OpenRPT - Open Source Report Writer Now Available for Linux, Mac, and Windows
ERP application vendor OpenMFG releases free multiplatform reporting and business intelligence tool for PostgreSQL, other database engines
NORFOLK, VA, April 26, 2005 – OpenMFG, a leading enterprise software vendor with deep roots in the open source software community, today announced the general source code availability of its open source report writer and rendering engine, OpenRPT. OpenRPT has been in private beta testing with over 100 developers from sixteen countries for the past several months, and is now being released in both binary and source code form.
OpenMFG offers the only Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system on the market today with a fully open source architecture. While the server runs on the PostgreSQL open source database (on the Linux, Mac OS X, or Windows operating system), the graphical client software is also fully multiplatform, thanks to the open source Qt framework for C++. The OpenMFG ERP Suite includes a rich array of functionality for manufacturing and distribution companies, including full native financials, inventory management, purchasing and sales, scheduling and planning, logistics, and its own native graphical report writer and rendering engine.
Based on strong interest and feedback from the PostgreSQL community, OpenMFG has decided to make the report writer available separately under an open source license. While there are several options for ad-hoc Web-based reporting, OpenRPT fills a real void in the marketplace for an open source, general purpose graphical, embeddable report writer. And unlike the market-leading Crystal Reports or Microsoft Access report designer, OpenRPT runs equally well on Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows. It supports a number of advanced reporting features, including graphs, integrated barcodes, label printing, and watermarks. Report definitions can be stored in a PostgreSQL database as XML, or exported to individual files. OpenRPT also includes a simple scripting language called MetaSQL, which allows more complex and dynamic SQL queries.
Unlike other open source reporting options, OpenRPT does not require the use of Java or a web browser interface. Both the OpenRPT graphical client and the server-side rendering engine are completely embeddable in other applications or devices, under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL). If a company wishes to “opt out” of the GPL by purchasing a commercial license, they may – but it is not required. This “dual license” approach allows OpenMFG to provide OpenRPT for free to anyone – without trying to second-guess users’ business objectives.
“Having been active users of PostgreSQL for many years, we’re delighted to be able to contribute OpenRPT back to the community,” said Ned Lilly, OpenMFG’s President and CEO. “We also look forward to working with business users who have been looking for an inexpensive embedded reporting solution that is not tied to any particular platform or middleware technology.”
PostgreSQL core team member Josh Berkus noted, “As adoption of PostgreSQL in business environments grows, tools like OpenRPT become indispensable for users. I’m really glad that OpenMFG decided to open source their report writer, and look forward to using it in one project myself.”
The OpenRPT project is hosted at both SourceForge.net, the world's largest open source software development website, and pgFoundry.org – an implementation of the same underlying project management software targeted specifically for supporting PostgreSQL-related applications. For more information, please visit www.openrpt.com.
About OpenMFG
OpenMFG, LLC develops next-generation enterprise applications powered by open source software. OpenMFG products give companies visibility into costs, supply chains, processes, inventory and financial operations with a lower cost of ownership than competing products, and are sold to end-user customers through a network of value added partners throughout North America. For more information, please visit the company Web site at www.openmfg.com.
About PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL is the collective work of hundreds of developers, building on twenty years of development which started at the University of California at Berkeley. With its long-time support of an enterprise level feature set, PostgreSQL is used by many of today's most demanding businesses and government agencies. PostgreSQL is distributed under a BSD license, which allows use and distribution without fees for both commercial and non-commercial applications. To find out more about PostgreSQL or to download it, please visit www.postgresql.org.
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