Cyclos
The Internet plays a crucial role in the success of our Social Trade initiatives. The Cyclos software provides innovative and secure ways to encourage purchasing power to circulate more effectively within a given community or region.
Dissatisfied with the software available in the market, STRO decided to develop its own software in the year 2000. Published under the GPL (open source) license, Cyclos has become a mature and successful software package, used by over one hundred transaction networks around the world.
Though Cyclos is in its essence a system to administer transactions, comparable to a home-banking system, there are other functionalities that enhance the networks that use it. Features such as searchable member directory, qualifications, notifications and private messaging contribute to the creation of a thriving community. Supply and demand meet each other more easily in the built-in marketplace, thus opening up new markets for the members.
Currenty the Cyclos development team is extending the micro loan management and low-lewel access channels as SMS and debit/credit cards are being worked on. With these features the use of the Cyclos is expected to multiply when MFI's (Micro- Finance Institutions) have seen the potentials for using Cyclos to extend their credit services as well as other banking services.
For organisations that want to use Cyclos, Bureau Digitekst offers Cyclos services such as hosting, configuration, customization, etc. for a fair price.
Latest news
Open source on-line banking software Cyclos version 3.6 released
December 15, 2011 - We are pleased to announce that after years of hard work the Cyclos version 3.6 has been released. The Cyclos project, that started in 2003, now offers a complete on-line banking system with additional modules such as e-commerce, mobile (SMS) banking and communication tools.
The Cyclos platform permits a de-centralization of banking services that can stimulate local trade and sustainable development. Cyclos is published under the GPL (open source) license, which means that it can be downloaded for free and used at no cost.
The main goal of Cyclos is to contribute to the international movement of community and complementary currencies by offering free high-end technological solutions. The current crisis has proven the relevancy and urgency of the search for innovative forms financial services.
An on-line newsletter with detailed information can be found here: http://www.cyclos.org/newsletter/