There are many ways to install ProcessMaker. On SourceForge you can find a nice and easy Windows Installer package that, with a few clicks can install Apache, PHP, MySQL and ProcessMaker. We also provide RPM packages that can be used in a number of Linux distros. Of course, you can always install ProcessMaker from our TAR.GZ packages and this is the option that most of our advanced users opt for.

On our forum we often get questions related to platform compatibility… “Can I install ProcessMaker on XYZ platform?” The answer USUALLY is YES, because ProcessMaker will run on most of the PHP/MySQL stacks (click here to check our software requirements). In this case you should follow the Generic Installation Guide available on our wiki.

We are happy to announce that using ProcessMaker on top of Zend Server CE is easy as well. The most important advantages of this are:

• Optimized peformance of PHP based applications (ProcessMaker is one of those)
• Access to advanced debugger (if you want to customize Processmaker, that will come handy)
• and much more

You don’t even have to install MySQL server separately – you will be prompted to download and install it automatically while installing the Zend Server (on Windows and Mac OS X).

Wanna give it a try? Check out the ProcessMaker installation notes for Zend Server CE (Windows) on our wiki.

Also, if YOU have managed to run ProcessMaker on any other platform please tell us about it by posting this information to our Community Forum. Thank you for your feedback!

We are excited to announce the release of ProcessMaker RC3.  The new version features an improved user inbox experience allowing users to process incoming tasks more quickly, organize tasks better, and provides powerful new search functionality.  Other new features available in this new release of ProcessMaker include:

• Creation of  DynaForms based on PM Tables
• Faster Approval via Email
• Case Scheduler
• Custom Calendaring
• Trigger Wizard with Pre-Built Connectors
• Self Service Assignment
• Easy logo replacement
• DynaForms printing

This release has had many bugs fixed (the changelog contains more than 70 positions).

This new version is available for download on SourceForge. However, for now the recommendation is not to use it on production servers (use version 1.2-2985 instead) at least until we receive provisional feedback from the community and customers.

We are looking forward to get your feedback on the new User Interface and functionalities. We also encourage you to report bugs you might encounter while testing this new version to help us improve our product. You will find more instructions here.

Thank you again for your support.

Danish ProcessMaker Integrator, Xcompetence, at Open Source Days conference

Danish ProcessMaker Integrator, Xcompetence A / S, attended Open Source Days. The IT University of Copenhagen hosted the annual conference, which highlights the latest trends in open source and is currently the largest of its kind in Scandinavia. Sponsors of this year’s event included One.com, Google, Nokia, Sound IT, Version2, Interxion, Jasper Soft, Moc Systems and IT dialogue.

According to Kate Holmstrup of Xcompetence, “We have for many years worked with open source and started to contribute to the development of Process Maker 3 years ago. ProcessMaker has been a great success in the global market and will now be actively marketed in Europe. That is why Open Source Days is the perfect place to meet other OSS companies and potential customers, but not least, Open Source Days has a good reputation. Open Source Days 2010 is a place for developers and users who will be at the forefront and become successful.

We have released ProcessMaker RC2. A number of bugs have been fixed (the changelog contains more than 100 positions) and some new functionalities have also been introduced (like condition builder for showing/hiding areas of dynaforms).

This is another step towards having a stable release.

For the first time we have asked the community to help us with the testing.

It’s available for download on SourceForge. However, for now the recommendation is not to use it on production servers (use 2985 instead) at least until we receive provisional feedback from the community and customers.

We recommend everybody to participate in testing of our product which will help us improve ProcessMaker. More instructions here.

The main idea with this blog is to publish some concepts, comments and what is going on within ProcessMaker from my point of view as Product Manager.

So let’s start!

What is coming…

- ProcessMaker Integrations
- ProcessMaker new features “Folders”, Events….
- Connectors.

and more..

Over the last year the number of people using ProcessMaker has exploded. Our new users have been giving us all sorts of feedback about the new features which they would like to see included in ProcessMaker in the coming year.

With hopes to accommodate all our new users and their requirements, we have planned an exciting set of new features to be rolled out during the course of year 2010. Our new ProcessMaker Development Road Map lays out what our developers will be working on in each quarter of 2010, so you will know what to expect from your favorite workflow and business process management application.

