Developer(s) DWS Systems Inc. | Platform Cross-platform | |
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Stable release 3.2 / January 1, 2016; 14 months ago (2016-01-01) Repository www.sql-ledger.com/source/ Operating system Type double entry accounting system | ||
SQL-Ledger is an ERP and double entry accounting system. Accounting data is stored in an SQL Database Server and a standard web browser can be used as its user interface. The system uses the Perl language with a database interface module for processing and PostgreSQL for data storage which is the preferred platform. The download version also includes schemas for IBM's DB2 database server as well as Oracle.
Contents
Business model
DWS generates their revenue from selling support services. There are 5 support levels. For free, DWS provides the source code of the current and all the previous versions, installation instructions, an FAQ collection and a user forum.
Version 3.0 of this program was released under the GNU GPL 2.0 license.
Version 3.1 (closed source) is available either hosted, or with an Enterprise Support Contract.
Version 3.2.0 released in January 2016.
Capabilities
Not only is the user interface multi-lingual, but it also offers the ability to print out statements, invoices, and the like in the language of the customer, even if the user does not know the language in which the content is being printed.
It offers all of the standard features of SMB accounting software. Specific customization is available as part of an enterprise support contract.
Licensing Issues
At its inception, SQL-Ledger used the GNU GPL 2.0 license. In 2005, Debian legal questioned whether or not the program belonged in Free or Non-Free, due to wording in the Terms and Conditions notice in the tarball. In late 2006, LedgerSMB was created as a secure fork of SQL-Ledger. In early 2007, SQL-Ledger 2.8 was released under the 'SQL-Ledger Open Source License, a license which retroactively revokes all previous licenses that the covered code has been released under. That version also contained an "anti-forking" clause. However, within a month, SQL-Ledger 2.8.1 was released, under the GNU GPL 2.0.