OpenPro’s History, Company Information and Leadership
Introduction
OpenPro, Inc. is a leader in licensed Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software using open source LAMP technology. The company, founded in 1998 and profitable since 2001, has many licensed customers in a cross section of industries. Revenue is increasing by over 40% per year. With OpenPro, clients receive more function and more value than alternative ERP offerings. Users can implement OpenPro ERP in as little as one day.
OpenPro is an innovator
First fully web-based ERP software package.
First integrated Document Imaging with ERP software.
First integrated workflow as part of the business processes.
First to use open source PHP for an ERP solution.
Business Strategy
OpenPro was established to provide ERP functionality to small and medium-sized business (SMBs), whose need for affordable and less complex business software has not been met by traditional ERP vendors.
In 1998, OpenPro seized upon the new technologies of open source software and web-based architecture and employed a team of 17 developers to develop a complete ERP suite suited to the SMB market.
OpenPro is built using open source technology, so the initial purchase price and the ongoing maintenance expense is less than half that of Microsoft® Windows-based ERP software solutions. OpenPro has three software products available: Easy ERP™ and Enterprise ERP and OpenPro Cloud. They are available as licensed software, also as a Cloud, On-Demand, SaaS and Application Service Provider (ASP).
Company Background
The co-founder and CEO, Jim Clark, spent over 20 years as a manager for a Value Added integrator of ERP solutions in Southern California; he understands ERP business solutions and issues, and has contacts with the individuals responsible for purchasing information technology for ERP solutions. He also managed one of the first web hosting companies in Southern California. Jim combined his experience with ERP solutions and web hosting to create OpenPro ERP solutions.
In 1998 Jim and his wife, Shannon, an accountant, formed OpenPro to develop a web-based, open source technology ERP software product.
Sales Channel
OpenPro sells primarily through indirect, reseller channels. This is the strategy recommended by Forrester Research for ERP sales to small and mid-market companies. At present, OpenPro sells direct in territories where they have not yet recruited a distributor; as the distributor network is expanded, OpenPro will minimize its direct sales efforts.
In the past few years OpenPro started a distributor program and now has over 75 distributors throughout the U.S.A. and internationally.
Jim Clark has a well-established reputation and visibility in the ERP software community; this reputation has been a primary source of recruiting resellers and supporting sales opportunities.
Product and Technology
OpenPro has three ERP products: Easy ERP and OpenPro Enterprise and OpenPro Cloud. Easy ERP is designed for companies with 50 users or less that are seeking prepackaged application modules and a limited number of database types. OpenPro Enterprise is designed for larger companies with more than 20 users; it offers more database, operating systems and functional component options. OpenPro has customers from 5 users to 5,000 users.
OpenPro supports both traditional licensing and Cloud, On-demand, SaaS and ASP. Easy ERP can be implemented in as little as one day for companies with limited requirements who select the Cloud option.
OpenPro has priced its products to compete with both off-the-shelf, general-purpose databases and ERP management systems. Pricing for the Easy ERP licensed software is approximately $1,000 per user and $1,000 per module, plus training; this is proven as acceptable to distributors and customers. ASP prices run as low as $120/month for a company with two users and a limited number of modules.
OpenPro’s ERP software uses an open architecture technology, which allows it to penetrate all existing ERP markets. The software can run on any operating system including Linux; Windows; UNIX®; and Mac; as well as on IBM AS400 I and Z series mainframes and minis; HP minis and Sun minis; and it can use any SQL database. OpenPro also runs on several cloud services like Amazon and IBM.
OpenPro uses LAMP open source technology, a robust and well accepted open source standard. OpenPro, which is fully web-based and written in PHP, has addressed the challenges of ERP software by using a rules-based engine that provides the flexibility to support many different industries.
Management Team
One of OpenPro’s prime advantages is the combined expertise of its principals in the development, marketing and business operations of ERP applications and the open source software industry, and in strategic business development.
Jim Clark, Co-Founder, President and CEO
The principal technologist, Jim Clark, has more than 20 years’ expertise in ERP software, information systems, and open-source platform software development. He has extensive training and experience in industry-standard database management systems and open source technology.
Jim’s experience in the ERP software field ensures that OpenPro has continued access to the latest and best technology for developing its products. He maintains a network of customers, primarily of distributors, import exports, government and manufacturing companies, to provide input for product requirements and enhancements.
Jim graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business from California State University, Fullerton with an emphasis in Management Information Systems. He holds certifications in ERP software, Linux, Microsoft, Databases, web based systems design, programming, Oracle, SAP, Microsoft SQL and IBM DB2. He is also certified with the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS).
Harold (Hal) Clark, Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board of Directors
Hal Clark is the father of Jim Clark. He has headed several public technology companies. As president of Ingram Micro (NASDAQ to NYSE) he was responsible for the growth that made it the world’s largest computer products distributor. As president, CEO and Chairman of AmeriQuest Technologies, Inc. (NYSE-listed before the merger into Computer 2000), he merged six companies to form a $600 million computer products distributor and systems integrator that was subsequently merged into Computer 2000, the global, multi-billion-dollar Munich-based distributor. With an annual run-rate of over $1 billion, Ameriquest Technologies was one of the largest system integrators/value added distributors in North America prior to the merger. At Everex (NASDAQ) the PC and peripheral manufacturing company, as president, he transitioned the company from primarily domestic to worldwide markets and built it to become the third largest PC and peripheral maker worldwide. After Hal left to start Ameriquest Technologies, Everex subsequently was acquired by First Computer and removed from NASDAQ.
As Chairman of XCD, the wireless communications developer and manufacturer, he merged it into Troy Group (NASDAQ) to form the Troy wireless division. He also served as Chairman of a public internet based video communications developer that was subsequently acquired, and as a director of Troy Group until leaving to become more active as Chairman of OpenPro.
Previously, he had held Information Systems management positions with Republic Corporation, Litton Industries, Union Bank and the Boeing Company. He has also been a consultant to the computer industry, an instructor of “computers in business” in the MBA program at UCLA and a California Community College administrator.
His education includes a B.S. degree, an MBA and a doctorate in education. Dr. Clark’s responsibilities at OpenPro consist primarily of developing the Company’s strategic direction and overseeing the implementation of the business plan.