[NTLUG:Discuss] Results from my search for a Quickbooks replacement(so far)

[Stan Gatchel]

There's more than one way to skin a cat. How about an online payroll
service? I don't use them, but I may someday (they actually look pretty
good). Here's one, and there are many more on the web. They all work
through the magic of your handy browser. Check out the demo on this site:

http://www.paycycle.com/external/home.jsp

You just download the payroll results to your account package and viola!
All of the sudden don't need that pesky payroll module anymore. It may
allow you to use one of the many Linux accounting solutions...sans
payroll. Just a thought.

Thanks,

Stan

./aal wrote:
> I have received requests to share what I have learned in my quest for an 
> alternative to the Intuit/Microsoft solution to small business management.
>
> I have here gathered all information received from the lists I posted to 
> and am giving the summation of these replies as a resource to all of the 
> lists I asked.
>
> I hope this helps you as it has me.
>
> ./aal
>
>
>
>
> =========================
>
> from   http://linux4smallbusiness.com
>
>
> Fitrix
>
> http://www.fitrix.com/
>
> Fitrix is a complete business software package that provides all the
> components needed to implement a fully integrated, highly customized
> Business Accounting, Order Processing and Custom software solution for
> small to medium sized businesses hosted on a Linux server. Fitrix allows
> you to quickly implement using packaged software, then expand and
> customize, as your business requires - without any limits! Fitrix is not
> only a highly modifiable Business application software suite; Fitrix is
> also a complete custom software development environment. Fitrix is based
> on a successful mid-range software package relied on by thousands of
> mid-sized companies worldwide. Now small to medium sized companies can
> enjoy the benefits of high-end technology for a fraction of the cost.
>
> Everything You Need Fitrix is a complete Linux-based package that
> provides all of the software you need for a complete business software
> solution. You supply the Linux server and Fitrix supplies the rest.
>
> Accounting Software Modules
>
> Order Processing / Distribution Software Modules
>
> Application Source Code
>
> 4GL Programming Tools: Four J's BDL
>
> Rapid Application Development (RAD) Tool Set
>
> SQLDatabase
>
> Highly Modifiable The Fitrix software modules are "modifiable by
> design"? While many software products don't offer source code, and most
> that do offer it reluctantly - Fitrix was developed specifically to be
> delivered as a highly modifiable source code software product.
>
> No Limits to your business requirements. With Fitrix you get 100% of the
> application source code plus the same software tools we used to develop
> the packaged product. There are no limits on your ability to customize
> Fitrix to fit the needs of your business, and Fitrix is Modifiable By
> Design to keep the cost of creating and supporting customizations down!
>
> No limits to database growth or performance. The Fitrix database engine
> will allow individual tables up to 1 gigabyte and a total database size
> of many gigabytes but if your business grows beyond this, Fitrix can be
> easily upgraded to connect to one of the most scalable and high
> performance database engines available - IBM-IDS - with no changes to
> your applications.
>
> Choice of user interface clients. Fitrix works with any of the following
> clients: MS Windows (Graphical Thin Client), X11, and Character. A
> Browser client option will be available in the future, and the Fitrix
> portable thin client architecture allows us to provide support for any
> new client technologies that become popular.
>
> Linux General Ledger
>
> http://www.linuxledgers.com/lglpage1.html
>
> The Linux General Ledger is a state of the art business application
> developed for use in small businesses either by in-house bookkeepers or
> outside accountants. It functions either as a complete, stand-alone,
> after-the-fact bookkeeping and write-up system or, as a General Ledger
> interfaced to locally developed Subsidiary Ledgers (e.g., AR, AP, PR,
> Inventory/Order Entry, Billing, etc..) The user has complete control
> over creation of the Chart of Accounts, Custom Report Creation, Journal
> Entries, and opening and closing of each accounting period.
