10 years and ready for a face lift

The design of ProMark is only 10 years old but is already being re-programmed in line with the latest software principles. We reveal some features that will be available in future ProMark versions. By Kim Kisbye, Mark Information

The basic structure of ProMark is being enhanced to reflect the needs of manufacturing in the 21st century. Many new initiatives in software development have taken place since the 1990s – not least the introduction of world wide web technology. Mark Information is integrating concepts such as Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), three tier architecture and thin clients into ProMark. But how will this benefit the user?

The biggest stake in Mark’s history
In 2006 Mark began an ambitious development project taking the equivalent of 10 man-years. Parts of the project will be launched continuously and the entire project is expected to be finished in 2008. Customers have already experienced some of the innovations built into the latest ProMark version 2.90 from September 2006 and the next enhancements will be revealed in autumn.

Two fundamental technologies
The next version of ProMark is based on two modern principles: SOA and three tier architecture (see fact box).

The advantages of the new architecture:

• quicker exchange of data because ProMark is placed on a central server and not with each individual user
• quicker and easier to install and maintain
• web services with very specific and simple functionality
• easier to add new client types, eg PDAs
• easier to integrate to other business types, eg ERP, MES, BI or payroll systems
• easier to extend ProMark to more locations

New functionality
Apart from the significant benefits offered by the new ProMark architecture, the latest face lift will give the users a number of key functionality advantages. Some of these will be noticeable already in 2007, others later. They are:

• access for specific users to areas of ProMark, eg meeting overview for receptionists, KPI overview for management
• additional improvements of ProReport II
• new user interface
• mobile solution
• access to ProMark from outside the office
• visualising of ProMark data, eg on an intranet, or for lean processes
• business intelligence that extracts more information from existing ProMark data
• new graphic user interface

SOA Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) is a means of constructing a reliable and robust IT architecture. The basis of an SOA is various services that communicate with each other. The most used SOA communication form is XML-based web services. The main purpose of SOA is to create the possibility of reusing services and expand the flexibility of IT-systems. When introducing SOA you’ll be able to meet your customers’ needs and requirements for flexibility and you’ll be able to adjust much more quickly to the demands of the market. Another advantage of SOA is that components can be reused. This is because communication and transformation of data and records are separated from ProMark and taken care of by an Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) function.

Three Tier Architecture

1. Presentation layer where the user himself can see the ProMark program

 

2. Application layer which makes it possible to deliver the level of functionality that users want

 

3. Database layer which contains all the necessary data

 

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