Re:Missing Department and Product codes for the GL
Posted by: Anonymous Coward
on November 10, 2006 09:44 AM
Well, you're probably right. BUT...
First, I wouldn't call a supermarket a "small business", even if it technically fits the standard SMB definition.
Second, your example illustrates the problem with ANY package claiming to do a "standard" accounting job - there IS NO SUCH THING!
Every business is unique in the way they handle their accounting. Any accounting or ERP system needs to be massively modifiable to be usable.
SQL-Ledger is probably usable for very small businesses, but probably would need to be customized and installed by a consultant for anyone larger - or just have the code cannabilized and installed inside a larger system that dealt with the complexities of the business in question.
Over twenty years ago, IBM released the System/32 small business computing system. They said it was perfect for small businesses. It's range of pre-designed accounting packages would eliminate small business having to hire IT staff.
Hah! It started a major boom in consultants writing customized packages for small businesses. The hardware was cheap enough (at the time) to be attractive to small businesses who hadn't been computerized before - but they ate up the cost reduction in consultant fees.
The same will happen here. The advantage OSS has is that improvements and customizations can be returned to the project and thus the project continually improves better and faster than any one proprietary company system can - provided enough people and consultants actually use the system and return the improvements to the project.
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Re:Missing Department and Product codes for the GL
Posted by: Anonymous Coward on November 10, 2006 09:44 AMFirst, I wouldn't call a supermarket a "small business", even if it technically fits the standard SMB definition.
Second, your example illustrates the problem with ANY package claiming to do a "standard" accounting job - there IS NO SUCH THING!
Every business is unique in the way they handle their accounting. Any accounting or ERP system needs to be massively modifiable to be usable.
SQL-Ledger is probably usable for very small businesses, but probably would need to be customized and installed by a consultant for anyone larger - or just have the code cannabilized and installed inside a larger system that dealt with the complexities of the business in question.
Over twenty years ago, IBM released the System/32 small business computing system. They said it was perfect for small businesses. It's range of pre-designed accounting packages would eliminate small business having to hire IT staff.
Hah! It started a major boom in consultants writing customized packages for small businesses. The hardware was cheap enough (at the time) to be attractive to small businesses who hadn't been computerized before - but they ate up the cost reduction in consultant fees.
The same will happen here. The advantage OSS has is that improvements and customizations can be returned to the project and thus the project continually improves better and faster than any one proprietary company system can - provided enough people and consultants actually use the system and return the improvements to the project.
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