Category: Self-hosted

Dolibarr is a comprehensive open-source software for enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM). Designed to meet the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), freelancers, and associations, it offers a simple, flexible, and modular solution to efficiently organise the various activities of an organisation.

Why host your own services? My perspective: Why self-host your services?

Key Features

Dolibarr allows the management of numerous aspects of a business:

• Clients and prospects: Manage contacts, create quotes, issue invoices, and track payments and reminders.
• Product and stock management: Track items, manage stock levels, and handle suppliers.
• Orders and sales: Manage client and supplier orders, and create purchase orders and delivery notes.
• Accounting: Track expenses and revenues, generate financial reports, and manage invoices.
• Project management: Monitor tasks, deadlines, and resources for ongoing projects.
• Human resources: Track employees, manage leaves, absences, and expense reports.

Advantages of Dolibarr

Dolibarr excels due to its modularity: each user can activate only the features they need, making the software highly customisable. With its intuitive interface, it is easy to use, even for non-technical users.

As open-source software, Dolibarr is free, making it an accessible alternative to paid software solutions. It can be installed locally on a server or used in SaaS mode (hosted in the cloud) for remote access via a web browser.

Finally, it is scalable: suitable for small businesses, it can grow alongside the company as its needs evolve.

Conclusion

Dolibarr is a versatile and cost-effective ERP/CRM solution, ideal for organisations seeking a simple, modular, and high-performance management tool.

Visit the official website of Dolibarr

Self-hosting your own services, whether it be websites, applications, or management systems, is an option chosen by many businesses and individuals for various reasons. Here are some key advantages of this approach.

1. Complete Control

One of the main advantages of self-hosting is having complete control over the server environment. You decide which software to install, what configurations to apply, and which security policies to enforce. Unlike third-party hosted services, where limitations may restrict your choices, here you are in full control of all technical decisions and can adapt the infrastructure to your specific needs.

2. Data Privacy

When you host your services, your data remains in your hands. You are not reliant on third-party providers to manage sensitive data, thereby reducing the risk of leaks or unauthorised access. This is particularly important for businesses subject to strict data protection regulations, such as GDPR.

3. Cost Optimisation in the Long Term

While self-hosting may incur higher initial costs (servers, maintenance, etc.), it often becomes more cost-effective in the long term, especially if you manage multiple services. You avoid monthly subscription fees and have the ability to optimise your resources as you see fit.

4. Scalability and Customisation

With personal hosting, you have the freedom to scale your infrastructure according to growing needs. You can customise the configurations, add modules, and adjust performance without being restricted by the plans offered by commercial hosting providers.

5. Continuous Learning

Self-hosting is a valuable opportunity for continuous learning. By managing your own servers, you are constantly exposed to new technical challenges that push you to broaden your knowledge. Whether it’s optimising security, improving performance, or troubleshooting complex issues, every step of self-hosting presents a chance to develop skills in system administration, networks, security, and web technologies. This keeps you up to date with technological developments and allows you to progressively gain expertise in key areas, fostering a constant learning curve.

Conclusion

Self-hosting your services provides technological independence, better cost control, and ensures increased data privacy. Additionally, it is an excellent way to train in technologies related to hosting and server management. It’s a strategic choice for those who want to maintain control over their tools and infrastructure while being ready to manage maintenance and administration.