BUS Core is free, open-source manufacturing operations software for small shops that need stronger records without enterprise ERP overhead. It connects inventory, materials, recipes, production runs, jobs, invoices, vendors, and actual cost in one local operating record.
Self-managed BUS Core runs locally on Windows or through Docker, uses portable SQLite data, requires no hosted account or subscription, and remains usable without a required cloud connection. It supports FIFO batch costing, production history, local invoicing, user and role management, audit controls, and encrypted backup exports.
BUS Core is deliberately narrower than a full ERP or accounting suite. It does not provide payroll, full accounting, POS checkout, cloud synchronization, customer portals, payment links, or recurring billing.
Features
- Inventory management
- Materials and recipes
- Production runs
- Job tracking
- Invoicing
- Vendor management
- FIFO batch costing
- Actual-cost tracking
- Local-first
- Offline use
- SQLite data
- User roles and permissions
- Audit controls
- Encrypted backup exports
- Windows deployment
- 1. Docker deployment