>
> The Linux General Ledger operates as either client or server, remotely
> via telnet, or as a stand-alone system. All screens are activated and
> deactivated by quick function key use for speed and ease of entry. Most
> input can be managed from the 10-key pad alone. There's no wasting time
> positioning and repositioning a mouse for entries. This makes entry of
> data and moving around in the program much faster than mouse based
> systems. Remote access is available from any terminal supported by Linux.
>
> Current and Prior Year History plus Budget and Comparative Presentations
>
> Close and Reopen Periods as needed
>
> User Defined Chart of Accounts
>
> All Reports Print on Letter Size Paper
>
> Custom Report Generator plus Standard Reports
>
> Complete Year-to-Date and Monthly Detailed Reports
>
> Detailed and Summary Trial Balances
>
> Real-time Inquiry into Accounts and Transactions
>
> Automatic Recurring Journal Entries
>
> "After-the-Fact" Journals
>
> Multi-Company Capability
>
> Local, Remote, Dial-Up, Telnet, Intranet, and Internet Access
>
> Runs in xterm or from Terminal Command Line
>
> Runs under Linux (Also Free BSD, and UNIX)
>
> Server-Client enabled
>
> Consistent Function Key Assignments for Quick and Easy Entry Clear Audit
> Trail Use In-House or for Client Write-Up
>
> OPEN SYSTEMS Accounting Software (OSAS)
>
> http://www.osas.com/html/JWD0XXWSMKDMCYST9D9O.htm
>
> OPEN SYSTEMS Accounting Software (OSAS??) is a powerful, award-winning
> accounting and business management system that is flexible and easy to
> customize to your requirements. Built on a tradition of success, OSAS is
> designed to be easy to learn and use. A proven industry leader, OSAS
> will help meet your needs and expectations now and in the future.
>
> OSAS provides these key advantages
>
> Robust Functionality - We have over 25 years of experience in providing
> award-winning business solutions and incorporating feedback from
> real-world users.
>
> Open Source Code - We provide source code for our applications at no
> additional cost. We do this to protect your investment in our
> technology, as well as encourage customization that will support your
> unique needs and changing market conditions.
>
> Availability & Strong Support - Several hundred authorized value added
> resellers sell, support and customize Open Systems products. Many
> vertical applications are also available from OSAS developers.
>
> Platform Portability - With OSAS, you can choose the platform that suits
> your business: Windows, UNIX/Solaris/AIX, or Linux. In addition, OSAS
> C/S is a high performance, cost-effective client/server solution that
> provides additional platform flexibility and scalability.
>
> Interface Flexibility - some users prefer character-based screens;
> others may want to use graphical screens. Have it your way! OSAS allows
> you to mix and match screens in the same accounting system.
>
> Modules include:
>
> General ledger
>
> Accounts Receivable
>
> Accounts Payable
>
> Direct Deposit
>
> Payroll
>
> Job Cost
>
> Fixed Assets
>
> Web Interface
>
> Resource Manager
>
> Inventory
>
> Sales Order
>
> Purchase Order
>
> Bill of Materials/Kitting
>
> General Report Writer
>
> ODBC Kit
>
> Contractor's Job Cost
>
> Proven CHOICE Accounting
>
> http://www.provenacct.com/index.html
>
> General Ledger Module
>
> A comprehensive General Ledger system under Linux which is ideal for
> mid-size companies, professional service firms, and nonprofit
> organizations. The General Ledger's design emphasizes control &
> flexibility as well as efficient data entry and report generation.
> Features include:
>
> Exclusive Multilevel Account Hierarchy (Tree):
>
> Date Range Flexibility:
>
> Full Trial Balances:
>
> Accounts Receivable Module
>
> This module has all of the control features you would expect from an
> Open item system plus the ease-of-use associated with a simpler balance
> forward system. Auto Pay Feature With a single keystroke you may
> automatically apply a payment to the oldest open items first. Sure, you
> can also apply payments to specific invoices or auto-apply and then
> edit, whatever is easiest and quickest. Maximize your speed and ease of
> entry without losing detailed control. Don't let our Accounts
> Receivables ease of use fool you. It is as feature rich as you might
> expect in the most expensive AR systems available, including: Full
> account & terms control.
