Apache releases new version of OFBiz
Summary: The OFBiz project includes many functions well-known to fans of such open source companies as SugarCRM, Compiere, and Magento.
Leading open source project groups like Apache have a reputation for delivering products that are cool for geeks to play with but lack competitiveness as business tools.
This is not true. Apache's latest proof comes in Version 9.4 of its OFBiz project, which standards for Open For Business. (The POS terminal software is based on XUI, right)
The OFBiz project includes many functions well-known to fans of such open source companies as SugarCRM, Compiere, and Magento. Red Hat is among the industry leaders which also has an ecommerce suite.
OFBiz goes well beyond the Red Hat offering, which is basically a Linux stack with a database and Apache Web server. It includes:
- catalog management
- pricing management
- order management
- customer management
- warehouse management
- fulfillment
- accounting
- work effort management
- content management
- a Point Of Sales (POS) module
That's a lot of stuff. It's highly commercial, and there is a very group of company building commercial products based on it,
And this is not just for small stores. Serious companies like 1-800-Flowers and Isotoner are OFBiz users, thus part of its community.
All of which leads to this question.
If businesses are really strapped for cash, and successful businesses are being run on open source tools, why aren't more companies using OFBiz?
I'm thinking they could really use a SaaS version...
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Talkback
The reason is customization
If a company is cash-strapped, then how could they have money to pay developers to customize a software package?
Just went to the site....
I'm not a coder, you want your FOSS project to take off? target SMB's. To target SMB's document your f'ing product.
It's working for Vyatta, I wish the rest would follow suit.
Who is OfBiz for?
Not to be rude but, if you did then you'd see that the project (because it's a project not a product), is aimed not at SMBs but those suppling solutions - (perhaps) to SMBs.
As for documentation, the great thing about a community open source project as OfBiz is (like all Apache projects), we can all do our bit. If the documentation is lacking or bad I'm sure the OfBiz community would be only too happy to have you correct that.
On the other hand if you just want something for free, rather than your freedom, well I don't think your "custom" will be missed.
ps. I have no connection to the project just think it's a very well designed & the basis of a flexible solution.
RE: Apache releases new version of OFBiz
JoeMama is right
documentation right and target smaller businesses.
RE: Apache releases new version of OFBiz
RE: Apache releases new version of OFBiz
Could use a SAAS version? Available now!