Technologies required for ERP
In this article, I have discussed different technologies most of the programmers use for the ERP software development.
Software Architects and senior developers while designing and implementing ERP software will keep in mind that technologies they are going to use to develop the system.
Under the following three main areas of software application we will discuss the different technologies.
The availability of many databases, languages, frameworks technologies and front end tools programmers will have greater flexibility in developing ERP software.
Selecting a right set of development tools is necessary to make the application development successful.
One important thing to consider in selecting tools depends on the which platforms the application is used and features we need to implemet such as security and scalability, performance, reliability etc.
Programmers have choices of relational databases MSSQL, Oracle SQL and PostgreSQL as databases.
For programming back end popular technologies are .Net and ASP for web based ERP and ASP.Net Core for web ERP and developing cloud based ERP software, java, Ruby, Python and PHP. For developing front ends, popular ones are JavaScript, AngularJS, React and Vue.JS.
The following are the some of the popular ERP software available in the market. Each ERP software product built on different technologies used as database, front end and back end.
The most popular Technology Stack to develop ERP software is:
.NET, C#, ASP.NET, JavaScript, MSSQL
ERPNext is an open source ERP software built on MariaDB database system using a Python based server-side framework.
Openbravo is also an open source ERP software which is buit on Java-based architecture.
Odoo uses Python scripting and PostgreSQL database.
iDempiere
Dolibarr ERP
xTuple
Netsuite
Quick books
Oracle NetSuite
NetSuite system uses Oracle as its database,
Acumatica
Syspro
AccountMate
Cougar Mountain Denali Summit
Open Systems Traverse
SAP Business One Professional
Epicor ERP
Sage 300
Microsoft Dynamics 365
Let us discuss importance of databases systems in ERP and discuss about features of different database systems.
In an ERP system too, a database system is used to collect and store transaction data of an organization. The database software manages this data efficiently and provides features to maintain the integrity of the data.
Modern database systems provide many features such as structured query language to directly access the data from the database, transaction mechanism to enable concurrent access of database, stored procedures to enforce business logic, triggers to initiate actions, security to limit access of features of the database.
PostgreSQL is the most open-source database technology used in the ERP development. Organization decided to opt for the open-source technologies for the ERP project, PostgreSQL is the right choice because it easily integrates with the rest of the system. It also includes many indexing techniques, full-text search, and Elastic search capabilities, which most ERP users prefer to use.
Microsofts SQL is a popular ERP database for storing and retrieving data. MSSQL ensures availability and restorability, low cost of installation, enhanced performance, and better security features.
Oracle SQL saves data, upgrades it and retrieves it when needed with high speed. Oracle SQL automates backup and allows easy accessibility of data and it eliminates manual tasks.
Developers and architects should start considering other alternatives for persistence data in a relational databses expecially developing ERP applications from scratch.
NoSQL database like MongoDB is also suitable. For example Easy ERP open source ERP software uses mongodb as database.
When it comes to back-end programming languages there is no shortage of options, and there is a huge list of ERP technologies. However, the ultimate decision depends upon the goal.
.NET and ASP.NET are the most popular programming tools in the ERP technologies list. Using .Net and ASP.Net Core frameworks we can reuse codes more efficiently, so less cost in development.
With .NET, integration of various applications via the internet becomes seamless. They include product applications, accounting management, and service applications. .NET is best suited for developing web services which communicate information using standard internet protocols. It also includes tools for developing UIs for web and desktop applications. These tools have highly advanced features to quickly create data entry forms, client side validations, programs to implement business logic, programs to interact with the database and programs to communicate between different parts of the application.
These software tools come with features to debug while creating the above programs, easily manage, maintain and package the ERP software for deployment.
Same as the .NET, Java can be used for developing ERP software for both desktops and web. There are vast choice of the web development frameworks that give consistent experience across different browsers and platforms. Java is one of the best options available for the systems that require both cloud and desktop computing. Once you use Java in your ERP, then you can reuse the code for any of other business. It is easy to code and has excellent networking abilities. The benefits include advanced UI for mobile and desktop experiences. Java ensures proper data security; the users can download resources from any of the non-trusted websites without causing damage to the data. It offers a variety of flexibility; therefore, it always comes handy. Java is efficient, dynamic and neutral architecture.
In our list of new ERP technologies, next comes Ruby. Two reasons make a Ruby good choice, first, it has the ability to extend the modules and classes due to its self-hosting feature. Secondly, its quick database allows makes it the best programming language for the CRM. Ruby is also a nice choice for the backend if you are planning to make a web-based ERP without the desktop version and with the mobile apps. However, it is slightly harder to maintain, because Ruby is supported only by the community and it is hard to find many Ruby developers.
