An article on employee scheduling solutions from Small Business Trends highlighted three open source alternatives. TimeForge, focused on the hospitality and retail markets, and TimeTrex, whose Community Edition provides a more customizable FOSS option, both provide focused scheduling tools. These were joined by OpenHRMS, a complete HR management system that complements scheduling with features such as payroll, timesheets, and leave management.
Open Source Solutions Feature in Top 7 Affordable ERP List
Two open source entries appear in Software Advice’s list of top seven affordable ERP applications. Popular option ERPNext appears, with a focus on its asset and process management capabilities, as does OneHash, which features a breadth of functions and capable reporting.
LibreOffice 24.2 Released
The Document Foundation has released the latest version of the LibreOffice suite of applications (via 9to5Linux). Don’t be surprised by the high release number, as this latest version switches the project over to calendar-based numbering. The version boasts improvements to the experience (such as default AutoRecovery), user interface, security (e.g. improved password-based document encryption), and accessibility.
Microsoft Removes WordPad from Windows… Boon for FOSS?
Microsoft is showing the venerable WordPad application, a “word processor light” that can handle Rich Text Format and Microsoft Word files, from the Windows OS (per TechRadar by way of MSN).
It has stopped any new development on the program, and it will soon be missing from new installs and unavaialble to install after installation. This presents an opportunity for open source applications, not only LibreOffice and its siblings, but also lighter, text-only alternatives such as AbiWord).
Useful Tips for LibreOffice
Android Police published a list of useful tips for LibreOffice, the de facto leader in open source productivity suites. While some, like using keyboard shortcuts, are a bit common sense, the recommendation to leverage styles (a highly underused feature) are definitely worth looking over.
Forbes Lists Odoo as a Key ERP Vendor for 2024
The Forbes insight into enterprise resource planning (ERP) and supply chain management (SCM) for 2024 includes a FOSS entry among all the commercial heavy hitters. Odoo, an open source platform supporting dozens of apps targeting functions like manufacturing, HR, marketing, productivity, and collaboration, is listed among segment giants like Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 and NetSuite.
Tech Times Top 5 CMS Solutions Feature Open Source
Tech Times’ Top 5 list of CMS solutions for 2024 contain 60% open source. Usual suspects Drupal and Joomla! as well as ecommerce solution Magento feature prominently, while WordPress is conspicuous by its absence.
London Loves Business Looks at Magento 2
London Loves Business takes a look at long-time open source ecommerce leader Magento (now Adobe Commerce), highlighting the breadth of its features including inventory management, progressive web application (PWA) support, and integration with other members of Experience Cloud. While the commercial version has been re-branded, the open source version is still available.
Open Source Payroll List includes Standalone, Suite Solutions
TechRepublic also published a list of top FOSS payroll solutions. With a mix of both dedicated payroll applications as well as broader business suites, anyone considering using open source for this function will find something to like.
Top Project Management Tool List Includes FOSS Options for Waterfall, Agile, and Bonus CRM
Three open Source options appeard in TechRepublic’s list of best on-premises project management software. While big-hitters OpenProject (Waterfall) and Taiga (Agile) are present, a pleasant surprise is ActiveCollab. Its inclusion of lightweight CRM functionality makes it will worth a look for SMBs. In addition, Tuleap offers another option for Agile management well-suited for product development rather than traditional start-to-finish project management.
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