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In conjunction with our previous post about cheap ERP software, this post highlights cheap open source ERP software provider Openbravo. Openbravo has been named ‘Best of Open Source Enterprise Software’ by InfoWorld, and is an inexpensive alternative to traditional ERP solutions.

InfoWorld held their ‘Bossies’, Best of Open Source Software, awards recently to honor the best of the best in the open source world. Open source software is a hot topic in the tech world because it is a cost-effective and easily implemented solution.

Openbravo ERP, as praised by InfoWorld, “is a package that combines finance, sales, purchasing, and inventory modules. A free community edition and an extensive professional version are available through commercial license. Its plug-in architecture offers simple, template-driven setup and customization without the hard coding. The version 3.0 release candidate enhances navigation with quick-launch shortcuts and tabbed panels that allow users to view multiple grids simultaneously. New role-based portal pages and dashboards also contribute to the highly customizable experience.” InforWorld finished by saying that “getting started couldn’t be simpler, thanks to a newly streamlined setup process and preconfigured editions on Ubuntu Server and Amazon Cloud.”

The cheap ERP software provider has shown significant growth recently with the availability of the open source ERP solution Quickstart. Not only is Openbravo QuickStart an inexpensive option, it is also up and running on the fly. Openbravo has witnessed customer expansion in the form of over 1.7 million downloads. Openbravo open source ERP is in prime position for success, as the software industry has experienced a major demand for cheap and flexible ERP solution options.

Openbravo CTO, Paolo Juvara states: “It’s great to be recognized by InfoWorld yet again-it’s such an honor for us at Openbravo and our community. We’ve made it our mission to bring ERP to the masses, and in doing so have developed a product that strives to deliver a superior user experience by combining web-based simplicity with practical features. We want to transform open source ERP, and awards and recognition from respected sources such as InfoWorld fuel our ambition to continue delivering new and innovative solutions for each of our customers and our entire community.”

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The implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution is a costly endeavor. Despite the promise of a worthwhile return on investment (ROI), companies that are looking for an inexpensive solution upfront could find a happy medium in open source ERP software. There’s no doubt that an ERP solution is essential in optimizing business efficiency. However, ERP solutions are typically shockingly expensive, especially to business owners in this day and age. Open source ERP solutions give business owners the benefits of ERP without the scary overhead costs.

ERP solutions help businesses manage their operations in one unified system. ERP is designed to improve efficiency, streamline operational costs, and increase overall productivity. Open souce ERP offers the same benefits of ERP but at a lower cost. Open source ERP is cheap ERP software.

There are several other benefits to open source ERP implementation that are worth discussing.  Aside from being inexpensive, Open Source ERP software is easy to implement with a shorter setup timeframe than traditional ERP solutions. With less downtime in the mix, companies can optimize their efficiency.

Cheap open source ERP solutions are becoming increasingly popular amongst the small to medium sized enterprises. SME’s have fewer resources than large companies, not to mention a significantly lower spending budget. SME’s need to rely on cheap ERP software, like open source options, to whip their businesses into shape while avoiding over-spending.

A few popular open source ERP vendors include: Openbravo, Consona Compiere, Apache, TinyERP and PostBooks.

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Selecting an ERP Solution is no easy task. There are countless enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions that consumers have access to today. ERP solutions are designed to help inter-departmental collaboration, optimize efficiency and facilitate access to vital information.

ERP systems are built to replace a discordant set of multiple business software solutions with a sleek, time-saving, money-saving, unified system. The benefits of ERP are numerous and worthy of discussion.

Why should you purchase an ERP solution?

• ERP systems help businesses integrate and collaborate across several locations.
• ERP systems help increase workplace transparency; giving employees easy access to company goals and leaving them more accountable for strategies on company-wide goal achievement
• ERP solutions help foster inter-departmental connectivity.
• ERP systems optimize the manufacturing process by automating procurement and production planning.
• Inventory turnover will also be optimized as a result of a streamlined ERP solution.
• The manufacturing product cycle will also benefit from ERP implementation, by speeding up the rate at which information flows.

The ERP selection process is a lengthy one and it is helpful to designate a project manager to oversee ERP implementation. Project managers will be in charge of interacting with ERP vendors, coordinating internal needs and creating an ERP selection team to represent the different business units in your company.

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Panorama Consulting Group has been hard at work creating a web-based ROI calculator for ERP investments. Hopefully all the hard work will pay off for users as well, as the product is finally being launched. Panorama designed the ROI calculator to assist website visitors who want to calculate the potential ROI on ERP software investments. So once you decide which ERP software solutions you plan on considering, Panorama’s ROI calculator can help with the next steps.

