In today’s fast-paced business environment, managing operations efficiently is crucial for success. Dolibarr, an open-source ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software, is a comprehensive solution designed to streamline and centralize your business processes, including inventory management, finance, CRM, human resources, and project management. Installing and configuring Dolibarr correctly is essential to ensure that it works seamlessly for your company’s specific needs.

This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step process on how to install and configure Dolibarr for your business. By following these steps, you’ll be able to set up Dolibarr and customize it to fit your business operations effectively.

1. Why Choose Dolibarr for Your Business?

Before diving into the installation process, it’s important to understand why Dolibarr is a popular choice among small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Dolibarr offers a range of benefits, including:

  • Open-source: Dolibarr is free to use, meaning no hefty licensing fees.
  • Modular design: You can activate only the modules your business needs, such as sales, finance, CRM, and HR.
  • User-friendly: The system has a simple interface that’s easy to navigate for users without technical expertise.
  • Scalable: Dolibarr grows with your business. You can start with a few users and modules and expand as your company evolves.

Dolibarr is highly flexible and can be deployed either on-premise or in the cloud. Now, let’s dive into the installation and configuration steps.

2. Prerequisites for Installing Dolibarr

Before you start the installation process, ensure that your system meets the necessary prerequisites. Dolibarr can be installed on a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, and MacOS. This guide focuses primarily on Linux installations, as Linux servers are commonly used for hosting ERP systems. However, the general steps are applicable across platforms.

Hardware Requirements

  • CPU: Minimum 1GHz processor.
  • RAM: At least 2GB (4GB or higher recommended for larger databases).
  • Storage: Minimum 20GB free space (more depending on the volume of data).

Software Requirements

  • Operating System: Linux distributions (e.g., Ubuntu, Debian), Windows, or MacOS.
  • Web Server: Apache or Nginx.
  • PHP: Version 7.3 or higher.
  • Database: MySQL or MariaDB.

Additional Requirements

  • SSL Certificate (recommended for HTTPS).
  • Domain Name (optional, but recommended for easier access).

3. Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Dolibarr

Step 1: Install Prerequisite Software

Before installing Dolibarr, you need to set up the necessary web server, PHP, and database. We’ll use Apache, PHP, and MariaDB for this guide.

1.1. Install Apache

Apache is one of the most popular web servers, and Dolibarr works seamlessly with it.

bash
sudo apt update sudo apt install apache2

Start and enable Apache:

bash
sudo systemctl start apache2 sudo systemctl enable apache2

1.2. Install PHP

PHP is the scripting language used to run Dolibarr. You need PHP 7.3 or later.

bash
sudo apt install php php-mysql php-cli php-gd php-curl php-intl php-json php-xml

Verify the PHP version:

bash
php -v

1.3. Install MariaDB

MariaDB (or MySQL) is required to store Dolibarr’s data. Install MariaDB:

bash
sudo apt install mariadb-server mariadb-client

Secure your installation:

bash
sudo mysql_secure_installation

Follow the prompts to set the root password and secure your database.

Step 2: Download and Extract Dolibarr

Next, you’ll need to download the latest version of Dolibarr from the official website.

bash
wget https://sourceforge.net/projects/dolibarr/files/latest/download -O dolibarr.zip

Extract the downloaded file:

bash
sudo unzip dolibarr.zip -d /var/www/html/

Rename the extracted folder to something simpler (e.g., "dolibarr"):

bash
sudo mv /var/www/html/dolibarr-xx/ /var/www/html/dolibarr/

Step 3: Set Up Database

Log into MariaDB to create a new database and user for Dolibarr.

bash
sudo mysql -u root -p

Create a new database and user:

sql
CREATE DATABASE dolibarr_db; CREATE USER 'dolibarr_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password'; GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON dolibarr_db.* TO 'dolibarr_user'@'localhost'; FLUSH PRIVILEGES; EXIT;

Step 4: Set Permissions and Configure Apache

Set the appropriate permissions for the Dolibarr directory:

bash
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/dolibarr/ sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/html/dolibarr/