Quarter 1

ProcessMaker is a rapidly evolving piece of software, but sometimes all that code churn creates problems for organizations who value stability and reliability over bleeding edge features. They do not want to be constantly upgrading and they certainly don’t want to waste time testing bugs and figuring out the new undocumented features. For these users, ProcessMaker will be releasing a stable version every couple months which should provide the rock-solid stability which users expect.

The rapid pace of development in ProcessMaker will continue apace. Nonetheless, we will shield most of our users from the random hiccups which rapid development inevitably causes by creating a development version of ProcessMaker. Adventuresome users who want the chance to try out the latest code as soon as it rolls out of development will still be able to try out ProcessMaker’s bleeding edge features by either using our public Subversion repository or by applying frequent upgrade patches which will be released every 3 to 4 weeks. In this way, we hope to accommodate users who need the latest functionality and are willing to help us iron out any bugs in the software.

In addition, to the free and open source versions of ProcessMaker, plans are afoot to release a new Enterprise Edition in the first quarter of 2010. Like the stable version, the Enterprise Edition of ProcessMaker with be subjected to more thorough testing to ensure greater stability and reliability. Enterprise users will be shielded from the hassle of frequent upgrades and the added risk of a breaking something with each new patch. In addition, the Enterprise Edition will offer a number of exciting new features needed in enterprise, such as self-selection of cases, digital signatures, advanced integration with LDAP and integrations to offer advanced reporting capabilities. For users who need the special capabilities of the Enterprise Edition, it will be made available for a reasonable licensing fee or as part of a support package. Our clients on a commercial support plans will be offered an easy migration path to begin using the Enterprise Edition. Look for more details as we get closer to release.

For users of the open source versions of ProcessMaker, never fear that we have forgotten you. We have over a dozen new features scheduled for the first quarter, such as a wizard for creating triggers so you can avoid the hassle of customizing your processes and a scheduler for initiating cases automatically. In addition, ProcessMaker will be adding important new abilities to backup and restore workspaces, to ensure the safety of your processes and cases. ProcessMaker understands that the business rules and information stored in a workspace are vitally important for the functioning of your organization. ProcessMaker will make it easier to keep backup copies, so your organization can avoid catastrophic losses of data which threaten to bring your operations to a grinding halt.

Quarter 2

Organizations which store their information in a database other than MySQL have long commented on the inconvenience of being forced to maintain a separate MySQL database just to run ProcessMaker. With an eye toward helping these organizations achieve tighter integration of their data, ProcessMaker will offer the option in the second quarter to run ProcessMaker on top of PosgreSQL, Oracle or SQL Server. The new database independence along with the addition of customizable user fields will allow your organization to use ProcessMaker as the primary repository of information about your employees and avoid duplication of user lists in multiple databases. In addition, ProcessMaker will offer improved dashboards and output documents with Jasper Reports, so that better records and monitoring can be maintained.

Quarter 3

Although ProcessMaker maintains its data in an open format which can be readily obtained with simple SQL queries, it currently has little ability to import and export data from other business intelligence and business process management systems. This lack of compatibility with other systems encourages the development of data silos and other bad habits which keep your organization divided and unable to collaborate across organizational and geographical boundaries.

To help promote interoperability and the breakdown of silos in your organization, ProcessMaker will become compatible with existing standards in BPM. During the third quarter, ProcessMaker will become conformant with the XML Process Definition Language (XPDL) and develop an standard XPDL designer and diagrammer so processes can easily be shared with other workflow management and business process management systems. In addition, ProcessMaker will begin using standard Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN), so its processes can be created and maintained with a minimal learning curve by experienced BPM modelers.

Quarter 4

The fourth quarter will add the finishing touches on a number of ProcessMaker functions. A new DynaForm designer with drag-and-drop editing will make DynaForms much more intuitive and easy to build and rearrange. A new WYSIWYG HTML editor will greatly enhance the quality of Output Documents and Email Notifications, while a new code editor will give you the full power to customize your document’s HTML code. Process designers will have greater power to experiment with their processes, since different versions of processes can be saved and restored. Finally, the export and import of cases will be added so that not only processes, but also cases can be easily transferred between installations of ProcessMaker.

With this exciting set of new features planned for the coming year, ProcessMaker strives to remain your preferred business process management solution. As always, we look forward to your collaboration in improving our open source product and welcome your feedback as we roll out these new features.

It’s heartening to see publications across the world recognize the capabilities of ProcessMaker and the work of our global partner base.  We have a strong community and it’s always great to share our joint successes.

