Is there any documentation for creating modules for allocPSA or extending it's capabilities? There is a lot I would love to add to the software for my own business. I have no problem sharing my code. Are there any hooks for for extending allocPSA or do we have to modify the core files? Is there an API of some kind?
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Well I am currently looking into web development service oriented CRM/ERP's and I have found alloc psa to be the best php based solution. I know php so I am comfortable with expanding this project with the few other things I need. I do have to admit after looking through sourceforge I think the most impressive solution disregarding programming language is project open. Unfortunately it is written in tcl and uses the AOL server but it has everything a developer could ask for including the most important aspect to me freelance users with RFQ's freelancers/vendors can bid on a project. Then it can be awarded to a freelancer and they would then have access to managing the project. I would say the second thing I would want is to allow customers to log in and view the progress of their projects, submit a support ticket and view and PAY invoices. I find it interesting that with all of the invoice information in all of these ERP's I havent found one that allows customers to pay their invoices. I would say to add these features to alloc psa it may be around 50 to 80 hours. I could use project open right out of the box but it would require a dedicated server and tlc programming skills to add any features in the future. I think I am leaning toward alloc psa. If I do create any modules I will gladly share. I am sure I can look in the code and figure out your coding standards and create modules using already established functions and methods but I will say if you want to encourage more developers the best thing you can do is create a developer section/wiki with documentation. This not only helps developers contribute but it helps developers stick to your coding practices or roadmap. I'll let you know which way I decide to go.
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Project Open sounds interesting, I'll be sure to take a look.
Although the specific requirement you have detailed of allowing ad-hoc users to log in and take a look at specific projects, tasks or invoices has not yet been implemented, a new token system has been hooked into alloc which should allow these things to take place (sooner or later).
Regarding the invoices module specifically, it has undergone extensive work and we will be pushing a release up to sourceforge.net shortly. If you would like a preview of the invoices functionality please log into:
Sorry for the late reply (in the middle of moving house etc). At the moment there is not really an API in place.
There is some work that has been started on a SOAP API, if you have a look in the "soap" directory in the source code, there may be enough there (although no documentation yet) to help get you started.
If you study one of the other modules for example the "project" module that should give you an idea of how things work.
Basically:
a module is included via the alloc.php file. (so to add a new module you need to add it there first)
the file: $module/lib/init.php is included
that init.php file includes various other files (mainly classes for specific database table interaction) in the $module/lib/ directory.
Feel free to continue this dialog if you would like more help in understanding how to program allocPSA :) It would be our pleasure to accept and/or review any changes you would like to contribute.
Kind regards, (and good luck!)
Alex Lance
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Is there any documentation for creating modules for allocPSA or extending it's capabilities? There is a lot I would love to add to the software for my own business. I have no problem sharing my code. Are there any hooks for for extending allocPSA or do we have to modify the core files? Is there an API of some kind?
Well I am currently looking into web development service oriented CRM/ERP's and I have found alloc psa to be the best php based solution. I know php so I am comfortable with expanding this project with the few other things I need. I do have to admit after looking through sourceforge I think the most impressive solution disregarding programming language is project open. Unfortunately it is written in tcl and uses the AOL server but it has everything a developer could ask for including the most important aspect to me freelance users with RFQ's freelancers/vendors can bid on a project. Then it can be awarded to a freelancer and they would then have access to managing the project. I would say the second thing I would want is to allow customers to log in and view the progress of their projects, submit a support ticket and view and PAY invoices. I find it interesting that with all of the invoice information in all of these ERP's I havent found one that allows customers to pay their invoices. I would say to add these features to alloc psa it may be around 50 to 80 hours. I could use project open right out of the box but it would require a dedicated server and tlc programming skills to add any features in the future. I think I am leaning toward alloc psa. If I do create any modules I will gladly share. I am sure I can look in the code and figure out your coding standards and create modules using already established functions and methods but I will say if you want to encourage more developers the best thing you can do is create a developer section/wiki with documentation. This not only helps developers contribute but it helps developers stick to your coding practices or roadmap. I'll let you know which way I decide to go.
Hi Henry,
Project Open sounds interesting, I'll be sure to take a look.
Although the specific requirement you have detailed of allowing ad-hoc users to log in and take a look at specific projects, tasks or invoices has not yet been implemented, a new token system has been hooked into alloc which should allow these things to take place (sooner or later).
Regarding the invoices module specifically, it has undergone extensive work and we will be pushing a release up to sourceforge.net shortly. If you would like a preview of the invoices functionality please log into:
http://white.cyber.com.au/alloc with username and password of "alloc" and then click on the Invoices tab.
Thanks for the advice regarding setting up a wiki etc, we will be taking this course of action shortly.
Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you have in the meantime. We are always happy to help out with any dev.
Kind regards,
Alex Lance
Hi Henry,
Sorry for the late reply (in the middle of moving house etc). At the moment there is not really an API in place.
There is some work that has been started on a SOAP API, if you have a look in the "soap" directory in the source code, there may be enough there (although no documentation yet) to help get you started.
If you study one of the other modules for example the "project" module that should give you an idea of how things work.
Basically:
a module is included via the alloc.php file. (so to add a new module you need to add it there first)
the file: $module/lib/init.php is included
that init.php file includes various other files (mainly classes for specific database table interaction) in the $module/lib/ directory.
Feel free to continue this dialog if you would like more help in understanding how to program allocPSA :) It would be our pleasure to accept and/or review any changes you would like to contribute.
Kind regards, (and good luck!)
Alex Lance