Best Free & Open Source ITAR & ISO Compliance Management Software for Manufacturers

Compliance in manufacturing is not about policies. It is about controlling access, documenting processes, proving traceability, and surviving audits without stopping production. Frameworks like ITAR, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 27001 do not require a single “compliance system”. They require evidence that processes are defined, followed, monitored, and corrected when they fail.

What compliance software means in manufacturing

For manufacturers, compliance management usually breaks down into five practical needs:

• document control and revision history
• access control and traceability
• audit and non-conformance management
• corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
• proof of process adherence

The tools below each cover one or more of these needs. In practice, manufacturers combine them.

1. ERPNext (Quality & Document Control)

Best for: ISO 9001 / IATF-style operational compliance

ERPNext includes native modules for document control, quality inspections, non-conformances, CAPA, and change management. Documents are versioned, approvals are logged, and actions are traceable.

For many ISO-certified manufacturers, ERPNext acts as the central compliance backbone tied directly to production and inventory.

License: GPLv3 / Open Source
Compliance fit: ISO 9001, IATF 16949, internal audits

2. Odoo Community Edition (Documents + Processes)

Best for: Modular compliance tied to operations

Odoo Community supports document versioning, access rules, approvals, and quality workflows. While some advanced compliance features are paid, the community edition is sufficient for many ISO requirements when properly configured.

Strength:
Good balance between usability and control.

License: LGPLv3 / Open Core
Compliance fit: ISO 9001, ISO 14001

3. OpenDocMan

Best for: Controlled document management

OpenDocMan is a dedicated open-source document management system with versioning, approvals, access control, and audit trails. It is often used when ERP document modules are too limited.

Why it matters:
ISO audits fail most often on document control, not production data.

License: GPL / Open Source
Compliance fit: ISO 9001, ISO 27001 documentation

4. Nextcloud (with access controls)

Best for: Controlled file sharing and ITAR-sensitive data

Nextcloud is widely used in ITAR-aware environments as an on-premise alternative to cloud file sharing. With proper configuration, it supports access restrictions, logging, and data residency requirements.

Important note:
Nextcloud is not ITAR compliance by itself, but it enables ITAR-compatible data handling when deployed correctly.

License: AGPL / Open Source
Compliance fit: ITAR data access, ISO 27001 support

5. iDempiere (Workflow & Audit Control)

Best for: Approval-heavy and regulated environments

iDempiere has a strong workflow engine and audit logging across transactions. It is often used where compliance requires strict approvals and documented decision paths.

Trade-off:
Steeper learning curve, but very strong process control.

License: GPLv2 / Open Source
Compliance fit: ISO 9001, regulated manufacturing

6. GLPI

Best for: IT and security compliance evidence

GLPI is commonly used to manage IT assets, access, incidents, and changes. Manufacturers use it to support ISO 27001 audits by demonstrating control over systems and users.

Why it belongs:
ITAR and ISO 27001 audits often focus on IT controls, not machines.

License: GPL / Open Source
Compliance fit: ISO 27001, ITAR supporting evidence

7. openMAINT

Best for: Compliance tied to maintenance and safety

openMAINT provides traceability for maintenance actions, inspections, and asset history. This is relevant for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and safety-related audits.

Why it matters:
Unmaintained equipment is a compliance risk, not just an uptime risk.

License: AGPLv3 / Open Source
Compliance fit: ISO 9001, ISO 14001

8. Camunda Platform (Community Edition)

Best for: Formal compliance workflows and approvals

Camunda is used to model and enforce processes such as:

• document approvals
• audit findings
• CAPA workflows

It provides full traceability of who approved what and when.

License: Apache 2.0
Compliance fit: ISO audits, CAPA processes

9. OpenAudit

Best for: Audit preparation and evidence collection

OpenAudit helps collect system and configuration data used during audits. While originally IT-focused, it is often used to support compliance reporting.

License: GPL / Open Source
Compliance fit: ISO 27001 supporting audits

10. Custom Compliance Stack (Open Tools)

Best for: Manufacturers with strict ITAR or mixed ISO requirements

Many compliant manufacturers build a lightweight stack:

• ERP for process control
• document management for policies
• workflow engine for approvals
• access-controlled storage for sensitive data

This approach provides better audit outcomes than generic GRC platforms.

How manufacturers actually stay compliant

Manufacturers who pass audits consistently do not rely on a single compliance system. They distribute responsibility across systems that already run the business and ensure every compliance requirement maps to a real operational process.

Auditors look for consistency, traceability, and control. Open-source tools can fully satisfy those expectations when deployed with discipline.

Final Takeaway

There is no “ITAR software” or “ISO software” in isolation. Compliance is a property of how systems are used, not what they are called.

Free and open-source platforms are fully capable of supporting ITAR and ISO compliance in manufacturing. The deciding factor is not licensing. It is whether processes are defined, followed, and provable.

About MDCplus

Our key features are real-time machine monitoring for swift issue resolution, power consumption tracking to promote sustainability, computerized maintenance management to reduce downtime, and vibration diagnostics for predictive maintenance. MDCplus's solutions are tailored for diverse industries, including aerospace, automotive, precision machining, and heavy industry. By delivering actionable insights and fostering seamless integration, we empower manufacturers to boost Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), reduce operational costs, and achieve sustainable growth along with future planning.