Investigating Open Source ERPs
Saiedeh GhatreiDepartment of Computer Engineering, Islamic Azad University, IAU UAE Branch, Dubai, UAE [email protected]
ABSTRACT
In this paper, we will examine various parameters of the system selection of ERP (enterprise resource management) and organizational needs based on cycle, which are in open source systems. The results can be used for making decision about the project and its issues, its construction, transparency and the way of supporting it, flexibility and cost control. Theoretically open source systems can be considered as a suitable method for developing information systems that have a low budget. In this paper, we consider the few government agencies that by using open source ERP system policies and by objectives of reducing the cost and management system helped to development of information systems. In addition we will return to systems based on OSS ERP for large organizations, and we will introduce the main issues related to internationalization of I18n and Localization of L10n. Based on All cases are considered in the article, we will suggest a list of exercises and essential tips are required on open source ERP systems and also we will return to experience and considerable structure's design about someone such as Alprin on using open source ERP.
KEYWORDS
Open Source ERP, I18n, OSS ERP, ADempiere.
1 INTRODUCTION
Every day we see the process of organizations' computerization is increasing exponentially. Initially softwares of organizations were working as island. This results in the loss of integrity of the software in most organizations. Requests of organizations for automation and multiple management and better control were the main reasons that led to the emergence of ERP as integrate systems from the various resources of companies[1].
Also the open source ERP systems attended with greater acceptance in the marketplace, which was not only because of cost but also was because of the company's support for development of open source software[2].
Based on Norris and his colleagues comment, what is known as ERP in the world now, can be considered as result of changes in the financing and construction of information systems and information flows' improvement based on construction of enterprise resource planning systems as a MRP to present and support management system [3].
Over the past decade, computer companies as growing systems in the areas of social, economic, political and cultural integration did many activities. The use of information technology (CITS) contributed significantly to the growth and by considering of strong business competitiveness in the market these systems grow well. By using ERP systems can provide costs reduction and profits increase by developing information technology for agencies and organizations. Also by facilities such as standardization and communication between suppliers and partners can make connection between them and also financial management system [2].
By using ERP systems the possibility of information integration about the business process is located as an alternative solution for software developers. Also these systems allow processing and tracking data on stocks and invoice management and planning for the use of materials and human resources [3].
2 Problems related to the use and implementation of ERP
By considering listed tangible and intangible benefits may use and implementation of ERP in establishment and implementation phase takes
several years and the impact of the process change that carried out by the company can provide a hierarchical approach based on ERP approach. In addition to the complexity of this process we can consider senior management's commitment about using results and assignment of responsibility for the success of the project is also important point in ERP implementation [3].
The survey conducted by specialists for doing process of ERP and by considering the problems during the implementation process, we established a relationship between the cost and time problems which may include internal and external factors. Based on a statistical report, 82 percent of the problems related to the integration of ERP systems with existing systems [2].
In the definition of the ISO standard OSI open source ERP system, are described based on three parameters of free software , access to the code and development work. Also, during using open source systems, some rules are considered by the OSI model and other organizations to support, and prevent application abuse. ERP systems based on open source software development can be considered important due to low cost and accelerate the work of companies from some important aspects that can be misused .Most companies by considering advantage of ERP can replace it to traditional management . In summary, the use of ERP could be flexible enough to allow them to participate in the varied processes [2].
As a result of considering all the problems in the case of ERP can be said that encompassing the key elements of diagnosis is the most important thing that internationalization of it is a reality in many countries. Three Reasons for using Open Source software can be considered: first, a greater coordination of open source software since they are available the dependency to the producers is decreased, fear of disappearing a popular manufacturer in the market is solved, and the reduction of costs that would normally be spent on licenses and place is even more significant.
3 Reasons for using Open Source ERP system
According to the carried out process in the company, with combining softwares and its specific complexity, using open source systems
may change currently and new needs of company based on the availability to open source and provides a possibility for companies that want to use the ERP system that without cost use the system in order to minimize the problems of the system and organization [3].
The geographically development is provided online through open source ERP systems. By using the ERP system project based on open source feasibility increasingly expanding one of the reasons for using this system that is the reduction of costs. Implementation of this type of systems can be considered as a warning against barriers and as specific solutions to be used to achieve organizational goals. Importance of using a group work and basic contexts related to this topic can cover the structure of organization in a single form and for achieving these goals we can use ERP systems and their implementation based on open source. For commissioning of this system we should consider the final commissioning of the system about working system [2].
