Open-source software for micro businesses and its potential for micro business development and innovation

Abstract

Given the relevance of economic growth in the country and the participation of micro and small enterprises, accounting for 27% of Brazil’s GDP, these businesses still face complex challenges that compromise their sustainability and growth. These include limited financial resources and a low level of technological maturity, which remains prevalent in most of these enterprises. Many still rely on manual processes and outdated systems, placing them at a disadvantage in an increasingly digital and competitive market. This combination of factors creates a challenging scenario in which the survival of small businesses depends on overcoming multiple structural and operational difficulties simultaneously. This study investigates the landscape of Free and Open-Source Software in Brazil, exploring the availability, features, and suitability of free and open-source software to meet the legal and operational management needs of these companies. The methodology is applied with an exploratory and descriptive approach, evaluating criteria such as installation, usability, integration, functionality, support, and reporting across three open-source ERP systems: Axelor, Odoo, and Yetiforce. The results indicate that, although these tools offer robust features and potential to digitize and professionalize management in microenterprises, the lack of modules specific to Brazilian tax compliance and the need for specialized technical support limit its wider adoption.