Open source - Open source software ERPs: A new alternative for an old need

Information systems must successfully manage the wide-ranging information available in a company. Enterprise resource planning is the central element of any information systems architecture. But ERP systems are usually expensive, which has restricted small and medium-sized enterprises' access to them. The availability of open source software ERPs has changed this situation. More and more companies are studying the possibility of adopting OSS ERPs. This article describes their advantages and some ERPs' main characteristics. © 2006 IEEE.