When we use an open source context that is established by ERP we can mention five parameters: good performance, flexibility, support, sustain and growth of software. The suitable performance of ERP system can be searched in custom settings and reducing the cost of system. The flexibility of this system allows customers to customize the system and provides easier and better management and. Based on offered parameters in this system we can remove possible problems and make edition possible by a level of recommendation and in low level changes can be delivered to ERP system based on costumer needs. At last in final section some cases such as helping to reduce transmitting time and asking for help from outside consulters for implementation and supporting an open source system. During using open source ERP systems we can present problems via email and online sources for system. Continuity and sustainability of open source ERP systems provide the possibility for the system in order to ensure the stabilization process for IT systems. Due to the growth and maturation of these systems we can be hopeful to improve and the quality of the software. At the whole, process of software development can pass by passing the beta sequences and establishment in alpha version
and processes of uncertainty and the problems reach to climax. The beta version of software can be sustained after testing and fixing bugs. In fact state of maturity and growth of software will be provided after releasing a beta version of the software and reaching Alpha version [3].
4 Remarks on the use of open source ERP
In order to use an ERP system features such as a company size or organization employers and features and benefits of organizations can cost millions of dollars to companies. While using these systems can be influenced by costs, performance features, buying hardwares and training of employers and other members of technical team of implementation of these systems.
5 Construction of Service-Oriented ERP from Open Source Software
Information systems and software companies for changing in software development and being flexible and adaptable with other programs mentioned an architecture service-oriented model and start it with ERP system. For this process, we first need to replace with ERP systems. Technical knowledge required for this process must be established for the development of services and affiliations first. It is not bad to consider some of the services offered by the websites and technologies like Apache. Using these softwares helps to improve productivity, quality and reliability, reducing costs and implementation of process in defined time. In systems with respect to access to open source code and intellectual property problems that exist, this type of system would be required for the development of an organized and flexible approach to the problems and reusing of new program's codes for needs of an organization. Problems of this type of system can be considered such as direct manipulation and code reusing process in different levels. By using these systems re-extension and extension and combination and management of different parts in different environment will be possible and design and architecture of systems will become easier by using program code. By using these systems can reach recovery system and system architecture for
the organization by studing program code and performing reverse engineering. In general in this paper we can mention reverse engineering as an approach and process of softwares' and applications' using and migration to service oriented architecture system and in general, we will learn how to establish a software pack by saving and respect to the principles of SOA and we have reusable operation [3].
6 Background and motivation for these studies
With the emergence of organizational resources and resource management under the title of ERP, CRM companies can concentrate all their processes on the database. To increase efficiency, ERP systems must be able to change the limits by technology changes and this approach includes considering SOA as system parameters of ERP and CRM, which can be considered for establishing this system in which codes are open and various interoperability component, evolution and distribution performance of the whole system and separation and the commissioning of the systems [3].
Other reasons can be mentioned in using open source programs is reusing approach of software in different parts and commercial projects. In 2009 Fourth International Conference on Software Engineering Advances in competitive environments, cases such as being compatible with both the environment and the database management system and also independence of these types of systems was discussed. In this conference process of software reusing and structural view to this process lead to the confirmation of reverse engineering. Principles and techniques to the discovery process or technical rules of object or system are called Reverse engineering that can produce a new system by analyzing the structure of it. Reverse engineering was introduced in in electronics and automobiles at first, but today it is also used in software engineering. From formal methods of reverse engineering object -oriented software management or integrated development of environment (IDE), etc. can be cited. . At first about open source software information of project structure and technical communication pattern
should be evaluated and we can achieve an acceptable system by analyzing and studing different parts and the technical documentation and reverse engineering [3].
One existing method is using the ADempiere that uses J2EE technologies that includes all management processes within the company, accounting management, human resources and sales management, purchase management and reporting, etc. [3].
ADempiere can be categorized in three parts. First,is using JSP, HTML that errors in the structure of JavaScript can lead to some fluctuations. Second is establishing JBOSS in applications and third stage is database management such as Oracle and SQL Server and DB2. The interaction between these three components may make client access to the database easy besides providing security [3].
ADempiere can work on the data concept and in different examples its use in a wide range of utilities and trading systems will follow and makes flexibility easier in different levels on different parts additionally we can mention its ability in simplifying functionality [3].
