For any company managing multiple legal entities or operational divisions, having a centralized and flexible software solution is absolutely essential. In 2025, more and more companies are choosing integrated management systems (ERPs) capable of adapting to complex structures. Dolibarr, a modular and scalable open-source ERP, positions itself as one of the best-suited tools for multi-entity and multi-company management. This article will explore Dolibarr’s features, the benefits it brings to multi-entity organizations, and the challenges it helps to overcome.

1. What is multi-entity and multi-company management?

Before diving into the topic, it’s important to understand what "multi-entity" and "multi-company" mean in the context of business management.

• Multi-entity: This refers to an organization that includes several divisions, branches, subsidiaries, or autonomous departments, each with distinct operational and financial responsibilities.

• Multi-company: A multi-company structure involves managing several separate legal entities, each with its own tax obligations, bank accounts, and often its own accounting system.

In this context, multi-entity and multi-company management involves effectively coordinating all these divisions or subsidiaries while maintaining centralized visibility of overall activities and respecting each entity’s unique requirements.

2. The challenges of managing multi-entities and multi-companies

Managing multiple companies or entities within an organization poses specific challenges:

• Accounting and tax complexity: Each company may have different tax systems, multiple currencies, and unique accounting rules. This complicates data consolidation.

• Fragmented data: Without a centralized ERP, information is scattered across different systems, leading to inefficiencies, redundancies, and errors.

• Lack of overall visibility: Obtaining a comprehensive view of the organization’s overall performance becomes difficult, complicating strategic decision-making.

• Inter-company collaboration: When multiple entities need to work together on projects or share resources, it’s essential to have a tool that facilitates this collaboration while respecting the responsibilities of each.

3. Why Dolibarr is the ideal solution for multi-entity and multi-company organizations

As a modular open-source ERP, Dolibarr stands out for its ability to address the specific needs of multi-entity and multi-company structures. Here are the key reasons:

3.1. A modular and customizable approach
Dolibarr offers a wide range of modules that can be activated based on needs.

• Separate company management: With the multi-company module, it’s possible to create distinct legal entities, each with its own settings (accounting, currencies, tax rates).

• Extensive customization: Businesses can tailor modules to reflect their internal processes, making each entity as autonomous or interconnected as necessary.

3.2. Simplified consolidation
Thanks to its centralized structure, Dolibarr simplifies the consolidation of financial and operational data.

• Global reports: Data from each company or entity can be aggregated into dashboards, providing a comprehensive overview of overall performance.

• Multi-level analysis: Whether you want to examine the results of a single company or obtain a consolidated view of the entire group, Dolibarr offers flexible reporting tools.

3.3. Multi-currency and multi-language management
For international businesses, Dolibarr supports multiple currencies, exchange rates, and languages, allowing each entity to use its own parameters while maintaining overall consistency.

• Local compliance: Each company can apply the tax rates and regulatory requirements of its country while integrating into a shared platform.

• Process uniformity: While entities can operate with local parameters, Dolibarr ensures that processes remain consistent, facilitating consolidation.

3.4. Improved collaboration
Dolibarr goes beyond accounting and financial management. It also facilitates collaboration between entities:

• Resource sharing: Stock and resource management modules allow multiple entities to share inventories or equipment while maintaining clear traceability.

• Inter-company project management: With its project management tools, Dolibarr helps coordinate efforts between different entities, offering shared calendars, tracking boards, and consolidated task lists.

3.5. A cost-effective model
As an open-source solution, Dolibarr eliminates the often prohibitive licensing fees of proprietary ERPs.

• Cost control: Multi-company organizations can deploy Dolibarr across multiple entities without paying for each additional subsidiary.

• Independence: Businesses retain full control over their ERP, avoiding vendor lock-in and reducing long-term costs.

4. Case studies: Dolibarr in action

Case 1: An industrial group with international subsidiaries
A European industrial group operating in several countries adopted Dolibarr to centralize its multi-company management. Thanks to the multi-company module:

• Each subsidiary was able to maintain its local settings (currencies, tax rates).

• Financial data was automatically consolidated, reducing the time required to prepare quarterly financial reports.

• Managers gained a global overview of the group’s performance with just a few clicks.

Case 2: A multi-division service company
A service company with multiple specialized divisions used Dolibarr to centralize contract, client, and project management.

• Each division had its own management space, but directors could easily track overall performance.

• Unified invoicing and accounting modules standardized financial processes while respecting each division’s specificities.

• Integration with document management tools facilitated the sharing of critical information between divisions.

5. Potential challenges and solutions

While Dolibarr offers numerous advantages, there are potential challenges to consider:

• Initial setup and training: Like any ERP, Dolibarr requires an initial configuration phase and team training. However, the availability of online documentation and active communities helps mitigate this challenge.

• Advanced customization: Some highly complex organizations may require specific developments. Fortunately, access to the source code allows these adjustments at a controlled cost.

6. Conclusion: A robust solution for a multi-entity future

In 2025, businesses need to be more agile, more connected, and better prepared to handle complex structures. Dolibarr stands out as a flexible, cost-effective, and modular open-source ERP solution, particularly suited to multi-entity and multi-company environments. By providing powerful tools for data consolidation, local entity management, and inter-company collaboration, Dolibarr helps businesses overcome the challenges of organizational complexity while supporting their growth and sustainability.