IJCST Vo l . 5, Iss u e Sp l - 2, Ja n - Ma r h 2014 ISSN : 0976-8491 (Online) | ISSN : 2229-4333 (Print) Innovative Low Cost Open Source Business Intelligence Systems For MID Size Companies 1Priyabrata Nayak, 2Arabinda Tripathy, 3Manmathnath Das 1,2,3Gandhi Institute for Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

Abstract While BI is implemented to take decision quickly, it takes around BI is one of those buzz phrases that sound super- cool but are 18 months for data warehousing system to completely implement often misunderstood. Very small to very large companies use BI the system. [4] In today’s fast paced and unpredictable industrial to improve decision making, cut costs and identify new business scenario waiting with such patience just to watch the execution opportunities. BI converts data into useful information and through of BI seems difficult. human analysis to knowledge. Knowledge is power but spending Business intelligence environment requires a broader range a giant wad of money on fancy BI software won’t do any good. of specialized skills with necessary experience in toolsets and SAP, Oracle, IBM, are some of the big names in BI methods. In addition, this range of knowledge and skills cannot with big price tags. These proprietary vendors sell BI systems as usually be found in a single person, and so a team of staff is fragmented products, buying all the pieces may prove to be overly required to provide a comprehensive and effective approach to expensive. On a feature by feature comparison open source BI business intelligence either physically or virtually. Hence arising tools can’t beat these leading closed source offering. The purpose a question ’the availability of business information is strategic but of this paper is to encourage organizations to develop innovative is investment in Business Intelligence skills strategic?’ open source BI solutions and to review the intangible benefits The end-user and maintenance agreement with related to in house BI development in industry. lots of restrictions and conditions, renewal system, and user limit are irritating obstructions for implementing BI in mid size Keywords organizations. The fear of losing data, and the fear of Open source BI, innovative BI, BI open source alternatives, BI will not be updated due to use restriction makes it difficult for innovation organizations to blindly trust on these commercial BI systems.

I. Introduction III. ERP Software Packages A BI is an information system that employs BI tools to produce and deliver information. BI tools are computer programs that A. Proprietary Software [5] implement a particular BI technique i.e. the logic of a particular procedure or process. A BI application uses BI tools on a particular type of data for a particular purpose. The BI system delivers the results of BI application to users. BI has consistently remained a top-five spending priority for CIOs. [1] Many companies and organizations are still struggling to achieve full potential of their BI investments. Since many mid-market manufacturers are struggling with ERP implementation, hence it becomes vital for the firms to give due thought to the business intelligence aspect. Research shows several limitations and shortcomings of many BI deployments. [2] The objective of this paper is for organizations to develop innovative in-house business intelligence solutions. Hopefully this will give a glimmer of hope in the days of rising prices and falling economy.

II. BI Systems Have Limited Success Business intelligence systems provide a significant return on investment for organizations -- when they’re effectively designed, deployed and managed. But BI applications often have a more limited impact, and less of a payback, than they should [3]. The major objective of Business intelligence system is to stockpile past data about a firm’s deals and reveal it in such a way that it permits professionals in decision making. But the complexity in implementation of those data can be so intricate that it can make business techniques rigid to deal with. Many firms do not consider them to be highly essential, for its complexity. It must be understood by the BI developers that storing data in the business intelligence system just for the sake of the company does not increase its worth but results in vice versa effect.

