Open-source DMS

Documents live on the transaction, not in a folder

Documents are created in the process and stay there: versioned, approved, and audit-ready, without a separate DMS beside it.

Nuclos consolidates business processes and document storage on one platform. Documents are created in the process, stored in the DMS, and remain traceable for audits and reviews. Open source, without vendor lock-in.

  • Open-source DMS
  • Stored on transactions
  • Audit-ready
  • Low-code & AI

What you see in integrated DMS

Three moments in the document process: storage on the transaction, versioning with approval, and audit-ready archiving.

Document on the transaction

Invoices, drawings, and contracts link to the order, project, or customer. Same data foundation as the business process, without folder hunting beside it.

  • Documents on the business object
  • Same permissions as the transaction
  • No sync between ERP and file storage
Nuclos 5 dashboard with KPIs for order volume, orders, customers, and items plus charts

Versioning and approval

Every change as a new version. Approval steps for contracts, drawings, or QM documents. Status and owners stay visible in the system.

  • Who uploaded which revision and when
  • Approval workflows with clear status
  • Comments and tasks on the document

Audit-ready archiving

Long-term storage with traceability. Retention periods and access remain controllable, findable for reviews and audits.

  • Audit trail across versions and approvals
  • Controllable retention periods
  • Traceable for audits and compliance

Why open-source DMS in Nuclos

Open source, audit-ready, stored on transactions, and adaptable to your document process with low-code.

Open source

No per-user license for the DMS. You keep source code and data; customizations stay with you or your partner.

Audit-ready

Versions, approvals, and access are traceable. Documents remain findable for reviews and audits.

On the transaction

Invoices, drawings, and contracts link to the order or project. No hunting through separate folders.

Adaptable

Model folder structure, metadata, and approvals with low-code. AI accelerates configuration and extension, within the proven Nuclos framework.

  • Schlüter Baumaschinen
  • BMW
  • Telekom
  • Landeshauptstadt München
  • Rhenus
  • Deutsche Glasfaser
  • BusinessBike
  • knoell
  • ARCD
  • heatsystems
  • PolyMedics Innovations
  • Stüker Möbelteile
  • Kickbyte
  • NGN Fiber Network
  • Schleiftechnik Neururer
  • Dr. Höhn
  • ZWP Anlagenrevision
  • ROGGE Schilder
  • ISD

All open-source DMS capabilities

From capture to archive: versions, approvals, permissions, and search on the transaction. No second system beside it.

Versioning

Every change as a new version. You see who uploaded or approved which revision and when.

  • Full version history on the document
  • Traceable uploads and approvals
  • Current revision clearly visible in the process
Approval & workflow

Approval steps for contracts, drawings, or QM documents. Status and owners are visible in the system.

  • Multi-step approvals on the transaction
  • Open tasks for owners
  • Comments and status changes logged
Permissions

Roles and tenants control read, write, and approve access. Maintained centrally, not per folder.

  • Role-based read and write rights
  • Approval rights controlled separately
  • Aligned with existing Nuclos permissions
Search & metadata

Structured attributes and full-text search across transactions. Fast access instead of file chaos.

  • Metadata on the document and the transaction
  • Full-text search across the repository
  • Filters by type, status, and business object
Capture

Upload, scan, or automatic generation from the ERP process. Documents start directly on the right transaction.

  • Upload and scan on the business object
  • Automatic documents from the process
  • No manual filing in external folders
Use in process

Documents and attachments in screens, lists, and reports. Staff work with current, approved versions.

  • Documents visible in screens and lists
  • Approved versions in day-to-day work
  • Connected to reports and analytics
Archive

Audit-ready long-term storage with traceability. Retention periods and access remain controllable.

  • Long-term storage with an audit trail
  • Controllable retention periods
  • Findable for reviews and audits

How does your document process take shape in Nuclos?

Nuclos Enterprise: we deliver your core process on agreed scope. Business processes and integration remain the frame around it.

And my special case?

Where a standard DMS stops is where Nuclos begins.

  • Map industry-specific retention rules and regulatory requirements?
  • Run audit-ready archiving with traceable approvals?
  • Connect an existing external DMS instead of replacing it?
  • Build custom approval workflows for contracts or QM?
  • Keep documents on the transaction, not only in a folder tree?

Yes. That is exactly what Nuclos is built for.

What a standard DMS cannot map, we solve with low-code and AI inside the proven Nuclos framework, on the transaction and with open interfaces when needed.

Book a consultation

What is an ERP DMS?

A DMS in the ERP keeps documents on the same data foundation as orders and projects. No separate storage system beside it.

Many companies run an ERP for transactions and a separate DMS for files. Links break, approvals live in email, and audit readiness (opens in new tab) becomes manual discipline.

In Nuclos, documents attach directly to the business object: order, project, item, or customer. Same data foundation, same permissions, same audit trail. Open source, adaptable to your document process with low-code.

Separate DMS
Nuclos

Storage

Storage:

Standalone DMS or folder structure beside the ERP

Storage:

Documents link directly to the order, project, or customer

Status & approval

Status & approval:

Approvals and version status in email or a spreadsheet

Status & approval:

Approval, version, and access in the same system as the transaction

System scope

System scope:

A standalone DMS is oversized for most use cases

System scope:

DMS capabilities inside the ERP, sized to what you actually need

Frequently asked questions about open-source DMS

Short answers on transactions, audit readiness, compliance, adaptation, and getting started.

Is the Nuclos DMS a separate system beside the ERP?
No. Documents live on the transaction on the same platform as orders and projects. There is no sync project between ERP and file storage.
What does audit-ready archiving mean in Nuclos?
Versions, approvals, and access are traceable. Documents remain findable for reviews and audits, with controllable retention periods.
Do documents really live on the transaction?
Yes. You link invoices, drawings, and contracts to the order, project, item, or customer. Same permissions as the business process.
Does Nuclos support audit and compliance requirements for documents?
Nuclos supports traceable storage, versioning, and approvals on the transaction. We clarify your specific compliance (opens in new tab) needs in a consultation.
Can I connect an existing external DMS?
Yes. Instead of replacing everything, you can connect existing systems via interfaces. Many customers move documents into Nuclos step by step.
Can I adapt approvals and metadata to my process?
Yes. You adapt folder structure, metadata, approvals, and screens with low-code. AI accelerates configuration within the proven Nuclos framework.
Who is open-source DMS in Nuclos for?
For mid-sized companies that want documents on the transaction and find a separate DMS oversized or too rigid.
How do I get started with integrated DMS?
With a consultation or a requirements specification. For productive delivery, Nuclos Enterprise on agreed scope is the right entry.

More platform pages

CRM, business processes, and integrations in the same ERP.

CRM

Customer master, pipeline, and quotes on the same data foundation as orders and finance.

View CRM

Business processes

Inventory, finance, and projects as the starting point. Adapted with low-code.

View business processes

Interfaces & integration

DATEV, REST, and third-party systems. Nuclos as the hub in your IT landscape.

View integration

A DMS that fits your process

We clarify requirements, existing documents, and the right entry into open-source DMS.

Open Source · Made & hosted in Germany · 25+ years of Nuclos