren't experienced in, so they couldn't take over.
But Rosa didn't move back to a commercial product. Instead, he adopted WebERP open-source software to develop a custom version for his company's manufacturing arm, which needed a quick and easily deployed ERP solution.
WebERP uses the PHP language, which his developers know, and Rosa can manage directly.
He plans on completing the Open For Business-based ERP effort as well. "I've got the code. I just need to find someone to finish it for us. I would not buy a proprietary solution," Rosa says.
Ultimately, Rosa plans to migrate one business to the other's ERP, but he hasn't decided which of the two open-source options will prevail.
Sidebar: Open-source ERP's Big Three
At least five open-source ERP projects exist today, but just three of those -- Compiere, Open For Business and Openbravo -- have gained traction, analysts say. In order of age:
Compiere: Founded in 1999, this project has the most adoption and "has grown into a significant level of functionality," says Paul Hamerman, a Forrester Research analyst. Compiere particularly suits sales, CRM and retail uses. But for manufacturing, it lacks shop floor management capabilities, says Martin Schneider, an analyst at The 451 Group.
Open For Business: Part of the Apache group of projects, the first version was released in 2005. It's best suited for online businesses, says Peter Bohnert, a principal at Transitional Data Services.
Openbravo: First released in 2006, Openbravo is designed for customization, rather than for a specific type of industry. It's Web-based, so companies with remote offices and traveling executives can provide browser-based access to simplify deployment and client management -- attributes that won over pharmaceuticals supplier Galenicum's COO, Erich Buchen.
Less established open-source ERP projects include WebERP and ERP5. Note that a few ERP applications are often considered to be open source but are not: OpenMFG, a well-regarded commercial application for manufacturers, lets licensed users access and modify the code for their own use, but they can't redistribute the code. Tiny ERP, a free ERP application, is licensed, and its code is not available.
当前位置： 
