# Enterprise Resource Planning/Open Source
## Introduction

* This is intended to be a framework of a 10 module Executive Diploma in Open Source ERP.
* It hopes to make graduates who followed this course to be capable in managing an implementation of an Open Source ERP application.
* They would also be able to calculate the case of an OSS option versus a proprietary one with regard to risks and resources preparedness to ensure a successful outcome.
* They would also be able to analyse basic requirements of typical target users and figure out the necessary modifications to fit those requirements.
* They would either be able to implement the whole project on their own or work with a bigger team satisfactorily.
* At the end of the course, they can participate with community members, vendors or practitioners as apprentices to gain valuable practical exposure and experience.
* There can be a certification process by the author(s) to denote those who meet the passing mark.

### ERP Goes Open Source

* Open Source has gone up the food chain. It is no longer about Linux and Apache. It has entered the realm of business software.
* When Compiere ERP/CRM made its debut in 2001, it brings to the territory its first serious player challenging even the likes of SAP and Navision.
* Since then many play the path and in many integrative units such as Dolibarr ERP/CRM, SugarCRM, Pentaho and Eclipse BIRT.

### New Disruptive Landscape

* There is a need to comprehend this new disruptive playing field in business applications and its impact to vendors and users
* A new landscape brings new definitions and names to the market. Much confusion is caused by names-dropping and repackaging of old theories and models. An example is the previously failed ASP (Application Service Provider) been repackaged as SaaS (Software as a Service).

### The Need To Understand

* Many early attempts to implement Open Source in the business area have met with their golden share of failures. What are its true causes and remedies?
* Is the chaos clearing itself and the dust settling? What do we watch out for? What to believe or not to believe?
* Who are the pioneers and what can they tell us?

## What is ERP?

You most likely know what Open Source is, but what is ERP and what does it mean to have Open Source ERP?

### ERP and ES

* ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning
** Concerns the operations of any accounts-based organization
** Face challenges in managing and analysing the flow of information involved
** Organization interfaces with the supply chain of suppliers and consumers, both internal and external
** Requires modern tools such as computers and software to allow efficiency of operations
* ES stands for Enterprise Software that handles ERP
** Often refered to as ERP Software
** Interchangeable with the term ERP
** Has come to mean Business Application Software that covers Business Intelligence (BI) and CRM

### Where ERP comes from and goes to?

* Formerly started as Manufacturing MRP
* Recently move up the value chain to ERP
* Now even cover the areas of CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and BI (Business Intelligence)
* It may be an even more drastic Where is it going to? with ERP On Demand. Think Google-ERP.

### Why is ERP Important?

* Accounting is the fundamental basis of all business activity
* ERP has accounting in the backend and Supply Chain in the fore
* Supply chaining means non redundancy and automation to the whole process

### Free ERP Software

* Open Source has now moved higher the value chain to encompass business enterprise applications
* Focus on business solutions and independent of other Open Source utilities such as Linux, Apache and MySQL
* Highly complex to implement as ERP in itself is complex
* Shall compete with proprietary ERP Software such as SAP, MS Navision, Oracle Financials and JD Edwards

### Examples of Open Source ERP

* Compiere ERP/CRM
* OpenERP
* OpenBravo ERP
* ADempiere Bazaar
* Dolibarr ERP/CRM
* Erp5
* Pentaho (BI)
* SugarCRM (CRM)
* Tryton
* Xtuple postbooks
* webERP
* Apache OFBiz

## What to Learn Here?

* Types of Open Source software and their advantages
** Commercial vs Community Open Source
** Licensing Model
* How to evaluate their functional suitability for businesses
** Scoping and Gaps Analysis
* The challenge of implementation
** Methodology and Good Practice
** Phased and Protoyping Approach
* Comparing to proprietary options and calculating TCO (Total Costs of Ownership)
** Cost of Warranty and Intangible Risks
* The Eco-System That Open Source ERP Today Involves
** Involving the Community
** Institutional Assets of Product
* Learn From Both Sides of The Fence
** As the End-User
** As the Vendor
* Go Under The Hood
** Setting Up The Application
** Debugging the Source

## Short Course
### 2 Day Technical Course

* Is part of the longer course but specific to technicalities

#### Day 1 Part I (4 hrs)

* How to Setup the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) such as Eclipse
* Getting the source and porting into the IDE
* Setting Up The Database and Sample Data
* Setting Up The Application (based on ADempiere)
* Check-up and System Utilities

#### Day 1 Part II (2hrs)

* Going through the App
* Completing a Sales Order with new Client and Product
* Checking the inventory
* Shipment and Invoice
* Purchasing through Receipt

