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OUR TECHNOLOGY
Microsoft.Net Framework 4.0 Technology. The Right Technology For Today and Tomorrow.
To make Interprise Suite as open and easy to learn as possible we based several of the key architectural technologies on Microsoft best practices projects such as Web Service Enhancements and the Enterprise Library.
WEB SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS
WSE 3.0 is the latest web services technology from Microsoft and is designed to make the transition to the Windows Communication Foundation that was introduced in Windows Vista. The web services found in Interprise Suite runs with WSE 3.0 making them secure, interoperable and ready for the future. Additionally it is important to point out that the web services in Interprise Suite are tied to its business logic layer making it part of the applications DNA. Don't be confused with applications advertising web services support based on SQL 2005 or SQL 2008 since this is at the database level, is not secure and can cause major problems since the data cannot be verified before inserting it into the tables.
ENTERPRISE LIBRARY
The Enterprise Library is a collection of application blocks created jointly by Microsoft and Accenture to standardize the development of .NET applications. Open and extendable Interprise Suite uses the Enterprise Library whenever possible, making the application more stable and easier for other developers to work with.
Unlike business solutions that have upgraded to .NET, Interprise Suite was built entirely from the .NET platform, fully realizing the interoperability and connectivity the .NET technology promises to bring. As a native XML application, other applications or functionalities are quickly and easily integrated into Interprise Suite, tightly connected to the business logic.
Interprise Suite is one of the first full-featured business applications written for .NET - Microsoft's latest technology. More reliable and secure than the current windows platform, .NET operates in conjunction with your current version of windows to provide a bridge between the older Win32 technology and newer more robust .NET technology. .NET has become the core of all windows based technology and will be the technology used in the next version of windows with non .NET applications to run in compatibility mode much like DOS program does today.
In addition to adding stability and security enhancements to the operating system, the .NET framework adds new features to the windows platform that greatly simplifies working with open standards such as XML and greater integration with the internet. This enables businesses to be able to collaborate over the Internet safely and securely. Interprise Suite builds on these technologies making it one of the most technically advanced applications available at any price.
MICROSOFT.NET FRAMEWORK 4.0 TECHNOLOGY FEATURES
- Interoperability
Since computer systems usually require interaction between new and older applications, the .NET Framework gives access to functionality that is put into programs that execute outside the .NET environment. Access to COM components is provided in the System.Runtime.InteropServices and System.EnterpriseServices namespaces of the framework; access to other functionality is provided using the P/Invoke feature.
- Common Language Runtime Engine
The Common Language Runtime (CLR) is what carries out the engine of the .NET Framework. All .NET programs are completed under the supervision of the CLR, ensuring certain properties and behaviors in the areas of memory management, exception handling, and security.
- Language Independence
The .NET Framework presents a Common Type System, or CTS. The CTS specification encompasses all possible data types and programming constructs supported by the CLR and how they may or may not interact with each other conforming to the Common Language Infrastructure (CLI) specification. This feature supports the exchange of types and object instances between libraries and applications written using any conforming .NET language.
- Base Class Library
The Base Class Library (BCL), part of the Framework Class Library (FCL), is a library of functionality available to all languages using the .NET Framework. The BCL provides classes which encapsulate a number of common functions, including file reading and writing, graphic rendering, database interaction, XML document manipulation and so on.
- Simplified Deployment
The .NET Framework consists of design features and tools that help control the installation of computer software to ensure that it does not interfere with previously installed software, and that it complies with security requirements.
- Security
The .NET Framework design is meant to address some of the vulnerabilities, such as buffer overflows, that have been exploited by malicious software. Additionally, .NET provides a common security model for all applications. Microsoft .NET Framework 4 has brought several improvements to Windows Communication Foundation and Windows Workflow Foundation. Aside from the new Dynamic Language Runtime and Managed Extensibility Framework that have been introduced; we have also found improved support for Parallel Computing now.