From the main architecture to its core scripting, ERP needs a simple language and it is one of the easy language available. The goal-oriented Python is easy to use and easy to read, thus programmers can easily implement it. It offers sophisticated data and allows regular check-in. It also serves as an automatic garbage collector. It is used to create byte-code for large-scale applications and allows high-end abstraction in the ERP model.
It is also a programming language used as one of the ERP technologies, however from a slightly different angle. Many of the enterprise applications have been written using PHP and it is still one of the most commonly used languages for the content management systems.
Choosing a right frontend ERP technologies for creating fast and responsive user interfaces is a key thing.
The following technologies used for developing both a desktop interface and web-based versions.
All time favorite for most of the programmers. Using this, one can develop SPA and web applications and cloud based ERP applications. Since cloud based apps are accessible as mobile apps it will a great choice.
This framework is many developers choice expecially applications using the Java or C#. Websites work across different browsers and devices.
It is a great option for developing ERP system. Websites developed using this fronend technology, can be used for mobile app development.
This framework is very easy to use for developrig user interface screens expecailly Single Page Application(SPA).
The Client/Server technology model is the model on which today's softwares are developed. A Client/Server model is one in which the client computer is identified separately from the server computer.
In this model, the client computer makes the request and the server computer accepts this request, processes the request and initiates a response. Under this model, the client hosts certain parts of the software while server hosts certain parts of the software.
This design architecture allows hosting of resources like databases in central locations and distributing resources like user interface and reporting services to other locations.
Typically, in a client/server environment, the desktop computers are connected using networking devices like hubs and routers to centrally located servers like database servers, application servers, print servers and file servers.
When developing an ERP software for an organization, whether located in a single location or spread over multiple locations it is advisable and strongly recommended to design the ERP software based on this model.
In cloud/ web-based ERP the database and the backend are running in the cloud typically, a SaaS product. The interface is rendered in the web browser. All you need to access it is a web browser on any device.
You can easily access applications including disk storage, memory and processing power which are hosted on the server. The upfront cost of the web-based ERP technology is lower. Installation of software and hardware is not required which is usually a long process, therefore the turnover of cloud-based ERP technology is quick.
Software Architects and senior developers while designing and implementing ERP software will keep in mind that technologies they are going to use to develop the system.
Under the following three main areas of software application we will discuss the different technologies.
- Databases
- Frameworks to develop back ends
- Front end tools
The availability of many databases, languages, frameworks technologies and front end tools programmers will have greater flexibility in developing ERP software.
Selecting a right set of development tools is necessary to make the application development successful.
One important thing to consider in selecting tools depends on the which platforms the application is used and features we need to implemet such as security and scalability, performance, reliability etc.
Programmers have choices of relational databases MSSQL, Oracle SQL and PostgreSQL as databases.
For programming back end popular technologies are .Net and ASP for web based ERP and ASP.Net Core for web ERP and developing cloud based ERP software, java, Ruby, Python and PHP. For developing front ends, popular ones are JavaScript, AngularJS, React and Vue.JS.
The following are the some of the popular ERP software available in the market. Each ERP software product built on different technologies used as database, front end and back end.
The most popular Technology Stack to develop ERP software is:
.NET, C#, ASP.NET, JavaScript, MSSQL
ERPNext is an open source ERP software built on MariaDB database system using a Python based server-side framework.
Openbravo is also an open source ERP software which is buit on Java-based architecture.
Odoo uses Python scripting and PostgreSQL database.
iDempiere
Dolibarr ERP
xTuple
Netsuite
Quick books
Oracle NetSuite
NetSuite system uses Oracle as its database,
Acumatica
Syspro
AccountMate
Cougar Mountain Denali Summit
Open Systems Traverse
SAP Business One Professional
Epicor ERP
Sage 300
Microsoft Dynamics 365
Let us discuss importance of databases systems in ERP and discuss about features of different database systems.
Database systems
ERP systems use relational database management systems (RDBMS) to store enterprise data. Many of you will be aware that a database system is a computer software which is used to collect and store data.In an ERP system too, a database system is used to collect and store transaction data of an organization. The database software manages this data efficiently and provides features to maintain the integrity of the data.
Modern database systems provide many features such as structured query language to directly access the data from the database, transaction mechanism to enable concurrent access of database, stored procedures to enforce business logic, triggers to initiate actions, security to limit access of features of the database.
- ERP software developers should be proficient in using various interface tools of the database software.
- ERP Developers have many choices of the ERP-friendly database technologies.
- The database which is the significant part of the ERP solution that holds data.
- The most recommended and widely used DBMS for developing ERP software is MSSQL.
- Because of its Data security, integrity and proven track record and also open source. Another database which is also used is PostgreSQL, as it has powerful tools including server management studio and server profiler.
PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL is the most open-source database technology used in the ERP development. Organization decided to opt for the open-source technologies for the ERP project, PostgreSQL is the right choice because it easily integrates with the rest of the system. It also includes many indexing techniques, full-text search, and Elastic search capabilities, which most ERP users prefer to use.
