Open source project

[Bloekom]

Hi folks ! Ettubrute - I did a search on "SugarCRM" in this section before posting - let me know if I'm at the wrong station, please.

I'm a novice at all things IT, but have been toying with some thoughts on SugarCRM.

SugarCRM implementation/programming - I'm not finding a lot of RSA people advertising for programming, installation, support etc. - or is my Googling rusty ?

Since reading and asking around, I would like to know your thoughts on getting some open source project going.

I'm looking at implementing SugarCRM in a SOHO environment, linking with Asterisk@Home for VOIP. Somtime later this year I am thinking of upgrading my cellphone contract to a PDA, rather than just another cell phone. Said PDA should be a "client" in the SugarCRM setup, syncing online with Sync4jay (something like that).

I'm looking at dictating my correspondence rather than taking notes of everything, as well as recording all conversations (cell calls included).

If nescessary for correspondence or reports, the dictations should be typed via speech to text (I was quoted R1 000 000 to develop an Afrikaans speech-to-text app., by the way).

In short - an open source bundle (if possible), investing in technology rather than personnel.

Would this fly ? How do you make a profit from this ?

Your comments would be appreciated.

 

[andres101]

you can make profit by implementing the software and customising it for a client.

i think there is a market for this, but not on your own. I would not buy something like this from joe blogs. you will have to get a company like Mecer or MWEB to partner with you. perhaps they can give it away as a value add.

 

[Bloekom]

Profit from an open source project

you can make profit by implementing the software and customising it for a client.

Hallo Andres101. I agree with the customisation. Actually, I would be the end user, as this is something I need for myself. I it works for me, though, I am sure people in the same position will be interested.

i think there is a market for this, but not on your own. I would not buy something like this from joe blogs. you will have to get a company like Mecer or MWEB to partner with you. perhaps they can give it away as a value add.

My idea is to get some specialists to work together, taking "guidance" from the end user as to requirements and refinements. If everybody is on risk, everybody can share in revenue once it (hopefully) flies.

 

[nic777]

Before you stick with Sugar, try vTiger CRM which has more features and is proper open-source. http://www.vtiger.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=55

 

[Bloekom]

SugarCRM vs. VTiger

@ nic777 :

This is where I could use some help.
Was VTiger guilty (as some talk on the 'net goes) of "stealing" some code/programme from Sugar ?
Is the Sugar community more vibrant than Tiger ? (plug-ins, forums etc. ?)
Which brand has the open source community's support, if not split evenly ?
Can I tie Asterisk in with Tiger ?
Do you know of tech people in RSA that can assist with modding Tiger as per specific needs/working together with other apps ?

 

[nic777]

@ nic777 :

This is where I could use some help.
Was VTiger guilty (as some talk on the 'net goes) of "stealing" some code/programme from Sugar ?

No, Sugar was just upset about someone actually following the GPL, which vTiger did. Remember SugarCRM are trying to push their commercial efforts. Hence, why I said vTiger is proper open-source

Is the Sugar community more vibrant than Tiger ? (plug-ins, forums etc. ?)

Don't know about that - SugarCRM gets more attention but the number of extra features you get with vTiger is awesome - you can take that to mean more community support

Which brand has the open source community's support, if not split evenly ?

Same as above

Can I tie Asterisk in with Tiger ?
Not sure - don't think so

Do you know of tech people in RSA that can assist with modding Tiger as per specific needs/working together with other apps ?

mmm......I assume whatever organisation you form to provide this product will have the relevant developers. Developers aren't hide to find - there is no such thing has SugarCRM or vTiger professionals - they are all just developers, and they need LAMP knowledge and the ability to learn the application. Its open-source so learning is not so hard

I tried to use SugarCRM but wasn't so keen on the whole commercial aspect to it i.e. there are much more features, but you have to upgrade.
I found vTigerCRM but stopped before I could install and test because I didn't have time - busy with other projects.

I am also keen on providing open-source applications and have been researching this. Plus I'm really into open-source and have experience in it so if you are REALLY serious about this and need a partner of some sort, then contact me.

I'm not a programmer but have knowledge of LAMP.

Oh, and I don't work on anything if there is no money in it, so if you see a good business idea here, THEN give me a call

 

[Bloekom]

VTiger

Thanks for the response !

I think I'll try and install vTiger on my side (hopefully there's a WAMP option as well ?) and get to know the programme as good I can.

Then I'll test it with real data/clients for a bit and note all the functionality that I am still lacking, eg. click-a-dial via VOIP etc.

I'll compare it with other offerings and note strengths, weaknesses.

I am in discussion with folks who offer services on a cellular platform - hopefully they can add some functionality from that point. I've also been collaborating with Lotus people - testing Quickplace. I have access to a propriatary, internet based CRM system at present, as well as another well-known one to follow soon, so I am already comparing.

About being serious - yes, I am. In my offfice, CRM is not a luxury, neither is recordkeeping (everything to be kept for min. 5 yrs.) If I go the Goldmine/Act/Lotus Notes route, I have to take what they offer, versus open source, where the funds can go to developing exactly what I need (and what should sell to others).

