Since the dawn of the computer age, technology has constantly reshaped and refined the way business is conducted. Each advancement in hardware and software has provided a new level of power and functionality that has helped businesses streamline operations, increase employee productivity and improve profitability. Out of this sea of technology, one advancement continues to have the single greatest impact on business since the computer was invented decades ago: the Internet/World Wide Web.

The power and productivity of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system coupled with the innovation and interactivity of the World Wide Web has created a new world of ERP and e-business/e-commerce collaboration. This powerful combination allows organizations to integrate the most innovative work from the software development community and make it available to the widest possible audience.

The web experience no longer involves just browsing through static pages. Today, web content is dynamic, providing up-to-the minute information customized to the profiles and preferences of individual users. Thousands of immediately available, useful building blocks can be incorporated into an ERP system. If you can imagine it, you can make it.

In this session you will learn how to bring innovation and interactivity to your ERP system. Real world examples of integrating an ERP system with the Internet will be showcased along with in-depth discussion on the use of web tools and technologies.

How it all Began

Originally developed for, and by, the Department of Defense in 1969, the Internet is the world's largest network of computers. Although these networks are administratively independent from one another, they work together via a common suite of protocols (TCP/IP) that make it appear as though it’s a seamless, integrated global network.

Today, the volumes of information available on the web have made it the driving force behind the rapid growth in Internet usage. The business benefits of using the Internet are many. As business use of the Internet has begun to take hold in all industries, three primary areas have been identified in which "business as usual" has been refined.

First, companies have begun to use the Internet as their virtual business network. The primary reason for this is that the Internet is an affordable alternative to custom WANs. The savings come in the form of significantly reduced hardware costs, the ability to use an inexpensive browser instead of loading proprietary client-based application software on each PC, and the elimination of version control by using client browsers as universal interfaces.

The second manner in which the Internet has changed business is that the common protocol suite associated with the web allows companies to operate as virtual entities, regardless of differing technology architectures. As a result, business productivity tools, software and technology can be deployed independent of platform and business relationships can be leveraged to share application and information access.

Finally, the Internet has begun to deliver on the original promise of electronic commerce. The keys to making this a reality are role-based business process and self-service applications, portal strategies and emerging technology solutions using browser technology coupled with integrated online marketing services, sales, order processing and fulfillment as well as a variety of products designed to increase the value chain performance of business processes. Combined, these offerings bring to market state-of-the-art capabilities and innovative functional abilities designed to increase efficiency of business processes and personnel productivity, eliminate waste, and reduce operational costs often associated with business transactions.

Strategies to successfully provide typically client/server applications over the Internet provide clients with flexible arrangements for true, anytime, anywhere access to ERP systems and the data they contain.

The Difference Technology Makes

The ability to provide truly web-deployable ERP solutions lies in three-tier architecture. Unlike two-tier or legacy architectures that have heavy network bandwidth dependencies and static features/functionality, advanced distributed architecture is ideal for web-enabled applications. Its independent software layers make it possible to deliver existing and new application services quickly, using the latest Internet technology. In addition, three-tier architecture-based ERP application functions are insulated from each web desktop activity option, protecting the client’s investments in skills, applications and hardware.

A truly open, three-tier architecture provides complete logical separation between business logic, metadata storage and user interface or presentation. The business logic layer contains all the rules for the applications; the metadata storage repository contains all of the data describing the entire system, from Object definitions, drill down capabilities and language translations to Job Queues and Security Profiles; the user interface or presentation layer contains all the guidelines for the application presentation.

The server-based programs contained within the engines, coupled with this separation of logical tiers and the repository provides an open Application Programming Interface (API) into the ERP system in its entirety. Every method and property of every server-based business object is exposed via an API. Every data element in every table of the database is available for ODBC-independent data access. Every drill down function, Job Queue, Print File, Report, etc is available via an engine, and all without circumventing security models.

The engines that drive the ERP system are server-side shared libraries written in ANSI C and can be wrapped in whatever protocol matching interface deemed necessary to accomplish the development requirements of the client. For example, engines have been wrapped in industry-standard wrappers such as Sockets, Common Gateway Interface (CGI), Fast CGI, NSAPI, ISAPI, and RMI but could also be wrapped with more specific protocol interfaces such as Lotus Domino Enterprise Connection Services (DECS), permitting Lotus Notes users direct access into ERP applications.

