ERP migration

Migrate from ERP BOS to Dolibarr ERP

Field-level mapping, validation, and rollback between ERP BOS and Dolibarr ERP. We move data and schema; workflows are rebuilt natively in Dolibarr ERP.

ERP BOS logo

ERP BOS

Source

Dolibarr ERP

Destination

Dolibarr ERP logo

Compatibility

83%

10 of 12

objects map 1:1 between ERP BOS and Dolibarr ERP.

Complexity

BStandard

Timeline

3-5 weeks

Rollback included Accuracy guarantee Field-level validation

Overview

What this migration involves

Moving from ERP BOS to Dolibarr is a structural migration from a cloud-only, multi-entity SME ERP to a self-hosted or cloud-hosted open-source ERP and CRM. ERP BOS organizes data around Customers, Suppliers, Items with BOM support, multi-branch ledgers, and AP/AR sub-ledgers. Dolibarr uses a Third-Party object for both customers and suppliers (with a Supplier flag), a Product object for inventory items, and separate Accounting and Banking modules. We resolve the multi-entity ledger mapping by extracting per-entity journals and assigning Dolibarr account codes, but inter-company elimination treatment requires a customer-side finance review before go-live to prevent consolidated reporting errors. Document attachments stored as blobs in ERP BOS do not migrate; we produce a file-index CSV for separate file transfer. We do not migrate ERP BOS Workflows, automations, or custom manufacturing routing configurations; we deliver a written inventory of these for your admin to rebuild in Dolibarr.

Field-level fidelity

Every standard and custom field arrives verified.

Schema-aware mapping

AI proposes the map; you confirm before any record moves.

Relationships preserved

Parent–child, lookups, and ownership stay linked.

Full activity history

Calls, emails, meetings — with original timestamps.

Attachments & notes

Documents, uploads, and inline notes move with the record.

Why teams make this switch

Two sides of the same decision

Leaving

ERP BOS logo

ERP BOS

What's pushing teams away

  • Limited third-party integration ecosystem means teams requiring deep connectors to specialized tools (e-commerce, industry-specific platforms) find BOS ERP constraining and eventually migrate to more extensible platforms.
  • Customization depth for complex manufacturing workflows is insufficient for businesses with intricate BOMs, routing, or quality control requirements that exceed the built-in manufacturing module.
  • Reporting flexibility is constrained by the platform's built-in report designer; power users accustomed to SQL-based or third-party BI tools report frustration when trying to build ad-hoc reports.
  • Support response times and the size of the implementation partner network are smaller than global ERP vendors, which becomes a concern for businesses operating across multiple time zones.

Choosing

Dolibarr ERP logo

Dolibarr ERP

What's pulling them in

  • Free open-source core with no per-user license fee makes it the lowest-cost entry point for small teams needing ERP and CRM in one package.
  • Self-hosted deployment gives full data ownership and eliminates vendor lock-in, especially attractive to businesses with compliance requirements.
  • Modular architecture means teams enable only the features they use, keeping the interface uncluttered and reducing learning curve.
  • Fast installation with no technical knowledge required — one reviewer set up multiple businesses in minutes using their own hosting.
  • Active community forum and marketplace of third-party add-ons provide support and extension options without mandatory subscription costs.

Object mapping

How ERP BOS objects map to Dolibarr ERP

Each row shows how a ERP BOS object lands in Dolibarr ERP, including any object-level transformations, lookup resolution, or schema-design dependencies.

Typical mapping — final map is confirmed during the sample migration step.

ERP BOS

Customer/Account

maps to

Dolibarr ERP

ThirdParty

1:1
Fully supported

ERP BOS customer records map to Dolibarr ThirdParty (societe) with the soptype field set to customer (C). The customer's billing address maps to the address fields in Dolibarr, and credit limits map to credit_note_reason. We preserve the ERP BOS account balance as a reference note and flag accounts with zero activity in the past 24 months for customer-side review before migration to avoid inflating Dolibarr's record count with stale data.

