Definition Of Open Source Software
Ø Open-source e-commerce software enables the
creation of all (for example, an entire Web store application) or parts (for
example, a shopping cart) of a Web store. This does not include the use of
open-source software used for development, Web, database or application servers
commonly known as the LAMP platform.
Ø This software has features such as shopping-cart
functionality, product catalogs and other capabilities that enable store owners
to set up, run and maintain online stores.
Ø This software is available for free under a GNU
General Public License; however, other fees may exist for varying types of
membership.
List of Open Source E-commerce Software
AgoraCart
Ø AgoraCart is a free e-commerce shopping cart
software. It is an ecommerce shopping cart solution for storefront or website.
Ø Offers a wide range of out-of-the-box features that
allows online stores to be setup in simple fashion for the beginner, yet it
offers high power ecommerce, flexibility, and modular features.
Ø AgoraCart is available for free as an Open Source
based e-commerce solution released under the GNU General Public License. In
addition, powerful modules and script add-ons are available to those who
support the AgoraCart project by purchasing "Members Only"
memberships.
Ø Originally targeting highly experienced webmasters
and programmers, it has since matured to a solution that is easier to setup for
beginners, powerful enough for experienced programmers, modular for flexibilty,
and one that is currently powering thousands live shops around the world.
Ø The AgoraCart Project was started in 1999 then
followed by the first public release (version 3.0a) in February 2000.
osCommerce
Ø osCommerce is a leading Open Source online shop
e-commerce solution that is powered by a dedicated, strong, and ever growing
community, and is released under the GNU General Public License.
Ø osCommerce was started in March 2000 and has since
matured to a solution that is currently powering 14,122 registered live shops
around the world.
Ø osCommerce has attracted a large growing e-commerce
community that consists of over 216,800 store owners and developers who support
each other and extend osCommerce Online Merchant with add-ons being contributed
on a daily basis. To date there are over 5,500 add-ons that are available for
free to customize osCommerce Online Merchant online stores and to help increase
sales.
Ø Today, osCommerce is moving towards an e-commerce
framework solution that not only remains easy to setup and maintain, but also
making it easier for store administrators to present their stores to their
customers with their own unique requirements.
Magento
Ø According to Forrester, (Varien’s) Magento is a
very exciting open source eCommerce solution and — similar to SugarCRM — is
typically delivered at the enterprise level through the professional services
of the company that developed and launched the product, Varien. Varien is a Los
Angeles-based company with significant development resources in the Ukraine
Ø Enterprise-level eCommerce organizations should
view Magento as an opportunity to launch small-scale side projects and experiments,
but for larger companies with limited eCommerce needs, it may prove to be a
very attractive solution.
Ø Product maturity, proof of the product's
scalability, and further development of SIs and Varien's own professional
services may place Magento as an enterprise-class solution in the future.
Zen Cart
Ø Zen Cart is an open source online store management
system. It is PHP-based, using a MySQL database and HTML components. Support is
provided for several languages and currencies, and it is freely available under
the GNU General Public License.
Ø Zen Cart branched from osCommerce as a separate
project. Beyond some aesthetic changes, the major differences between the two
systems come from Zen Cart's architectural changes(e.g. a template system) and
additional included features in the core.
Ø Among the modules already included are a Gift
Certificate/Voucher module which allows to create, send and manage the digital
coupons. A module to sell downloads(pdf or other media files) is included as
well.
Ø Although Zencart improved the shop management and
administration with the template system, still it suffers from the fact that
editing core files for customizing is often required (no real modular
structure). Therefore, in case of heavy customizing, the software is cumbersome
to maintain and update.
Apache OFBiz
Ø The Apache Open For Business Project is an open
source enterprise automation software project licensed under the Apache License
Version 2.0. By open source enterprise automation, it means: Open Source ERP,
Open Source CRM, Open Source E-Business
/ E-Commerce, Open Source SCM, Open Source MRP, Open Source CMMS/EAM, and
so on.
Ø Apache OFBiz is a foundation and starting point for
enterprise solutions, be they for one organization or one million.
VirtueMart
Ø VirtueMart is an Open Source E-Commerce solution to
be used together with a Content Management System (CMS) called Joomla! (and
Mambo). Joomla! and VirtueMart are written in PHP and made easy for use in a
PHP/MySQL environment.
Ø VirtueMart is the leading Online-Shop solution for
Joomla! & Mambo (more than 1.5 Million downloads so far).
Notable Features
Ø Stock Level Control for Products and Item
Ø Ajax-powered Product Overview allows to quickly add
Products to the cart
Ø Product Attributes (like Size or Color) can be
added to Product
Ø Manage different Currencies, Countries & States
Ø Product Availability: show how fast a Customer can
expect delivery
DashCommerce
Ø An ASP.NET Open Source e-Commerce Application.
Ø dashCommerce is flexible and robust product that
incorporates all three major components of an e-commerce application - Product
Catalog, Shopping Cart and Order Fulfillment.
Ø dashCommerce.com provides dedicated dashCommerce
hosting and enables getting the web store up-and-running quickly.
CubeCart
Ø Free & commercial PHP & MySQL eCommerce
shopping cart software used by over a million stores worldwide.
Ø CubeCart is an "out of the box" ecommerce
shopping cart software solution which has been written to run on servers that
have PHP & MySQL support.
Ø CubeCart enables setting up quickly a powerful
online store which can be used to sell digital or tangible products to new and
existing customers all over the world.
Ø It is easy to modify the look and feel of your
store to match the company's branding or to site comfortably beside the
existing website due to CubeCart's powerful HTML template system.