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1C:Enterprise from 1C Company 24SevenOffice Start, Premium, Professional and Custom from 24SevenOffice abas Business Software from ABAS Software AG Log-net from LOG-NET, Inc. Access SupplyChain from the Access Group Maximo (MRO) from IBM Activant acquired by Epicor Made2Manage ERP from Consona Corporation Cloud ERP from Acumatica MECOMS from Ferranti Computer Systems AddonSoftware from BASIS International AX (formerly Axapta) from Microsoft Agresso Business World from Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains) from Microsoft AIVA 9001 from AIVA SISTEMA Microsoft Dynamics NAV (formerly Navision) from Microsoft AXIS ERP from Consona Corporation Microsoft Dynamics SL (formerly Solomon) from Microsoft Baan ERP from Global Solutions Momentum from CGI Group BatchMaster ERP from BatchMaster Software mySAP from SAP BridgeLogiQ from Feith Systems MyWorkPLAN from Sescoi CGI Advantage from CGI Group (formerly American Management Systems) NAV-X from Microsoft and NAV-X LLC CGram Enterprise from CGram Software NetSuite from NetSuite Inc. Cimnet Systems from Consona Corporation Openda QX from Openda Ciright ERP from Ciright Systems OpenMFG from xTuple COA Solutions Ltd - Smart Business Suite Opera (I, II and 3) from Pegasus Software Coda Financials from Unit4 Oracle E-Business Suite from Oracle Comarch Altum from Comarch Oracle Fusion from Oracle Comarch Semiramis from Comarch OSAS from Open Systems Software Compass ERP from Transtek PeopleSoft from Oracle professional edition from Consona Corporation Plex Online from Plex Systems DEACOM ERP from Deacom ProfitKey from ProfitKey International EFACS from Exel Computer Systems and RAD Software. Pronto Software from Pronto Software Encompix ERP from Consona Corporation Prophet 21 fromEpicor ENFOS Quintiq EnterpriseIQ from IQMS QAD Enterprise Applications (formerly MFG/Pro) from QAD Inc Epicor Enterprise from Epicor Ramco Enterprise Series 4.x from Ramco Systems Epicor ERP from Epicor Ramco e.Applications from Ramco Systems Retail ERP from Erply Ramco On Demand ERP from Ramco Systems MAX from Exact Software Rapid Response Manufacturing from ProfitKey International Exact Macola ES from Exact Software TeamWox from MetaQuotes Software corp. Exact Globe Next from Exact Software Sage PFW ERP from Exact Online from Exact Software Sage Pro ERP from Sage Group FinancialForce Accounting from FinancialForce.com Sage 100 ERP (formerly Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200) from Sage Group FinancialForce Professional Services Automation (aka PSA) from ERP (formerly Accpac) from Sage Group FinancialForce.com Sage 500 ERP from Sage Group Fishbowl Inventory from Fishbowl Sage ERP X3 from Sage Group Greentree Business Software from Greentree International SAP Business All-in-One from SAP IFS Applications from Industrial and Financial Systems SAP Business ByDesign from SAP Ignition MES and OEE Module Inductive Automation SAP Business One from SAP Infor10 Barcode from Infor Global Solutions SAP Business Suite from SAP Infor10 Discrete iEnterprise (XA) (aka MAPICS) from Infor Global Solutions SohoOS Infor10 Distribution Business (aka SX.Enterprise) from Infor Global Solutions SYSPRO from Syspro Infor10 Distribution Express (aka FACTS) from Infor Global Solutions Tally.ERP 9 from Infor10 ERP Business (aka SyteLine) from Infor Global Solutions Technology One from Technology One Infor10 ERP Visual (aka Visual Enterprise) Infor Global Solutions TradeXpress from TradeCard Infor10 ERP Process Business (aka Adage) from Infor Global Solutions TRAVERSE from Open Systems Infor ERP Blending (aka BLENDING) from Infor Global Solutions UFIDA NC from UFIDA Intacct Intacct and Intacct Accountant Edition UFIDA ERP-U8 All-in-one from UFIDA Intuitive ERP from Consona Corporation UFIDA U9 from UFIDA JD Edwards EnterpriseOne from Oracle Visibility.net from Visibility JD Edwards World from Oracle Workday from Workday, Inc. Jeeves from Jeeves Information Systems AB WorkPLAN Enterprise from Sescoi JustFoodERP from IndustryBuilt Software Corp. kVASy4 from SIV.AG

B. Free and Open Source Software [6] Name Platform technology Description Adaxa Suite Java Integrated ERP built on Adempiere Java Began as a fork of Compiere Compiere Java Acquired by Consona Corporation in June 2010 PHP, MySQL EpesiBIM PHP, MySQL Web application ERP5 Python, , MySQL Based on unified model ERPNEXT Python, JavaScript, MySQL ERP for small and medium-size businesses Fedena Ruby, MySQL ERP for schools/universities FrontAccounting PHP, MySQL Web application GNU Enterprise Python HeliumV Java ERP for small and medium-size businesses