SMART CLIENT TECHNOLOGY
The emergence of the internet and the increased globalization of business have brought about an ever increasing need to be able to access and process company data from remote locations. Organizations that have needed remote data access capabilities have had to settle for slow click and wait browser based applications, expensive leased lines or hard to setup terminal server applications.
In order to overcome these obstacles Microsoft developed a series of technologies in the .NET framework that allows a desktop applications to connect to data over the internet like a web browser would. By combining the power and flexibility only possible in a desktop application with the ability to transfer data over the internet like a web browser a new, superior type of application is created with the Smart Client application.
In a typical Client / Server setup a Smart Client application run on Client machines with full access to the computing resource on that machine. A Smart Client application can cache data on the clients memory or hard drive, access printers and other local resources. Because Smart Client applications rely on the resources of the client, they greatly increase the scalability of a Client / Server application greatly reducing expenses. As compared to a browser based application, Smart Client applications are substantially faster since they do not have to download HTML, JavaScript, Cascade Style Sheets, Images, etc in order to function.
Developers interested in building a customized solution for their clients need to choose an application that has solid architecture on which to build on. Such an architecture must be robust and relevant to the technology of its time; being able to capitalize on the useful features that are available on the current (and future) technological landscape. Smart Client technology, an approach which seeks to bridge the performance gaps between web applications and desktop applications, has proven to be one of the most promising developments to enter the world of business solution software.
Interprise Suite is a true Smart Client application. How is this so? Interprise Suite was designed to accommodate Web services, yet purposely filled with a myriad of features and functions typically found in enterprise level software. An Interprise Suite client application can connect with an Interprise Suite server application through web services and exchanges and updates on data on both applications can occur correspondingly.
- The Same User Interface For Both Local And Remote Users Reducing Training And Implementation Related Expenses
- Better Performance Over The Internet Than Browser Based Applications Since There Is No Graphics Or JavaScript To Download
- Richer, Fuller, Altogether Better User Experience As Compared To Browser Based Applications
- The Ability To Cache Data Locally Increasing Data Related Performance
- Proprietary Streaming Compression Reduces The Size Of Data Before It Is Transmitted Over The Internet Significantly Increasing Data Access Performance
- Unique Compression Keys Located On Both The Client And Server Are Never Transmitted Over The Internet Ensuring Data Security
- The Ability To Use Local Computing Resources, Reducing The Load On The Server And Increasing Scalability
- The Ability To Connect To Data Locally Like A Traditional Client / Server Application
Although the internet has transformed the way many businesses operate - it still has a long way to go. The ability to communicate via XML and utilize web services are two of the more exciting features of .NET technology for business. XML is defined as a standard in which data is passed directly from one application to another. While XML is responsible for "formatting" the data, web services are responsible for processing that data. Data is usually passed to / from a web service that retrieves the data, authenticates and decrypts (if needed) the data and then processes the data.
A good example of how XML and Web Services technology is used in the real world is found in our Interprise UPS and Interprise EDI applications. Both of these applications are using XML and web services to pass data to and from the respective service providers. As more companies begin to use XML and Web Services to provide services, Interprise Suite will be able to quickly add that functionality directly into the application. This also opens up the possibilities of being able to communicate with your customers and suppliers with a custom written web service to increase total operational efficiency. Please be aware than many .NET application are simply converted visual basic applications and not utilize XML and web services technology - and would need to be completely re-written to do so.
SQL / CLIENT SERVER
SQL Client / Server technology is considered the best technology for business applications. More scalable, reliable and robust than standard database technology (FoxPro, Access, etc.) SQL Client / Server technology has always been very expensive - until now. Interprise Suite is a Client / Server application optimized for Microsoft SQL server technology (SQL Server 2005, 2008 & SQL Express) and is divided in two parts - a "client application" and a "server application". The client application is installed on each user workstation while the server portion is installed on the server. Unlike many "client/server" applications, the server portion of Interprise Suite utilizes SQL stored procedures for its data processing. Since all data processing activities are safely processed on the server performance and scalability is increased, network traffic is reduced, and data corruption is eliminated. It is also worthy to note that the "data access layer" of Interprise Suite is located on the server and not the client like some applications. Since the data access layer is responsible for all communications between the client application and SQL server this is important. In Interprise Suite data passed between the client and the server can be encrypted for security or compressed making it up to 20 times faster when requesting large amounts of data.
