Event Manager - installable pkg + documentation

[Ramblin]

Attached to this post are two .zip files
- an installable package
- full documentation on how this package was developed

The package is an Event Manager

I needed to integrate an Event Management package into SugarCRM CE with modules for Events, Venues, Caterers, Facilitators and training Programs. And I wanted each Event to relate to one - and only one - Opportunity.

I run an Executive Development Centre, for which we host numerous training events (and other events like workshops, ...). With this Event Manager, we can now:
- keep a record of what events were held where and when
- keep a record of who attended an event and whether they graduated or not
- keep a record of who facilitated the event
- keep a database of potential venue sites and caterers
- keep a database of facilitators
- quickly look back and use historical knowledge to plan future events

I will NOT be supporting this module, which is why I am posting it here as open-source. Anyone who wants to use it or tweak it is more than welcome to do so, as long as they do not create a commercial product from it.

I included the full documentation on how it was developed so others could benefit from my trials (and tribulations).

This community was great in helping me get here, so this is my way of giving back.

Make sure to read the ReadMe file BEFORE installing this package; there are some things this package will do to your existing Contacts layouts if you install it.

I hope this helps others as much as it is helping us

Edited 29Nov2011
Replaced attached files with new versions
The previous versions would work, but they put the custom Contacts subpanels in the /modules/metadata/subpanels directory, which meant they were not necessarily upgrade-safe. This version puts them into the upgrade-safe directory - which is what the instructions said to do. See item 28 in the manifest.php file copy => section for the change.

[phreakie]

I did read you were not going to provide support, but I would to ask you one simple thing. If it's to much work to explain this, don't bother, I don't want to take up too much of your time.

What I want to ask you is this: Is there a way to have multiple facilitators and/or multiple venues and/or multiple caterers linked to one event? If you have an event that spans multiple days and has multiple programs, it would be convenient to have them all in one place.

Once again, don't spend too much time on it, I'm just asking if there's a simple way. Otherwise I would have to dig in some more myself.

Great work, it's really useful!

[Ramblin]

Multiple Facilitators, absolutely - there is a Facilitators Subpanel in the Event and you can relate as many Facilitators as you want to the event
Multiple Venues, no, but multuiple Venue rooms within a Venue, yes. See the Venue rooms subpanel in the Event.
Multiple Caterers, no, but multiple Caterer Contacts, yes. See the Caterer Contacts subpanel in the Event.

If I have a multi-day Event spanning different venues, I just create a separate Event for each day/venue combination. That way, I keep the specifics associated with each day/venue separate.
If the Event is multi-day in the same Venue with the same Caterer and Facilitator, then I just enter one Event with a Start-Date and End-Date accordingly.