Friday, June 13, 2008

Behind the Suite: Three key Allbase technologies

Running a large web-based ERP system as complex as the Allbase Suite is no easy task.  We have to deal with all of the usual challenges of managing an Enterprise Resource Planning platform:

• Managing servers and hardware
• Configuring and patching software
• Maintaining network infrastructure

In addition, we have to deal with the unique demands that are introduced when scaling such a powerful Software-as-a-Service:

• Keeping servers mirrored in real-time
• Synchronizing data with various external sources
• Running scheduled and triggered tasks automatically

Tackling these challenges requires a great deal of planning and effort.  You need to build a clever, dedicated, and flexible system to cope with the stringent demands.  The resulting solution ends up resembling something organic more than it does a machine.

Thanks to several years of hard work, Allbase has created a mature suite of tools for overcoming these hurdles.  There have been a plethora of sophisticated solutions and clever hacks, but three key technologies stand out as the most vital:

• Allbase Script Engine
  
  This is the platform which runs all reports, scripts, triggers, and templates in the Allbase Suite.  It is truly the heart of the system, keeping data flowing smoothly and powering all functionality.
   
  The Allbase Script Engine is responsible for grabbing data from vendors, generating file snapshots, pre-caching information, and countless other maintenance tasks.  Furthermore, it powers real-time processes like graph generation, PDF creation, template handling, and pricing formulas.
   
• Allbase Backup
  
  All data on our servers is protected through several layers of backups, the most powerful of which are managed using the Allbase Backup service.  This service powers real-time file synchronization across servers, utilizing an efficient differential backup algorithm.
  
  It further provides continuous SQL log shipping, effortlessly keeping all data synchronized across multiple systems.  In the unlikely scenario where a server is taken down, its mirrored counterparts can take over in the matter of seconds.
   
• Allbase Data Bridge
  
  For translating information between disparate systems, the Allbase Data Bridge does all the heavy lifting.  It provides continuous data synchronization with other commercial and custom applications, including: Outlook®, ACT!®, Exchange®, QuickBooks®, Allbase Suite To-Go, and more.
  
  The Data Bridge accomplishes all of this by internally distilling all data to its fundamental parts.  By doing so, it acts as a hub to be able to quickly and easily move data to or from any kind of system.

Of course, this is just a quick summary.  Over the next weeks, I will explore each of these technologies in more detail.

Del.icio.us   Digg   Facebook   Reddit   StumbleUpon   Email this

---