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What's new in Version V3.4? (available soon)

]po[ is an project and service management application for companies in business sectors including consulting, IT consulting, advertising, engineering, translation and others.

Version V3.4 is the first release in 18 months and includes a large number of important improvements and enhancements.


Non-Functional Improvements

  • Installers for Windows and various Linux Flavors With version V3.4, ]po[ fully supports Windows as a production environment. A new Windows installer simplifies access for many users.
  • New Graphical User Interface The GUI of ]project-open[ has been completely redesigned. The new GUI features multiple customizable CSS skins and a collapsible functional menu.
  • Performance Improvements for large Installations New cache functions for frequently used queries and a number of SQL optimizations have improved performance in large installations with >1.000 active users.
  • New Documentation Wiki & Context Help We have created a Wiki at http://www.project-open.org/documentation with > 500 pages of online documentation. The Wiki is integrated with the ]po[ application, providing online help for ]po[ administration screens, “categories”, reports and performance indicators so far. All other screens will follow in V4.0.
  • Audit Package A new package allows to track modifications to all important business objects in the system, implementing requirements for a number of security and compliance regulations. The package is available as a commercial enterprise add-on and not part of the main distribution.

New Functionality

V3.4 includes a number of new packages. Most importantly, V3.4 now includes a generic helpdesk and general service management functionality. A number of optional add-on packages address specific needs of IT organizations.

  • Helpdesk The new package implements tickets and ticket queues. Helpdesk tickets can be extended with dynamic fields with permissions per ticket type and user group. Custom workflows can be defined per ticket type.
    The helpdesk package can be used to implement a variety of different processes ranging from order processing and CRM customer complaints to ITIL problem and change management.
    An integration with the Nagios systems management integration exists in order to import Nagios events into the Helpdesk.
  • Inventory The new package implements a company's inventory with a hierarchical is-part-of structure. Inventory items can be extended with dynamic fields with permissions per item type and user group. Inventory items can be related to projects and helpdesk tickets, allowing to track changes and to formalize acquisition and other item-related approval processes.
    The inventory package can be used to implement a variety of different processes ranging from general lab or company inventory to ITIL configuration and license management.
    An integration with OCS Inventory NG is available in order to inventorize IT assets, and an integration with the Nagios systems management integration allows to import Nagios servers into the inventory.
  • ITIL Release Management The new package implements a release management process compliant with ITIL. A number of Requests for Change and project tasks are can be selected into a “release project” and need to pass test and approval steps individually and as a whole.
    Allows for compliance with Basel II and SOX regulations.
  • Dynamic Workflows The ]po[ Petri-Net Workflow was already part of V3.2, including its graphical editor. In V3.4 we have now extended the number of objects to which you can attach a workflow and the version includes default workflows for budgets, projects, absences and timesheets.
  • CVS & Host Version Control Integration The new package can read log messages from CVS (additional version management systems will follow soon) and relate them to Configuration Items, projects and tickets. CVS logs including a ticket ID will automatically close the ticket.
  • Automated RFQs for External Consultants This new package allows for automated Request for Quotation and other auction types, in order to improve the communication with external consultants and other providers. RFQ requests and answer sheets can be customized via Dynamic Fields configurable per RFQ type.
  • Key Performance Indicators This new package provides a graphical display of performance indicators, showing the current value in a high/low watermark display, and a historical diagram with the development of the indicator over time. The package includes some 25 sample indicators from finance, CRM and project management. New indicators can be added by the user via administration screens.

New Features

  • New Reports We have added a number of reports and data-warehouse cubes.
  • Timesheet Invoicing Wizard The improved functionality now supports non-billable materials (type of service) and keeps track of unbilled hours in the current invoicing period and before.
  • Improved Invoicing Screens A new AJAX functionality allows for comfortable changing of invoicing offices and contacts when changing the customer.
  • Financial Documents List Page Pagination on this screen now improves performance.

Bugs Fixed

V3.4 includes more than 150 bug fixes and minor improvements


We want to thank everybody who participated in the development of ]po[ .