Originally Published: August 2005
In a previous article, I touted the benefits of the open source web browser Firefox. The primary reason Firefox took off so quickly and became a hit is because of its open source framework. Not only does open source make it free to use, but it also allows the code to be a living document, constantly being updated and improved upon. Because of the software’s constant updates, stability and security, Firefox has been a success with developers and common users alike. However, Firefox is not the only piece of open source software that is making waves with both audiences. OpenOffice.org and Sugar Open Source CRM are two other tools that benefit users, as well as programmers.
OpenOffice.org recently released a new version of its OpenOffice.org suite of productivity tools for use on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD and Solaris platforms. The OpenOffice.org productivity suite is very similar to Microsoft Office in that it includes a word processor (named WRITER), a spreadsheet application (CALC), a graphics program (DRAW) and a presentation design application (IMPRESS). The suite is designed to compete directly with Microsoft Office with one major difference… a price tag of $0. Along with similar functionality to Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, the latest release of OpenOffice.org features PDF and Macromedia Flash export capabilities and enhanced Microsoft Office file compatibility.
Adobe PDF Export
With OpenOffice.org’s PDF export feature, you can export any document, spreadsheet or presentation directly to Adobe PDF format without the need for additional software.
Macromedia Flash Export
This feature allows you to export presentations directly to Macromedia Flash, allowing for easy distribution or embedding into web pages.
Mobile Formats
In addition to PDF and Flash export, OpenOffice.org has added support for Palm, Pocket Word and Pocket Excel for easy transfer to PDA's and handheld devices.
In addition to the convenience of a free suite of productivity tools, OpenOffice.org offers users the benefits of thousands of programmers constantly tweaking and updating the software. Therefore, bugs are fixed and patches created much more quickly than for a piece of traditional software. And, free software upgrades are released much more often. However, the one downside to OpenOffice.org is its current lack of a program similar to Microsoft Access. Reports state that the organization is working on an Access compatible program, but currently no such program exists.
Along with OpenOffice.org, another open source program gaining ground is Sugar Open Source, a web-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software program that includes sales, marketing and support functions. Instead of purchasing high-priced packaged CRM software, Sugar Open Source provides the essentials in a free, user-friendly (and more importantly, programmer-friendly) package.
Sugar Open Source gives users the following abilities:
· Create and manage appointments
· Track and set tasks
· Track sales leads
· Import, create and track contacts
· Create and track accounts
· Set up meetings by email invitation
· Track calls and set reminder calls
· Create and review notes
· Create, import and export vCards
· Compose and send email with attachments
· Import data from other sources including Salesforce.com, Microsoft Outlook and Act!
· Accurate, visual snapshot of your sales function via dashboard function
As you can see from this list, Sugar Open Source is a full-featured program that can compete with many of the off-the-shelf CRM products on the market such as Act! and Goldmine. Because the system is web-based and written in PHP and MySQL, it is also very easy to customize. The addition of new modules and more complex programming such as integrating intranets into the Sugar Open Source software is relatively simple. And like OpenOffice.org, Sugar Open Source is cost-free to the user.
Open source tools are becoming more widespread as their sophistication evolves to the point where they can realistically compete head-to-head with popular, expensive off-the-shelf products. As Firefox has cut into Internet Explorer's market share, OpenOffice.org and Sugar Open Source are lining themselves up to do just that with Microsoft Office and Act!, respectively. While these two pieces of software may not have the bells and whistles of Office or Act!, they do offer similar functionality. And, the price tag more than makes up for what they lack. Who knows, we soon might be giving IMPRESS presentations, creating WRITER documents and inviting the HR director to a company meeting using Sugar Open Source.
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