Also it can be used as a framework for rapid application development and its upswing. By considering presented examples can be concluded that accounting based on ADempiere has its own unique characteristics which can be controlled based on specific procedures, functions management and characteristics of people. Finally, it can be expressed that reverse engineering process based on settled architecture and its changes can achieve the new structure of the program code [4].
Two major topics will be examined in this paper, first is reusing OSS software system and second is developing ERP system by using SOA. By considering that OSS is reusing of system can provide a new system for different environment by the changes that are provided in system structure. But using ERP can develop an organization powerfully and expand the process combination of business softwares. Using only ERP can be complex and difficult to revenue. However, SOA can be used for more flexibility in the system and reliability. In this study, there is a way which services and processes and management processes
and entry record and customer invoicing, and supplier and resource management will be managed by one system and a system can be reorganized. With material presented in this paper can be concluded with further study and using reuse mechanism of software in the evolution framework of ERP and using SOA technology can have a great help in the development of a project [4].
To meet the above needs reverse engineering is used that is obtaining the required knowledge related to a software system. this process result in building a new software with same characteristics and it can concluded how can lead an ADempiere software pack to service oriented architecture for increasing flexibility and evolution and cooperation. These results of such experiments can be done more general in environment and on other parts. We are going to work on different systems that automatically have processes for changing to advanced systems. For example, we examined MDA a system for developing architecture with developing appreciation patterns and optimization the migration process. In addition we will discuss an introduction of AOP that is integrated planning software for separating the different technical aspects such as policies related to the management of business and new programs [4].
7 - Study of I18n ERP open source software components
Introducing elements are very important for software internationalization. These elements are difference of application of software and usefulness in the market [1]. Relationships with I18n are in Figure 1. We introduce I18n components in the following:
Figure 1: Relation between G11n, I18n and L10n[1] - User Interface and printed documents: the error text message, some images, menus and care about each document to serve as a help to software [1].
- Assortment of characters: 52 characters are used commonly, however we should be careful in using them , because countries like France, where have characters such as "is" and non-English characters , or Portuguese words can differ in location ( reasonable English ) [1] .
- Character Translation: characters must be known in English ASCII code page [1].
- Numeric and monetary formats: for example, in America, "." is used to separate small units and currencies, but in the German the comma mark is used for currencies [1].
- Date and Time Formats: All we've seen different formats of dates , such as :
dd-mm-yyyy "" and "yyyy-mm-dd" or "mm, dd, yyyy" , that these differences make reading and interpreting the history very difficult[1] .
- Combination: by combining should prepare software for (ASCII) sorting, because there may be problems in some languages [1].
- Encryption of programs: an encrypted program, explains one by one show of a character bit to computer bit is on the show. The most popular code page is ASCII, but ASCII encoding only supports the English language [1].
- Interacted character process: it is required that software become ready for multi-byte code pages. ASCII has one byte encoding, and does not support all available languages [1].
- Guiding texts: a text can not be read from left to right (Western languages ) or read from right to left (Arabic and Hebrew) and internationalized application should consider it [1].
- Keys: Some languages (e.g., Asian) have more characters than a keyboard. We should anticipate these situations and find solutions for them [1].
8 Study of OSS Open Source ERP Software with Example
Open Source software is here available to many users. One of Features of this software is their open code that is available for developers to see and change them. Other feature of this software is its flexibility and low cost. In countries like Brazil, France and Italy are popular. One of the largest Sweden IT magazines evaluates open source system article for several years, and has tried to promote this system. According to that Sweden municipality, uses Linux in their decisions and uses OSS ERP to integrate own systems, based on studies of open source ERP systems, one of the weaknesses of them is acceptance of technology model [4].
we examine the effective factors on the OSS ERP. In Figure 2, the main factors to achieve the objectives for OSS ERP outlined.
Figure 2: Effective Factors on ERP objectives of open source OSS[4]
Environmental factors should be considered as affective factor in the industry and information technology and supportive infrastructure. In Municipalities system ERP in terms of performance and integrity can have a significant
impact on the system. Among the parameters affecting the ERP system related to city system can mention support the city budget and finance and accounting systems and customer relationship system (CRM. Due to provided technology and supporting infrastructure access to human capital and the internal structure of the city can be done based on open source software. Currently, 67 percent of companies use these systems [3].
Among the organizational factors can consider influence and adoption of technology and organizational innovations in financial benefits and tools and personnel as one of the most important reasons to migrate to open source systems [4].
