xTupler #26 | October-November 2012
Dear Community —
We are in the final phases of beta testing for our landmark release of xTuple 4.0. If you have followed xTuple for a while, you know we are modest with our version numbering. The current release, 3.8.x, is really the 17th major release of the xTuple software. And we save the big version numbers for something special:
- Version 1.0 was, well, our first version!
- Version 2.0 introduced CRM, multi-currency and major new manufacturing features like MPS and constraint management - all in one release!
- Version 3.0 included the embedded screen designer for the first time and introduced scripting - the ability to modify and extend xTuple without modifying C++ code.
This release will be our biggest step forward yet. In addition to literally hundreds of new features in the Desktop application (the Windows, Mac or Linux client you know and love), we are also officially rolling out our long-awaited Mobile Web app.
The Mobile Web app is completely interoperable with the same xTuple back-end database as the Desktop client, and it can be run in any web browser on PCs, Macs, tablets or smartphones. Our plan is to bring out existing Desktop functionality in the Mobile Web app gradually - roughly corresponding with ongoing releases in the 4.x product family. Beginning with the release of version 4.0, you will find the entire CRM module - with a form factor and user experience completely optimized for mobile devices.
And of course, the new features will all be available in the same commercial open source model we follow today. (You can already find the Mobile Web source on Github, if you feel adventurous.)
Finally, when we do the final release of 4.0 in December, we will be making some major announcements regarding our plans for xTuple Cloud services. All this cool new mobile stuff does come with some added complexity, and we expect more of our customers will want to explore moving their on-site systems to our professionally-managed cloud service. Of course, you will still be able to run everything locally, if you like. But if you want to include the Mobile Web app, we won't lie to you - it's going to be harder. If you want to be among the first to hear about some year-end promotions, please contact us about moving existing xTuple systems (PostBooks or commercial editions) to the cloud.
Thanks, as always, for your support of xTuple.
Cheers,
Ned Lilly
President and CEO
IN THIS ISSUE
- 4.0/Mobile Web app
- Where's Wally?
- Rage against SAGE
- Video Case Study
- .ORG Updates
FEATURED EVENTS
- Company Meeting
- FREE Webinars
- 2-Day Project Mgmt
- 2013 Sneek Peak
- ERP Basic Training
Where's Wally? In Hollywood!
That's right...xTuple's VP of Sales Wally Tonra visits Hollywood this month. Florida, that is. And Account Executive Stacey Pandeloglou joins him at the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) Eastern Region Conference.
NAED is the voice of electrical distribution, providing members with the best in tools, information, and assistance to help them thrive financially and to improve the electrical distribution channel.
Attendees will include upper and middle management, regional sales, operations and branch managers from distributors, manufacturers, allied partners and manufacturer reps.
Follow NAED on Twitter at @NAED_org and get involved in the conversation using #NAEDERC12.
Rage against SAGE campaign
Don't be afraid if you receive one of these ghoulish postcards in your mailbox - it is just our take on what's happening in the Sage partner channel today.
Despite the humorous message, the situation for many Sage partners (and their customers) is quite serious... Sage partners who are struggling to support their customers should consider xTuple as a new vendor partner.
xTuple is growing - fast, and profitably. You can too! We need the expertise of Sage partners to develop untapped markets across the country. Additionally, with xTuple, Sage partners can offer their customers something they have never experienced: an affordable (even FREE), flexible and modern ERP solution they actually like to use. Learn about the xTuple Partner Program.
xTupleR Staffer Feature
Steve Hackbarth
Software Engineer
A belated welcome to our first developer hired (June 2012) from relationships built at Start Norfolk, an entrepreneurial business-building-in-a-weekend competition sponsored by xTuple.
Steve - working with the Dev Team on the xTuple Mobile Web app - has a Computer Science degree from Harvard and is currently studying for a MBA from the College of William & Mary. He lives in the historic, uber-cool Norfolk neighborhood of Ghent with his wife, a horn musician with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra) and his three adorable kids (see their Facebook pictures from the October Open House!).
Steve also enjoys a good walkabout, having lived in Norway for a year and spending three months backpacking across India, not to mention the long-distance bicycle trips - his longest to-date was 1000 miles from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco.
How did Steve get the Tech bug? "Started studying computer science after dropping out of Harvard's horrendous 'intro-to-economics' and the rest is history." On xTuple: "I remembered Ned from the weekend, and now I'm happy to be here!"
Tech Survey || Your Community Site
Web Manager
While not the newest face at xTuple any more, Pete's role is the "best of both worlds" - working with creative- and technical-types, merging both into content and functionality on the company websites.
You have probably noticed the new look and finishing touches on xTuple.com being made by Pete. Soon we will implement a similar design change on xTuple.org. By answering a few questions, you can help guide the upcoming site realignment as well as future functionality enhancements on xTuple.org.
- What are your favorite social networks?
- Which areas of xTuple.org do you spend the most time in? What can we do to improve those areas?
- What drives you absolutely insane about the site (if different from above)?
- Is there anything we should NOT change?
Respond via Pete's personal contact form.
xTuple Partner Feature: AKA Computer Consulting
Experts at customizations to meet the unique needs of small- to medium-sized businesses (SMB), AKA focuses on delivering affordable, yet sophisticated, business management solutions.
"We only sell packages that we can customize. It is very difficult to sell a package that just does one thing without being able to change it, so that was one of our criteria for looking at xTuple. Their open source process is a very slick way of doing programming."
-- AKA president, Alex Kleyff
Partner Alex Kleyff, AKA Computer Consulting, talks customization with xTuple's Scott Church
Read the AKA Consulting press release.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery from Hurricane Sandy to you and the entire region!
xTuple Customer Corner: ASSET, Inc.
Nonprofit ASSET, Inc., says "extendability" is the xTuple difference
Rebecca Shapiro, director of business applications at nonprofit ASSET, Inc., in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA), tells us how they like working with open source xTuple.
ASSET helps elementary school and middle school teachers learn to teach hands-on science.
Read more: xTuple's ASSET, Inc., Case Study
Do you or your company want to be one of our featured xTuple Customers?
Please share your story (in print or video) with xTuple's Marketing Department.
There are a few seats still available for the final advanced practices class for 2012 - where you learn at the convenience and comfort of your own computer - with Director of Product Training (aka xTuple Evangelist), Mike Atherton. Essential strategies and methods for successfully managing the xTuple implementation process.
Register for Distance Learning November 7-8 (12 hours/CPE credits total)
Register for Introduction to xTuple ERP on November 7
Register for Learn xTuple Accounting on November 21
Register for Explore xTuple CRM on December 5
Register for xTuple for Accountants on December 19
Webinars earn you one (1) CPE credit and are held on Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m. Eastern Time (GMT-05:00-US & Canada) or Find Your Time Zone.
Training Classes: Sneak Peek for 2013
March 4-7: Power User Training
Learn more about training: xTuple Knowledge Series.
Learn more about the xTuple Knowledge Series and view past events on xTuple's YouTube Channel.
Special Offer
U.S.-based xTuple users can now save big bucks with group buying program! See xTuple's Next Business Blog for more details and sign-up for the Industries United/Fastenal buying program.
About xTuple
Grow Your World® with the world's #1 open source ERP — the award-winning provider of commercial open source business management software for small- to mid-sized companies. Connect with the company, including the developer and partner community, at xTuple.com.