Dolibarr is a widely recognized open-source ERP/CRM known for its flexibility and adaptability. Its modularity makes it a preferred choice for businesses that need to adjust their management system to meet specific requirements. But what should you do when the features offered by standard modules no longer suffice? The answer lies in customization: creating custom modules.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding how to customize Dolibarr by developing modules tailored to your needs. We’ll walk you through the key steps of module design, best practices to follow, and common pitfalls to avoid. Additionally, we’ll present concrete examples to inspire your customization projects.

1. Why Create Custom Modules in Dolibarr?

Dolibarr offers a vast library of official and third-party modules that cover a wide range of functions, such as customer management, accounting, inventory management, and more. However, there are times when you need to go beyond these standard features to address specific business needs. The main reasons for developing a custom module include:

• Meeting unique requirements: Your business may have workflows or processes that no existing module currently supports.
• Automating complex tasks: A custom module can help automate repetitive operations or complex calculations, thus improving overall efficiency.
• Integrating external tools: You may want to connect Dolibarr to third-party systems such as payroll software, an e-commerce platform, or a document management system.
• Optimizing the user experience: Custom modules allow you to add specific features to your Dolibarr interface, making the system more intuitive and better suited to your users’ needs.

In short, creating a custom module gives you full control over your ERP, enabling you to get the most out of it.

2. Understanding Dolibarr’s Module Structure

Before jumping into development, it’s essential to understand how Dolibarr’s modules are organized. Here are the main points to know:

• Directory structure: Dolibarr modules are typically grouped into dedicated directories, each containing its own file structure. This includes PHP scripts, configuration files, database table models, and language files.
• Main entry point: Each module has a primary PHP file (often named modMyModule.class.php) that defines its features, dependencies, and supported actions.
• Hooks and triggers: Dolibarr allows you to insert custom code at strategic points using hooks (extension points) and triggers. These tools make it easier to interact with existing functionalities without modifying core source code.
• Specific database tables: A module can add new tables or fields to Dolibarr’s database. These elements are defined in SQL files provided with the module, ensuring clean and maintainable integration.

3. Steps to Create a Custom Module

The process of creating a Dolibarr module follows a well-defined set of steps. Here’s a structured approach to guide you:

3.1. Define Your Requirements

Start by clearly defining what you want your module to accomplish. What problems are you trying to solve? What are the must-have features? Taking time to plan at this stage will save you costly revisions down the road.

3.2. Set Up Your Development Environment

Make sure you have a separate test environment from your production Dolibarr instance. This includes:

• A local Dolibarr installation on your development machine.
• A suitable code editor (such as Visual Studio Code or PhpStorm).
• Access to the official Dolibarr documentation and community resources.

3.3. Create the Module’s Base Structure

Begin by creating a directory for your module in the custom/ folder. Inside this directory, add the essential files:

• modMyModule.class.php: The main file that defines the module’s properties, permissions, and dependencies.
• Configuration files: Include files for the module’s settings.
• Language files: Provide translation files for the different supported languages.

3.4. Develop the Features

Once the structure is in place, start coding the specific features of your module:

• Use available hooks to insert custom actions without altering Dolibarr’s core.
• Create your own pages and user interfaces if needed, following Dolibarr’s design standards.
• Add SQL tables and scripts to handle any additional data your module requires.

3.5. Test and Validate

Before deploying your module to a production environment, thoroughly test it:

• Verify that all features work as intended.
• Test data updates, user permissions, and performance.
• Ensure that the module doesn’t conflict with other extensions or modules.

4. Best Practices for Dolibarr Module Development

To ensure that your module is reliable, maintainable, and easy to update, it’s important to follow a few best practices:

• Adhere to Dolibarr’s coding standards: This ensures better compatibility with future versions.
• Provide complete documentation: Include clear instructions for installation, configuration, and usage. This will help both administrators and end users.
• Manage updates carefully: Plan for clean update paths for your database tables and scripts. This way, users can easily install new versions without losing data.
• Ensure security and permissions: Protect your module by validating user inputs, avoiding SQL injection, and setting precise permissions for each action.

5. Concrete Examples of Custom Applications

To better illustrate the possibilities of customizing Dolibarr, here are a few examples of real-world custom modules:

• Contract Management Module: A module that tracks customer contracts, their expiration dates, renewals, and electronic signatures.
• Shipment Tracking Module: An extension that integrates shipping carrier APIs to monitor packages directly within Dolibarr.
• Advanced Reporting Module: A tool that generates customized dashboards and charts to analyze company performance.

6. Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Creating a custom module may seem straightforward, but certain pitfalls can quickly turn a promising project into a source of frustration:

• Skipping the planning phase: Without clear objectives, you may end up building unnecessary or poorly designed features.
• Ignoring Dolibarr updates: If you don’t keep up with Dolibarr’s changes, your module may become outdated or incompatible with newer versions.
• Insufficient testing: Deploying a module without thorough testing can lead to bugs in production, impacting the reliability of your system.

Conclusion

Customizing Dolibarr with tailor-made modules is a powerful approach to adapting this open-source ERP to your specific needs. By following a clear methodology, adhering to best development practices, and avoiding common pitfalls, you can transform Dolibarr into a tool perfectly aligned with your business processes.

With a well-designed module, you’ll gain efficiency, flexibility, and added value while maintaining the benefits of an open-source platform. Whether your goal is to automate complex tasks, integrate external tools, or improve the user experience, customizing Dolibarr offers a strategic solution for optimizing your business management.