ERP BOS

Supplier/Vendor

maps to

Dolibarr ERP

ThirdParty

1:1
Fully supported

ERP BOS supplier records map to Dolibarr ThirdParty with soptype set to supplier (F). Payment terms, tax registration numbers, and banking details migrate to Dolibarr's supplier-specific fields. Supplier-specific contact persons map to Dolibarr contacts linked to the ThirdParty record. We validate that ERP BOS tax registration values conform to a recognized format before insert to avoid Dolibarr validation errors on import.

ERP BOS

Item (Stock/Product)

maps to

Dolibarr ERP

Product

1:1
Fully supported

ERP BOS Items (both stock and non-stock) map to Dolibarr Product. The ERP BOS SKU becomes product ref, description becomes label, and unit of measure maps to unit_of_measure. Physical stock items use product type = 0 (stockable); non-stock items use type = 1 (service). Cost price from ERP BOS becomes the pmp (weighted average price) field in Dolibarr. We extract the full item custom field schema during scoping and map each to Dolibarr extrafields where the CustomFields module is enabled.

ERP BOS

Bill of Materials (multi-level)

maps to

Dolibarr ERP

Product / Assembly Kit

lossy
Fully supported

ERP BOS multi-level BOMs with routing steps require flattening for Dolibarr. Dolibarr's standard install handles product kits (multi-unit recipes) but lacks native production routing. We extract the full BOM tree, collapse it to a flat kit structure in Dolibarr (parent product with sub-product lines), and document the original routing sequence in the product's description field. Customers requiring full manufacturing routing in Dolibarr need the production module (community or paid) or a post-migration custom extension.

ERP BOS

Chart of Accounts

maps to

Dolibarr ERP

Account (Accounting module)

1:1
Fully supported

ERP BOS hierarchical Chart of Accounts maps to Dolibarr's Accounting chart with account codes, descriptions, and classification (Asset, Liability, Income, Expense) preserved. We export the full COA as a structured record set and insert into Dolibarr's accounting_account table. Account code length and hierarchy depth must be validated against Dolibarr's account mask settings before import.

ERP BOS

Multi-Entity Ledger

maps to

Dolibarr ERP

Account / Company (multi-company)

1:1
Fully supported

ERP BOS multi-entity ledgers (separate branch or legal entity books) require cross-reference mapping. Dolibarr's multi-company module lets organizations define multiple entities with separate journals. We extract per-entity ledgers from ERP BOS, assign corresponding Dolibarr company codes, and map inter-entity journal entries to elimination holding accounts that your finance team must review and approve before go-live. This is the highest-risk step and requires customer-side sign-off on elimination account treatment.

ERP BOS

Open AP/AR Sub-Ledger

maps to

Dolibarr ERP

Invoice / Supplier Invoice / Payment

1:1
Fully supported

ERP BOS outstanding payables and receivables migrate to Dolibarr as open customer invoices (半) and supplier invoices (半) with original due dates, amounts, and status preserved. Aged trial balance data is reconciled against the general ledger during scoping; we flag discrepancies and require customer-side resolution in ERP BOS before transfer to prevent Dolibarr from opening with imbalanced AP/AR that affects credit limit calculations and reporting.

ERP BOS

Historical Transactions / Journals

maps to

Dolibarr ERP

Accountancy Journal Entry

1:1
Fully supported

ERP BOS general ledger journal entries migrate to Dolibarr Accounting's é尊贤 entries. Each journal line maps account code, debit amount, credit amount, and counterparty. We migrate transaction date, journal code, and piece reference to preserve audit trail. Historical records beyond 24 months are migrated selectively based on the customer's scope; we recommend retaining only records needed for statutory reporting to avoid inflating Dolibarr's database.

ERP BOS

Bank / Cash Accounts

maps to

Dolibarr ERP

Bank Account / Cash Account

1:1
Fully supported

ERP BOS bank and cash ledgers are part of the Chart of Accounts structure. We extract bank accounts and cash ledgers separately during scoping, map them to Dolibarr's bank account module (comptes), and set opening balances from the last ERP BOS statement date. Bank transaction history migrates as journal entries linked to the bank account.

