Openbravo (www.openbravo.com), 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.”