11
.. i18n: Open ERP has become established as the main free market-changing alternative for enterprise
12
.. i18n: management systems
13
.. i18n: in amongst software from giants such as SAP, Oracle and Microsoft,
14
.. i18n: and from the small software developers in their own niches.
17
Open ERP has become established as the main free market-changing alternative for enterprise
19
in amongst software from giants such as SAP, Oracle and Microsoft,
20
and from the small software developers in their own niches.
22
.. i18n: Until now only two main alternatives existed for systems that manage a company's information:
23
.. i18n: install a proprietary ERP system, complete but usually overweight, inflexible, and expensive;
24
.. i18n: or develop a solution internally, adapted to current needs but often expensive to develop, not
25
.. i18n: integrated, and incomplete.
28
Until now only two main alternatives existed for systems that manage a company's information:
29
install a proprietary ERP system, complete but usually overweight, inflexible, and expensive;
30
or develop a solution internally, adapted to current needs but often expensive to develop, not
31
integrated, and incomplete.
33
.. i18n: With its free business model, Open ERP combines the advantages of a complete ERP system with the
34
.. i18n: flexibility of an in-house solution.
35
.. i18n: The open source code, the project's general flexibility, and its hundreds of modules
36
.. i18n: let you construct a solution from a selection of the modules already available and
37
.. i18n: you can then freely update it as your needs evolve.
40
With its free business model, Open ERP combines the advantages of a complete ERP system with the
41
flexibility of an in-house solution.
42
The open source code, the project's general flexibility, and its hundreds of modules
43
let you construct a solution from a selection of the modules already available and
44
you can then freely update it as your needs evolve.
46
.. i18n: The results will be at the top end of what you might expect from any ERP system,
47
.. i18n: let alone an Open Source system.
48
.. i18n: The considerable gains in productivity, efficiency and visibility become apparent only a few months
49
.. i18n: after implementation.
50
.. i18n: And you can gain from increased operational quality even if you reduce your human resourcing
52
.. i18n: Because there are fewer repetitive tasks for your staff to do,
53
.. i18n: they can concentrate on higher added-value work.
54
.. i18n: We frequently receive the gratitude of senior management who get better results from their
55
.. i18n: business because they've adopted Open ERP.
58
The results will be at the top end of what you might expect from any ERP system,
59
let alone an Open Source system.
60
The considerable gains in productivity, efficiency and visibility become apparent only a few months
62
And you can gain from increased operational quality even if you reduce your human resourcing
64
Because there are fewer repetitive tasks for your staff to do,
65
they can concentrate on higher added-value work.
66
We frequently receive the gratitude of senior management who get better results from their
67
business because they've adopted Open ERP.
69
.. i18n: You aren't alone
70
.. i18n: ================
76
.. i18n: Many resources are at hand to accompany you on your Open ERP adventure.
79
Many resources are at hand to accompany you on your Open ERP adventure.
81
.. i18n: Bypass the technical difficulties by using the SaaS offer
82
.. i18n: ---------------------------------------------------------
85
Bypass the technical difficulties by using the SaaS offer
86
---------------------------------------------------------
95
.. i18n: For a quick low-cost start, you can make use of a month's comprehensive free trial of Tiny's
96
.. i18n: Open ERP SaaS package found at http://ondemand.openobject.com/.
97
.. i18n: Using this you sidestep any technical difficulties and get a
98
.. i18n: comprehensive set of system administration services, server hosting, configuration to your
99
.. i18n: environment, maintenance, support and initial training.
102
For a quick low-cost start, you can make use of a month's comprehensive free trial of Tiny's
103
Open ERP SaaS package found at http://ondemand.openobject.com/.
104
Using this you sidestep any technical difficulties and get a
105
comprehensive set of system administration services, server hosting, configuration to your
106
environment, maintenance, support and initial training.
108
.. i18n: An SaaS package is suited to the needs of small enterprises that don't have very specific needs, and
109
.. i18n: where the initial cost and the delay of implementation are critical factors.
112
An SaaS package is suited to the needs of small enterprises that don't have very specific needs, and
113
where the initial cost and the delay of implementation are critical factors.
115
.. i18n: To meet its objectives of minimal cost, the SaaS package aims for highly automated standardized data
116
.. i18n: migrations, minimal support load by training customers well, and a strict limit to the number of
117
.. i18n: modules offered. So you can't use your own modules, and are limited to the standard modules that are
118
.. i18n: included in various package levels.
