Press Release

OpenMFG and All-Linux Shop Power Next-Generation Hogs

Open Source-based ERP Suite Revs Launch of New Company Building High Performance Motorcycle Engines

SEYMOUR, Conn., Aug. 11 -- When JV Precision Machine Co. (JVPM), an established engineering firm with a long history of producing high- performance machine parts, decided to launch a new business manufacturing motorcycle engines, they wanted to ensure that everything went smoothly. The company knew that their corporate infrastructure, which relied heavily upon Windows-based software, wouldn't be up to the task. They found the Microsoft operating system -- and many of the products that ran on it -- bloated, insecure, brittle, and overpriced.

After researching its options, JVPM turned to Innovation Software Group (ISG), a North Haven, CT-based systems integrator and consultancy. ISG specializes in Linux applications and services, and operates as a certified solutions provider for OpenMFG in the New England area. OpenMFG is an advanced Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software solution built with open source components, such as the Linux operating system and the PostgreSQL database. Available OpenMFG modules include Inventory Management, Part Definition and Costing, Work Order Management, Master Scheduling, Capacity Planning, Purchase Order Management, Sales Order Management, Shipping and Receiving, Sales Analysis, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Bank Reconciliation, and a full General Ledger.

After a thorough review of JVPM's existing operations, OpenMFG and ISG outlined their plans to construct an infrastructure that relied solely upon Linux-based systems. The new infrastructure included an OpenMFG Server appliance, running Dual P3800 Linux version Debian GNU/Linux. With only a dual 800 GHz CPU and 1GB RAM, the server was able to handle up to 20 concurrent users of the ERP system effortlessly.

ISG recommended that JVPM install a blend of PCs running Linux, and thin- client devices from SafeDesk Solutions for their user workstations. For management and front-office personnel, ISG recommended commodity-class workstations powered by SuSE Linux, version 9.3 Pro. Every JVPM workstations operated using the OpenMFG Client for Linux from a shared network drive, so no software was installed locally, and the PCs also ran the OpenOffice.org productivity suite for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. As for workstations located on the shop floor or in JVPM warehouse locations, ISG recommended thin-clients with no hard disk, which would be boot from the JVPM network and would receive the OpenMFG client for Linux across the network from the OpenMFG Server.

The total cost for all this gear was a fraction of what a comparable Microsoft-based environment would cost. But cost wasn't the primary driver of the decision, says JVPM president Joe Visinski. "As engineers, we understand the importance of having control over the investment we've made in our technology infrastructure," said Visinski. "With Linux and OpenMFG, we have the ability to make whatever modifications we need in order to support our business requirements."

Gary Cuozzo, a partner at ISG, commented, "This environment is also very simple to maintain, and we are able to offer APE powerful remote support services, even though we're only 20 minutes away."

The OpenMFG ERP Suite also features a graphical report writer and renderer -- Open RPT -- with support for leading document sizes and label formats, barcodes, images, and watermarks. OpenRPT ships standard with the OpenMFG ERP Suite for Linux, and is also available separately as a fully embeddable report writer and rendering engine for other Linux software. OpenRPT is available as free, open source software under the GNU General Public License (GPL), or under a commercial license for customers who do not wish to be bound by the terms of the GPL.

All OpenMFG products are built with robust open source components including the PostgreSQL database, and the Qt framework for C++. This underlying technology, which is completely invisible to the user, enables OpenMFG and its partners to deliver sophisticated ERP functionality at a very low total cost of ownership. It also enables a true multiplatform solution for individual workstations. In addition to Linux, the OpenMFG Client runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and various commercial Unix systems. By leveraging this open source "stack," and through an innovative partner program that borrows from the open source software development process, OpenMFG brings a competitive new approach to a sorely underserved market.

About OpenMFG

OpenMFG, LLC, develops enterprise software tailored to the needs and budgets of small, entrepreneurial manufacturing and distribution companies. OpenMFG products give companies visibility into costs, supply chains, processes, inventory and financial operations with a lower cost of ownership than competing enterprise resource planning (ERP) products, and are sold to end-user customers through a network of value added partners throughout North America. For more information, visit the company Web site at http://www.openmfg.com , or contact sales@openmfg.com.

Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.