In a truly three- tier, open architecture there may be several engines, each providing a unique function. For instance, a gateway engine should allow access to every method and property of every back-end service in the ERP system. It should also allow for the interrogation of any of these business objects to dynamically retrieve information about properties, methods, value lists, required field, drill down functions, dynamic select lists, etc. A data mining engine should allow ODBC-independent access to every data element on every table with every index, relation, and database conditions within the ERP system. This enables extremely quick and efficient data retrieval. Finally, a drill down engine would allow access to data elements in a variety of application databases using naïve aliases.

Complete and total extensibility of the ERP engines are based upon its repository. Any modifications or extensions to its delivered set of objects or components automatically inherit all of the openness that the ERP engines provide. The point of openness, after all, is to be able to share data across applications from multiple vendors and using a variety of platforms/technologies.

The interface between the web browser/server and the metadata repository should provide the same consistent messaging regardless of invocation method as the back-end business components are instantiated. This eases not only development complexity but also simplifies usage and virtually eliminates training since users access multiple applications from an Internet browser type of user interface following data directed processes.

Integrated Web Technology

In addition to three-tier architecture, ERP applications that feature integrated Internet technology enhance functionality on the web. In this scenario, development tools that are integrated into ERP applications via an active object repository generate hypertext markup language (HTML) for the ERP interfaces as dynamic graphical web browser forms. This provides a wealth of benefits including:

• Unprecedented self-service access to information, forms and reports;
• The ability to maintain, update and distribute information more efficiently and cost effectively to employees, clients, suppliers, partners;
• The convenience of having all corporate systems communicate under a common interface across multiple platforms.

Following Internet Protocol

Strict adherence to the communication standards of the Internet is another crucial factor for integrating ERP systems with the web. TCP/IP, which is the language of the Internet, should be used on the client, whereas HTML, the standard user interface on the web, is generated on the web server side. And finally, object-oriented programming languages such as Java or Microsoft Visual Studio are designed to solve a number of programming challenges, allowing users to create interactive programs independent of the server software that run on any computer or operating system.

Ideally, the server-based software should facilitate desktop integration between industry standard web browsers (i.e. Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator) and desktop utilities and further enhance an ERP system’s web-deployable capabilities. This integration extends browser-based application services across all classes of users and requirements while offering exceptional flexibility in meeting virtually any need.

Security and the Internet

By design, the Internet is an open and inherently non-secure public system with few built-in security protocols. While this facilitates the free flow of information, it also raises data privacy and security issues. To protect companies that deploy ERP applications over the web, integration with robust security technologies including socket servers, data encryption, public/private key pairs, user IDs, passwords and a firewall-compatible design is a critical element.

The industry standard for data encryption across the Internet is the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). This standard is incorporated by most of the industry’s web browser and web server software providers. SSL allows for encrypted transfer of web pages, forms data, and threaded discussion groups.

The Socket Server is a solution that provides a socket-based connection between the server and the client presentation software. In this capacity, it monitors incoming connection requests from any number of clients. Requests come in packets that specify the type of client, the client's user name and password plus an encryption type identifier that is used throughout the session. Once packets are received, the socket server initiates a platform-specific client handler for each connection.

Within this process, there are several underlying technologies that work in tandem to provide secure data transfers. The cornerstone of these is data encryption. The Morse Code of computers, data encryption provides security by coding information so that only the socket server and appropriate client can decipher it.

Naturally, in order for communication using encrypted data to occur, a mechanism must be in place that allows both the client and the server to know the encryption key that allows encrypted data to be deciphered. This key must either be known in advance or exchanged between the client and server prior to its use on either side.

When the socket server is initiated, it generates an RSA public/private key pair. (As the name implies, the public key can be used by anyone. However, any data encrypted with a public key can only be decrypted using the corresponding private key.) The client handler returns the socket server's RSA public key to the client. If the client has implemented data encryption, it creates an IDEA session key and encrypts it with the RSA public key. It then uses the session key to encrypt the user’s user name, password and data packets being transferred between the client and server. The server then decrypts the IDEA session key using its RSA private key, and then decrypts the other information using the client’s session key.

For domestic communications and installations, the IDEA session key is 128 bits in length, which provides the tightest encryption available. Per U.S. State Department regulations, a 32-bit key is generated for international use.

Internet-ready Desktops

The client desktop environment of a web integrated ERP system should use the standard internet protocol suite, TCP/IP, and support all classes of users, including everyone from casual users who need to access forms to customers and vendors who need extended and personalized interfaces or presentation formats.

In addition, the ERP engines should employ a similar strategy and capitalize on three-tier architecture to transparently deliver web browser support to the underlying application business rules and data. As a result, web users can enjoy all of the application’s process-centric application services typically associated with the client/server mode, via the Internet.