Innovation factors in general for influencing enterprise systems and open source ERP can create a new attitude in these systems. In this type of systems integration and business process can provide improvement speed and availability of information flows of an organization. Using ERP systems provides possibility of increasing group's interactions and speeding up predicted and accurate costs for the needs of an organization, and increasing production and demands of customers. Success of ERP system can be dependent on investment of a system that its implementation based on different costs can be complex and time consuming, and dangerous. One of the identified risks in the ERP system could be increased costs as result of shortages of skilled personnel and changes within organization. Among features of open source systems we can mention reliability, scalability, flexibility, security and availability to the systems' source [4].
Established system in the municipality of Finland that based on ERP can satisfy employee and financial manager in an acceptable level. ERP systems have provided a level of satisfaction to migrate to open source ERP systems. In these systems created damage can be restored quickly. In early 1996, a bitter experience of municipalities was introduced that later replaced by the ERP system , which led to a belief in the financial and IT managers that process change in a short period of time, and replacing it with a similar system by ERP requires its own complexity [4] .
One of the obstacles in these systems is the lack of resources. And participants claim that lack
of financial resources and knowledge and time will be a stumbling block in the way of the open source ERP system. Using ERP in large organizations such as municipalities can help business. The impact of innovation and effort to change it can be a major obstacle in the way of open source ERP. During using ERP systems changes can be done easily without the disorder in the current system [4].
CIOs believe using ERP increases their decision power about materials and important parameters. In a study in Canada about a system, development of open source ERP based on organizational needs and ability to meet the needs of customers are considered as the benefits of this type of system. Using ERP systems can make possible to not see seller. In that case by integration of internal softwares and keep those with the tools of information technology can provide a framework for systems of business [4].
9 More experiences related to the
performance of open source ERP
In this paper also we will evaluate the performance open source ERP by using practical experience of some people. As a first example we will review how Alprin meets the business needs by using Open Source software. In 2006 Alprin was not satisfied to replace their old ERP system with his work (active solutions of Microsoft). Alprin said: "I feel like I 'm stuck between two people." This entrapment was making him nervous, because he was involved by the flexible empty space in old ERP system that was not built around a relational database. Also doing custom settings was a critical need to communicate with other companies or integrating the needs of customers. He does not want to take risk for growing. So Alprin decided to use open source. He said the first stimulus is ablity to control destiny. Alprin shared it with many medium-sized companies that most of them are already using it, and their reason is flexibility and cost. Open source addresses are considerable key as example. Most of ERP sellers do smaller investments with applications' package that they can be performed with little or no IT investments. It is quite logical that performs in environments with scarce technology resources. But a significant number of
small businesses wants or needs to set the applications to meet their business needs [5].
As a result, Alprin can now change code of software rapidly according to the requirements of enterprise. He says: "We have ability to plan our own employees because our preferences in services and programs and responding to customer requirements are advantage. So having access to the original code is very important" [5].
For business growth, Windows-based ERP software would not work well and were unreliable. Rosa Scott said that Oracle, SAPs and Baans were nominated but they were over our considered budget. So, it was looking for sellers to serve it to medium-sized enterprises. Rosa found them cheaper than the big sellers, but they were still six times more than the considered cost and also its costs was more than the whole money that it could buy the desired settings. Finally, by storing money for purchasing open source ERP, he could lead their budgets to provide desired commercial software settings and optimal. Company expanded its Web-based open source ERP software for manufacturing unit. His previous business experience with ERP systems now revealed the truth to him that ERP software needs to adjustment suitable for company and should fill the spaces between them and also applications' communications need to a divided control as a key in its nature [5].
Similarly, when Galenicum a manufacturer with three years experience in the pharmaceutical industry, his ERP in summer 2006 put control of settings as their needs' key, company searched Two commercial software applications SAP and Microsoft Dynamics, but instead of them choosed open Openbravo open source ERP software[5] .
For Eric Buchen the most important factor is customizing settings on the Open Bravo easier than others. SAP and the dynamics are somewhat less permeable. Carlos Villanueva sale manager of Frilac says that open source software means complete control on it for doing the appropriate settings. We find that the software can match your specific requirements and will not bring restrictions for producers [5].
In Flexiblity Support System CIO also needs to be realistic about the support options to not only about cost management. Other interesting aspect
of open source software is the flexibility with suitable support with development and maintenance and also is meeting their requirements. For example, Vilatou says we can easily change our producers of the software if we are unhappy with them or Buchen says that the changing consulter that does not work well is easy [5].
