Dolibarr

Dolibarr ERP & CRM is a PHP‑centric, modular web application that consolidates core business processes—contacts, quotes, invoices, orders, inventory, HR, and more—into a single codebase. From a developer’s standpoint, the system is intentionally lightweight yet extensible: the core framework exposes an API layer (REST/JSON, SOAP) and a well‑structured module architecture that allows custom logic to be injected without touching the base code. The application is designed for self‑hosting on any LAMP/LEMP stack, and its open‑source GPL‑3+ license removes vendor lock‑in while encouraging community contributions.

Architecture

• Language & Runtime – Pure PHP 7.1+ (currently supports PHP 8.x) with JavaScript for client‑side interactivity, leveraging standard web technologies (HTML5, CSS3).
• Framework – No heavy MVC framework; instead a custom lightweight architecture where each module follows the Dolibarr Module pattern (/htdocs/custom, /htdocs/core/modules). This keeps dependencies minimal and allows developers to patch or extend modules directly.
• Database – Supports MariaDB/MySQL and PostgreSQL, using PDO for database abstraction. The schema is fully documented in /docs and can be migrated via the built‑in upgrade scripts.
• API – RESTful endpoints (/api/index.php) provide CRUD operations on all core entities. The API is versioned, authenticated via token or session, and supports JSON and XML payloads. Webhooks can be configured in the admin panel for event‑driven integrations.

Core Capabilities

• Modular Extension – Modules can be added or removed from the admin UI; each module implements hooks (hook_*) that let developers inject logic before/after core actions (e.g., before saving an invoice).
• Low‑Code Builder – The Module Builder allows rapid prototyping of custom modules with a GUI, generating the necessary PHP classes and database tables.
• Customization – Themes, language packs, and translation files can be dropped into /theme or /langs. Custom templates override core views via the view/ directory hierarchy.
• Security – Role‑based access control (RBAC) is baked in; permissions are granular per module and action. Developers can define new permission sets for custom modules.

Deployment & Infrastructure

• Self‑Hosting – Runs on any web server (Apache, Nginx) with PHP and a supported database. The installation process is simple: extract the archive into the web root, set writable permissions for conf/conf.php, and run the web‑based installer.
• Containerization – Official Docker images (dolibarr/dolibarr) are available on Docker Hub, enabling quick spin‑up for CI/CD pipelines or cloud deployments. The image is based on Debian with PHP, and can be combined with a MariaDB container using Docker Compose.
• Scalability – While designed for SMEs, Dolibarr can scale horizontally with a stateless PHP front‑end and shared database. Caching layers (OPcache, Redis) are optional but recommended for high‑traffic scenarios.

Integration & Extensibility

• APIs – REST endpoints expose all CRUD operations; developers can build native clients or integrate with external systems (e.g., ERP, accounting software).
• Webhooks – Trigger external HTTP callbacks on events such as invoice_created or order_approved.
• Plugins – Thousands of community‑developed add‑ons are available in the marketplace; each plugin follows the same module conventions, ensuring compatibility.
• Custom Development – Because modules are isolated, developers can create full‑fledged extensions (e.g., a custom billing engine) without modifying core files, preserving upgradeability.

Developer Experience

The documentation is comprehensive: architecture guides, API references, and module development tutorials are hosted on the official site. The community is active—forums, Slack channels, and GitHub discussions provide rapid support. The codebase follows PSR‑4 autoloading conventions, making IDE navigation straightforward. Continuous integration pipelines on GitHub ensure that new releases are stable and well‑tested.

Use Cases

1. SaaS Platform – Spin up a Docker container per tenant, expose the API to a front‑end SPA, and use hooks to enforce multi‑tenancy.
2. Custom ERP for NGOs – Leverage the low‑code builder to create custom modules for grant tracking and donor management, then expose data via webhooks to a central reporting system.
3. Embedded CRM in a SaaS – Integrate Dolibarr’s REST API with a custom billing platform, using webhooks to sync payment status.
4. Hybrid On‑Prem/Cloud – Deploy the core on an internal network for sensitive data, while exposing specific APIs to cloud services (e.g., Zapier) through secure tokens.

Advantages

• Open Source Freedom – GPL‑3+ guarantees that developers can audit, modify, and redistribute the code without licensing fees.
• Low Barrier to Entry – No heavyweight framework or proprietary stack; a standard LAMP/LEMP setup suffices.
• Modularity – Adding or removing features is as simple as enabling a module, reducing bloat and simplifying maintenance.
• Community & Ecosystem – A large marketplace of plugins, active forums, and commercial partners provide both free