One such story, was featured in an an article by Business Technology India, focused on Lakozy Toyota’s use of ProcessMaker to improve its business.  It quoted Amar Pawar, COO of Lakozy Toyota, who said about its use of ProcessMaker:

“I knew that Lakozy Toyota needed a solution that was easy-to use, painless to implement, and would automate everyday processes, increase transparency and reduce reliance on paper-based trails and processes.”

Meanwhile, across a couple of oceans, TMCnet, a US-based site with over 3.5 million viewers each month, wrote about ProcessMaker and Lakozy Toyota as well.  The author wrote that:

“ProcessMaker is the first Open Source BPM and workflow software designed for small and mid-sized businesses and organizations. It lets business users and process experts with no programming experience design and run workflows, increase transparency and reduce paperwork.”

It went on to delve further in-depth into the benefits Lakozy Toyota has seen by using ProcessMaker.  When our partners and customers start being talked about, as well as the functionality that our solution offers, it helps our entire community.  We are looking forward to sending out more stories like this by our partners and end customers, and to seeing everyone in our community grow their businesses and reputations.   You can read the whole customer story here.

Do you have a story to share?  Feel free to let us know.  Write to us at info@colosa.com and send us a 1 paragraph summary of how you are using ProcessMaker.  If it is interesting, we’ll contact you to do a longer piece and we will feature it on our website.  Your peers would love to hear about it!

More great news for Colosa and for BPM software adoption last week as we announced that Lakozy Toyota, a top automotive dealership based in Mumbai, India, has implemented ProcessMaker to automate its core business processes (view case study) using.

Before the implementation of BPM software, processes at the company were paper-based and time-consuming, often involving face-to-face requests and follow-ups. To meet the challenge of the increasing complexity of its processes, Lakozy Toyota turned to Bista Solutions, a company that advises clients across India and North America on how to manage business processes. Bista Solutions recommended ProcessMaker as a BPM solution that would address Lakozy Toyota’s current and future needs.

After a demonstration of ProcessMaker, the management team at Lakozy Toyota were impressed by the capabilities, features and flexibility of the software.

Amar Pawar, COO of Lakozy Toyota explained, “From working with Toyota Japan, I have a good knowledge and understanding of Business Process Management. I knew that Lakozy Toyota needed a solution that was easy to use, painless to implement, and would automate everyday processes, increase transparency and reduce reliance on paper-based trails and processes.”

So far, Lakozy Toyota has implemented ProcessMaker to increase the efficiency of processes across its HR, Admin, and Sales and Service divisions. ProcessMaker has also been used to send SMS notifications to Sales and Service managers for matters requiring urgent approval. These can be flagged and handled immediately, ensuring sales and customer requests are dealt with as they arise. After seeing the benefits of implementing BPM, the company now plans to expand the adoption of ProcessMaker to include all its core processes.

Sanjay Mishra, Asst General Manager of Lakozy Toyota said, “Our business is strong and growing, so we needed a solution that could capture our existing processes as well as providing us with a strong foundation for growth. It’s important that companies understand the value that Business Process Management can bring in terms of clarity of processes, efficiency, and reducing the volume of paperwork.”

As a leading open source BPM software company, we’re always gratified to see success stories like these. We’re seeing an increased demand from companies like Lakozy Toyota that need to automate business processes, but don’t want to face vendor lock-in. ProcessMaker reduces their implementation times and puts them in control, saving them time and money.

A sign of how ProcessMaker is becoming a truly global product is the number of people using it in Asia. ProcessMaker has partners in both Malaysia and India and more people hailing from Asia are posting in ProcessMaker’s forum. To better serve the growing number of Chinese who need a Business Process Management application, ProcessMaker is now available in Traditional Chinese. People in Taiwan, Hong Kong and the rest of the Chinese diaspora worldwide can now enjoy using ProcessMaker in their mother tongue.

ProcessMaker would like to send a big thank-you to Nelson Fu from Taiwan, who translated ProcessMaker into Traditional Chinese. Nelson not only volunteered to translate ProcessMaker for the first time in a non-Western language, but he also hunted down a bug in the translation file so it would run in Chinese. His valiant efforts are a prime example of what makes free and open source software function so well. ProcessMaker is available in 10 different tongues due to the burgeoning community of users who maintain the growing number of translations.

To try out ProcessMaker in 華語, visit our Translations wiki page to download the new Chinese translation file and import it.