ToolERP is the most advanced Small Business Software. It is built using high end industry standard 3 tier architecture. It uses Ruby on Rails to store all your business data in MySQL relational database. It provides world wide access using Apache web server. This enables it to be accessed from anywhere using a simple Internet connection. It is very easy to install and use. It can be deployed in Standalone, LAN and WAN modes.
NOTE: To use TooLERP in WAN mode, it is recommended that you secure the installation using SSL (Secure Socket Layer). SSL is used by all organizations that provide sensitive data over Internet, e.g. Banks, Credit Card Companies etc. SSL encrypts the data before it is sent over Internet between client(your browser) and server(TooLERP Server).
TooLERP is an application written on Ruby on Rails. Ruby on Rails is most advanced and elegant Content Management Framework (CMF) solution to date. To enable easy installation on Windows TooLERP uses Instant Rails. Instant Rails is a pre packaged collection of all the components needed to run Ruby on Rails applications in Windows. To know more about Instant Rails please refer to Instant Rails wiki site http://instantrails.rubyforge.org/wiki/wiki.pl .
If you already have Instant Rails running on your computer you can simply download TooLERP application directory toolerp_12_25_08 and unzip in rails_apps directory of your Instant Rails installation. Create a mysql database named "toolerp_production" and rake migrate the production environment for TooLERP. If you are not familiar with any of the above or don't want to go through the whole process simply follow the step by step instructions below.
TooLERP can deployed in the following modes.
1.Standalone (Desktop) Installation
2.Local Area Network (LAN) Installation
3.Wide Area Network (WAN) Installation
This is the easiest and most basic installation of TooLERP. Just follow these simple steps.
Download TooLERP_InstantRails.zip file to a drive/directory of your choice (e.g. c:\toolerp). This zip contains all the needed components to run TooLERP. Open a Windows explorer and browse to the folder where you just saved TooLERP_InstantRails.zip.
Right click on the file TooLERP_InstantRails.zip and select "Extract to folder c:\toolerp\TooLERP_InstanRails". Winzip will create a directory TooLERP_InstantRails and extract all the files in that.
Wait for it to finish extraction. It may take 2-3 mins depending upon your computer.
Once the extraction is complete the red dot in the bottom right corner will turn green and winzip window will close. Now now you have a newly created c:\toolerp\TooLERP_InstantRails directory with all the files in it.
Double click on ToolERP_InstantRails folder to enter into it. You will see files and folders inside. Locate InstantRails.exe and double click it.
If you get a message saying "Instant Rails has moved from ... to "c:\toolerp\..." press OK.
Incase you have Windows or another firewall running, it may ask you either allow or deny access to Apache. Press Unblock.
Now you will see Instant Rails Console showing Apache (web server) and Mysql (database server) as running.
Click on capital "i" icon on Top Right side located in the pink area.
Choose "Rails Applications" -> "Manage Rails Application".
In the next window check the box next to "toolerp_12_25_08" in Rails Applications list on the left side. Then click "Start with Mongrel" on the right side.
If you get a message from Windows or other firewall about Ruby interpreter, grant it the access by pressing "Unblock".
A command window opens and shows that Mongrel is running. Do not close this window as Mongrel needs this window open.
Check that it is running at port 3000. This is the last part of the ip address 0.0.0.0:3000. If it is running at another port note the port number.
Now point your browser to http://127.0.0.1:3000
You will be presented with login screen.
Start using ToolERP. Please read TooLERP User Guide to know about features and functionality.
Once you have TooLERP running in desktop mode, it is easy to run it in LAN mode. In LAN mode any computer on the same LAN(Local Area Network) can access ToolERP. This is helpful if you are running it in a small office or home and want other users to be able to access it too. All components for LAN mode deployment are already in place and running in Desktop mode. The only difference is that in Desktop the same computer acts as client and server, where as in LAN mode they are different. To deploy TooLERP in LAN mode just follow these simple steps.
In a LAN each computer is assigned its own IP (Internet Protocol) Address. It is used to locate the computer just like a real address is used to locate a building. The first step is to find out this address for your server. Your server will be where you have just finished installing TooLERP in Desktop mode. To find it do the following
1. On your Server computer go to Start on the lower left corner. Press "Start"->"Run"
A "Run" window opens. Type "cmd" in the field next to "Open" and press "OK".
A Command window opens. Type "ipconfig" on the prompt and press enter. The window will show IP Address of the computer( e.g. 192.168.1.67). Note the IP Address displayed.
Now from any computer in the same LAN point the browser to http://Server IP Address:3000 (e.g. http://192.168.1.67:3000). You will be presented with the login screen. Login and start using TooLERP.
Running in LAN mode you reap the benefits of 3-tier architecture of TooLERP. You have one shared server that stores all your data and it can be accessed from anywhere on the LAN.
In WAN mode TooLERP is accessible from all over the planet. To run a WAN installation you should rent a server that provides an IP Address that can be reached over the Internet. You can either rent a Windows server or a Unix/Linux server. If you rent a Windows server you can you the above method to deploy TooLERP. The server you rent may come with Apache and Mysql already installed. If they are running already they may interfere with the above installation method. You can still install Ruby, Ruby on Rails and Rake manually and then proceed to copy just the TooLERP application directory after creating an Ruby on Rails Application.
If you are not familiar or comfortable with setting up a WAN Server we can do it for you for a small one time set up fee. TooLERP Demo site http://www.toolerpdemo.com is an example of TooLERP deployed in LAN mode. It is accessible from everywhere on the Internet and even from small devices like Blackberry cell phones and iPhone etc. This provides the greatest access, stability and scalability unmatched by any other small business software currently in the market. It is recommended that you use a Linux server to run TooLERP in WAN mode. To set up TooLERP on Linux server in, please read TooLERP Install Guide for Linux.