So what exactly is OpenERP?
OpenERP is an accounting system with advanced stock control, manufacturing planning and management, order management, suppliers and customers management, sales management, document server, HR, multi company, multi ledgers, multi currency, multi users with different roles and permissions. That is without taking into consideration the array of different modules available for it to add to the functionality – calendar, e-commerce, integration with many e-commerce websites for automatic import-export of data, emailing and integration with zarafa mailserver.
All above comes Open Source (free of charge) if you know what you are doing, i.e. know your accounting inside-out and have some basic programming, DB and systems implementation skills.
Why do I say that? The software comes as barebones, so all has to be set up from scratch – nominal accounts, tax codes and procedures, ledgers, payment modes, stock system etc. There are a few modules available for that, but none of them are going to be good enough to allow you fully benefit from this gem of software without a bit of customisation. If some basic customisation is done then it should be sufficient for a working accounting setup that gives a good run for the money to Sage Line 50 and it comes free of charge! Ok, the system may not be the most straightforward and comes with no bookkeeping manual or procedures, but these are simple enough to compile anyway.
In case you ask what are the Accounting benefits over Sage - just to name a few:
- Anywhere access for unlimited users and unlimited companies – priceless.
- Multiple Ledgers - now you can have your trade suppliers and utility suppliers in 2 different Ledger Control Accounts (comes handy at the year-end in particular)
- Nominal Codes reshuffle when and as you like it. I found this very useful with companies that change over time.
- Ability to change transactional details (admin level) as well as ability to change the transaction dates when doing bank reconciliations – marvellous if you are a perfectionist and want your software generated statement to look exactly like the bank one. You can do this in sage too, but with a bit more effort and is not very convenient if you write your cheques and then it takes a week or two to clear the account.
Shortly I will provide a working demo as well as some instructions and a module for the