How to set up OroCRM hosting at Nexcess

If you are looking for a free CRM solution for your website or web application, OroCRM is one of the best options available. OroCRM is an open-source Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software platform that centralizes customer data and streamlines sales and marketing processes. The web application also provides companies with insights into customer interactions and behaviors.

Setting up OroCRM hosting at Nexcess using a cloud hosting or non-cloud plan

By utilizing the power of Nexcess servers, installing OroCRM ensures a seamless experience for your customer service team and customers. In this guide, we will take you through installing and setting up OroCRM on your Nexcess server. We will cover the setup process for OroCRM using a flexible cloud hosting or non-cloud account.

Therefore, you can choose either of these two methods depending on whether you have a cloud account or not. But first, let’s walk through an overview of the different hosting plans you can choose from if you want to run OroCRM with Nexcess as your web hosting provider.

Overview of the OroCRM hosting options at Nexcess

At Nexcess, we offer various hosting plans with varying storage, bandwidth, and performance options. From the XS plan with 11 sites, 50GB storage, and 1TB bandwidth to the XXL plan accommodating 51 sites, 800GB storage, and 10TB bandwidth, you can choose a plan that suits your hardware needs and budget. All our plans include PHP workers and auto-scaled PHP workers.

Method #1: How to use OroCRM at Nexcess via a flexible cloud hosting account

This method is specifically for flexible cloud hosting accounts, which are referred to as "Flex Plans." If you have a non-cloud account, refer to the next method documented in the following section for the corresponding installation instructions.

Step #1: Select a cloud hosting plan

Fortunately, we offer a wide range of cloud hosting plans that you can pick from according to your computing needs and budget. So, visit our cloud hosting page and explore our cloud hosting plans. You should choose a suitable plan that aligns with your requirements for hosting OroCRM. When making your choice, consider factors such as storage, bandwidth, and performance.

If you’re unsure of the resources you need, don’t hesitate to contact our support team, they will be happy to help you make the right choice. Once you have chosen a plan, proceed with the checkout process. Provide the necessary information and complete the payment to set up your account. You can pay your account balance by using PayPal or a credit/debit card.

Step #2: Log into your Nexcess Cloud Portal

Once you’re done setting up your account, log into your Nexcess Cloud Portal using the provided credentials. Check out our Nexcess hosting and Nexcess Client Portal guide to learn more.

Once logged in, look for the option to create a new site or domain. Click it to initiate the process of setting up your OroCRM site. Follow the prompts and provide the required information, such as the domain name for your OroCRM site.

Depending on your specific requirements, you may also need to configure additional settings, such as SSL certificates or DNS records. After the setup process is complete, the Cloud Portal will generate the necessary credentials and configurations for your OroCRM installation. Note down these credentials.

Step #3: Install OroCRM

To install OroCRM, you need to upload the OroCRM files to your Nexcess server. There are two options for uploading the files — using an FTP client or the File Manager available in your Nexcess Cloud Portal. If you prefer to use an FTP client, start by launching the FTP client software on your computer. Connect to your Nexcess server using the FTP credentials provided by Nexcess, which usually include the FTP server address, username, and password.

Once done, open a web browser on your computer and enter the domain name provided during the setup process into the address bar. The browser will load the OroCRM login page, where you need to log in using the administrative credentials that you noted earlier. Enter the username and password that you set during the setup process and click the Login button to access the OroCRM dashboard.

Once connected, navigate to the appropriate directory on your Nexcess server where you want to upload the OroCRM files. This file location is typically the web root or a designated directory for your OroCRM installation. Locate the OroCRM files on your local computer (the files you downloaded from the OroCRM website) and select them. Finally, upload the OroCRM files from your local computer to the chosen directory on your Nexcess server.

Alternatively, you can use the File Manager available in the Nexcess Cloud Portal. Begin by logging in to your Nexcess Cloud Portal using the credentials provided by Nexcess. Once logged in, locate and access the File Manager option within the portal. It will let you to manage directories and files on your Nexcess server in a straightforward manner.

Use the File Manager to navigate to the OroCRM installation directory on your server. This step may involve browsing through the directory structure or entering the directory path manually. Once you have reached the OroCRM installation directory, look for an upload button. Click the Upload option and pick the OroCRM files from your local computer. The File Manager will initiate the file transfer and upload the OroCRM files directly to the OroCRM installation directory on your Nexcess server.

Step #4: Complete the installation process

After uploading the files, revisit your OroCRM site's URL in a web browser. The wizard will take you through the necessary steps to complete the installation. Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the OroCRM installation wizard. You will be prompted to provide information such as the database details, including hostname, username, password, and administrative account credentials.

After providing all the required information, proceed with the installation process. The wizard will create the necessary database tables and configure OroCRM accordingly. Once the installation is fully complete, you will have a fully functional OroCRM instance running on your Nexcess server. You can now log into OroCRM using your administrative account credentials.

