Investigate the possibility of using an ERP software for invoicing

[knikolla]

We're at the point where we're starting to head down the path of implementing a ledger in order to supporting prepayments and project groups under the same billable account.

These are features that are already present in most ERP software and we should spend some time investigating whether we can adopt them or learn from their UX/workflow with regards to these specific features and incorporate some of the architecture.

A quick google search pointed me to https://erpnext.com and https://www.odoo.com/ which are open source or open core and have a managed hosted version that seems affordable for our scale.

(Thanks Naved for suggesting we should look into some invoicing solution that already exists during the meeting today)

[jon-stumpf]

I think the idea of using an ERP platform is a great idea. A key consideration will be the platform's ability to integrate to existing (or planned) systems at BU. We also need the ability to build a more robust cost model (not in spreadsheets) so that we can better account for indirect costs that will be spread in an equitable way. (This might be a separate piece of software that would be integrated.) What other criteria should we consider when selecting an ERP platform?

[msdisme]

follow up from a brief discussion with Jon - odoo is the one he would initially lean towards, suggest looking at plugin to odoo for netbox interaction so we may use that for inventory management.