OpenL Tablets is a free, open-source business rules engine and decision management system that turns structured Excel tables into executable application logic. It supports Excel formats starting with Excel 97 and table types for decisions, lookups, spreadsheet calculations, decision trees and algorithms. OpenL Studio provides a web-based environment for editing and managing rules, with guided wizards, inline cell editing and type-safe checks that link errors to affected cells. Rule Services can run rules as REST services, Kafka consumers or producers, or providers for Java interfaces; rules can also be used in Maven projects and interoperate with Java classes and methods. Its repository uses Git, databases and blob storage, with versions, metadata, WebDAV access and role-based access control. Analysis features include tracing, explanations, unit tests, benchmarks, what-if analysis, and checks for gaps and overlaps. Rules can have effective and expiration dates, with deployment management, staging, consistency checks and live updates. The downloadable demo runs in single-user mode and includes a local Git repository with examples and tutorials.
Who it is for
It suits teams that want business rules authored in Excel tables and consumed by applications, including business users and Java or Maven project teams. The single-user demo may suit someone exploring the included examples and tutorials.
What is good
- Supports Excel formats starting with Excel 97.
- Offers five types of rule tables.
- Rules can run through REST, Kafka or Java interfaces.
- Includes unit tests, tracing and what-if analysis.
- Repository supports versions, metadata and role-based access.
What to know first
- The downloadable demo runs in single-user mode.
- The demo uses a local Git repository.
- The product and its parts use the GNU LGPL license.
Verdict
OpenL Tablets connects spreadsheet-based rule authoring with testing, repository controls and several execution options. Note that its downloadable demo is restricted to one user; the product and its parts are licensed under the GNU LGPL.
Compared on business rules management software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Decision tables
- Yes
- Visual rule authoring
- Yes
- Rule testing tools
- Yes
- Execution access
- both
