Easy Steps to Create Custom Module in Vtiger 6

Creating a custom module in Vtiger 6 involves several easy steps to define the module structure, database tables, relationships, and user interface elements. Here’s a general guide on how to create a custom module:

Steps to Create a Custom Module in Vtiger 6

1. Prepare Your Environment:

• Access your Vtiger CRM instance with administrative privileges.
• Make sure you have access to the Vtiger files and database.

2. Module Structure Definition:

• Decide on the functionality and data structure of your module (e.g., Contacts, Projects, Orders).
• Determine the fields (columns) you need to store in the module.

3. Create Module Directories and Files:

• Modules in Vtiger are stored in the modules directory.
• Create a new directory for your module. For example, if your module is named CustomModule, create a directory named CustomModule inside modules.

4. Module Configuration File:

• Create a CustomModule.php file inside the module directory (modules/CustomModule/CustomModule.php).
• Define metadata about your module, such as its name, label, database table name, and any other relevant settings. Here’s a basic example: <?php $moduleMeta = array( 'name' => 'CustomModule', 'label' => 'Custom Module', 'table' => 'vtiger_custommodule', 'iconpath' => 'modules/CustomModule/icon.png', 'univoiceable' => true, 'entityinfo' => array( 'tablename' => 'vtiger_custommodule', 'fieldname' => 'custommoduleid', 'tablefields' => array('column1', 'column2', 'column3'), 'extrafields' => array('column1' => 'description', 'column2' => 'comment'), ), ); ?>

5. Database Table Creation:

• Define the database structure for your module in the vtiger_custommodule table.
• You can use Vtiger’s schema management tools or manually create the table structure in your database.
• Ensure to define indexes, primary keys, and foreign keys as needed.

6. Module Language Files:

• Create language files to define labels and messages for your module.
• Place these files in the language/en_us directory (or relevant language directory).

7. User Interface Components:

• Create necessary files for displaying and interacting with your module in the UI.
• This includes views (list view, detail view), edit forms, and any custom actions or workflows.

8. Module Registration:

• Register your module with Vtiger CRM by adding an entry in the vtiger_tab and related tables.
• Use Vtiger’s Module Manager or manually insert records into the database.

9. Relationships (Optional):

• If your module needs to relate to existing modules (e.g., Accounts, Contacts), define relationships in the vtiger_relatedlists and related tables.

10. Testing and Debugging:

• Test your custom module thoroughly to ensure all functionalities work as expected.
• Debug any issues that arise during testing.

Example Module Implementation:

Here’s a simplified example of a custom module directory structure:

vtigercrm/
├── modules/
│   └── CustomModule/
│       ├── CustomModule.php
│       ├── CustomModuleHandler.php
│       ├── CustomModule.php
│       ├── CustomModule.php
│       └── language/
│           └── en_us/
│               ├── CustomModule.php
│               └── moduleSettings.php

In this structure:

• CustomModule.php defines metadata and configuration.
• CustomModuleHandler.php handles module-specific logic.
• language/en_us/CustomModule.php contains language strings.
• Additional files (CustomModule.php, CustomModule.php, etc.) can define specific functionality.

Important Notes:

• Backup: Always back up your files and database before making changes.
• Documentation: Document your module creation process and configurations for future reference.
• Community Resources: Utilize Vtiger’s documentation and community forums for additional support and best practices.

By following these steps, you can create a custom module in Vtiger 6 tailored to your specific business needs, extending the CRM’s functionality to manage custom data and workflows effectively. Adjust the specifics based on your module requirements and Vtiger version.

Conclusion

Creating any specific custom module in Vtiger 6 consists of various simple steps to describe the structure of the module, tables in the database, relationships, and also elements of the user interface. Here are complete steps that direct you on how to create a custom module. Using the best Vtiger hosting solutions, you can easily create the required module in vTiger 6.