PLM / MRP software for Open Source Hardware Projects - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PDXjason
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2017, 04:52:10 pm
content: Full Disclaimer: I work for Aligni, but I thought some folks might want to check out our version available to open source hardware projects. Here is the blurb from our website:"Open Aligni is an ad-supported version of Aligni, provided at no charge, for open-source hardware projects. Until now, there hasn't been a consistent way to deliver bill of materials, manage parts and components, and share design plans for open-source hardware projects. We hope Open Aligni will change that."If you're interested, check out the requirements here:https://www.aligni.com/open-aligni/

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2017, 09:45:42 am
content: QuoteCan you provide a link to the source code please.There seems to be lots of requirements on what Aligni deems to constitute the spirit of Open Hardware, of which it has to approve, and part of it seems to be the provision of advertising on your person web page for Aligni.

author: PDXjason
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2017, 03:58:47 pm
content: Harvs, our software itself is not open source--it is free to open source hardware projects. Sorry if my first post was confusing.Folks need to apply and be approved just so we know that they aren't a for-profit business trying to make off with free software.I'm not going to lie, we're a business, not an open source software company. We sell this product and our customers are very satisfied with it.If you have an open source hardware project and you want to have access to something a LOT better than spreadsheets, then it's within your rights to sign up and get approved.We won't twist anyone's arm, though.Just wanted to put this out there and let folks who ARE interested know that it is an option.

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 11:27:32 am
content: Sure I understand the business model and have no problems with it at all (I think it's great that companies like Autodesk F360 are providing great software for no cost to hobbyists / OS community.)I just found the name confusing. As you would know, "Open Whatever" is extensively used in the FOSS domain to refer to a open-source project. I've not before seen a completely closed source commercial product refer to itself as Open.

author: donotdespisethesnake
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 12:53:42 pm
content: Wow, that is a really lame attempt at promoting commercial software. Calling it "Open Aligni" is not just misleading, it is dishonest. I can't see any Open Source people touching it with a barge pole.What is even funnier, is that people who seem to have no clue about Open Source, will be deciding whether your project is Open Source enough to qualify as a vehicle for free advertising!Seriously guys, if you want to promote your product, pay for ads like everyone else.

author: PDXjason
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 09:06:02 pm
content: Okay, I guess I could see how some folks might not like that it has the word 'Open' in the name, but that doesn't make it dishonest.I think the webpage is pretty straightforward.It truly offers a free PLM/ MRP software solution for groups who probably don't have any money for that type of thing.It's been around about 10 years. Different groups are using (or have used) it for their open source projects.Here's a robotic group using Aligni.http://roboy.org/robots-of-roboy/

author: jiro
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 05:46:57 pm
content: I don't think this is dishonet, but really missleading. When you Read Open Office, Open SCAD, OpenVPN, do you think that that is about closed apps that you can use only if you plan to do Open Sourced APPs? I bet you don't, that can be considered dishonet by a lot of people.And don't missunderstand me, I'm glad to see Open iniciatives or iniciatives that support the OS / OH comunnity.

author: PDXjason
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2017, 11:32:54 pm
content: Okay, so, despite how some people might find it misleading, it is still a very good (free) software solution for open source hardware projects.That was my only point, I swear.

author: Ash
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2017, 12:40:03 am
content: Hi,I use Aligni for work.. pretty happy with it.@PDXJason, sounds like a helpful initiative. Sorry you had a negative response so quickly. Perhaps you can refine the message a little as you work with more open hardware projects and get the know the community better.I hope some people take advantage of this. Seems its hard to give stuff awayI have a project in the back of my mind I'm mulling over and if I eventually go ahead with it, I'd love to take advantage of this.Cheers,Ash.

author: PDXjason
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2017, 03:52:00 pm
content: Thanks, Ash. I totally can understand why people might think it's misleading, but it was just a way to differentiate it from our commercial product.Certainly don't mean to offend anyone in the open source community.Oh, and drop us a line when you get your open source hardware project going.