Now configure Apache to serve the Dolibarr installation:

bash
sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/dolibarr.conf

Add the following configuration:

bash
<VirtualHost *:80> ServerAdmin admin@example.com DocumentRoot /var/www/html/dolibarr/htdocs ServerName example.com <Directory /var/www/html/dolibarr/htdocs/> Options Indexes FollowSymLinks AllowOverride All Require all granted </Directory> ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined </VirtualHost>

Enable the new site and restart Apache:

bash
sudo a2ensite dolibarr.conf sudo systemctl restart apache2

Step 5: Complete the Dolibarr Installation

Open your web browser and navigate to http://your-domain-name-or-ip/dolibarr/htdocs.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation:

  • Select the installation language.
  • Verify the server prerequisites.
  • Enter your database details (database name, user, and password).
  • Set up the admin account for Dolibarr.

Once the installation is complete, log into your Dolibarr dashboard using the admin credentials you created.

4. Configuring Dolibarr for Your Business

With Dolibarr installed, the next step is configuring it to meet your business requirements. Dolibarr is highly flexible, and you can tailor it to manage your business processes effectively.

Step 1: Enable Necessary Modules

Dolibarr is a modular system, meaning that you can activate only the features you need. To start configuring your platform, log in as the administrator and navigate to the Modules/Applications section.

Here you can activate modules such as:

  • CRM: To manage customer interactions and track leads.
  • Invoicing: For creating and managing invoices.
  • Inventory Management: To track stock levels and suppliers.
  • HR/Payroll: For managing employee records, time-off requests, and payroll.
  • Project Management: For organizing tasks and tracking project progress.

Select the modules that apply to your business, and configure their settings accordingly.

Step 2: Customize User Roles and Permissions

Dolibarr allows you to manage user access through Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). This ensures that employees only have access to the data and features they need to do their jobs.

To set user permissions:

  • Navigate to Administration > Users & Groups.
  • Create different user groups based on roles (e.g., Sales, HR, Accounting).
  • Assign appropriate permissions for each group, limiting access to sensitive data where necessary.

Step 3: Configure Company Information

Dolibarr allows you to customize the platform with your company’s branding and details:

  • Go to Setup > Company/Organization to enter your company’s name, logo, address, and contact information.
  • In the Accounting module, configure your company’s financial settings, including tax rates, currencies, and payment terms.

Step 4: Set Up Email Notifications

For smooth communication and workflow automation, you can configure Dolibarr to send email notifications. Under Setup > Emails, configure your SMTP server settings to enable the system to send emails for:

  • Customer invoices.
  • Task assignments.
  • Alerts for stock levels.
  • Payment reminders.

Step 5: Integrate Dolibarr with Other Tools

Dolibarr can be integrated with other tools and platforms to extend its functionality:

  • Payment Gateways: Integrate Dolibarr with PayPal, Stripe, or other payment gateways to manage transactions seamlessly.
  • E-commerce Platforms: Connect your Dolibarr ERP to platforms like WooCommerce or PrestaShop for centralized product and order management.
  • Accounting Software: If needed, sync Dolibarr with external accounting tools like QuickBooks for enhanced financial reporting.

5. Regular Maintenance and Security Best Practices

To ensure that Dolibarr operates smoothly over time, it’s important to follow regular maintenance and security practices:

Backups

Regularly back up your Dolibarr database and files to prevent data loss in case of system failure or cyberattacks. Set up automated backups to ensure that recent copies are always available.

Security Updates

Keep your Dolibarr installation updated to patch any security vulnerabilities. Use secure credentials forand potential vulnerabilities.

Security Best Practices

  • SSL/HTTPS: Use SSL certificates to secure communications between your server and users.
  • Role-based Access Control (RBAC): Limit access to critical modules based on employee roles.
  • Regular System Updates: Keep Dolibarr updated to the latest version for security patches and feature improvements.

Conclusion

Setting up and configuring Dolibarr for your business ensures that you have a powerful ERP system that can handle your growing needs. By following this guide, you’ll install, configure, and secure Dolibarr to suit your business processes efficiently.

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