MSSQL
Microsofts SQL is a popular ERP database for storing and retrieving data. MSSQL ensures availability and restorability, low cost of installation, enhanced performance, and better security features.
Oracle SQL
Oracle SQL saves data, upgrades it and retrieves it when needed with high speed. Oracle SQL automates backup and allows easy accessibility of data and it eliminates manual tasks.
Developers and architects should start considering other alternatives for persistence data in a relational databses expecially developing ERP applications from scratch.
NoSQL database like MongoDB is also suitable. For example Easy ERP open source ERP software uses mongodb as database.
Backend Programming Technologies
When it comes to back-end programming languages there is no shortage of options, and there is a huge list of ERP technologies. However, the ultimate decision depends upon the goal.
.NET
.NET and ASP.NET are the most popular programming tools in the ERP technologies list. Using .Net and ASP.Net Core frameworks we can reuse codes more efficiently, so less cost in development.
With .NET, integration of various applications via the internet becomes seamless. They include product applications, accounting management, and service applications. .NET is best suited for developing web services which communicate information using standard internet protocols. It also includes tools for developing UIs for web and desktop applications. These tools have highly advanced features to quickly create data entry forms, client side validations, programs to implement business logic, programs to interact with the database and programs to communicate between different parts of the application.
These software tools come with features to debug while creating the above programs, easily manage, maintain and package the ERP software for deployment.
Java
Same as the .NET, Java can be used for developing ERP software for both desktops and web. There are vast choice of the web development frameworks that give consistent experience across different browsers and platforms. Java is one of the best options available for the systems that require both cloud and desktop computing. Once you use Java in your ERP, then you can reuse the code for any of other business. It is easy to code and has excellent networking abilities. The benefits include advanced UI for mobile and desktop experiences. Java ensures proper data security; the users can download resources from any of the non-trusted websites without causing damage to the data. It offers a variety of flexibility; therefore, it always comes handy. Java is efficient, dynamic and neutral architecture.
Ruby
In our list of new ERP technologies, next comes Ruby. Two reasons make a Ruby good choice, first, it has the ability to extend the modules and classes due to its self-hosting feature. Secondly, its quick database allows makes it the best programming language for the CRM. Ruby is also a nice choice for the backend if you are planning to make a web-based ERP without the desktop version and with the mobile apps. However, it is slightly harder to maintain, because Ruby is supported only by the community and it is hard to find many Ruby developers.
Python
From the main architecture to its core scripting, ERP needs a simple language and it is one of the easy language available. The goal-oriented Python is easy to use and easy to read, thus programmers can easily implement it. It offers sophisticated data and allows regular check-in. It also serves as an automatic garbage collector. It is used to create byte-code for large-scale applications and allows high-end abstraction in the ERP model.
PHP
It is also a programming language used as one of the ERP technologies, however from a slightly different angle. Many of the enterprise applications have been written using PHP and it is still one of the most commonly used languages for the content management systems.
Frontend technologies for the ERP
Choosing a right frontend ERP technologies for creating fast and responsive user interfaces is a key thing.
The following technologies used for developing both a desktop interface and web-based versions.
JavaScript
All time favorite for most of the programmers. Using this, one can develop SPA and web applications and cloud based ERP applications. Since cloud based apps are accessible as mobile apps it will a great choice.
AngularJS
This framework is many developers choice expecially applications using the Java or C#. Websites work across different browsers and devices.
React
It is a great option for developing ERP system. Websites developed using this fronend technology, can be used for mobile app development.
Vue.JS
This framework is very easy to use for developrig user interface screens expecailly Single Page Application(SPA).
Client/Server ERP
The Client/Server technology model is the model on which today's softwares are developed. A Client/Server model is one in which the client computer is identified separately from the server computer.
In this model, the client computer makes the request and the server computer accepts this request, processes the request and initiates a response. Under this model, the client hosts certain parts of the software while server hosts certain parts of the software.
This design architecture allows hosting of resources like databases in central locations and distributing resources like user interface and reporting services to other locations.
Typically, in a client/server environment, the desktop computers are connected using networking devices like hubs and routers to centrally located servers like database servers, application servers, print servers and file servers.
When developing an ERP software for an organization, whether located in a single location or spread over multiple locations it is advisable and strongly recommended to design the ERP software based on this model.
Cloud/web-based ERP
In cloud/ web-based ERP the database and the backend are running in the cloud typically, a SaaS product. The interface is rendered in the web browser. All you need to access it is a web browser on any device.
You can easily access applications including disk storage, memory and processing power which are hosted on the server. The upfront cost of the web-based ERP technology is lower. Installation of software and hardware is not required which is usually a long process, therefore the turnover of cloud-based ERP technology is quick.
