and technology engineered for agile business

Transcription

1 IFS Applications architecture and technology engineered for agile business

2 OUR SOLUTION S DNA When we first set out to create IFS Applications over 25 years ago, our goal was to make the most usable business software on the market. And to help us achieve that ambition, we put simplicity at the forefront of everything we did. We decided that we would make only one product, which can be easily configured to match the specific requirements of a broad range of industries. We decided that we would build IFS Applications on standards so our customers would not be locked into any particular technology. We decided to design IFS Applications as a component-based structure so it can be easily extended and updated. We decided that each software component must be totally compatible with every other, yet capable of running independently. We decided to build a product that could handle change and long-term evolution. And, that we would make the most user-friendly business software on the market. We still do that, too.

3 architecture and technology 3 Engineered for the agile enterprise The technology supporting IFS Applications has been carefully selected and implemented with these simple objectives in mind: Flexibility so the applications can readily change with your business needs. Openness so the applications can be readily integrated with both legacy applications and more modern web-enabled applications. Simplicity to make the applications easy to learn, easy to use, and fast to implement. Performance so the applications respond quickly and provide the information you need to make decisions and run your business effectively. Low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for a faster return on investment. components drive agility RETURN ON INVESTMENT SOME SYSTEMS JUST LACK AGILITY From the people who invented it! OUR 7 th GENERATION OF COMPONENTS

4 4 ARCHITECTURE AND TECHNOLOGY EASIER TO USE, COLLABORAT Built using a modern, component-based, Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), IFS Applications is made up of discrete software objects that can be selected and configured based on your specific business needs. This frees you from buying software components you don t need, and allows you to implement software for immediate needs first. You can add new components step by step as your requirements change and new technologies emerge. The result is a flexible system that delivers rapid payback and lower overall risk. The SOA design of IFS Applications is based on industry standards. The open nature of IFS Applications allows other applications and point solutions to easily access information and use functionality in IFS Applications. Using a multi-tier deployment model, the service, application and data layers are accessible to other applications using IFS access providers for.net, Java, COM, and SOAP. IFS web services and the IFS/Connect integration broker provide access using messagebased Web Services. This makes it much easier to integrate IFS Applications with other enterprise software packages, such as SAP or Oracle ebusiness Suite, while maintaining application integrity, security, and the ability to upgrade without having to rewrite interfaces. But even a flexible, agile solution engineered to accommodate change will be of little use if people cannot quickly learn how to use it. The new normal of reduced staffing, temporary or contract employees, and rapidly shifting business processes all mean that fewer people need to use more functionality within a suite of enterprise applications. USER-FRIENDLY INTERFACE IFS Enterprise Explorer introduces a new level of usability and collaboration to enterprise applications. Designed around a familiar browser-style interface, all screens within IFS Applications behave in a similar manner and use the same controls, speeding up the learning curve and reducing user frustration. Context-sensitive capabilities helps provide immediate access to both field and screen level guidance, but also links you directly to business process models and work instructions. Integrated Document Management uses drag and drop features to link all manner of files and documents to the data they relate to for easy reference. Integrated search provides a quick way to find information without having to use traditional navigators and

5 ARCHITECTURE AND TECHNOLOGY 5 IVE ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE query tools. Integrated sticky notes, wikis and blogs can be used to store ad-hoc information in context with the transactional data for information sharing and collaboration. Sharing information between users is as simple as sending a URL link via , Instant Messaging, or tasks. End users can further tailor the screen layout, customize system navigation, and create predefined queries and reports. These tasks are performed in real time, directly in the application, without the need for separate, hard-to-use tools. The results are higher user satisfaction and lower training costs. INTEGRATED ANALYTICS Making sense of large volumes of transactional data is key to fast, effective decision making. IFS Applications includes multiple layers of queries, reports, analytics and business intelligence to deliver the right information, at the right level of detail, at the right time. The IFS Business Intelligence (BI) solution features the ability to graphically represent data to more easily spot trends and concerns using several different formats. Reporting tools are provided, of course, for generating and printing routine business documents, reports, and queries. IFS Business Analytics integrates Microsoft Office Excel for more complex data manipulation and analysis. IFS Business Intelligence Dashboards, featuring OLAP Cubes, Key Performance Indicators, Decomposition Trees, and other graphical representations, feature the ability to drill down to supporting data, and drill through directly to the source screens in IFS Applications.

