The Community Hub for xTuple ERP

I started to write a description of how to report bugs, but found that others have done a much better job than I could. Take a look at the following:

• Simon Tatham's How to Report Bugs Effectively
• http://bugs.php.net/how-to-report.php (written specifically for PHP but the general principles apply to any software you use).

With that out of the way, here's a problem of a different sort:

When is a problem with xTuple ERP a bug and when is it a feature request? Most software companies get lots of queries asking, "Why doesn't the program do X?" or "Why does it do Y?" xTuple is no exception. Read more »

Many of you whom I have met personally know that I am an instrument rated pilot.  As a pilot I use checklists before during and after every flight.  They are a very important part of aviation for many reasons.  Checklists promote safety by ensuring that critical tasks are completed.  They also ensure that these tasks are done in sequence and that they are performed at the right time.  For example, it is generally considered too late to put your gear down after landing.  Finally, they ensure that everyone in aviation behaves and works in a consistent manner.  The stakes are high so discipline is essential.

Migrating from one release of xTuple to the next, like flying an airplane, is a straight forward process so long as you have basic skills and a plan for utilizing them.  To reduce risk and ensure business continuity and data continuity you should follow a migration checklist that, like an aviation checklist, ensures you perform all required tasks, in sequence, and at the right time.   Read more »

It's important to understand the advantages and drawbacks of using consulting firms to advise and assist your business.

First, the drawbacks:  Some would say that consulting companies tend to run up their hours, and milk their customers for every last penny - that they cloak their deliverables in buzz-speak and gobbledygook, and live in terror of their clients discovering that they're not really that smart.

As for advantages, well, some others might say that consultants can be of some help, sometime.

<Thud.>

Not a very fair or rigorous analysis, was it?  You can imagine how I felt after reading Eric Kimberling's "Debunking myths about open source ERP software."

  Read more »

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is a significant factor in choosing an Enterprise Resource Planning solution.  But it's another one of those TLA's (Three Letter Acronyms) that not everyone seems to completely understand.

So what do I mean by TCO? It's the sum of all the costs associated with implementing a major software application.  You should factor in not only the cost of the software (if you're purchasing a commercial license), but also any additional costs which may follow as a result of your decision (whether you know it or not).  Carefully reviewing the details of an ERP purchase may uncover  “hidden costs” in acquiring and operating software that might otherwise not be apparent.

Here are some things to consider... Read more »

It's true, the more people we have looking out for bugs, the better the software will be. We're so pleased with the support we've gotten in our Beta testing community. Thanks, everyone, for helping us make xTuple ERP a quality product!

Right now we're in between releases. This is the little pocket of time when the QA team gets to focus its attention on how to make the next testing cycle even better. One of the things we're doing this time around is publicizing our QA procedures.... Read more »