Nsite launching free online ERP tools

Starting on Monday, Nsite, a provider of hosted business software, will begin offering a free set of online human resources applications via its Web site. The company, which specializes in customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools for small and medium-size businesses, is betting that by offering the no-cost service it can drum up interest for a full set of hosted business applications that it will launch later this year.

Dubbed as Nsite Starter Edition, the free offering consists of five human resources and financial management applications designed for handling tasks such as time off requests, employee status changes and business travel authorization. The system is aimed directly at chief information officers at so-called SMBs (small and medium-size businesses) and will support up to 100 different users within companies that sign up for the tools. The subsequent release from Nsite, due out in the fall, will carry a yet-to-be-determined price tag and focus on customer self-service and applications development tools.