Open Source Multi-Channel Order Management

I recently spent some time trying to integrate an osCommerce store with the Amazon API. I'm not completely finished with the look and feel, but the basic functionality is now working. Due to Amazon's strict policy regarding storing data, the entire set is updated every hour. This is done by using cache lite, and by fetching and updating the db every time an API call is made.

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You need to check out the Zimbra demo at www.zimbra.com. I predict that it will be at the top of the list of open source business applications within the year.

Webyog recently released SQLyog Enterprise 4.1. If you are a SMB trying to figure out a way to keep your internal odbc db in sync with an online MySQL server, this is the tool for you. For example, you can easily keep your Dydacomp Mail Order Manager db in sync with your web site. Or feed your UPS WorldShip Database information from your osCommerce website, and then automatically upload the UPS tracking number back to your site once shipped. The syncronization can be setup via a easy to use scheduler. You don't even need shell access to your server to set it up, you can simply upload the provided PHP interface file to your webspace, and then easily setup a HTTP tunnel directly to your database.

There is a free version available with less features, and the SQLyog Enterprise version which costs $49 for a non-commerical use, and $99 for commerical use.
Check it out here: http://www.webyog.com/

Atrex is a pretty cool shareware program by a company that calls themselves Millennium Software. The best part about this program is that you can download it for free, load sample data provided by the author, and try the fully functioning program out.

I was actually pretty impressed with the extensiveness of the program. It has a lot of features that you would expect, and a few that you wouldn't from a shareware program. However, no realtime UPS/FedEx integration, limited card processing capaibilities, a cumbersum GUI, and limited support for e-commerce are going to make me pass on this platform. However, someone on a limited budget, with less requirements, may find this program very appealing.

http://www.atrex.com/

This blog is dedicated to my search for open source Mail Order Management software. I work for a small mail order / e-commerce business that does about 10 million dollars a year. I am not looking for an ERP system, these are too complicated and expensive. I will post my findings here. Please feel free to comment.