ERPNext · Australia
ERPNext implementation for Australian businesses
What is ERPNext?
ERPNext is an open-source ERP built on the Frappe framework and maintained by Frappe Technologies with a large community. It covers accounting, buying, selling, stock, manufacturing, projects, assets, quality and CRM in one system, with HR and payroll available as a separate app.
Because it is open source, there is no licence fee per user. You can host it on your own cloud server or use a managed host such as Frappe Cloud, and you keep full control of your data. The trade-off is that implementation, hosting and support need to be done well, which is where we come in.
Is ERPNext right for you?
ERPNext tends to fit when
- You want a full ERP without per-user licence fees as headcount grows
- Stock, manufacturing or projects need to sit alongside finance
- You value owning your data and choosing where it is hosted
- Your processes are reasonably standard, or you are willing to simplify them
- You want to configure workflows, fields and reports without heavy development
Think carefully when
- You need deep industry functionality, such as construction claims, that a specialist system already does well
- You want a single vendor to be accountable for software, hosting and support
- Nobody in the business can own the system internally
- You expect payroll with Single Touch Payroll to run inside the ERP; it is usually integrated instead
What we deliver
Process-led design
Australian configuration
Data migration
Integration
Customisation, kept lean
Hosting and upgrades
Training
Ongoing support
Hosting options
| Option | How it works | Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Frappe Cloud | Managed hosting from the makers of ERPNext, with automated updates and backups | Simplest to run; check region, plan limits and your upgrade control |
| Self-hosted cloud server | ERPNext on your own server in an Australian cloud region, typically with Docker | Full control and data residency; someone must own patching, backups and upgrades |
| Partner-managed hosting | We or another partner host and maintain the environment for you | Clear responsibility; make sure you retain admin access and data exports |
How an ERPNext project runs
- 01
Discovery
Workshops on your key processes and a fit check against ERPNext's standard functionality. - 02
Design and configuration
Set-up to the agreed design, in a test site you can explore as it takes shape. - 03
Data and integrations
Trial data loads and integration builds, reconciled and tested. - 04
Testing and training
Users test real scenarios and are trained on the processes they run. - 05
Go-live
Planned cut-over, usually at the start of a month or quarter. - 06
Support
Close early support, then ongoing support and improvements.
ERPNext compared with other common options
| ERPNext | Odoo | Commercial SaaS ERP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence | Open source, no per-user fee | Community edition open source; Enterprise is paid | Subscription per user or module |
| Hosting | Self-hosted, Frappe Cloud or partner | Odoo Online, Odoo.sh or self-hosted | Vendor hosted |
| Customisation | Configurable, plus custom Frappe apps | Configurable, plus custom modules | Configurable, plus vendor scripting or extensions |
| Responsibility | You and your partner own hosting and upgrades | Depends on hosting choice | Vendor runs the platform |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is ERPNext?
ERPNext is an open-source ERP system built on the Frappe framework. It covers accounting, inventory, buying, selling, manufacturing, projects and CRM, with HR and payroll as a separate app. It can be self-hosted or run on Frappe Cloud.
Is ERPNext suitable for Australian businesses?
Yes, when it is configured properly. GST is handled through tax templates, BAS figures can be reported from the ledger, and bank reconciliation works with statement imports. Australian payroll with Single Touch Payroll is usually run in a dedicated payroll system and integrated.
Is ERPNext free?
The software is open source with no licence fee. You still pay for hosting, implementation, integration, training and support. Over several years the total is often lower than a licensed ERP, but compare on the same basis.
Can ERPNext run on Docker?
Yes. The official Frappe Docker set-up is a common way to self-host ERPNext. It still needs proper backups, monitoring, security updates and a tested upgrade process, which we set up and can maintain.
Where can I see an ERPNext demo and documentation?
Frappe publishes documentation and a demo on its website, and the source code is on GitHub. A generic demo shows features; we recommend a short session on your own processes before deciding.
ERPNext or Odoo?
Both are capable. ERPNext includes its full functional scope in the open-source edition. Odoo has a broad app catalogue, with some features only in its paid Enterprise edition. The right choice depends on your processes, preferred hosting and the partner you work with.
Can ERPNext integrate with Xero, Shopify and payroll?
Yes. ERPNext has a REST API and webhooks, so it can exchange data with Xero, Shopify, WooCommerce, CRMs, banks and Australian payroll systems. We design which system owns each record so the data stays consistent.
Considering ERPNext?
We can check how well ERPNext fits your processes before you commit, and plan the implementation if it does.