What should make it very novel ? Just some thoughts - PDA-friendly, local client with scheduled updates - so no need to be permanently online - and, what I am really toying with - use this to introduce people to open source. Offer them OpenOffice installation and support, AV, firewalls, Thunderbird, FF, Linux - claim some space for open source and charge for making it happen, not for supplying it.

Do I have funds ? No - but a good idea will always be able to raise funds from the investment community. I do not know the sensitivity/appetite for risk taking among dvelopers - it will be a factor though.

How will we make money ? Keep everything open-source, but charge for installation and training. Also, charge a monthly fee for the outside extras, like cell-platform functions, voice-recording, templates etc.

Who will buy this ? Everybody that is bound by the same regulations as I am. Might as well give the game away - I am an independant financial advisor.

Why will they buy it ? Because it will be open source - and as soon as they realise the value, they will pay for training, add-ons, further installations, etc.

So, nic777, from the above - you techies may be laughing your heads off or scratching them. I hope I am not introducing extreme naivety (spelling ?) to MyADSL !

 

[bdt]

..(hopefully there's a WAMP option as well ?)

Indeed there is, that's the download page for 'doze, Linux and source files. They ALSO have a single dl there for both platforms - interesting!

.. PDA-friendly

so far, no apparent sign yet but it IS on the wish list ..maybe motivate them some..? ..FYI that's the sponsorship page.

.. Thunderbird, FF, Linux

TB extension already there. I suspect there's no specific need for Firefox as it's just a browser, which is already catered for. Also see this brochure page for current integration/export functionality.

I hope I am not introducing extreme naivety (spelling ?) to MyADSL !

..no, that's one of the two alternate forms of the word.

As for SugarCRM, they recently got in bed with The Great Satan which may or may not significantly change how they do things, specially from the POV of "open-ness". Finally, the question of Asterisk integration seems to be on the wish list ..or just dig a little

HTH
-bdt

 

[Bloekom]

VTiger

Hallo bdt ! I googled a bit since posting this morning and I've downloaded the all platform update, the WAMP installation package and the users manual, etc. Also learnt that a document managing system and project management (for sub-tasking) lacks. Also saw on their forum that a SA based company is looking at integrating Dwins Netoffice with VTiger - http://blogs.vtiger.com/viewtopic.php?t=4981&start=0 - that was one of your links, as well. Also learnt that Tigers' Thunderbird, Office and Outlook plugins are open source, unlike SugarCRM. I also learnt that it's an Indian company/organisation.

I get the impression there is a lot of activity in the VTiger Community - one of their managers was even willing to raise a donation for developers to get going with a dotproject/netoffice plugin/inter-action.

Thanks for all the info - this is going to take time, but I think it's worth it.

 

[bdt]

Heya ..looked at that link, kinda sparse on usable details innit? Well, I know it's not actually within vTiger, but there is the KnowledgeTree Document Management System for your (OSS) doc management love, files here. As an added bonus, this is a .za project, originally developed for the Medical Research Council ..tho' they seem to have obscured all signs of its provenance on the current site. Representation is by these guys.

As to project management, maybe go and suck up some(lots?) of your time looking at Open Workbench and GanttProject.

HTH
-bdt

 

[Bloekom]

VTiger - Project- and document management

Hallo bdt ! Thanks, will have a look. I am busy "thinking through" my workflow in VTiger, making notes as I go on.

 

[nic777]

So, nic777, from the above - you techies may be laughing your heads off or scratching them. I hope I am not introducing extreme naivety (spelling ?) to MyADSL !

No, not at all Bloekom. The thing is, that this idea has probably come up by everyone who has ever used open-source. BUT, like all ideas, it's the execution of it, rather than the idea itself, which will make it successful.

So I don't know what others think, but you definetly have my attention

So the execution of this idea i.e. the people, resources involved, and the links to the "right" people are all important, and I think if you stay focussed, you will be able to find all these things.

One thing concerns me when you say "Why would people buy this?" and you answer "because its open source" - bleh, it just doesn't work like that. Yes, its free and the open source idea is great, BUT, if it doesn't affect their bottom line, then they forget about it.

My frame to approach this is:
a) make it cheaper "make a luxury a commodity"
b) make it easier and simple to use
c) make it work i.e. people probably spend tons of money on something they think will work, but it doesn't work for them. So make something that works!

Do any or all of these, and you'll hook them! Agree?

I also think providing other open source services is great.

Like I said, I'm interested and if you looking for partners, which you should be, then we can talk. Busy for the rest of the week, but we contact each other next week.

 

[Bloekom]

Hallo nic777 ! Thanks, that puts it in perspective. I'll be in touch.

 

[Bloekom]

Phase one - the server

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=41634

 

[Bloekom]

Phase one - server

Just some feedback - server acquired on rental - Linux Fedora, VTiger 4.2; Firefox, Knowledgebase, SAMBA server. Somebody responded to my query to PLUG (Pta Linux Users Group) and saw to software installation.