Jan. 29, 2010

 

Open-source company xTuple, known for its CRM and ERP software, this week launched the first in a series of platform-specific mobile applications that may later be complemented by a single multiplatform product.

 

The initial program is iTuple for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. It gives customers access to the xTuple database and address books of xTuple's server products -- PostBooks, which is cost-free, or the Standard or Manufacturing editions.

 

As with most iPhone applications, it also lets customers place phone calls and integrates with Google Maps. The program is $4.99 in the Apple App Store.

However, xTuple has bigger plans for mobile enterprises.

 

The company works with several R&D partners who are developing xTuple versions for Google Android, Microsoft Windows Mobile, and Nokia-Symbian. Some or all of those will be available this year, CEO Ned Lilly said.

 

Separately, "We're in the R&D phase on something that's more truly multiplatform," but that plan is nebulous because of market fragmentation, Lilly noted.

 

"As ERP people, we see CRM as sort of a subset of that. The whole idea is you've got one database where all your information lives."