Scott,
If you're doing it for your own use, licensing issues shouldn't be an obstacle.
As for integrating stuff with OFBiz, in short: You can, just because it's open
source!
I've integrated many stuff into OFBiz already. Right now, the Widget module we have works very
much like Windows UIs. Lots of AJAX to get that working, though. But frameworks like Dojo and
Livegrid are already there to help you out (currently way underused in OFBiz).
Other pluggable frameworks include email applications (like the one you mentioned), telecoms
stuff, etc.
Long journey, it is. But you'll see frequent and incremental progress throughout, not wait for 2
years to implement a "dream machine". Retain a few IT guys, get familiar with OFBiz over time
(take Christopher Snow for eg, he's making good progress). Love it (OFBiz), and it'll love you back.
As mentioned in some replies to your post here, there are many businesses who add new
functionality to their OFBiz implementation almost every month! Try getting a proprietary
closed-source application to change on a monthly basis to suit your changing needs.
You're on the right track. I've looked at other ERP frameworks already. This is as good as it
gets. I wouldn't name names, but I think OFBiz is still the most open framework out there; there
are open source ERP frameworks that require you to pay substantial amounts of money and training
costs to pick up. (Christopher Snow, I know it feels like the ML isn't giving us A LOT of help,
but it really is the best I've seen thus far.)
I see OFBiz going a long way. It's still early now, so you do see neck-to-neck competition from
other frameworks. And yes, all the available options have the "not-quite-finished" feel to them at
this early stage. But the mid-term (1-2 years) will be telling, and I suspect OFBiz will pull ahead.
Jonathon
Scott A wrote:
Hi all,
I’m at the beginning stages of a long process to make ofbiz the core behind
my business. I see that there is a long way for me to go before my people or
I start using it in a meaningful way because of all the changes I will want.
That said, I can clearly see what the future will be for my business and
ofbiz.
One of the things that pushes me is the thought that my employees and I will
be able to use a single integrated application from front end website to the
double entry accounting. What I really want to know is how far people
(especially the developers) see ofbiz going? For example, would it be
possible to integrate something like Zimbra email (http://www.zimbra.com)
right into the core of ofbiz? I’m not sure about the license issues, etc but
I would love to see it.
Am I too naïve to think that my entire business could be run from one core
application?
Thanks in advance.