ERP BOS

Tax Codes

maps to

Dolibarr ERP

Tax (accouting tax module)

1:1
Fully supported

ERP BOS tax codes and rates (jurisdiction-based VAT, sales tax) map directly to Dolibarr's tax configuration table (c_tva). We extract the full tax code table including rate percentages, applicable jurisdictions, and reverse-charge flags, and insert them into Dolibarr before any invoice or journal migration to ensure tax calculations are correct from day one.

ERP BOS

Service/CRM Records

maps to

Dolibarr ERP

Project / Intervention / Contact

1:many
Mapping required

ERP BOS service records (customer enquiry tracking and opportunity management from the Service Manager module) split across Dolibarr objects based on record type. Open service tickets with active status migrate to Dolibarr Intervention (llx_rh_evenement or the Service module if enabled). Opportunities map to Dolibarr Project with a commercial link. Each migrated record is associated with the corresponding ThirdParty using the customer account lookup resolved during the earlier object mapping phase.

ERP BOS

Document/Attachment (blob)

maps to

Dolibarr ERP

N/A (separate file transfer)

1:1
Fully supported

ERP BOS document management module stores binary files (invoices, purchase orders, images, signed documents) linked to transaction records. Our migration pipeline extracts document metadata (filename, document type, linked entity reference) and produces a file-index CSV, but binary blobs do not transfer through the data pipeline. We coordinate the file-index output alongside the data migration so your team can execute a parallel file transfer via SFTP, rsync, or the Dolibarr document upload interface. This step is executed independently to avoid timeout issues with large attachment volumes.

Gotchas + challenges

What specifically takes care here

Platform-specific issues from each side, plus the pair-specific challenges that don't show up on either platform's page on its own.

ERP BOS logo

ERP BOS gotchas

High

Multi-entity ledger mapping requires manual cross-reference planning

High

Open AP/AR sub-ledger must reconcile against the general ledger before migration

Medium

Document attachments are not migrated via the standard export pipeline

Medium

Custom item fields and BOM structures need per-record mapping

Dolibarr ERP logo

Dolibarr ERP gotchas

High

Foreign key constraint errors on cross-distribution database restore

High

SQL injection vulnerabilities in version 9.0.1

Medium

Custom fields stored as JSON in extraoptions require field-by-field deserialization

Medium

Decimal precision and rounding configuration affects price fields

Low

No native iOS/Android app forces reliance on browser

Pair-specific challenges

  • Multi-entity ledger mapping requires manual cross-reference planning

    ERP BOS's multi-entity capability means transactions between branches are tracked internally using entity IDs. When migrating to Dolibarr, inter-company eliminations and cross-entity journal entries must be manually reviewed and remapped. We extract the full entity-per-ledger dataset from ERP BOS and assign Dolibarr company codes and elimination holding accounts, but the elimination account treatment for consolidated reporting requires a customer-side finance review before go-live. Skipping this step results in consolidated P&L and balance sheet overstating inter-company income and expenses.

  • Open AP/AR sub-ledger must reconcile against the general ledger before migration

    ERP BOS maintains Accounts Payable and Receivable as sub-ledgers that can drift from the control accounts in the Chart of Accounts. We extract both sub-ledger balances and COA balances during scoping and flag discrepancies. Customers must reconcile these imbalances in ERP BOS before we transfer open items; otherwise Dolibarr will open with imbalanced AP/AR that corrupts aged trial balance reports and credit limit calculations from day one.

  • Document blobs are not migrated via the standard export pipeline

    ERP BOS's document management module stores binary files (invoices, images, signed documents) linked to transactions. We produce a file-index CSV listing every document with its filename, type, and source entity reference, but the binary blobs require a separate file transfer process coordinated alongside the data migration. This step is handled independently to avoid timeout issues with large attachment volumes and is scoped separately from the record migration.

