CiviCRM as Open SaaS

What is Open SaaS? It’s Software as a Service ease of use But it’s OPEN Take all your data Take all your customisations Take all the files and database that make up your system Go to another vendor NO lock-ins

Background Looking for efficiencies in roll out Uniservity - 10 sites GMCVO project - 15 sites Groundwork UK - 35 sites Changes in our hosting infrastructure Using Drush more and more Investigating Aegir

Inspiration Drupal Gardens Basecamp SalesForce Many other great products… Cloud based Easy setup Just pay and use Civi had no easy set up option allowing potential users to just use the software.

Audience Organisations with limited skills & resources Charities, 3 rd Sector non-profits, etc. CRM Consultants No hassle option allowing consultants to focus on other issues Potential Users (Try before you Buy) Allows users to trial with their own data and experiment without big cost commitments

Key Decisions Drupal only A platform with automated updates Easy to set up and use - “It just works” Limit functionality - no CiviMail or Case Open SaaS…No lock-in…Export everything Scalable cloud infrastructure Supported Cheaper than running your own server

Demo

Technology Rackspace Cloud D6/D7 Aegir & Drush UberCart and PayPal nginx Few custom modules - one released so far

Custom modules Deputise whitelist of modules to display as normal blacklist of modules to constrain Hosting modifies sign up gives us uid1 and admin uid2 Final-conf performs some basic config overlays prompts to main config provides some initial pointers Export

Customer Service & Support Ticketed support contracts Help with data import Tailored training delivered remotely Using Ecosystem Training sessions Online documentation Books: Floss Manuals / Packt Publishing

Conclusions Nginx works well with Civi Aegir and Drush now ready for production CiviCRM can compete in the cloud space Easy affordable access to CiviCRM Hope this will extend Civi’s user base Keep it Open with NO lock-ins

Thank you