dolibarr/README

README (english)
--------------------------------
Starter documentation
--------------------------------

1) Install Dolibarr
2) Upgrade Dolibarr from an older version
3) What's new in this version
4) What Dolibarr can do
5) What Dolibarr can't do yet, todo list


I - DOLIBARR INSTALL
--------------------

If you have no technical knowledge, use Windows and you are looking for an
autoinstaller to install Dolibarr ERP/CRM in few clicks, you must download 
DoliWamp (the all-in-one package of Dolibarr for Windows). 
You can download it at:
http://www.dolibarr.org/downloads/cat_view/62-stable-versions

If you already have installed a Web server and a Mysql database, you can
install this version like this:

- Copy directory 'dolibarr' and all its files inside your web server root,
  or set up your web server to use dolibarr/htdocs as root for a new web
  server virtual host (second choice need to be web server administrator).
  
- Create an empty mysql database (postgresql support is experimental).

- Set write permissions on directory 'dolibarr/htdocs/conf' for your web
  server user (write permissions will be removed once install is finished).
  
- From your browser, call the dolibarr "install/" page. Url depends on choice
  made on first step:
   http://localhost/dolibarr/htdocs/install/
  or
   http://yourdolibarrvirtualhost/install/
   
- Follow instructions provided by installer...

- If your web hosting does not allow you to place the folder "documents" outside
  the site root, add the /dev/security/htaccess.txt in the root directory of
  folder "documents" by renaming .htaccess


II - DOLIBARR UPGRADE
---------------------

To upgrade Dolibarr from an old version to this one:

- Overwrite all old files inside old 'dolibarr' directory by files
  provided into new version package.
  
- If you came from version x.y.z to x.y.w (only third number differ),
  there is no need to run any migrate process.
  
- If you came from a beta version or from any version x.y.z to any
  other where x or y number differs, you must call the Dolibarr "install/"
  page in your browser.
  Url might be for example:
   http://localhost/dolibarr/htdocs/install/
  or
   http://yourdolibarrhost/install/index.php

  To know what is exactly correct URL for "install/" page, take URL you use
  to go on login page. It it ends with "index.php", remove it. Then add
  "install/" at the end.
  For example, if your login page is: 
  http://yourdolibarrhost/something/index.php
  Then, your "install/" pages will be 
  http://yourdolibarrhost/something/install/
  
  Then choose the "update" option according to your case.
  Note: Migrate process can ben runned safely several times.
  

III - WHAT'S NEW
----------------

See ChangeLog file.



IV - WHAT DOLIBARR CAN DO
-------------------------

Main modules/features:
- Products and services catalog
- Customers, Prospects or Suppliers directory
- Address book
- Stock management
- Bank accounts management
- Orders management with PDF export
- Commercial proposals management with PDF export
- Contracts management
- Invoices management with PDF export
- Payments management
- Standing orders management
- Shipping management
- ECM (Electronic Content Management)
- EMailings
- Agenda with ical,vcal export for third tools integration
- Management of fundation members
- Donation management

Other modules:
- Bookmarks management
- Can reports Dolibarr events inside Webcalendar or Phenix
- Data export tools
- LDAP connectivity
- Third parties or products categories 
- ClickToDial phone numbers
- RSS

Miscellanous:
- Mutli-user, with several permissions levels for each feature.
- Serveral menu managers (can be used by internal users, as a back-office,
  with a particular menu, or by external users, as a front-office, with
  another menu and permissions).
- Very user friendly and easy to use.
- Optional WYSIWYG forms, optional Ajax forms.
- Several skins.
- Code is highly customizable (a lot of use of modules and submodules).
- Works with Mysql 3.1 or higher, experimental support for PostgreSql.
- Works with PHP 4.3 or higher.
- An easy to understand and maintain code (PHP with no heavy frameworks).
- A trigger architecture to allow you to make Dolibarr business events run
  PHP code to update your own information system.
- "NPR VAT Rate" (French particularity for managing VAT in DOM-TOM 
  called "Non Perçue Récupérable").



V - WHAT DOLIBARR CAN'T DO YET (TODO LIST)
------------------------------------------
This is features that Dolibarr does not support completely yet:
- Accountancy.
- Dolibarr can manage only one currency.
- Dolibarr does not support the double Canadian Tax.
- Dolibarr does not make coffee (not yet).
- Stock management with option increase/decrease on invoice works on
  warehouse number one only (no way to choose warehouse).
- Stock management with option increase/decrease on orders works on
  warehouse number one only (no way to choose warehouse).