  • Custom item fields and BOM structures need per-record mapping

    ERP BOS allows custom fields on Items and supports multi-level Bills of Materials with routing steps. Dolibarr represents BOMs as product kits or assembly structures, which differs from ERP BOS's routing-step model. We extract the full item schema during scoping, build a field-mapping table per item category, and flatten multi-level BOMs into Dolibarr's kit structure. Full production routing (step sequencing, work centers, capacity planning) requires Dolibarr's production module or a post-migration custom extension and is outside standard migration scope.

  • Tax jurisdiction configuration must precede invoice migration

    ERP BOS tax codes are jurisdiction-specific and include reverse-charge, exempt, and compound VAT variants. Dolibarr's c_tva table must be populated with the correct tax rates, account assignments, and jurisdiction codes before any invoice or supplier invoice records are imported; otherwise tax amounts calculate incorrectly. We insert the full ERP BOS tax code table into Dolibarr before invoice migration begins, but any missing tax codes discovered during migration require a mid-project configuration pause.

Migration approach

Six steps for a successful ERP BOS to Dolibarr ERP data migration

  1. Discovery and scoping

    We audit the source ERP BOS instance across entity count, customer and supplier record volumes, item count (including BOM complexity), Chart of Accounts depth, open AP/AR balance totals, tax code jurisdiction list, and document attachment count. We identify inactive records (accounts with no activity in 24 months), sub-ledger-to-COa discrepancies, and inter-entity journal entries requiring elimination review. The discovery output is a written migration scope with record counts per object, a reconciliation checklist for the finance team, and an entity cross-reference table for multi-entity customers.

  2. Schema design and Chart of Accounts mapping

    We design the destination schema in Dolibarr before any data moves. This includes activating the required modules (ThirdParty, Product, Accounting, Invoice, Bank, Project or Intervention), defining the Chart of Accounts structure with account masks matching the ERP BOS account code format, inserting the tax code table (c_tva) with all ERP BOS jurisdictions, and enabling the CustomFields module if the customer uses custom item fields. For multi-entity ERP BOS customers, we configure Dolibarr's multi-company module with one company record per ERP BOS entity and map inter-entity journal entries to elimination holding accounts.

  3. Sandbox migration and reconciliation

    We run a full migration into a Dolibarr staging instance using production-like data volume. The customer's finance lead reconciles: customer and supplier record counts, item and BOM counts, Chart of Accounts totals against the ERP BOS trial balance, open AP/AR totals against the ERP BOS sub-ledger, and bank account balances against the last ERP BOS statement date. Any mapping corrections, tax code gaps, or COA discrepancies are resolved here. The customer signs off the staging environment before production migration begins.

  4. Multi-entity and inter-company journal review

    For multi-entity ERP BOS customers, we present the inter-company journal entry cross-reference table and elimination account assignment for customer-side finance review. The customer approves or adjusts the elimination holding accounts, and we update the Dolibarr multi-company configuration accordingly. This step cannot be automated because elimination treatment depends on the customer's consolidation methodology and accounting standards.

  5. Production migration in dependency order

    We run production migration in record-dependency order: tax codes (prerequisite for all financial records), Chart of Accounts, bank and cash accounts, ThirdParty records (customers then suppliers), Products and BOM assemblies, open supplier invoices and customer invoices, historical journal entries, and service/CRM records last. Each phase emits a row-count reconciliation report before the next phase begins. Open AP/AR migration is gated on successful COA reconciliation sign-off from step 3.

  6. Cutover, validation, and automation handoff

    We freeze ERP BOS writes during cutover, run a final delta migration of any records modified during the migration window, then enable Dolibarr as the system of record. We produce the document attachment file-index CSV for the customer's separate file transfer and document the BOM flattening decisions for the production module decision. We deliver a written inventory of any ERP BOS workflows, automations, or custom configurations requiring rebuild in Dolibarr. We support a five-business-day post-go-live window for reconciliation issues raised by the customer's team.

