Creating an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system for your business might sound like a daunting, long-term project requiring months of development and thousands of dollars. But thanks to open-source platforms like Dolibarr, setting up a fully functional ERP tailored to your business can be done in just one day. Dolibarr provides a modular, easy-to-use, and scalable solution that can handle everything from CRM and billing to inventory and human resources.

In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through every step to build a working ERP system using Dolibarr in just 24 hours. Whether you’re a startup, freelancer, small business, or nonprofit, this guide will help you deploy a professional and reliable system fast.

What Is Dolibarr?

Dolibarr ERP & CRM is an open-source software suite for small and medium businesses. It combines various modules that handle:

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

• Sales and Purchase Orders

• Invoicing and Payments

• Inventory and Stock

• Project and Task Management

• Human Resources

• Accounting (basic to advanced)

• E-commerce integration

You can install Dolibarr on a local server, a cloud-based VPS, or use a pre-configured SaaS hosting solution. It’s lightweight, fast, and continuously updated by an active community.

Hour 1: Prepare Your Environment

To start, choose your hosting method:

Options:

• Local installation on XAMPP, WAMP, or MAMP (good for testing)

• VPS/cloud server (recommended for production)

• Shared hosting with Softaculous

• Dolibarr SaaS provider (e.g., DoliCloud)

For most users looking for speed and stability, a VPS running Ubuntu 20.04+ with Apache, MySQL, and PHP 7.4+ is ideal.

Setup Checklist:

• Install Apache, MySQL, PHP

• Create a MySQL database and user

• Download the latest Dolibarr zip from https://www.dolibarr.org

• Extract it to your web directory (e.g., /var/www/html/dolibarr)

• Launch the installer in your browser (e.g., http://yourdomain.com/dolibarr/install)

Complete the installation wizard and delete the /install folder for security.

Hour 2: Set Up Company Information

After logging in as admin, head to Home > Setup > Company/Organization to fill in your:

• Company name

• Logo

• Address

• Registration number

• VAT number (if applicable)

• Timezone and currency

This information is automatically used in invoices, proposals, orders, and more.

Hour 3: Activate and Configure Essential Modules

Go to Setup > Modules and activate key modules:

Recommended to start:

• Third Parties (customers and suppliers)

• Products/Services

• Proposals/Quotes

• Orders

• Invoices

• Bank & Cash

• Projects (if you manage jobs or tasks)

• Stock (for inventory tracking)

Configure each module’s basic settings (numbering formats, tax rates, payment terms).

Hour 4: Add Users and Assign Permissions

If your business involves multiple team members, go to Users & Groups:

• Create users for each employee

• Set up groups (Sales, Finance, Admin)

• Assign rights module-by-module

Avoid sharing the admin account. Use role-based access to keep things secure and organized.

Hour 5: Create Products and Services

In Products/Services, add what your business sells:

Include for each item:

• Name

• Reference code

• Description

• Price (HT/Tax-excluded and/or TTC/Tax-included)

• Type: product or service

• Stock quantity and location (optional)

If you sell physical goods, set warehouse locations and stock thresholds.

Hour 6: Add Customers and Suppliers

Use the Third Parties module to build your client and supplier list:

• Add each company/person

• Set status (customer, supplier, or both)

• Define payment conditions

• Attach contacts, email, phone, addresses

Use CSV import if migrating existing data.

Hour 7–8: Customize Document Templates

Dolibarr provides document models (PDF) for quotes, orders, and invoices.

Steps:

• Go to Setup > Modules > Invoices (or Quotes)

• Choose your preferred template (e.g., Crabe, Azur)

• Add your logo, company info

• Customize headers, footers, and notes

Generate a test invoice to preview the result.

Hour 9: Setup Payment Methods and Bank Accounts

Go to Bank & Cash:

• Add your bank accounts (name, IBAN, BIC)

• Define accepted payment methods (transfer, PayPal, etc.)

• Configure default payment terms (Net 15, Net 30)

This will streamline payment recording and reporting.

Hour 10: Create a Full Sales Workflow

Now that your system is ready:

1. Create a customer

2. Issue a proposal/quote

3. Convert it to an order

4. Convert the order to an invoice

5. Record the payment

Each step is linked, so data flows automatically.

Hour 11: Add Projects and Tasks (Optional)

If you deliver services or work by milestones:

• Enable the Projects module

• Add a new project

• Define tasks, deadlines, owners

• Attach related quotes, invoices, files

You can track progress, time, and budget for each project.

Hour 12–13: Inventory and Stock Setup

For physical goods:

• Enable the Stock module

• Define warehouses

• Assign initial stock levels

• Set minimum quantities and alerts

• Track internal movements

When an order is processed, stock adjusts automatically.

Hour 14: Configure Automation & Notifications

Dolibarr supports various automations:

• Recurring invoices

• Email reminders for overdue payments

• Automatic project/task notifications

You can configure cron jobs on your server for recurring actions (backup, email, updates).

Hour 15: Import Legacy Data (Optional)

Use Tools > Import to bring in:

• Customers

• Products

• Invoices

CSV templates are provided. Map fields carefully and validate each import batch.

Hour 16: Security Best Practices

Secure your Dolibarr installation:

• Delete the /install directory

• Use HTTPS

• Create daily backups

• Use strong passwords

• Limit user permissions

Optional: integrate fail2ban, firewalls, or use VPS-level backups.

Hour 17: Explore Add-ons and Dolistore

Dolistore is the official marketplace for Dolibarr modules. Popular add-ons:

• Advanced accounting

• Gantt chart for projects

• Email marketing

• POS (Point of Sale)

• E-commerce connectors (Prestashop, WooCommerce)

Browse and install modules directly from the admin panel.

Hour 18–19: Test the Full System

Do a complete walkthrough:

• Create a lead → customer

• Add a product

• Issue a quote → order → invoice

• Record payment

• Track stock

• Assign a project and task

This end-to-end flow validates the system.

Hour 20: Setup Backups and Monitoring

Setup regular backup routines:

• Database dumps via cron

• File system backups

• Remote storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)

Use monitoring tools (UptimeRobot, Netdata) to watch server performance.

Hour 21–22: Train Your Team

Even a simple ERP needs training. Create quick guides or SOPs:

• How to add a customer

• How to invoice

• Where to track payments

• Inventory procedures

Train key users and set up a support process.

Hour 23: Final Customizations

Now polish the system:

• Adjust UI theme

• Configure dashboard widgets

• Modify menu layout

• Set currency, language for each user

Everything should now reflect your business identity.

Hour 24: Go Live!

You now have a fully functional ERP system built on Dolibarr—ready in one day.

Final checklist:

• SSL secured

• Backups enabled

• Users trained

• Modules tested

• Mobile and desktop ready

Congratulations—you’ve saved time, money, and given your team a tool that will grow with you.

Final Thoughts

Building an ERP system in a single day is no longer a fantasy. With the right tools and planning, Dolibarr enables you to create a robust, scalable, and professional system without writing a single line of code.

From sales to inventory to accounting, Dolibarr helps you unify operations and focus on what matters: running your business.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to modernize your operations, Dolibarr is the fastest way to get your ERP up and running—today.