>
> Sales Invoicing
>
> This module is an adjunct to the A-R system and allows for the "real
> time" printing of bills (invoices) or receipts.
>
> The entry screen allows up to ten entry lines for each Invoice/Receipt.
> Each line may represent a separate item or be a description only line.
>
> Accounts Payable Module
>
> Our Accounts Payable is a full-functioned payables management module
> which combines all of the power of open item management with the ease of
> use of balance forward. In addition to voucher entry and complete, but
> convenient, terms control, powerful and easy to use features make this
> an ideal AP module for the smallest to the largest business.
>
> Optional Modules:
>
> Inventory Management and integrated Point of Purchase (point of sale)
>
> Professional Time Billing
>
> Import / Export Module
>
> eCHOICE?? -- Internet Shopping Cart
>
> Financial Report Generator
>
> Quasar Accounting
>
> http://www.linuxcanada.com/index.html
>
> Quasar is a full function, stand-alone business accounting package. You
> may elect to use the Quasar Accounting base package which is available
> for use free of charge on a single computer. Or, you may elect to
> purchase some of the Quasar add-on modules which are available for a
> nominal fee. With Quasar it is extremely easy to set up remote access to
> multiple servers from multiple workstations. You can run Quasar on both
> Windows and/or Linux on the same network. For example, you can maintain
> a Linux server and access the data from a Windows workstation.
>
> Base Package
>
> for Linux or Windows Quasar and most of its features are available for
> both Linux and Windows. The point-of-sale module is available only for
> Linux. On Linux Quasar supports Red Hat 7.0+, Mandrake 7.2+ and SuSe
> 7.1+. On Windows Quasar supports 98, ME, 2000 and XP.
>
> Quasar's new international ready features include the ability to define
> your monetary symbol, monetary format, date format, time format, number
> format and percentage format. Any and all text can be translated or
> changed to suit your specific requirements. In addition Quasar has a
> standard Canadian format and a standard United States format.
>
> Financial reports include balance sheets, profit and loss statements and
> trial balances. A transaction journal provides the detail of selected
> transactions. An inquiry screen provides detailed activity of an
> account, customer or vendor.
>
> Provide credit terms to your customers. An aged receivable screen
> provides an aged summary and aged detail of your receivables. Receive
> payments on account and allocate payments to specific invoices. Define
> customer payment terms and give early payment discounts. Print customer
> statements.
>
> View aged payables both in summary and in detail. Select a specific
> vendor to pay, or choose to pay several bills. Pay an entire invoice or
> make a partial payment. Know your bank balance and know your cash
> requirements.
>
> Inventory Management
>
> departments and sub-departments
>
> purchasing and receiving.