Platform deep dives

Context on both ends of the pair

ERP BOS logo

ERP BOS

Source

Strengths

  • Multi-entity and multi-currency architecture handles branch and cross-border complexity natively.
  • Cloud deployment with 24x7 access from any device reduces infrastructure overhead.
  • IFRS and GAAP-compliant accounting covers statutory reporting requirements for regulated industries.
  • WhatsApp chatbot and integrated banking reduce context-switching for sales and finance teams.
  • 256-bit encryption and role-based security with audit trail address data protection requirements.

Weaknesses

  • Small partner ecosystem limits implementation expertise and third-party add-ons relative to global ERP vendors.
  • Built-in report designer lacks the flexibility of SQL-based or dedicated BI tools for complex ad-hoc analysis.
  • Document blob migration is not supported, requiring separate file-handling for invoice and attachment transfers.
  • Customization options for complex manufacturing routing and BOMs are limited compared to specialist manufacturing ERPs.
  • API documentation and public-facing developer resources are not extensively published, limiting programmatic integration options.
Dolibarr ERP logo

Dolibarr ERP

Destination

Strengths

  • Free core software with AGPL license and no per-user mandatory fee for self-hosted deployments.
  • Modular architecture lets teams activate only needed features, keeping the interface focused and the database lean.
  • Self-hosted option provides full data sovereignty and avoids recurring SaaS subscription costs.
  • Built-in CSV/Excel import and export wizard with saved profiles simplifies recurring data operations.
  • Low-code Module Builder allows functional extensions without writing PHP code.

Weaknesses

  • No native documented REST API for programmatic bulk operations — all migrations depend on the import/export wizard or direct database access.
  • Reporting and analytics are weak without paid add-ons, and built-in charts are limited compared to modern SaaS platforms.
  • UI design is described as dated by multiple reviewers, with infrequent visual updates to the default theme.
  • Community-only support for self-hosted deployments means no SLA or guaranteed response time for issues.
  • Security vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-5314, CVE-2024-5315) in version 9.0.1 with no immediate patch reported.

Complexity grading

How hard is this migration?

Standard ERP migration. All 8 core objects map 1:1 between ERP BOS and Dolibarr ERP.

B

Overall complexity

Standard migration

Derived from compatibility, mapping clarity, API constraints, and data volume across ERP BOS and Dolibarr ERP.

  • Object compatibility

    A

    All 8 core objects map 1:1 between ERP BOS and Dolibarr ERP.

  • Field mapping clarity

    C

    Field mapping is derived from defaults — final spec confirmed during the sample migration.

  • Timeline complexity

    B

    8-object category — typical timelines run 2–7 days end-to-end.

  • API constraints

    B

    ERP BOS: Not publicly documented..

  • Data volume sensitivity

    B

    ERP BOS doesn't expose a bulk API — REST + parallelization used for high-volume runs.

Estimator

Estimate your ERP BOS to Dolibarr ERP migration cost

Rule-based pricing — no per-record fees, no manual quotes. Migrations over 2M records are scoped individually.

Step 1

What are you migrating?

Pick a category, then your source and destination platforms.

Category

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about ERP BOS to Dolibarr ERP data migrations

Answers to the questions buyers ask most during ERP BOS to Dolibarr ERP migration scoping. Not seeing yours? Book a call.

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Most single-entity ERP BOS migrations land between three and five weeks for straightforward scopes (under 10,000 customers, 3,000 suppliers, 5,000 items, no multi-level BOMs). Multi-entity ERP BOS migrations with inter-company journals, large AP/AR sub-ledgers requiring COA reconciliation, and multi-level BOM flattening move to eight to fourteen weeks because of the entity cross-reference work, finance sign-off on elimination accounts, and BOM flattening per item category.

Adjacent paths

Related migrations to explore

Ready when you are

Move from ERP BOS.
Land in Dolibarr ERP, intact.

Tell us record counts and timeline. We'll come back with a written quote inside 1 business day — no commitment, no sales pitch.

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