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

InspirationDrupal 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 & resourcesCharities, 3rd Sector non-profits, etc.

CRM ConsultantsNo 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 modulesDeputise

whitelist of modules to display as normalblacklist of modules to constrain

Hostingmodifies sign upgives us uid1 and admin uid2

Final-confperforms some basic configoverlays prompts to main configprovides some initial pointers

Export

Customer Service & SupportTicketed support contracts

Help with data import

Tailored training delivered remotely

Using Ecosystem• Training sessions

• Online documentation

• Books: Floss Manuals / Packt Publishing

ConclusionsNginx 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