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Name Platform technology Description JFire Java Foundation Java For higher by higher education LedgerSMB Perl, PostgreSQL Began as a fork of SQL- in 2006 Apache OFBiz Java, Apache HTTP Server ERP and e-commerce suite from the Apache Software Foundation Java, PostgreSQL, Oracle OB 3.0 release is available since Jan, 31st 2013 Python, Javascript, OpenERP version 7.0 was released on 12/21/12, OpenERP was OpenERP PostgreSQL formerly known as Tiny ERP Phreedom PHP, Javascript, MySQL Expanded from Phreebooks accounting engine C++, JavaScript, PostgreSQL Produced by XTuple; uses the framework SQL-Ledger Perl, PostgreSQL Originally forked from OpenERP, cleaned-up code base with Python continious update/migration path WebERP PHP, MySQL LAMP-based system

IV. A Look at Microsoft Dynamics AX, Oracle and SAP nice feature that Oracle has that when inventory falls below a There are many different enterprise resource planning systems certain point, the system creates a purchase order for the item in available. In this paper we will look at some of the top systems question. The system then notifies managers the next morning available like Microsoft Dynamics AX, Oracle, and SAP. keeping the people in power with up-to-date information. One of the disadvantages of the Oracle system is that it tends to be less A. Microsoft Dynamic AX user-friendly to smaller businesses where as Microsoft Dynamics There are many benefits to this system. First of all, it has an AX works well with both types of businesses. The E-Business architecture that is multilayered which makes it very user-friendly Tax module does not particularly well if you are not operating for everyone and can adapt to a changing business. If you have overseas. Another weakness is that of the sales module which is other Microsoft programs on your computer, such as Word, Excel quite important. Many customers tend to use other sales modules and Outlook, it works seamlessly with them allowing for an easy or try to make their own [8]. transfer of information. Collaboration both external and internal is quite easy with this system as companies can share information C. SAP ERP with each part of the business quite simply. For large, international SAP is a company that has been around for quite some time businesses the system works very well due to multi-language and and owns quite a large share of the market. In other words, they multi-currency capabilities. Microsoft Dynamics AX now meets know the ERP market very well. In 2012, SAP owned roughly a regulatory requirements for 36 countries. Not only does Microsoft quarter of the market, according to Forbes. Despite being such a Dynamics AX work with larger companies but it also works large company they also do business with companies with fewer equally well with companies that have only one location. Global than 1000 employees which show their diverse client base. They ERP support also comes with the system to answer any question work with businesses in over 45 countries. One of the areas that or solve any problem that may come up. The 2012 version has SAP has excelled at for many years is business intelligence. They over 1000 enhancements over the 2009 version. One of the many have a very integrated and user friendly system which includes reasons that companies are now turning to Microsoft Dynamics dashboards, report writing, and data warehousing. If you are not AX is that it has a shorter implementation due to the familiar nature familiar with SAP software it tends to take longer to pick up of Microsoft products with an average implementation time of 13 and the implementation process tends to take longer than other months which is several months shorter than its competitors. The alternatives. Not only does the implementation take longer but system also allows users to make changes more rapidly. According it also tends to be more expensive than other systems. Another to a recent survey by Panorama Consulting Solutions, Microsoft negative about ERP software is that it demands many upgrades Dynamics AX had the shortest implementation time comparing which can be come costly. Whichever system you choose it is it to Oracle and SAP. While there are many benefits to Microsoft important to find out what is best for the type of business that Dynamics AX, there a few negatives as well. One of the more you run. Microsoft Dynamics AX, Oracle E-Business Suite, and recent complaints is that the system has moved towards larger SAP ERP all have their advantages and can benefit your business companies and left smaller companies behind. Having a strong if implemented correctly [9]. cloud ERP option is also something that can be improved [7]. V. Impact, Advantages and Limitations of Proprietary B. Oracle e-Business Suite BI Investment Oracle E-Business Suite is one of the leading competitors to Although businesses intelligence provides a great way for Microsoft Dynamics AX. One of the benefits of this system is organizations to view information as a strategic asset, available that they integrate many different modules very seamlessly into options in the market are either priced very high or require long one system allowing for easy use. The Oracle system also allows implementation cycles. A struggling economy puts even more for customization similar to that of Microsoft Dynamics AX. pressure on organization’s buying agendas. Stories of many Strength of the system is the automation of many processes, so organizations validate this fact: that manual data entry by employees is no longer required from After excessive maintenance and upgrade costs for an existing other systems. Rather, employees can focus on other areas to Oracle BI, Otto International an International Trading Organization spend their time on, making the company much stronger. A very went for a low cost open source BI solution [10].

