| What is DataPortal? |
DataPortal is a
software solution that enables secure, instant and effortless sharing
and exchange of business data, in database form, over the web and
across database vendors.
It is the only solution currently available that enables the sharing of
database data among
hundreds of partners within minutes. |
|
| How Is DataPortal Used?
|
A database is
published to a DataPortal server. It then becomes a datasource
available to any
authorized DataPortal client. There are different forms of the client.
One form the client takes
is a Java applet which can be automatically installed into a
Java-enabled Web browser. So, a
user needs only a Web browser and access to a target database and the
datasource can be
transferred directly to the user's database of choice within the user's
own business system,
simply by pushing a button. |
|
How is DataPortal different from existing
database tools and EDI solutions? |
Unlike conventional data
sharing tools, DataPortal requires NO
development or programming
effort to transfer data. Standared database tools are intended to aid
with development projects
so they necessarily require a development effort. Similarly, EDI
solutions also require
development, along with the communication, planning, staff, and
expertise to support the
development effort. Further, DataPortal transfers business securely
over the Web so no
special network or firewall modifications are required, sensitive
databases are not expoesed
directly to the Internet and the features of the Web (e.g. automatic
software installation using
Applets, secure transfer via SSL, standard ports that normally pass
through firewalls) can be
exploited.
The advantage of DataPortal over previous solutions requiring
development resources becomes
clear when business data must be shared among hundreds of business
partners. With
DataPortal, partners can be sharing and exchanging data within minutes,
while solutions
requiring collaborative development efforts could take days, weeks or
longer. Further, multiple
solutions must often be worked out among different partners. DataPortal
takes advantage of the
natural standards that are so widely used today, the Web and SQL based
databases, to provide
a solution requiring minimal effort. And the DataPortal solution scales
to meet the needs of new
partners without any additional effort, reducing the burden on new
partners to join in the business
processing community. |
|
| Where can DataPortal be used? |
DataPortal is a candidate
solution whenever business data
needs to be shared quickly and easily
with a minimal investment in resources. DataPortal can help
provide businesses with the
agility they need to respond to the demands of a dynamic
business environment.
Notable examples include:
• Manufacturing:
supply chain management – sharing order information with
hundreds of companies all over the World in minutes
•
EDI Replacement: Companies needing a more agile solution
to replace traditional,
legacy EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)
• Dynamic Sales
Data Delivery: Companies needing dynamic sales data
delivered to databases in the field, e.g. MS Access/Excel
•
Mergers, Re-Organizations: Businesses needing to share
data with
new companies, departments, partners, suppliers...
•
Automation of Business Processes: Companies needing to
automate
end-to-end business processes (sales, billing,
orders, inventory.)
•
Financial Data Exchange: Companies needing to
exchange financial data
(transactions, account info...)
|
|
| What is needed to use DataPortal? |
Like the Web, DataPortal
consists of a server, where databases are published, and multiple
clients that can access any available DataPortal server. Both
DataPortal servers and clients
use Java technology so they can be deployed on any system that has Java
installed so
DataPortal works on all major operating systems. A DataPortal server is
deployed to a Java
servlet engine or application server (such as IBM WebSphere, Tomcat or
JBoss). DataPortal
clients come in different forms, including an Applet that installs on a
browser automatically.
There is also an available client application version which is
permanently installed and is
more full featured than the Applet version.
A database can be easily published, in seconds, to a DataPortal server
by using the Web form
GUI provided by the server. A published database is available to any
authorized client and the
client can request that the datasource be transferred to any supported
database of choice. The
transfer works across database vendors and over the Web. The only
information required by the
client is a URL location for the DataPortal server.
Also, similar to the Web, in the DataPortal pricing model, the
different client versions are avaible
at no cost. There is a fee only for DataPortal servers. |
|
|