In smaller businesses usually there are fewer IT employees that typically include a limited number of responsible or network supporter. That's why these kind of companies work with IT consulters who specialist in their industry. So coordinating supporter consulters in other software of company, where using open source software is easy. Peter Bonert a manager at TDS (the same that Alprin was used for integrating) says: "Trust is open to anyone who needs that kind of support mechanism available." For example Compier and Openbrave have a kind of dividing for other services that are not open source such as Apache Open Source software. All they have independent consulter that is performing support functions [5].
When you consider the global ERP developers, small number of companies adopted with open source ERP software. But the problem of not having licensing software for natural sale in seller channel make the data expending a little hard. Hammerrman that is one of awaits for replacement of Open Source software says that most companies offer sellers to keep system for supporting and meeting the technical requirements [5].
Sidebar That is an analyst says: "There are three major open source ERP software and at last five open source ERP project is currently available, but only three of them has capacity " They are sorted due to creation time:
1 - Compier: In 1999, the project had the most coordinating ability and according to Paul Hammerman it has grown at a practical level. Compier are popular in coordination with Sales , CRM units and retail usages, but according to Martin Schneider the Analyst of 451 Group there should be an absence of ability in the software of company for management of shop's floor [5] .
2 - Open For Business: it is a part of Apache Group projects that its first edition came out in
2005. According to Peter Bohnert a director in data transmission services, this software has best fit with online businesses [5].
3 - Openbravo: this software that its first version came out in 2006 is for custom setting a property on web-based software [5].
OpenMFG: it is a software application for manufacturers that allow users to access and change the codes accordance to what they want to do. But it does not allow the code dispensing [5]. This software platform is based on Linux and PostgreSQL databases and OpenRPT reporting. However, these softwares work on Windows, Mac, Linux and commercial UNIX operating system runs to [6].
TinyERP: This software is a free ERP application which its source code is available [5]. Souza & Saccol (2003) characterize ERP as software able to integrate information related to business processes across the companies, and is one of the main tools responsible for such an integration. O’Brien & Marakas (2007) exemplify this integration regarding processing and tracking of data on stock, invoicing, schedule for raw material consumption, and human resources, among others. Both authors, as well as Laudon & Laudon (2007), point out their composition by units/packages. Besides the classification as ISs subtypes, ERP systems may or may not be private software, and may have an open or closed source code in addition to other features possible to be classified[7].
In this context, Gacek & Arief (2004) state that the term “open source” is applied to software development projects based on the contribution of several geographically dispersed collaborators, but who maintain an online contact with the project. The primary requirement for the feasibility of a project accepted as Open Source is its source code to be available for change[7].
Thus, Open Source ERP Systems is increasingly accepted by the general market, and one of the reasons is cost and the perception by the companies that customizations is an undeniable factor in any ERP performance and maintenance. The options of open code tend to be one step ahead of the private ones, since they offer unlimited access to the system core (Carvalho & Campos, 2006). ). However, it is important to
highlight that some definitions state that, according to the kind of license, it is possible or not to modify the source code[7].
10 Conclusions and Recommendations
Generally, it can be concluded that using open source ERP for medium and small companies which need to constantly upgrade their software can be useful. Using open source systems based on ERP can have benefit such as cost savings providing confidence to the seller. Using specialized software packages in the form of ERP systems can be effective in improving the system.
Also there are many aspects of the software about strengthening the international community. In this paper, we have confirmed some of its key aspects. There are three main sections which we should do in internationalization process of our software: development of best unique features, setting images, colors and menus tailored to the cultural needs, considering local rules and notifications are the main elements that must be addressed in the internationalization of software. In the concept of open source software, the internationalization process should be clearly documented and followed by the developers that are spread to every corner of the world.
At last integrated approach for using open source ERP and creating a suitable and choosing an open source that has the less distance with the mentioned standard and trying to localization of related ERP and making required match for culture and business need match and in view of the larger national can play a important role in creating an integrated platform for exchanging of business information, that it has not been enough considered in a lot of businesses. In the design of this International Standard modeling large and successful ERP weather they are open source or not, such as SAP and Oracle Business Suite can help in a lot of future problems.
Evaluating design for choosing an Open Source ERP can have very practical results in optimal utilization. Also the operational evaluation of large companies in using Open Source software and their less welcome reasons besides having a lot benefits can be useful for posterities.
11 REFERENCES
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