Customer support for OroCRM

It's important to note that while Nexcess clients with an OroCRM hosting implementation will still receive support, the support provided is PHP-based support — and the support we offer is not focused on OroCRM, per se. For any technical assistance or issues related to OroCRM, it is recommended to consult the OroCRM community or refer to OroCRM's official documentation.

Method #2: How to install OroCRM at Nexcess via a non-cloud account

Please note this method is specifically for non-cloud accounts, which are referred to as "Nexcess Classic." If you have a cloud account, refer to the previous method documented in the section above for the corresponding installation instructions.

Step #1: Download OroCRM

Visit the official OroCRM website and locate the download section. Choose the latest stable version of OroCRM and click the Download link. At the time of writing this article, the latest available version was OroCRM 4.1. Once the download is complete, make sure you remember the folder where you have saved it because you will need this file (around 128MB in size) in the next step. You must also extract the file using tools like WinRAR or 7Zip.

Step #2: Configure FTP credentials

To configure FTP credentials for your Nexcess hosting account, you can follow these steps. Firstly, log into your Nexcess hosting account using your login credentials. Once you are logged in, navigate to SiteWorx, which is the control panel used for managing various aspects of your hosting account, such as email settings, databases, domains, statistics, and files.

In the SiteWorx main menu, locate the Hosting Features section and click FTP and then Accounts. This option in the user interface will navigate to the FTP Accounts page, where you can manage your FTP settings. On this page, you will see a field labelled FTP Username. Enter your desired username in this field. Next, create a strong password for the FTP account by entering it in the Password field.

It is essential to use a secure password to ensure the safety of your account. Once you have entered the username and password, save the changes to create the FTP account. Remember to note the FTP username and password that you have just created. These credentials will be required whenever you want to access your Nexcess hosting account via FTP.

Step #3: Transfer OroCRM files to the Nexcess server

To transfer the OroCRM files from your computer to your Nexcess server, you have two options — using an FTP client software or accessing the File Manager in your SiteWorx control panel. If you choose to use an FTP client software, start by installing one on your computer if you don't have it already. Some Popular FTP client tools you can try include FileZilla, Cyberduck, or WinSCP.

Once installed, launch the FTP client and enter the FTP credentials you configured earlier for your Nexcess hosting account, which typically include the FTP server address, username, and password. After successfully connecting to your Nexcess server via FTP, navigate to the directory on the server where you want to install OroCRM. In most cases, this would be the public_html directory or a subdirectory within it.

Now, locate the downloaded OroCRM files on your local machine and select the folder related to OroCRM. Initiate the file transfer from your local computer to the chosen directory on the Nexcess server using the FTP client's file transfer functionality. Be aware that the time required for the file transfer will depend on the size of the OroCRM files and the speed of your internet connection. Allow the transfer process to complete successfully.

Alternatively, you can use the File Manager within your Nexcess control panel, SiteWorx, to upload the OroCRM files directly. To use this method, you must log into your Nexcess control panel using your login credentials. Once logged in, locate the File Manager section, which allows you to manage and upload files directly within the control panel. Using the File Manager, go to the directory where you wish to install OroCRM, typically the public_html directory, as mentioned earlier.

Look for the upload or file transfer functionality provided within the File Manager interface and initiate the upload process. Similar to using an FTP client, the file transfer duration time may be longer than expected, based on the size of the files and your internet speed. Be sure not to close your browser until the upload is completely successful.

Step #4: Configure your database

Access the database management section in your Nexcess control panel (SiteWorx). Locate the MySQL or Database option and click it. Create a new database and provide its name, such as "orocrm" or something similar. Enable the option to create a user for the database and enter a username and password. The database name, username, and password you use should be noted in a safe place, as you will need them in the next step. Make sure to select all the necessary permissions for the MySQL user. Save the changes to create the database.

Step #5: Configure OroCRM

Finally, you must make a few more configurations for your OroCRM site. Bring up a browser and type in the URL of your OroCRM installation. This URL will contain the domain or subdomain associated with your Nexcess hosting account. The OroCRM installation wizard will start and prompt you to choose the installation language.

Select your preferred language and continue. Next, you will be asked to provide the database details. Enter the database name, username, and password, and leave the hostname as the default value. Save the database configuration and proceed to the next step. The installer will install the core files and set up the necessary database tables.

After completing the installation, you will be directed to the Configure Site window. Provide the essential information about your site, such as the site name, default email address, and administrative account details. Fill in all the required fields and save the configuration. If the installation is successful, you will see a confirmation message indicating that OroCRM has been installed. Congratulations!

Customer support for OroCRM

Remember, the Nexcess-provided support will be PHP-based support — and is not focused on OroCRM, per se. For any aspect related to OroCRM, it is recommended to consult the OroCRM community or refer to OroCRM's official documentation.

Final thoughts

Overall, setting up OroCRM hosting at Nexcess is a manageable process that can be done through a flexible cloud hosting or a non-cloud account.

Cloud hosting users can create an account in the Nexcess Cloud Portal, set up their site or domain and upload OroCRM files using FTP or the File Manager. On the other hand, non-cloud account holders can utilize the SiteWorx control panel for OroCRM setup.