Re: [OFBiz] Users - Accounting Extension (GL, etc) Now In Beta

[David E Jones]

-David


On Nov 23, 2007, at 11:13 AM, Vince M. Clark wrote:

There are many dimensions, unlimited really, possible with the ofbiz data model, especially since it is easy to extend. As for using the data... reducing redundancy in the operational/ transactional data store is important. If you need a better model for reporting purposes check out the BI component that Jacopo has been working on. This is really the point of OLAP (analytical) data stores. In OFBiz we just use a relational database for both, but the analytical data store uses a star schema to make dimensional reporting easier (and WAY faster! especially when it is on a different physical machine and is not competing with the operational data store for resources).

I'm glad to see renewed energy in the Accounting functionality. I have one request and will contribute related knowledge whenever possible.

AcctgTrans contains a header record of the posting.








Vince Clark
Global Era
The Freedom of Open Source
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
(303) 493-6723

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Barrows" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: user@ofbiz.apache.org
Sent: Friday, November 23, 2007 10:37:43 AM (GMT-0700) America/Denver


Sure, you can add me to the list. I'm a java developer in my day job.
I'm learning the rest of OFBIZ. I'm also a team player, I can work
on whatever we need to to get the job done.
I had planned with starting on the most glaring omissions, the Income
and balance sheet. But I haven't actually slung any code for it.

On Nov 22, 2007 11:38 PM, Jacopo Cappellato <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Please consider multi-dimensional accounting in the design. The concept of "Internal Org" is a good start, although I am not sure that it's model could be extended for use with additional accounting dimensions. Here is what I can tell from the data model about how Internal Org appears to be used in postings: AcctgTransEntry contains the debits and credits, and also stores the "organizationPartyId." So GL reporting by org can be done. To perform multidimensional accounting we must be able to track other dimensions at the debit and credit level (AcctgTransEntry.) This also suggests that the information be derived from sources higher up the stack, like an Invoice. Other systems I have worked on that have this capability store additional columns at the DR/CR level which implies that the number of available dimensions is fixed, not dynamic. This is usually OK. I haven't seen a company go beyond eight dimensions. But this approach definitely limits flexiibility. I have had conversations with others in the community on this topic. Some have suggested that we can derive the reporting from the source documents (Invoices, GL Journal, etc.) and do not need to carry lots of dimensions all the way to posting. But it sure makes reporting easier if we do. There are probably other compelling accounting reasons for storing the dimension with the posting but I'm no accountant. Subject: Re: [OFBiz] Users - Accounting Extension (GL, etc) Now In Beta

Hi Jim, (and others interested in helping with the implementation of the

accounting component)

can I add you to the list of "people interested" in this page:

http://docs.ofbiz.org/display/OFBADMIN/New+Features+Roadmap+-+Draft

?

If you (or others in this list) are willing to help with the
implementation I will do my best to help to organize the work in the
community (and also implement something).

The main question to the ones interested are:

- are there specific tasks you would like to work on?

to know what is your area of expertise: tech (Java, minilang,
screen/form widgets, etc...) or business (OFBiz data model, existing
services, general AR/AP...)

I've recently (yesterday and the day before it) I've cleaned up some

stuff here with your help, so guys don't be shy!!!

Jacopo




Jim Barrows wrote:

- if not, we can help to assign/distribute tasks, but it would be useful stuff in the accounting component (and implemented some new screens) and now I have a clearer view of what is already available and what needs to be done: now I'm sure that we can relatively quickly implement some good

Ok, so we still want to build this.. only better :)

On Nov 20, 2007 5:12 PM, David E Jones <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

That is very old, and a lot has changed since then, including what

data structures and GL posting services are part of OFBiz, but the
higher level things such as reports and automated posting mapping

lots of stuff implemented that doesn't go back into OFBiz).

For more information you should see their site at

it available over the internet it explicitly states that this is

itself).

In any case, that is why you're seeing discussion of implementing

hence all of the references to another project that is licensed in

included with OFBiz, etc.

-David



On Nov 20, 2007, at 4:54 PM, Jim Barrows wrote:

happened to this code base. All of the lower level stuff including the services (from things like invoices, payments, inventory changes, etc) are all part of the HPL licensed financials component from Open Source Strategies, part of the opentaps distribution (semi-fork these days, opensourcestrategies.com. The HPL (Honest Public License) is a not an OSI approved license and has some rather unpleasant terms in it, the goal being to force contributions or purchase of a commercial license (just like pretty much all "open source" companies that dual license, usually with GPL though). The main thing with HPL is that if you make public distribution of the software (for more details see the license these things even though there is an OFBiz add-on that has them, and terms that make it hard to build a community around, and that can't be

So what is the status? Do we have to pay for it? Is it done? i
would think that in 2 years it would've gotten done by now.

On Nov 20, 2007 4:48 PM, BJ Freeman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Here is and update from couple of years ago.
previously there was discussion about the frame work of this.

can put them to save a lot of re discussion.

David E. Jones sent the following on 9/23/2005 4:16 PM:

if I did all these out, is there a place on the documentation site we

Update: Accounting/GL Now in Beta Testing

The Open For Business Accounting and General Ledger (GL)
application is
now moving into beta testing. Currently, it can support the
accounting

including:

* Support for multiple organizations and multiple currencies
* Setting up chart of accounts with unlimited depth
* General Ledger posting for most key business processes
* Financial reports including trial balance, income statements,
and
balance sheets
* Screens to create and manage both Accounts Receivable (AR) and
Accounts Payable (AP) invoices and payments
* Screens for managing tax liabilities across multiple
jurisdictions
* Administrative features such as periodic closings
* Flexible entry and maintenance of payments and invoice
(including
application payments to invoices, etc)
* Export to outside accounting applications (QBXML for
QuickBooks is
included)

This application is fully integrated with the rest of OFBiz,
including
ecommerce, Point Of Sales, order manager, and facilities
manager. It
drops into your hot-deploy/ directory and runs right away. If
you need
other accounting-related features, such as payroll, it is fairly
easy
to develop a plug in for it.


video from the St. Louis Users' Conference
(http://www.ofbiz.org/VideosConf.html) and an online demo
(http://www.opensourcestrategies.com/ofbiz/demos.php).

How to Make it Open Source

The Accounting and General Ledger is developed under a community
funding

of
developing a large, complex application. We think this is a very
fair

either a large number of small contributors or a small number of
larger
contributors. As an added incentive, those who contribute over
$3,000

its
features for a fraction of the cost of in-house development.


reach our goal and release it under an open source license. This
means
that we can get there with just eight user-contributors with
$3,000 each
or, alternatively, a hundred contributors of under $250 each.

-Si Chen
-David E. Jones


this

Websystems, Masterfile Corp, and others.


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needs of most product-retail businesses that use Open For Business, If you would like to learn more about the GL application, there is a model. The idea is to get community funding to help cover the cost user-driven model because it can produce open source software with can begin to use the application immediately and benefit from all We've currently received sponsorship for about half the development costs ($26,000 out of about $50,000) and require another $24,000 to P.S. Special thanks to all who have contributed labor and funds to effort, including: Open Source Strategies, Undersun Consulting, Ant

--
James A Barrows

--
James A Barrows

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