N-TIER ARCHITECTURE
For our developers, there is more to application architecture than writing codes. In time, we will decide to shift or scale up the technology. This is where the knowledge in N-tier application architecture applies. N-tier: where “N” is any number of the distinct tiers used in the architecture, and “Tier” synonymous to layer placed one above another. By breaking up the architecture into tiers, programmers need not to rewrite the whole program over again but only have to add or modify a specific tier or layer.
Interprise Suite's architecture is composed of four main tiers or layers. Each tier has its own specific function, as follows :
- TIER 1 / Presentation Layer
The Presentation Layer Displays The Graphical Interface In A Manner That Is Understood By The User And Is Also Responsible For Accepting Input From The User.
- TIER 2 / Facade Layer
The Facade Layer Is Responsible For Processing The Information Between The Presentation And Business Layers, And Determines The Route That The Data Will Take Given That The Database Is Connected Either Through LAN Or The Internet.
- TIER 3 / Business Layer
The Business Layer (Also Called The Business Rule) Applies The Business Logic That Is Used By The Application And Is The Only Layer That Can Communicate With The Data Layer Directly.
- TIER 4 / Data Layer
The Data Layer Stores The Data That Is Used By The Application And Communicates The Business Layer Through A Variety Of Data Access Tools.
The Data Sources is the SQL Server, used to store and retrieve information, while the Data Access Layer is for accessing them. Then, business logic placed in the Business Layer processes the information therein. The Presentation Layer provides the interface for the end user into the application. It works with the output of the Business Layer in order to transform information from the Data Sources into something functional and readable by the user. The User Layer is the interface in the ASP or Windows form that the user sees and uses in his computer.
ADVANCED DATA HANDLING
Interprise Suite utilizes the "disconnected data" approach in exchanging data with the database server. The "disconnected data" approach consists of the application communicating with the database server only when needed; the connection to the database server need not be open all the time. Older applications employed the "connected data" approach with the database server, which means that the connection to the database is kept open while the application remains open. This approach has a number of disadvantages. A persistently open data connection is more susceptible to breaches in security and the number of separate applications that can connect to the database at a time is understandably limited. More importantly, having a persistently open data connection for the application duration can take a toll on system and network resources, severely reducing the optimum capability of the application and even the database.
Interprise Suite takes advantage of ADO (ActiveX Data Objects). NET, the data access protocol which employs the aforementioned "disconnected data" approach. Firstly, in the "disconnected data" approach, when an application needs to retrieve or update data to the database, a connection is then opened to the database server. When the required task is finished, the connection is closed thereafter. By reducing the amount of time an application is connected to the database, system and network resources are greatly conserved and connection security is vastly improved. ADO.NET achieves this primarily by using datasets, disconnected, in-memory data caches that temporarily store data directly from an application like Interprise Suite. After the dataset copies data from the main database, the application can then manipulate the data within the dataset, all the while not being connected to the main database. The application can then update the main database from the dataset from time to time when needed. ADO.NET datasets use the XML format when communicating with the database, ensuring that the process is fast and efficient.
Benefits Of Disconnected Data :
- Enhances The Versatility Of Client / Server And N-Tier Architectures
- Can Handle A Multitude Of Concurrent Transactions With Less Impact On The System
- Enables Greater Scalability
- Provides Better Speed And Efficiency By Reducing Network Traffic
- Conserves Valuable System Resources
- Provides Maximum Security For The Databases