Panorama’s ERP ROI calculator is built on information collected from numerous research firms. The ROI calculator gives users a near accurate estimate based on data the user inputs into the platform. It’s ERP consulting made easy, thanks to Panorama. The calculator makes assessments based on a number of criteria including: estimates of tangible costs like inventory and labor, time-of-delivery, sales close-time, and order fill time. The ERP ROI calculator also considers employee number, license cost, project management and implementation cost. The final result gives users an ROI estimate and timeline for payback.

“In today’s volatile economy, companies need to know that their ERP software investments are delivering measurable value,” said President of Panorama, ERIc Kimberling. “Panorama helps clients select and implement in such a way, so we wanted to provide the ERP community with a high-level summary of what we do for clients on a daily basis.”

To check out the ROI calculator, visit: http://panorama-consulting.com/resource-center/erp-roi-calculator/.

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Epicor is fast becoming a cult favorite among businesses looking to streamline their operational processes. Cardboard Manufacturer, Carto Micro, has selected Epicor to drive their ERP success. Epicor is most specifically designed for midmarket and Global 1000 companies looking to streamline their enterprise management and resource planning.

Carto Micro which is short for Cartones Microcorrugados settled on Epicor ERP for its advanced technology, software infrastructure, support frame and promise of quick ROI. Epicor’s ERP solution was also provided the company with a reasonable implementation timeframe.

“Two years ago we started to see potential growth opportunities for our company and we wanted a new ERP solution, better suited to support Carto Micro’s future business requirements. After evaluating ten ERP providers, the decision was made to with Epicor,” said Juan Augusto Rivas of Carto Micro.

The cardboard manufacturer is based in Guanajuato Mexico and makes cardboard products for SMB distributors. Carto Micro is hoping that implementing Epicor ERP will help with managing operations in the most efficient way. “Epicor ERP gives us a technology solution that integrates all our business information, which will enable us to have a better control over our staffing and material resources,” said Rivas.

The company looks forward to experiencing an efficient and collaborative workflow with the help of Epicor ERP. Epicor ERP has business applications and the tools needed to help drive Carto Micro’s success.

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Novus, a biological products manufacturer, has selected Epicor 9 to streamline its ERP processes. Epicor provides ERP solutions for midmarket companies as well as Global 1000 conglomerates. Novus’ products are designed to organize and expedite scientific research processes in the biotechnology field. Novus has implemented Epicor ERP in the hopes of facilitating and sustaining profitable business growth.

Novus is based in Colorado with operations in the UK and over 170,000 products. Before settling on Epicor 9, the company used a legacy system. As Novus began to proliferate, the company realized they needed a more efficient ERP solution. Novus selected Epicor ERP to streamline their front and back end processes to optimize workplace efficiency. Novus Biologicals was keen on implementing Epicor ERP because it would provide the biotech company with a single system record and promote enterprise-wide visibility.

Scott Osgood, VP of IT for Novus explains: “Selecting Epicor’s highly scalable and flexible ERP solution was critical to supporting our expansion plans and consolidation strategies. As a result of our substantial product line growth, Novus Biologicals is expanding into new markets and geographies prompting us to invest in a modern enterprise-class system that can support our global business requirements. Epicor will automate tasks, streamline business processes and synchronize backend operations allowing us to focus on strategic activities that will help us facilitate profitable growth.”

Novus is keen on overseas expansion and leveraging Epicor 9’s ERP solution to make it happen. Unlike the legacy system, Epicor ERP helps businesses delegate resources in efficient ways. “The opening of our UK office was the tipping point which led us to search for a global business management solution,” said Osgood. Epicor 9 is equipped with multi-currency, country and language options, thereby making global expansion feasible.

Novus looks forward to leveraging Epicor 9 to decrease inventory costs as well, due to efficient planning. With Epicor ERP, Novus can better manage tracking, scheduling and supply chain management. “Understanding the position and availability of our products throughout the world allows us to deliver our products and services faster and at a lower cost to our customers,” said Osgood. Epicor ERP is also helping Novus improve their customer interactions by expediting and managing customer demands more efficiently.

“We are excited to provide Novus Biologicals with a flexible business solution that will scale with the company as they grow now and in the future,” said Epicor VP, James Norwood. “Epicor will allow Novus Biologicals to focus their attention on strategic growth activities by enabling them to be more efficient in the management of their business operations and responsivie to the needs of their customers on a global basis.”

