Technology matters: although we're lulled into thinking of IT as a commodity, choices of platform are fundamental not only to the scale of business benefits achievable, but the speed of implementation, cost, ROI and future-proofing. So says Tony Brookes, sales and marketing manager at Exel Computer Systems. "It's a critical message for those defining their IT strategies."

Brookes is keen to assert that Exel is firmly focused on embracing the best of both worlds: delivering what he terms 'true ERP' to its customers with the protection of technology that constantly pushes the boundaries. "One of our main philosophies is to move the product forward by always employing the latest technology," he says. "That is as important to us as the functionality."

And indeed Exel's EFACS, now in its third-generation, has followed that maxim to become the flexible, integrated browser- and component-based ERP solution it is today.

This is not rhetoric. "We now have a number of implementations overseas, and set up a Chinese office two years ago. Older generations of software could not support the Chinese character sets," says Brookes. "We've also converted EFACS into Japanese and other languages."

Looking at specifics, with EFACS being entirely browser-based, one significant advantage is that client software does not have to be pre-installed on devices that connect to the system. "That means there is no initial set-up or on-going maintenance at the user end," Brookes points out. "Everything happens on the server side, which removes significant cost and complexity. You can also log on to EFACS from anywhere, by any means, which greatly extends supply chain opportunities."

Platform independence is another major advantage. The solution runs on a range of environments. There is a choice of operating systems: not just Windows 2003, but Linux and other versions of Unix, as well as database platforms like SQL 2005 Server, Informix, DB2 and Oracle. "We are also looking seriously at the IBM iSeries," adds Brookes. "And irrespective of the platform, training and implementation services are exactly the same."

Meanwhile, along with the core ERP functionality, Exel has developed its own CRM (customer relationship management) technology, which works with the same database in the same environment. "For sales and marketing, we have our own applications, whereas many competitors bolt on third-party products-which means two databases, two copies of a customer record, and two mechanisms for interaction. And when one system is upgraded, the links have to be re-established."

Exel has also had its own development toolset since the mid-'90s, allowing customers to develop applications around the standard. Many buy EFACS for this feature alone, says Brookes: "We also provide a service so that, where customisations have been made by users, we can audit and check the code for quality purposes and, if required, take it on and support it for them."

Massive agility

"Users like this degree of independence because it gives them maximum flexibility: they can write sub-systems that are then completely integrated with our core system... A number of our clients, for example, have linked their CAD and PDM systems with EFACS, so that once an approved drawing has been created in, say, SolidWorks or ProEngineer, the parts and BoMs [bills of material] can be automatically created in EFACS without re-keying. Similarly, revision control can be managed by up-issuing the parts and BOMs in EFACS."

Returning to the technology theme, Brookes explains some of the advantages of Exel's new Sapphire Edition of EFACS E/8, which uses an embedded technology called AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML). "This caches the information it presents to the user," explains Brookes, "allowing much faster screen refresh." Use of the technology, which operates in the background, eliminates delays and provides a smoother and better performing user interface.

Exel is also working in niche areas with customers co-developing additional applications. "We are strong in the aerospace sector, and are co-developing a maintenance, repair and overhaul module that will track air miles and control maintenance to comply with the Civil Aviation Authority regulations."