121
To meet its objectives of minimal cost, the SaaS package aims for highly automated standardized data
122
migrations, minimal support load by training customers well, and a strict limit to the number of
123
modules offered. So you can't use your own modules, and are limited to the standard modules that are
124
included in various package levels.
126
.. i18n: Consult the available resources
127
.. i18n: -------------------------------
130
Consult the available resources
131
-------------------------------
133
.. i18n: Larger companies often prefer a more classic implementation path. Even though Open ERP's simplicity
134
.. i18n: makes this task easier than with other systems, you can't hide the fact that a project
135
.. i18n: implementation is complex and introduces big changes to a company.
138
Larger companies often prefer a more classic implementation path. Even though Open ERP's simplicity
139
makes this task easier than with other systems, you can't hide the fact that a project
140
implementation is complex and introduces big changes to a company.
142
.. i18n: So you can turn towards some of the different actors in this free software ecosystem to help you
146
So you can turn towards some of the different actors in this free software ecosystem to help you
149
.. i18n: * the community of users and developers,
151
.. i18n: * Tiny's Open ERP partner companies,
153
.. i18n: * the main project developers, Tiny, themselves.
156
* the community of users and developers,
158
* Tiny's Open ERP partner companies,
160
* the main project developers, Tiny, themselves.
162
.. i18n: The community of users and developers
163
.. i18n: ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
166
The community of users and developers
167
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
169
.. i18n: The community, supported by Tiny, hosts a set of communication tools which can help you in your
170
.. i18n: Open ERP investigation.
173
The community, supported by Tiny, hosts a set of communication tools which can help you in your
174
Open ERP investigation.
176
.. i18n: * **The forum** http://openobject.com/forum
179
* **The forum** http://openobject.com/forum
181
.. i18n: The forum enables you to discuss issues with other Open ERP users. It's very active and you have a
182
.. i18n: good chance of receiving some form of response to your questions within twenty-four hours or so.
185
The forum enables you to discuss issues with other Open ERP users. It's very active and you have a
186
good chance of receiving some form of response to your questions within twenty-four hours or so.
188
.. i18n: * **The wiki** http://openobject.com/wiki
191
* **The wiki** http://openobject.com/wiki
193
.. i18n: The OpenObject wiki is used to manage activities around OpenERP.
196
The OpenObject wiki is used to manage activities around OpenERP.
198
.. i18n: You'll find information about:
201
You'll find information about:
203
.. i18n: * Shared Funding Projects
204
.. i18n: * IRC Meetings
205
.. i18n: * Real Life Meetings (eg. Community Days)
206
.. i18n: * Business Intelligence
207
.. i18n: * Open Report (eg. OpenReport, OpenOffice Plugin)
209
.. i18n: * **Database of Open ERP modules** http://doc.openerp.com/py-modindex.html
212
* Shared Funding Projects
214
* Real Life Meetings (eg. Community Days)
215
* Business Intelligence
216
* Open Report (eg. OpenReport, OpenOffice Plugin)
218
* **Database of Open ERP modules** http://doc.openerp.com/py-modindex.html
220
.. i18n: A database of all the modules available for use gives you free access to most of the known Open ERP
224
A database of all the modules available for use gives you free access to most of the known Open ERP
227
.. i18n: * **Launchpad** https://code.launchpad.net/~openerp/
230
* **Launchpad** https://code.launchpad.net/~openerp/
232
.. i18n: The most recent communication tool is the launchpad system, which now hosts all of Open ERP's
233
.. i18n: source code (using the *bzr* source code control system) and is used for reporting faults. It's
234
.. i18n: become the central location for Open ERP technology.
237
The most recent communication tool is the launchpad system, which now hosts all of Open ERP's
238
source code (using the *bzr* source code control system) and is used for reporting faults. It's
239
become the central location for Open ERP technology.
241
.. i18n: Open ERP partners
242
.. i18n: ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
248
.. i18n: If you need contract-backed guarantees for implementing and maintaining Open ERP you can contact an
249
.. i18n: official Open ERP partner. Open ERP partners offer various services such as user training,
250
.. i18n: prototype installations, and change management services. The complete list of partners by country
251
.. i18n: and by type can be found on the official Open ERP site: http://openerp.com/partners.html.
