ClearFoundation

Hello,

I currently have a ClearBox 300 happily sitting in the corner of our office. I'm dont have time to fiddle with it anymore, but so far have faced no problems. The box just keeps working!

We are in the process of starting a new company and will be doing an implementation of Xtuple Postbooks ERP to handle out smb manufacturing needs. I was really hoping to avoid having to get a windows server (and thier confusing CAL's) for the ERP system and getting the ClearBOX instead. Clear BOX would be required to perform its regular out of the box functionality along with acting as an app server for the ERP. WIndows based clients would connect to it...

I asked our Xtuple Postbooks ERP implementor about using linux and this is the response I got:

Since I am going with an open source ERP solution, I dont want to have to deal with MS Server licensing and costs. Is this Ok (aka linux)?

Answer: Linux is ok for xTuple as the client and database can be on any OS (Windows, Mac or Linux). However as a team we are more comfortable implementing in windows environment and incidentally that is what we have done it for all our previous customers and we ourselves work on that here. However, if you insist on a Linux based installation, we can ask for some help from xTuple if needed and this might take a few additional days to sort out. We do not see this as a bottleneck in configuring the database though. We can install Postbooks on a normal PC with decent specs and get started with the configuration. In the meantime we can sort out the server hardware & software issues. On a later date you may move the database to a different Server & OS.

As well, the recommended server from the implementor is as follows:
Any Entry Level Server: DeLL / HP,
CPU – intel® Xeon® X3440, 2.53 GHz, 8M Cache,,
RAM – 2 GB
HDD – SATA 250 GB ,@ 2 nos, for Raid 0 (fault Tolerance)
100/1000 MB Nic onboard

I have a few questions about the possibly going with ClearOS on the ClearBOX as our server for the ERP -
- Can the box handle the ERP system. We will have 10 continuous users on average (maybe less) and 20 max.
- In case some hardware fails, I know the box is raided. However, I have no experience whatsoever is restoring a failure. Can I get some partner support? What level of support would you recommend?
- PostGre db is required for Xtuple. Is this supported?
- Is it possible to get some installation support in case the implementor runs into trouble. While I don't foresee any problems, its worth asking.
- Are there any automated DB backup (for PostGRE) utilities?

As always, your feedback and help is much appreciated. I'm really hoping to be able to move to a truly Open Source organization - one with limited in house technical know how.

Best Regards,
NIsh

Good day, and congratulations for choosing solutions such as ClearOS and xTuple.

I am in the process of weaving this powerful solutions as an alternative for our clients (and anyone interested) to Microsoft Small Business Server and QuickBooks.

I have begun talks with critical personnel at Clear Foundation and xTuple, and we all think this is doable and everyone is excited about the opportunity.

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in perusing this further. This is going to be an amazing project and solution; any contributions and help will be appreciated by all!

Luis P.
CEO/Founder of B.I.T.S.
Billings, MT

Looking forward to watching a xTuple and ClearOS work together. Exploring potentials...

Michael Proper

Luis,

Thanks for the quick response. I am very interested in moving forward with this.

Maybe we can pool together the effort from myself and our xtuple partner/implementor along with the work that you are doing yourself.

Our Xtuple implementation tentatively starts in Jan 10th. We will probably using a windows dev box/sandbox for the first couple of weeks and then migrating to the production server (which will hopefully be a clearbox).

Once complete, we can share our lessons learnt with both the ClearFoundation and Xtuple communities. This takes me one step closer to a truely Open Source real world SMB manufacturing business...

I can be reached at nfaria@gmail.com

Regards,
Nish

Luis,

I haven't heard from you. Have you made any progress?

Regards,
Nish