For Linux users, choosing the perfect project management software can be quite challenging because of the wide range of tools available to suit every preference. One of the most versatile options that you can use to monitor tasks and projects is Redmine, an open-source project management platform and issue-tracking tool.

This article will guide you through the features that make Redmine stand out and how to transform it into a comprehensive collaborative tool by integrating it with ONLYOFFICE Docs, an online office suite for real-time document co-authoring.

What is Redmine?

Redmine is a web-based project management and planning platform whose source code is hosted on GitHub, making it 100% open-source. Its standout feature is its high level of flexibility and adaptability, allowing any team or group of users to customize the platform according to their project management needs.

Key features of Redmine include:

• Managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• A role-based access control system to define user permissions within a project.
• Built-in issue tracking tool.
• Calendar functionality.
• Document and file management.
• Email notifications.
• Wiki and forums.
• Time tracking.
• Integration with version control systems (e.g., SVN, CVS, Git).
• LDAP authentication support.
• Multi-language user interface.
• Compatibility with various databases.

Redmine is renowned for its extensive customization capabilities and numerous third-party plugins available in the Redmine Plugins Directory.

These plugins enhance the platform by adding new functionalities, making it more robust and adaptable to diverse professional needs. For instance, you can incorporate a CRM module to handle contacts and deals, enable an online invoicing system, or activate a plugin for managing financial operations, turning Redmine into a complete business ecosystem.

An interesting add-on that can boost your productivity as a Redmine user is the ONLYOFFICE integration plugin, which enables real-time document editing and collaboration with team members via ONLYOFFICE Docs, an open-source alternative to Google Docs and Microsoft Office.

Let’s explore how to integrate Redmine with ONLYOFFICE Docs and what benefits this integration brings.

How to Install ONLYOFFICE Docs in Linux

To enable the creation, editing, and co-editing of Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations with other Redmine users, you need to set up ONLYOFFICE Docs on your Linux server in addition to a functioning Redmine instance.

ONLYOFFICE Docs is an open-source office software tool that is fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats and supports working with digital forms, e-books, and PDF editing. It provides all the necessary features for collaborative work and includes a ChatGPT-based AI assistant to facilitate text generation and processing.

Redmine is not the only platform that integrates with ONLYOFFICE Docs. It also connects with various e-learning solutions, document and content management systems, and file storage platforms, including Drupal, Seafile, ownCloud, Nextcloud, Moodle, WordPress, Alfresco, Odoo, Chamilo, and others.

Locally, ONLYOFFICE Docs can be installed on Linux using several methods. You can follow guides to install ONLYOFFICE Docs (ONLYOFFICE Document Server) on your server or opt to run it via Docker.

Once you have a functional ONLYOFFICE Docs instance, you can move forward with the integration process.

How to Install the ONLYOFFICE Connector for Redmine

To enable the integration between ONLYOFFICE and Redmine, you need to install the latest official connector. You can download it directly from the Redmine Plugins Directory or find it on GitHub.

Ensure your Redmine instance is stopped, extract the downloaded file, and place the onlyoffice_redmine folder into the Redmine plugins directory. For example:

<code>cp -r /root/onlyoffice_redmine/. /redmine/plugins/onlyoffice_redmine</code>

Navigate to Redmine’s root directory:

<code>cd redmine</code>

Install the necessary dependencies:

<code>bundle install</code>

Update your database with these commands:

<code>RAILS_ENV=production bundle exec rake db:migrate
RAILS_ENV=production bundle exec rake redmine:plugins:migrate NAME=onlyoffice_redmine</code>

Finally, restart Redmine to complete the process.

How to Configure ONLYOFFICE Connector for Redmine

Next, configure the ONLYOFFICE connector. Log into your Redmine platform, go to the Administration panel, and locate Plugins.

In the ONLYOFFICE integration plugin section for Redmine, click Configure. You will see parameters and additional customization options:

• Document Editing Service address.
• ONLYOFFICE Docs address for internal requests from the server.
• Server address for internal requests from ONLYOFFICE Docs.
• Secret key.

The Document Editing Service address is mandatory and should specify the URL and port of your ONLYOFFICE Docs instance (e.g., https://documentserver:8080).

Advanced server settings let you specify addresses for internal requests if your network setup does not support communication between Redmine and ONLYOFFICE Docs.

The Secret key is a JWT secret used to secure your data. Retrieve this secret key from the ONLYOFFICE Docs configuration file located at /etc/onlyoffice/documentserver/local.json. Open the file with a text editor; it will resemble this:

<code>{
  "services": {
    "CoAuthoring": {
      "token": {
        "enable": {
          "request": {
            "inbox": true,
            "outbox": true
          },
          "browser": true
        }
      },
      "secret": {
        "inbox": {
          "string": "<strong>yoursecret</strong>"
        },
        "outbox": {
          "string": "<strong>yoursecret</strong>"
        },
        "session": {
          "string": "<strong>yoursecret</strong>"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}</code>

Identify the secret key in the relevant lines and input the same secret key in the settings.

If everything is configured correctly, the integration should function properly.

How to Use ONLYOFFICE Docs in Redmine

Once the ONLYOFFICE connector is installed and configured, you can use the online editors to open and view files in various Redmine modules like Issues, Wiki, Files, Documents, and News.

Simply click the Edit in ONLYOFFICE or Open in ONLYOFFICE button beside the desired file. It will open in the respective editor. DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX files can be edited, while other formats can only be viewed.

Additionally, when working in the Issues, Documents, Wiki, and News modules, you can click the Convert with ONLYOFFICE button and select the desired format.

Lastly, you can use the ONLYOFFICE editors to collaboratively edit documents in real-time using two co-editing modes, review mode with the Track changes feature, comments, and a built-in chat for text messaging.

Conclusion

Redmine is a highly flexible project management tool for Linux users. By pairing it with the right plugins, such as the ONLYOFFICE connector, you can create a truly versatile platform capable of replacing multiple business and productivity applications.

Isn’t it ideal to perform all your tasks within one application without constantly switching between programs?

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