xTuple's Collective Brainpower Blog

I have just posted a specification for extending the Fixed Assets functionality to include Maintenance. This was my original goal when I started the discussion around Fixed Assets last year and I have now started formulating a design and specification. I welcome all commments and contributions. The specification can be found at Asset Maintenance.

The specification goes into more detail...

xTuple is an excellent tool for accountants. From a multi-segment chart of accounts to a financial report generator, xTuple is a powerful tool that can easily meet all of your accounting needs. One great example of xTuple's accounting functionality — monthly closes can be completed nearly simultaneously with month end. Just think, financial reports for last month on the first day of the...

I came across an interesting article earlier this week. Infoworld's Biggest ERP Failures of 2010 is focused on multiple implementation blunders. This is meant to be your typical "Failed ERP" piece, but the first couple of examples aren't even ERP, they're Payroll and CRM. Beyond that, there are multiple examples of SAP failures.

A company with poor business practices will still have...

Today we are announcing version 1.1 of the xTuple Web Portal Support module, and we're putting it to work immediately.

It has long been our goal to replace our web-based issue tracker, which has been running on a third-party product called Mantis, with a solution that would connect directly to our xTuple database. With the Support module, bug reports , feature requests , and customer...

Just in time for the new year, xTuple is now registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors!

Over the years we've received numerous requests to make our awesome training even better by offering continuing professional education (CPE) credits. Starting in January...

Earlier this year there was a strong discussion on the inclusion of Fixed Asset management into the xTuple product ( forum discussion here ). Many people contributed ideas and support. This interest lead to the development of a Specification which in turn generated more ideas and interest. The original intention of the discussion was to determine what additional functionality was needed by the...

I've worked with several accountants over the years and one thing I've noticed about them is that they generally like things neat and orderly. Unfortunately the real world is often messy and chaotic. Transactions get entered for the wrong accounts, quantities, or dates, which leads to reversal transactions, then yet another set of corrected transactions. Even with a flawless transaction record...

The community of open source ERP professionals in which we all live is vast, and international — and I have the privilege of speaking to different corners of this diverse group every single day. Here is just a quick sample of the xTuplers any of us may get to talk to on a weekly basis:

1. PostBooks user, running customer service department on PostBooks CRM 2. PostBooks user, going live...

As year-end draws near, it's not uncommon for businesses to begin to consider polishing up their accounting system or switching off legacy applications in preparation for the new year. The accounting-related community forums become busy with chatter as does xTuple customer support. One message has become loud and clear to us over the years — more accounting!

(Waiting for a punch line?...

If you follow technology at all, every day you hear about Apple's undeniable impact in the consumer market. Their impressive consumer run, outside of personal computers, started with the first iPod back in 2001. The iPhone has been a continued, evolving success since 2007, and the iPad is all set up to be "THE" gift for this years' holiday season. Apple is clearly rocking in the consumer space...

Here at xTuple, on a wall behind our support team are maps with lots of colored pins. We have a detailed map of the United States and a World map. The world map isn't new but many of the pins in it are. The pins signify partners and customers. Kind of 'old school' but fun, in a non-techy sort of way!

Here's the Google maps version:

In addition to our...

UPDATE: 12/17/2010, 5:00 pm ET The Feature-Mob is closed! Thanks to all 56 of our sponsors — we will be moving this discussion to a dedicated forum for xTuple Connect early next week, with details on the upcoming beta, and how Feature-Mob sponsors can get access to the current release of xTuple Connect. And, of course, details on the rebates — everyone will end up paying the final price of $...

Many ERP implementations focus on integrating the enterprise on a common business platform -- and rightly so. So, once you have successfully accomplished this, how do you move to the next level? Well, at xTuple we have a couple of new products that will enable you to reach out to customers and suppliers, and strengthen your relationship with them.

One is an email and integration...

As the head of sales here at xTuple, I spend a significant amount of time on the pricing page . When I first came to xTuple six years ago, the pricing page was my favorite page on the website. I had come from the big-iron ERP world where pricing was NEVER revealed. In that world, pricing would go to the prospective customer only AFTER exhaustive demos and sales meetings and qualification phone...

We understand. You're busy running your business, and upgrading your xTuple software isn't exactly your top priority. Maybe you've read about some of the fantastic new features in version 3.5, maybe you've even joined us for one of our regular webinar series - but it just hasn't made it to the top of the list.

Please allow us to give you a little nudge. Through the end of the year we'...

The xTuple community forum is an active place, with many new topics and replies posted every day. New users and old-hands alike can ask questions and expect to get answers in a reasonable amount of time. xTuple staff monitors the forums, but a question is more likely to get a response from a partner or a helpful and experienced community member than from one of us, and that is how it should be...

We've got lots of people coming to Norfolk in the next few weeks for our upcoming Intro and Power User training classes. Visiting a new city can present some challenges. Before I make travel arrangements, I always review my options with a local, so I know I'm making the best choices. Below please find my recommendations.xTuple is located at 119 W York Street in Norfolk, Virginia. Google maps...

How many times have you excitedly downloaded a new software application and thought to yourself, this looks great, but where do I start? After trial and error, sorting through help documents, and skimming user manuals eventually you get the hang of it.

Well, when it comes to xTuple software we want to help you move this process along so you can get your enterprise system set up and...

The wait is over.

The first fully productized website integration with xTuple ERP is now available. The Web Portal integrates a Drupal website with an xTuple backend, by linking Drupal users with xTuple Contacts and CRM Accounts. (Remember that CRM Accounts can be customers, vendors, partners, or any other organization you do business with.)

So individuals associated with a...

Why do we implement ERP? Ask several different companies and you will get a variety of answers. The one answer I hear most often, indeed a common refrain from those who are most successful is: “To integrate all facets of our business on a single application platform.” This makes sense especially when you consider that the 'E' in ERP is Enterprise.

Now, let's ask a different question:...