Websites using Redmine

Okay, let s break down Redmine, covering its overview, revenue (or lack thereof), alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

Redmine: Overview

• Type: Open-source, web-based project management and issue tracking tool.
• Purpose: Designed to help teams collaborate on projects, track tasks, manage issues, and communicate effectively. It emphasizes flexibility and customization.
• Key Features:
  • Issue Tracking: Create, assign, and track tasks/bugs/issues.
  • Multiple Projects Support: Manage multiple projects within a single installation.
  • Role-Based Access Control: Control user permissions and access to projects and features.
  • Wiki and Forums: Integrated wiki and forums for knowledge sharing and discussions.
  • Time Tracking: Track time spent on tasks.
  • Gantt Charts and Calendars: Visualize project timelines and schedules.
  • Customizable Fields and Workflows: Tailor the system to your specific needs.
  • Email Notifications: Stay informed about updates and changes.
  • Repository Integration: Integrate with version control systems like Git, Subversion, and Mercurial.
  • REST API: Integrate with other tools and services.
• Technology: Ruby on Rails framework.
• Target Audience: Project managers, software development teams, IT departments, and any team that needs a robust issue tracking and project management solution.
• Strengths:
  • Highly Customizable: Very adaptable to different workflows and project types.
  • Free (Open Source): No licensing fees.
  • Self-Hosted: You have full control over your data and infrastructure.
  • Feature-Rich: Offers a comprehensive set of features for project management.
• Weaknesses:
  • Can be complex to set up and maintain, especially for non-technical users.
  • The user interface can feel dated compared to modern project management tools.
  • Requires server infrastructure and technical expertise for self-hosting.
  • Plugin compatibility can sometimes be an issue during upgrades.

Revenue

Redmine itself is open-source and free. The core software does not generate revenue.

However, revenue is generated in the Redmine ecosystem through these avenues:

• Hosting Providers: Companies that offer managed Redmine hosting (e.g., Planio, RedmineUP, Bitnami). These companies charge subscription fees for hosting, maintenance, and support. This is probably the biggest revenue stream in the ecosystem.
• Plugin Developers: Companies and individuals that create and sell commercial Redmine plugins (e.g., RedmineUP, AlphaNodes). Plugins extend Redmine s functionality.
• Consulting and Support Services: Consultants and companies that offer Redmine setup, customization, training, and ongoing support.
• Themes: Developers and companies provide Redmine themes for a fee.

Alternatives

Here s a breakdown of popular Redmine alternatives, categorized by their strengths:

• Modern/User-Friendly Interface:
  • Jira: (Atlassian) - Powerful, feature-rich, widely used, especially in software development. Strong integration with other Atlassian tools. Paid.
  • Asana: More visually appealing and easier to use than Redmine. Good for task management and team collaboration. Freemium.
  • Trello: (Atlassian) - Kanban-style board for visual task management. Very intuitive and flexible. Freemium.
  • ClickUp: A very customizable platform offering features beyond project management such as document management and more. Freemium
• Open-Source/Self-Hosted:
  • Taiga: (Open Source) - Agile project management tool with a modern interface. Focuses on Scrum and Kanban.
  • Phabricator: (Open Source) - A suite of development tools including code review, repository management, and bug tracking. More developer-focused.
  • GitLab: (Open Source with paid tiers) - A complete DevOps platform with issue tracking, CI/CD, and more.
  • Odoo Project: (Open Source with paid tiers) - Part of the Odoo ERP suite, it provides project management capabilities along with other business functions.
• Simpler/Lightweight:
  • YouTrack: (JetBrains) - Issue tracker with powerful search and workflow automation. Paid.
  • Kanboard: (Open Source) - Simple Kanban board application.

Pricing

• Redmine (Core): Free (Open Source). You are responsible for the cost of hosting (server, database, etc.).
• Redmine Hosting Providers: Pricing varies widely depending on the provider, the number of users, storage, and features included. Expect to pay anywhere from $20/month to $200+/month.
• Redmine Plugins: Prices range from free to hundreds of dollars per plugin, depending on the complexity and functionality.

Customer Care

• Redmine (Core):
  • Community Support: The primary source of support is the Redmine community through forums, mailing lists, and online documentation (the Redmine wiki). This is free but relies on volunteer help.
  • No official paid support is offered for the core Redmine software.
• Redmine Hosting Providers:
  • Paid support is typically included with their hosting plans. The level of support varies depending on the provider and plan.
• Plugin Developers:
  • Plugin developers usually offer support for their commercial plugins. This can range from email support to dedicated help desks.
• Consultants:
  • Consultants offer customized support packages.

In Summary:

Redmine is a powerful, free, and highly customizable project management tool. However, it requires technical expertise to set up and maintain. Revenue is generated by companies that provide hosting, plugins, consulting, and support services around Redmine. If you need a modern UI and less technical overhead, consider alternatives like Jira, Asana, or Trello. If you want open source, Taiga or GitLab might be a good fit. Customer support is primarily community-driven for the core software, but paid support is available through hosting providers, plugin developers, and consultants.