ᐅ How much time should I allow for assembling the Pax system?

Hello everyone,

I would like to start a discussion on the topic: "How much time should I realistically allocate for the complete setup of Pax?" Specifically, I am looking for an accurate estimate of how many hours or days I should plan for the installation, initial configuration, setting up basic functions, and integrating custom modules.

I understand this varies depending on experience and scope, but I am especially interested in hearing from experienced users how long they needed for a standard setup – meaning without unusual extras, but also not completely minimal.

Are there typical time blocks one should plan for, possibly roughly divided by work steps? Are there common pitfalls that often delay the process?

I look forward to your assessments and tips so I can better plan my time.

Hello Friedemann,

First of all: Your question is very well formulated and completely justified. Many people underestimate the effort involved, especially because they want “just” a basic setup.

From my experience, setting up Pax typically takes about 6 to 10 hours if you do some preliminary reading and have basic knowledge. This is usually divided as follows:

- Installation and initial setup: about 1-2 hours
- Basic configuration and integration of core modules: 2-3 hours
- Setting up user permissions, workflows, testing: 2-3 hours
- Customization, troubleshooting, fine-tuning: 1-2 hours

It is important to test thoroughly along the way to avoid problems later on.

A common stumbling block is defining permissions and roles too narrowly, leading to repeated adjustments. Also, the importance of proper documentation during setup is often underestimated, which is crucial for later traceability.

Hope this helps as an initial guideline!

I agree with nikian and would like to add that the actual technical time is not everything. Those using Pax beyond the standard setup, often integrating custom modules, should also allocate an additional one to two days to understand processes and test adjustments.

Especially when integrating custom solutions or extensions, the time required increases significantly. Therefore, my advice:

- Allow enough buffer time
- Prepare a clear checklist of all required functions beforehand
- Work step by step and test regularly

It is also helpful to divide the construction into separate stages, as otherwise the complexity can easily become overwhelming.

Quote on this:

nikian schrieb:
A common pitfall is defining permissions and roles too narrowly, which leads to repeatedly having to correct settings.

Interesting how much time is estimated here.

I think the effort is often greatly overestimated – if you focus on the essentials, you can have Pax ready to use within 2–4 hours. Everything else, in my opinion, is fine-tuning that develops over time.

After all, you also have to consider: how much time do you want to invest compared to the benefit? For some, a functioning basic framework is enough.

So I rather see the risk of getting lost in details. That takes a lot of time but doesn’t automatically bring more benefits.

laureo schrieb:
Especially when integrating custom solutions or extensions, the time required increases significantly.

Absolutely, but that is optional and not part of the basic setup.

You should also be careful not to get caught in “perfectionist” endless loops.

My contribution to the discussion is based on a structured analysis of various implementation processes in customer projects. On average, the time required for a complete setup of Pax is about 8 hours of pure working time for an experienced administrator. The breakdown is organized according to the following key areas:

- Preparation and planning: 1 hour
- Technical installation including updates: 1.5 hours
- Configuration of standard modules: 2 hours
- User creation and access rights management: 1.5 hours
- Integration and testing of interfaces: 1 hour
- Final inspection and documentation: 1 hour

Important: Unplanned delays (e.g. troubleshooting conflicts or missing dependencies) can extend the process.

Therefore, I recommend allowing at least half a working day extra to be prepared for contingencies.

Friedemann schrieb:
Gibt es typische Zeitblöcke, die man einplanen sollte, eventuell auch grob aufgeteilt nach Arbeitsschritten?

Yes, as outlined, having a schedule with clear phases is extremely helpful to maintain an overview and work efficiently.

Additionally, I would like to address common mistakes and time delays that can postpone the construction of Pax:

- Lack of preparation of the IT environment leads to technical difficulties during installation
- Unclear user requirements complicate configuration
- Skipping tests, which later requires time-consuming corrections

My advice:

1. Before starting the installation, thoroughly check the entire IT environment (hardware, dependencies, etc.)
2. Clearly document requirements and desired functions
3. Conduct tests after each major step

This approach helps avoid unnecessary delays and saves time in the long run.

Penau schrieb:
Unplanned delays (e.g., troubleshooting conflicts or missing dependencies) can prolong the process.

This is exactly where avoidable extra work can creep in.