Openbravo, the leading developer of web-based open source Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions for small and medium businesses, has partnered with rPath to simplify the deployment and maintenance of its software to the Openbravo user base.

Openbravo will use rPath’s rBuilder™ to create a software appliance, simplifying deployment in both physical and virtual environments as well as maintenance for customers. Routine system maintenance tasks such as scheduling backups or performing system updates will all be possible via a simple browser interface. The flexible architecture will also allow Openbravo to tailor the operating system to the application’s needs, therefore maximizing the hardware performance.

Additionally, Openbravo users no longer will need to be concerned with manually updating to the latest version of Openbravo’s software, which is – and will remain- freely available for download in source code format. All Openbravo commercial customers will automatically receive the relevant updates properly packaged once they have been tested by the company’s quality assurance team.

This step reflects Openbravo’s commitment to building the Openbravo Network, a support contract for Openbravo ERP applications, due to be launched in November.

Manel Sarasa, CEO of Openbravo, said, "The rPath team has demonstrated its ability to build an outstanding update technology which is adapted to the needs of open source projects. We are very proud to be associated with rPath. rPath's technology will be instrumental in implementing our vision of ensuring that mission critical open source solutions, such as Openbravo's ERP, can be easily deployed and maintained in enterprise environments."

Billy Marshall, CEO of rPath, said, “Partnering with Openbravo is a perfect fit for both companies. Our software appliance approach eliminates customer hassles associated with owning an application, which means Openbravo can concentrate on what it does best - spending less time supporting the product and more time developing value-added features. As a result Openbravo customers will receive an even better experience from a higher quality platform.”

About Openbravo
Openbravo is the leading professional open source enterprise management (ERP) solution for small and midsize enterprises (SMEs). Driven by open source philosophies and best-in-class services, it delivers a fully integrated, web-based ERP system tailored to the needs of any company, regardless of size or industry sector. The functionality of Openbravo is in continual growth thanks to an expanding international community of users, partners and developers. Openbravo helps companies to manage daily operations, optimize business processes, enhance customer satisfaction and ultimately increase profitability. And because it is open source, Openbravo puts the customer in full control without the overhead of contracts or licenses. In January 2006, Openbravo secured a €5 million ($6.4m) financing agreement with Sodena - record funding for an open source ERP company - to fuel further software development and international growth. Openbravo is a founding member of the Open Solutions Alliance – an independent consortium launched in January 2007 to educate and inform businesses deploying open source, while promoting best practices and interoperability among vendors. Openbravo is a winner of a 2007 ‘Red Herring 100 Europe Award’. At LinuxWorld Conference & Expo in August 2007, Openbravo was presented with a Product Excellence Award for ‘Best Integration Solution’. In September 2007, the company's ERP solution was declared the 'Best of Open Source Software' by InfoWorld in the 2007 BOSSIE Awards.