6 6 architecture and technology Secure by design... Security is built into the very framework of IFS Applications, minimizing the vulnerabilities inherent in more fragmented business systems. IFS Applications integrates with your existing Microsoft Active Directory or LDAP security system. Role-based authorization enables you to clearly segregate duties among users, and provides a single security model no matter what access method is used. The most secure configuration options are always the default. These integrated security features give you peace of mind and help to ensure compliance with corporate governance requirements such as Sarbanes-Oxley. Built on a solid foundation IFS Foundation1 is the strategically packaged platform for IFS component-based business applications. Based on open standards such as XML, UML, BPEL, J2EE, and.net, it contains the technology and tools for designing, deploying, configuring, integrating, and administering your IFS system. IFS Applications run on most common platforms available today, including Microsoft Windows, Linux and Unix. IFS Applications support global deployments in a single database and data model, as well as decentralized approaches. In either case, access to IFS Applications is through a standard HTTP network connection. IFS continuously evaluates and selects new technologies and products that add value to IFS Applications. The best ones become an integral part of IFS Foundation1. Runtime containers support all tiers, from user interaction to data storage. They provide additional capabilities to supplement IFS core technologies and ensure a consistent, scalable, and feature-rich business solution. Flexible enough to go wherever you go If your business requires that you or your employees travel frequently or be on the front line at customer sites, IFS Applications makes it easier to stay in touch with the home office. IFS device-independent, online-when-available mobile framework lets you quickly, automatically, and invisibly synchronize all offline work done on wireless or mobile devices to the office network. With IFS/Mobile & Wireless Services, you can communicate and synchronize over any IP network supported by your mobile device, including GPRS, WiFi, Bluetooth, or a regular local area network (LAN). All communications are encrypted for security and optimized for performance, even over the slowest network link Introduction of Java for IFS Event Processing Introduced Web Interface Introduced User Configurable Portals First Mobile Solutions Introduction of Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE)

7 architecture and technology 7...secure by default Unlike traditional mobile solutions, IFS/Mobile & Wireless Services communicates directly with IFS Applications, with no need for intermediate synchronization software and servers. System integration is unnecessary, resulting in a simpler, more cost-effective solution. For more information, visit: and download the IFS Applications 7.5 Architecture and Technology and IFS Applications 7.5 Security white papers. Don t pay the agility tax Why let an inflexible, monolithic IT system keep your business from being as competitive as it can be? IFS Applications, with its leading-edge architecture and technology, is the business solution for the agile enterprise. Introduced Integrated Business Intelligence and Analytics Software + Services Architecture with Integration to Bing Maps 2011 Introduced Enhanced Mobile Solutions Using Java ME Proliferation of Web Services for Integration Introduced Web 2.0 Collaboration Features Introduced IFS Enterprise Explorer User Interface Introduced Support for Microsoft.NET IFS has a proven history of managing change and evolution in technology and architecture without disrupting core applications.

8 About IFS and IFS Applications IFS is a public company (OMX STO: IFS) founded in 1983 that develops, supplies, and implements IFS Applications, a component-based extended ERP suite built on SOA technology. IFS focuses on agile businesses where any of four core processes are strategic: service & asset management, manufacturing, supply chain and projects. The company has more than 2,000 customers and is present in 50+ countries with 2,700 employees in total. If you are interested in further information, info@ifsworld.com or contact one of our regional offices or visit our web site: Americas Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, United States Asia Pacific Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, new Zealand, Philippines, PR China, Singapore, Thailand Europe east and central asia BALKANS, Czech Republic, GEORGIA, Hungary, Israel, KAZAKHSTAN, Poland, RUSSIA and cis, Slovakia, Turkey, UKRAINE Europe Central AUSTRIA, Belgium, GERMANY, ITALY, netherlands, SWITZERLAND Europe West France, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom Middle East and africa India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates Nordic Denmark, Norway, Sweden Finland and the Baltic area Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania This document may contain statements of possible future functionality for IFS software products and technology. Such statements of future functionality are for information purposes only and should not be interpreted as any commitment or representation. IFS and all IFS product names are trademarks of IFS. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. IFS AB 2011 En Production: IFS Corporate Marketing, Februay 2011.