254
If you need contract-backed guarantees for implementing and maintaining Open ERP you can contact an
255
official Open ERP partner. Open ERP partners offer various services such as user training,
256
prototype installations, and change management services. The complete list of partners by country
257
and by type can be found on the official Open ERP site: http://openerp.com/partners.html.
259
.. i18n: The main developer, Tiny
260
.. i18n: ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
263
The main developer, Tiny
264
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
266
.. i18n: Finally you can call the main project developers, Tiny, who can help you in your Open ERP project.
267
.. i18n: Tiny offers various services such as free demonstration days for the software, user training and
268
.. i18n: technical training, support contracts, maintenance contracts and developments as required. Depending
269
.. i18n: on the demand, they can also put you in contact with partners most aligned to your requirements.
272
Finally you can call the main project developers, Tiny, who can help you in your Open ERP project.
273
Tiny offers various services such as free demonstration days for the software, user training and
274
technical training, support contracts, maintenance contracts and developments as required. Depending
275
on the demand, they can also put you in contact with partners most aligned to your requirements.
277
.. i18n: * **The mailing list** To keep up to date with all Open ERP's news you can subscribe to the mailing list using http://tiny.be/mailman/listinfo/tinyerp-announce.
280
* **The mailing list** To keep up to date with all Open ERP's news you can subscribe to the mailing list using http://tiny.be/mailman/listinfo/tinyerp-announce.
282
.. i18n: To conclude, don't forget that Open ERP has more than two hundred modules available and that many
283
.. i18n: of them haven't been covered in this book. So if you haven't found a solution to your problems here,
284
.. i18n: look amongst those modules, talk to other Open ERP users on the forum, and don't hesitate to
285
.. i18n: contact a partner.
288
To conclude, don't forget that Open ERP has more than two hundred modules available and that many
289
of them haven't been covered in this book. So if you haven't found a solution to your problems here,
290
look amongst those modules, talk to other Open ERP users on the forum, and don't hesitate to
293
.. i18n: Wishing you the greatest of success in your ERP project,
296
Wishing you the greatest of success in your ERP project,
298
.. i18n: --- Geoff Gardiner and Fabien Pinckaers.
301
--- Geoff Gardiner and Fabien Pinckaers.
303
.. i18n: .. Copyright © Open Object Press. All rights reserved.
306
.. Copyright © Open Object Press. All rights reserved.
308
.. i18n: .. You may take electronic copy of this publication and distribute it if you don't
309
.. i18n: .. change the content. You can also print a copy to be read by yourself only.
312
.. You may take electronic copy of this publication and distribute it if you don't
313
.. change the content. You can also print a copy to be read by yourself only.
315
.. i18n: .. We have contracts with different publishers in different countries to sell and
316
.. i18n: .. distribute paper or electronic based versions of this book (translated or not)
317
.. i18n: .. in bookstores. This helps to distribute and promote the OpenERP product. It
318
.. i18n: .. also helps us to create incentives to pay contributors and authors using author
319
.. i18n: .. rights of these sales.
322
.. We have contracts with different publishers in different countries to sell and
323
.. distribute paper or electronic based versions of this book (translated or not)
324
.. in bookstores. This helps to distribute and promote the OpenERP product. It
325
.. also helps us to create incentives to pay contributors and authors using author
326
.. rights of these sales.
328
.. i18n: .. Due to this, grants to translate, modify or sell this book are strictly
329
.. i18n: .. forbidden, unless Tiny SPRL (representing Open Object Press) gives you a
330
.. i18n: .. written authorisation for this.
333
.. Due to this, grants to translate, modify or sell this book are strictly
334
.. forbidden, unless Tiny SPRL (representing Open Object Press) gives you a
335
.. written authorisation for this.
337
.. i18n: .. Many of the designations used by manufacturers and suppliers to distinguish their
338
.. i18n: .. products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book,
339
.. i18n: .. and Open Object Press was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been
340
.. i18n: .. printed in initial capitals.
343
.. Many of the designations used by manufacturers and suppliers to distinguish their
344
.. products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book,
345
.. and Open Object Press was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been
346
.. printed in initial capitals.
348
.. i18n: .. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher
349
.. i18n: .. and the authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages
350
.. i18n: .. resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
353
.. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher
354
.. and the authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages
355
.. resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
357
.. i18n: .. Published by Open Object Press, Grand Rosière, Belgium
360
.. Published by Open Object Press, Grand Rosière, Belgium