>
> advanced price management
>
> superior cost management
>
> true landed cost
>
> full margin control
>
> container deposits
>
> create kits
>
> physical counts
>
> multiple case sizes
>
> multiple lookup numbers
>
> stock locations
>
> multiple vendors per item
>
> sales history
>
> barcode labels and signs
>
> item adjustments
>
> active and stocked status
>
> SQL Ledger Accounting
>
> http://www.sql-ledger.org/
>
> Accounts Receivables
>
> multiple AR accounts
>
> tax, due date calculated based on customer selected tax can be included
> or on top
>
> customizable reports
>
> aging report for all customers or one customer
>
> tax report for tax collected
>
> Accounts Payables
>
> multiple AP accounts
>
> tax, due date calculated based on vendor selected tax can be included or
> on top
>
> aging report for all vendors or one vendor
>
> enter payments for open invoices
>
> vendor invoices
>
> purchase orders
>
> General Ledger
>
> selection list for accounts
>
> customizable reports for all accounts or asset, liability, equity,
> income or expense accounts source, a range of dates, description
>
> create sales journal purchase journals or tax reports
>
> create multiple reports from just one interface
>
> data entered to filter reports is carried over to the next report
>
> Inventory
>
> parts link to inventory, income, expense and tax accounts
>
> fields for Make and Model part will fit
>
> assemblies (manufactured goods) link to income and tax accounts service
> items link to income, expense and tax accounts
>
> inventory is recorded when items are purchased all expenses for cost of
> goods are posted when an item is sold expenses for service items are
> recorded when purchased entry to inventory is in no particular order
> stock parts with Vendor Invoice (Merchandise Received) stock assemblies
> when they are built
>
> re-order point calculates how many should be on hand
>
> customizable reports
>
> Many more features like Billing / Invoicing, Purchase / Sales Orders,
> Customizable Taxes, Multi-company, Audit Control, Foreign Currency,
> Internationalization, Access Control, SQL server backend, Customizable
> Templates, Customers, Vendors, Assemblies (BOM, kits), Chart of
> Accounts, Customizable Reports Financial Statements, Administration Module
>
> Next: the Web Application Packages
>
> This software architecture differs from client server mainly in two
> ways: (1) the server side is a web server, not a network server (as in
> local area network). It serves up web pages which happen to have
> accounting data in them. (2) the client part is not a special program,
> but simply a web browser. This makes the system much simpler to use and
> easier maintain (no special software). A database system also holds and
> manages the accounting data and interacts the the web server to get you
> what you want.
>
> I know what you are thinking, "I don't want my accounting data to be
> open to the entire Internet." Well, first of all, a web server can run
> on your network and be isolated from the Internet. In this way it is as
> secure as a client server system. But even if it is accessible through
> the general Internet, it can be still be secure because web servers have
> special security features built in. In addition, the presence of network
> firewalls prevent unwanted outside access. Really, the main disadvantage
> can be (let me emphasize that can be) performance. If you have a high
> speed connection through a local area network or VPN (that's Virtual
> Private Network) connection to another office, it should be very fast. A
> dial up connection will only do for that quick update when you are on
> the road. Of course, remote access to client server packages suffer
> performance problems too, under these conditions. The web application
> architecture is the newer of the two architectures, but is definitely
> the coming trend.
>
> XIWA
>
> http://xiwa.sourceforge.net/
>
> XIWA (zee' wuh) is a web based accounting package built with Perl and
> postgreSQL. It is released under the GPL. It is free to modify and
> distribute but you must make your modifications available to others.
>
> The package currently runs out of a Portal environment that provides
> sessions, users, and other web features. Other apps that will share the
> same data (such as timekeeping and payroll) will also run out of the
> portal. The Portal is released under the perl license so as to be widely
> useful to everyone.
>
> Features
>
> Current Features:
>
> General Ledger
>
> Double Entry Accounting
>
> Import QIF data
>
> Track Securities
>
> Create and Customize Reports
>
> Have multiple sets of books (ledgers)
>
> Share Accounts/Codes between ledgers
>
> Use Sub Entities or Departments within ledgers
>
> Enter Depreciation and amortization data Payroll Reports (Federal 941
> and Missouri 941)
>
> The Reporting engine is very powerful. Reports can be easily customized
> and new reports can be created with different styles and layouts. Also,
> new account types can be added easily. For example we will soon add an
> Administrative Expenses type in addition to the Operating Expenses type.
> This is as simple as adding the record to the database with a SQL insert
> and adding the row to the report with a few clicks.
>
> Powerful Investment tracking was a requirement of the project. Most
> accounting packages avoid investments (we can understand why). The
> investment section of the project is a huge task that was not easy to
> work out but gives a very detailed, precise history.
>
> NOLA
>
> Web Site: http://nola.noguska.com/main.html
>
> LinuxWorldArticle:
> http://www.linuxworld.com/site-stories/2002/0225.xterminal13.html
>
> Redefining the scope of Enterprise Software
>
> The NOLA web based software package allows your business to effortlessly
> reach further than previously thought possible. NOLA provides your
> company's accounting, inventory, point of sale, contact management,
> billing, purchasing, and reporting all in one integrated package. NOLA
> takes e-commerce to the next step, allowing for real time inventory
> quantity updates. Users are able to do ANYTHING from ANYWHERE.