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London Oncology Clinic, Europe’s Top Cancer Treatment Facility Open source software is software that users have the ability to selected a low cost open source BI solution over SAP Business run, distribute, study and modify for any purpose. Objects because SAP’s price per additional user created a large Open source is a collaborative software development method that uplift, inhibiting their staff, senior management, and board to harnesses the power of peer review and transparency of process benefit from reports on treatment types and diagnoses [11]. to develop code that is freely accessible. While there are several negative feedbacks received from Open source draws on an ecosystem of thousands of developers organizations, yet Proprietary BI holds the following and customers all over the world to drive motivation. advantages: Any type of software program can be open source, including 1. Predictable release operating systems (e.g., ), (e.g., PostgreSQL), 2. Entity to hold responsible for bugs, errors, and updates applications (e.g., OpenOffice.org), games, and even programming 3. Consistent feature development languages (e.g., Python). Open source software is identified by 4. More stable framework the type of license it is released under. These licenses include the 5. More consistent training option Apache 2.0 license, the Microsoft Public License, and the GNU 6. Easier access to support General Public License. While there are some variations, most Proprietary BI is a sustaining technology. It focuses on open source licenses require that the source code be freely available existing customer needs. The benefits of Proprietary BI include and users are free to modify the source code and redistribute the availability of consultants and integrations for installation; an software and derived works. application that is tested for bugs; better features to provide for Open source technology has spawned an open source culture different industry requirements; and flexibility to integrate with among programmers and developers who embrace the open different technologies. With all the above advantages BI is not a source philosophy. Many open source initiatives begin to spite recommended option for many organizations due to: the large corporations who dominate the markets with expensive, • Higher start-up cost complicated, and over-commercialized software. In fact, many • Single company realizing patches Linux developers are committed to producing software that rivals • Vendor owns software or even surpasses the flexibility and compatibility of such software • Development occurs behind walls giants as Microsoft, Apple, and IBM. [14] • Source code is locked up We all know open source has become an important tool in pure software development. What’s now becoming clear, according VI. Impact, Advantages and Limitations of Open Source to a Black Duck Software and North Bridge Venture Partners BI Investment open-source survey that was released on April 17th and events Open source BI does not hold the guarantee that development will at the Linux Foundation’s Linux Collaboration Summit, is that continue. It uses intellectual property algorithms and no support open source is now helping improve enterprise networking, smart for consistency. Though the above limitations are hold by open cars, and academia. source BI, yet these can’t be considered as disadvantages. The More than 50% of the software acquired in the next five years following are the goodness of open source BI: will be open source, according to the sixth annual Future of Open 1. Source code available, modifiable Source Survey published by North Bridge Venture Partners and 2. Redistribute solutions Black Duck Software Inc. 3. Use software in any way 4. Eliminates single point of failure VIII. Why Build in-house BI? 5. Democratic forum for action It’s time to highlight the things that are good and right in the 6. No vendor lock in industry. Like most industries, the renewal and innovation occurs 7. Given enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow at the fringe, beyond the comfort zone of established vendors. 8. Zero license fees The firms that develop a strategy to deal with the new market Open source exists ‘All around us’ in form of Operating systems, realities will be the ones who make money. Smart phones, Databases, Productivity software, Browsers, Image Here is short list of the major reasons why building in-house open editing, Member databases, Tools, Content management and the source BI is an attractive choice for businesses: list goes on. In production and development, open source as a development A. Control model promotes universal access via free license to a product’s Using Open Source software lets you be in control of your design or blueprint, and universal redistribution of that design or business. Unlike commercial software you can be the master of blueprint, including subsequent improvements to it by anyone. your own destiny.

