Open source software is any kind of computer program with a source code that is available to the general public; it has usually been written and added to by a group of programmers. Inventory managers use open source asset management software to track the quantity, location, and status of equipment and materials. Financial analysts and advisers might use asset management software to access portfolios, market behaviors, and values of financial assets. To choose the best open source asset management software, you should analyze your expectations and the features can help you to achieve your goals.
For example, an inventory manager who needs to organize expenses and bills more effectively will benefit from needs asset management software that enables him or her to create budgets and share information with colleagues. In this context, you should look for open source asset management software that has good workflow features and with which users can generate financial reports. A financial professional, on the other hand, might need software that accesses real time data related to financial markets.
If you have employees who will be required to work with the open source asset management software that you choose, an important concern is usability. With a program that has a complex interface with buttons that are not marked clearly, you can spend too much time in training. Likewise, complicated interfaces tend to have negative impacts on accuracy of data since users might continually enter data incorrectly. Find an asset management program that is self explanatory and pleasant to use. Not only does this cut back on training time and costs, but a highly usable interface leads to employees using software more often.
A good way to start learning about options for open source asset management software is by reading trade publications. If you work as a software inventory manager, find an industry publication and learn which systems other professionals are using. You can learn about available features, how they improve business, and how you can gain access to them.
You might also want to take advantage of the fact that much open source asset management software is free. Source codes of these programs are available to the public, meaning that they can be accessed by anyone. Download several programs to learn how they work and how easy they are to use. Reviews of software can often be inaccurate or lead readers to incorrect impressions. You also can test for compatibility by observing how software interacts with other applications in your business network.