#### Day 2 Part I

* Configuring the Window-Table
* Incorporating Business Rules
* Configuring Reports

#### Day 2 Part II

* Debugging and solving bugs
* Extending the source
* Example of an Addon (based on Posterita)

### One Day Seminar

* This is as a general pre-sales buy-in of a public seminar

#### First Session (2hrs)

* What is Open Source?
* TCO on ERP's favour
* The Dilema of ERP and the Open Source Answer
* The Miracle of the Bazaar

#### Second Session

* Demo of an ERP
* Samples of vertical industries adaptation

#### 3rd Session

* Demo of Posterita
* Live Installations worldwide

## Open Source ERP Implementation Course

* High-level Business Concern and Project Level Treatment
** To see the whole challenge of implementing from a nutshell
** To appreciate the context and challenge of business needs behind the promise of Open Source ERP
* More for the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) community
** Also known as End-Users
** Give them idea of what to expect and thus make right decision if its worth DIY all the way
** Deciding when not to do too much and outsource the crucial parts to experts
* Can be for the Implementor Community
** Also known as Systems Integrators (SI)
** Able to educate End-Users the path and risks along the way
** Use as roadmap to divide the role and tasks between them and End-Users in a contract
* Even for the Developer Community
** To be aware of the challenge of implementing as different and outside their scope
** To know where to fit their skillsets into the roadmap

### Chapter 1 - Knowing the Right Source

* Why Choose Open Source?
* The TCO Pyramid
* War Games Among Players
* Ways to Evaluate Open Source Products
* Reading The Source
* Reading The License

### Chapter 2 - Spelling Out Your Business

* Know Your Priorities and Pains
* Making Your Wishlist
* Identifying the Gaps
* Getting the best fit

### Chapter 3 - The Proposal & Selection Stage

* Issuing the RFP
* Selecting The Vendor
* Managing the Contract
* The Exit Clause

### Chapter 3 - Turning The Key

* Scoping for a phased approach
* Prototyping and Proof-Of-Concept Approach
* User Checklist
* Before Cutting Over

### Chapter 4 - Sustenance

* Disaster Recovery & Other Doomsday Scenarios
* Return to the Source
* Why Are Your Options Open?

## Open Source ERP Practitioner Course

* For the newbie community who got infected with the passion of Open Source collaboration
* For freelance contributors who wants to know how to sustain themselves the consultative way
* Understanding the various segments who sees different Business Models in sustenance

### Chapter 1 - Community Sentence

* Are You Up To It?
* What Is The World Up To?
* Serving The Community
* Creating A Presence
* Etiquette & Professional Conduct
* Making Open Source Your Business

### Chapter 2 - Approaching The Buyers

* Types of Buyers
* Qualifying a Sale
* Scoping the Project
* Terms of Contract
* Preparing the Team

### Chapter 3 - Signing Off

* Reports on Progress
* Sign-Off Strategies
* Managing the Unexpected

### Chapter 4 - Training

* Getting the audience
* Hands-on Exercise
* Continous Coaching

### Chapter 5 - Support Contract

* Handing Over Options
* Negotiating the Support Contract

### Chapter 6 - Bad Buyers

* Why It Happen and How to deal with it?
* There are no bad buyers but bad sellers
* Avoiding bad deals
* Questions to ask back

## Project Workshop

Here are samplings from prototype work or client projects. Trademarked and copyright information belonging to the prospects or clients are carefully removed or edited off.
* Sample Project I - ERP/Dual UOMs - On how to resolve the different Unit of Measurements between Buyer and Seller within an ERP Application.

## Copyright & Other Disclaimers

* All works here are from original authors and not taken from 3rd party sources
* The course material and project works are suggestive materials awaiting peer review and not meant for professional consumption
* Any business practice shown here are generic ones devoid of any practical advantage for any business to adopt against another competitor.
* In case of the need to clarify any material depicted within here from the commercial or legal aspect please direct them to - Red1 05:49, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

## Resource Links

* Lecturer's Project Resource - ADempiere Wiki
* Lecturer's Learning Resource - Red1.org Forums
* Open Source ERP tutorials and how-tos,recorded demos,industry analysis and news - Open Source ERP Guru.
* Open Source accounting/ERP resources and evaluations - FBA "Open for Business" Blog.

## See Also

* Adempiere Technical Training for diving straight into the deep end. Contributed by Carlos Ruiz, Head of the Project Management Committee, ADempiere Bazaar.
* Author's user page. For comments or requests, ask in his talk page.