>
> Rock solid stability
>
> The NOLA system is built around a secure, open platform. NOLA ships with
> the Apache Web Server, the most widely used web server in the world.
> Apache is used to serve more web sites than every other web server
> combined1. Also supplied is the MySQL database engine, a lightning fast
> SQL server designed for large amounts of data. MySQL is also used by
> NASA and Yahoo!.
>
> Gather Round the Campfire
>
> Okay, now we have our list of longhorn ledgers pulled together into the
> makings of a herd. In the next article, let's round up the strays and
> see if we can find the ones worth driving down that long dusty trail to
> meet your business accounting needs.
>
> Web Site: http://nola.noguska.com/main.html
>
> LinuxWorldArticle:
> http://www.linuxworld.com/site-stories/2002/0225.xterminal13.html
>
> Redefining the scope of Enterprise Software
>
> The NOLA web based software package allows your business to effortlessly
> reach further than previously thought possible. NOLA provides your
> company's accounting, inventory, point of sale, contact management,
> billing, purchasing, and reporting all in one integrated package. NOLA
> takes e-commerce to the next step, allowing for real time inventory
> quantity updates. Users are able to do ANYTHING from ANYWHERE.
>
> Rock solid stability
>
> The NOLA system is built around a secure, open platform. NOLA ships with
> the Apache Web Server, the most widely used web server in the world.
> Apache is used to serve more web sites than every other web server
> combined1. Also supplied is the MySQL database engine, a lightning fast
> SQL server designed for large amounts of data. MySQL is also used by
> NASA and Yahoo!.
>
> Gather Round the Campfire
>
> Okay, now we have our list of longhorn ledgers pulled together into the
> makings of a herd. In the next article, let's round up the strays and
> see if we can find the ones worth driving down that long dusty trail to
> meet your business accounting needs.
>
> =======================
>
> http://www.cfoweb.com.au/softwareguide06/product.asp?byid=1
>
> =========================
>
> http://www.ledgersmb.org/
>
> =========================
>
> http://freshmeat.net/articles/view/269/
>
> =========================
>
> http://www.turbocashuk.com/
>
> ============================
>
> http://lwn.net/Articles/149383/
>
> ==========================
>
>
>
>
>
> ================================
> And in closing,
> One of the members of a list I have asked
> had this to say on the subject:
>
> .........
>
> Look, my open source creds speak for themselves, so take what I'm about
> to say seriously.
>
> I use QB and I run it on XP.  It is literally the only reason I ever use
> Windows besides testing web sites under IE.  It costs a couple hundred
> bucks (and the price seems to be pretty steady) and is a good product.
> The payroll piece costs a lot more, but so does an accountant (which I
> also use, btw).
>
> If you're in business, you must surely know that there are expenses.  I
> pay 7 different taxes to 5 different taxing authorities.  I have to use
> an accountant.  And I use QB with the payroll module to handle that
> side.  It's just part of doing business.
>
> This has been discussed to death elsewhere, but let me say this.  There
> is no open source software that handles payroll taxes.  It is one of the
> extremely few (note: extremely few) instances where open source software
> probably will never exist.  The reasons are myriad, but in general it's
> not "sexy" (it's very boring to program) and most people won't do it
> without being paid.  Also, there's little incentive for anyone to
> reinvent that wheel since QB is very reasonably priced and handles it
> well.
>
> I don't know what your business is, but if you think QB is expensive I'm
> guessing that you haven't really looked at the cost of doing business.
> It's substantial.  Be forewarned.
>
> Michael
> -- Michael Darrin Chaney mdchaney at michaelchaney.com 
> http://www.michaelchaney.com/
>
> =======================================================
>
>
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>
>