VII. Why Choose Open Source? B. Flexibility A report by the Standish Group (from 2008) states that adoption It is licensed in such a way that you can modify it yourself or of open-source software models has resulted in savings of about hire a third party to modify it to suit the specific needs of your $60 billion per year to consumers. [12] business. The top four reasons (as provided by Open Source Business Conference survey [13]) individuals or organizations choose C. Reliability open source. It is developed in such a way that it is typically more reliable ( i.e. With open source mid size organizations can develop their own fewer bugs ) than software which is developed using a standard BI by a single person with a clear analysis on company stability, commercial development method. developer support, feature fit to prioritize needs, product stability, security and technology platform compatibility. www.ijcst.com International Journal of Computer Science And Technology 77 IJCST Vo l . 5, Iss u e Sp l - 2, Ja n - Ma r c h 2014 ISSN : 0976-8491 (Online) | ISSN : 2229-4333 (Print)

D. Cost [3] Forbes,“Replacing legacy core banking systems -- SAP has Open source software can be obtained and used with little to no limited success”, [Tom Groenfeldt ]. [Online] Available: up front costs. You only pay for the support you actually need, http://www.forbes.com/sites/tomgroenfeldt/2012/12/18/ and most importantly only when you need it. replacing-legacy-core-banking-systems-sap-has-limited- success/ E. Longevity [4] Wikipedia.“List of ERP software packages”. [Online] When a commercial software company goes out of business you Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ERP_ lose all your support, bug fixes, security patches, and possibility software_packages of future versions. If a piece of software you use is critical to your [5] ERP Software blog,“A look at microsoft dynamics AX, Oracle, business, and is Open Source, you can simply contract with a SAP”. [Online] Available: http://www.erpsoftwareblog. consulting firm, individual programmers, or other third parties. com/2013/09/a-look-at-microsoft-dynamics-ax-oracle-and- Having your own developed BI system gives you, as a business sap/ owner, enormous power and control over your day to day [6] “Open source business intelligence”, [Online] Available: operations. http://opensourcebi.wordpress.com/category/bi-analysts/ When you pay for commercial software, you are really paying [7] Rothwell, Richard (2008-08-05).“Creating wealth with free for several different types of support. These costs are factored in, software”. Magazine. Retrieved 2008-09- but the margin on commercial software is so huge that these costs 08. are recouped very quickly. [8] Irina Guseva (@irina_guseva) (2009-03-26). “Bad Economy By building your own BI you can get Is Good for Open Source”. Cmswire.com. Retrieved 2012- 1. Direct Support 03-25. 2. Indirect Support [9] “Bright hub”. [Online] Available: http://www.brighthub.com/ 3. Longevity computing/linux/articles/62137.aspx 4. Sense of Security Priyabrata Nayak, Lecturer Dept. of CSE IX. Conclusion Gandhi Institute For Technology, How many times have you heard “That will be fixed in our next Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. release which is scheduled to be available in 7 months for the reasonable upgrade price of $799.95” from your software vendor? What if you need the bug fixed now not later? Unless you want to spend vast sums of money to change your vendor’s plans you are probably out of luck. By using Open Source technology and your own programmers you are free to take your business elsewhere to meet your time lines. Exactly as you would take your car to another mechanic if your regular one is booked solid for the next three weeks. Open Source software is the basis for most of the Internet’s infrastructure. Many of the common Internet services, such as web Arabind Tripathy received his M.Tech servers and E-mail, have their roots in Open Source software. 64% degree in IT from KISD, Bhubaneswar, of web servers on the Internet run the Apache Open Source web Odisha in 2011-12. He is working as Asst server software. 70% of Internet E-mail travels through Sendmail, Prof. in Department of CSE at GIFT. He an Open Source E-mail server. I mention this because some people is having 5 year of experience in teaching falsely believe high quality software can only be created in some line. His research interests include software company’s cubicle and cannot be made collaboratively DBMS, IWT, Software Engineering and over the Internet. Software Testing. Just as you are not tied to a particular company to provide your business’ other infrastructure ( i.e. electricians, plumbers, contractors ), you should not be tied to one company for your IT infrastructure. I’ll be happy to take your suggestions (and update this paper) for things I’ve missed in.

X. References [1] Claraview. “Business intelligence solutions”. [Online]. http:// www.claraview.com/services/implementation-services/bi- development [2] Search Business Analytics,“Six misconceptions about deploying BI applications and systems”, [Rick Sherman, Founder, Athena IT Solutions]. [Online] Available: http://searchbusinessanalytics.techtarget.com/tip/Six- misconceptions-about-deploying-BI-applications-and- systems

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