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Epicor’s retail management software is an all in one solution for retail stores nationwide.  Epicor has been proudly serving business in providing the most up to date technological business solutions.  Epicor’s Retail Enterprise, retail management, software is a great example of a product that is sophisticated and easy to use.

Epicor’s Retail Enterprise Selling features include:

-Real Time Inventory Tracker
-Cross Channel Order Manager
-Customer Relationship Management
-Operations Management
-Point of Sale System
-E-Commerce Support
-Sourcing and Product Lifecycle Management
-Planning and Assortment Planning
-Business Intelligence
-Merchandising
-Audit Management
-Financial Management

The system developed by Epicor allows retail locations to set up a system for one location, or link the systems for multiple retail outlets.  Managing your own e-commerce site is easy and allows for synergy between your brick and mortar location and your internet location.  Inventory management is essential in all aspects of a retail location.  With software from Epicore, inventory is managed in real time so you have the most up to date inventory information.

Technorati Tags: Epicor, ERP, POS, retail, retail management software, retail merchandising, retail solutions

Five years ago, U.S. Cargo Control launched its e-commerce site business on a whim, selling moving equipment like tie-downs and protective blankets online. They decided on an open source technology platform for the flexibility and low cost it offered. Now they operate several sister sites and want to consolidate them all on one common platform.

They originally used Zen Cart and other integrations like Intuit’s QuickBooks for accounting. Zen Cart offered lots of add-on software modules for a lot of functionality that modern shopping carts today are just start to get: product reviews, cross-selling related items and multiple sizes of product images.

Over the past few years, U.S. Cargo Control – now operating under Clickstop Inc. – has expanded into a network of seven e-commerce sites through acquisitions and migrating them all to a common hosted e-commerce platform from NetSuite Inc. It is part of a software suite that includes warehouse management, accounting, order management and content management, as well as a shopping cart.

The move hasn’t been without its challenges. “We’ve come across plenty of issues with NetSuite, but it’s just a matter of learning how the technology works,” says Shaun Linderbamm, CTO of Clickstop Inc. Luckily, after three tries they were able to find a programmer who quickly learned how to work with NetSuite’s technology and fix things broken by former consultants in areas of content layout and display sale prices.

Time will tell if the overall move to NetSuite will provide ClickStop with the value it expects. Linderbamm figures the NetSuite ERP platform will be able to scale up to support ClickStop’s planned growth up to $50 or $100 million.

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To the untrained eye, ERP might just look like any other acronym. In the business world, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software are the building blocks to business efficiency. Implementation of ERP software will simplify your business tasks and put your company on 24hr work mode. ERP helps companies automate business processes, control expenses, and manage sales and commercial planning. Best of all, ERP software can help you accelerate your return on investment (ROI).

There are several benefits to working with ERP software. With ERP application, companies can streamline all business operations and cut costs. By automating processes, companies can avoid errors and tedious manual labor. Companies can also monitor commerce and distribution activities with ease, using ERP software.

It is important for businesses to have efficient planning systems in place to optimize their processes. In our current economic state, businesses cannot afford to miss out on any opportunity to save money, time and resources.  ERP systems make the enterprise more time-sensitive by keeping users well-informed about status orders and customer support.

ERP systems also enhance the management decision making process by giving users access to projections about sales during a certain period. Management would be able to increase/decrease production of a particular product based on the information ERP software provides. ERP will help reduce inventory costs with planning tools and forecasting requirements. Let’s face it, who doesn’t like saving money?

ERP software has become one of the most crucial tools modern companies need to survive. The most challenging part of ERP implementation is picking the right software for your enterprise. Fortunately, business-software.com has taken the gruntwork out of software research with their Top 15 ERP software vendor report.

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This week, one of Romania’s most modern hotels, Capital Plaza in Bucharest, announced they have selected Epicor ERP’s Epicor for Hospitality as their global solution.  The Hospitality suite offers a variety of industry-specific applications and tools, like property management and point of sale integrations, cash and sales reconciliation, procurement and SCM, and back office functions for finance.

Speaking to the quality of Epicor for Hospitality is the fact that Capital Plaza is a four-star hotel, and had investments totaling €7 million before its grand opening at the beginning of this month. The hotel has 95 rooms on five floors, a business center, meeting rooms, and several eateries. The hotel’s financial manager says Epicor was the obvious solution because it provided maximum protection for data and financial information.

Other hotels using Epicor for Hospitality include Hyatt and Le Meridien, and the platform is can be integrated with hotel specific functionality and a simple UI. In addition, all data reports within the system can be exported to Microsoft Excel for further manipulation.

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