Transactions are captured as business object definitions, data pointers and a Universal Resource Locator (URL) for embedding and distribution to other users. When activated, these objects should also enforce normal security checks to ensure full data and application security.

In the past, the limited extensibility of applications restricted their use to specific classes of users served by a terminal or PC. Critical business application functions were tightly coupled to the display device and applications had to be administered by experienced users who served as the interface between the system and the people needing its services. The advancement of web technologies presents organizations with unique opportunities to revolutionize ERP usage.

It is directly because of an underlying multi-tier architecture that ERP systems can exploit the advantages of web technology to provide highly extensible applications that serve new classes of users.

Changing Information System Models

Of all the system models that can be used for navigation and retrieval of data, the Intermediary Systems Model is the default. The premise of this system is that users of information, whether internal or external, must generally pass through an intermediary to gain access to the data they need. In other words, employees, customers and vendors must talk to people who, in turn, talk to computers and relay the information back to the appropriate individual. The primary advantage of this model is that the person-to-person contact allows for a discovery dialogue that lets the intermediary determine exactly what information is being sought. The down side is that this model is costly and inefficient.

The Internet, thanks to its information access standards, self-evident browser technology, and global reach, can fundamentally change this customer-service model to a self-service model. Using the Internet and web-deployable ERP applications, for example, users can directly access the information repository from virtually anywhere in the world. This offers several advantages:

By providing customers with full, instant data access, the entire information retrieval process is streamlined and simplified. Customers no longer have to wait in queues to speak with someone; vendors don't have to tie up accounts payable personnel with inquiries regarding invoice status; and employees on all levels of the organization can spend less time tracking down people to get the information they need.

This process can be further enhanced by building in the discovery dialogue that takes place in the intermediary systems model into the self-service user application metaphor. The end result is a quicker, cheaper and more efficient method of doing business.

As mentioned, the configuration of the ERP engines is the key to web-deployable solutions, interfacing a web server into ERP applications and fully integrating with the repository.

The outcome is a solution that provides ERP system users with an unprecedented level of benefits, including:

• Unparalleled access to on-line information, forms and reports;
• Effective, cost-efficient distribution and maintenance of internal information;
• The ability for all of a company’s systems to communicate under a common interface across multiple platforms;
• Better employee collaboration on projects;
• Lower cost of ownership, companies use the public network as their virtual business network;
• The ability to capitalize on electronic commerce to expand markets and services;
• It lets casual users retrieve and input information without extensive training or having full access to all of the functionality of an application or form;
• Improved operations and productivity through effective, timely, accurate information sharing;
• The ability to view and use on-line forms and reports through any standard HTML-compatible web browser such as Netscape or Microsoft Internet Explorer;
• The ability to create custom forms and reports.

Self Evident Application Technology Designs for Today . . . and Tomorrow

Another critical element of web integration with ERP systems is the development of self-evident technology. Derived from commonplace Internet browser technologies, self-evident technology fulfills on the promise of user friendly, intuitive ERP systems. In transitioning client/server applications to a new and easier level, self-evident technology creates a major software industry paradigm shift by taking application tasking from an environment understood by few to an environment that can be mastered by many. It is a movement from a "forms driven" or "transaction driven" approach to an "information based" process. As the Internet is guided by natural assumptions and simple reasoning, so too is self-evident technology.

Using web technology to create a self-evident environment allows your organization’s employees, customers, partners and even vendors to interact with corporate data at any time, from anywhere. Seamless access to important business applications for your expanding group of business associates delivers a return on the investment that was expected from, but never fully achieved by traditional client/server software.

One of the first benefits of the application of this technology is reduced training time and cost. New employees and temps can be brought up to speed on applications in a very short time and with much less resistance to the use of new technology. Internet users don’t have to take a training class to learn to use a browser, and an accountant shouldn’t have to take a training class before practicing their craft on a new (to them) accounts receivable application.

Within an ERP system, additional development of value-added self-service modules brings even more functionality to web-deployable solutions. These modules facilitate greater interactions by casual users and simplify transactions for more powerful workflow processes. Users can apply any or all of the self-service modules to meet their specific needs and little or no training will be required. Options may include service centers focused on employees, managers, procurement, vendors or financial information.

There is no doubt that the Internet has dramatically changed the way business is conducted around the globe. As with adopting other technologies, companies who are first to exploit the capabilities of the Internet will gain a substantial competitive edge over their competition.

While many vendors continue to struggle under the weight of inflexible two-tier and legacy architectures, those organizations adopting a truly three-tier architecture are able to quickly and effectively integrate web technology into their ERP offerings. This technology allows its customers to distance themselves from their competitors by tapping into the wealth of benefits only the internet can provide.