Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Tech Overview IFS
Tech Overview IFS
arch
2002
T
e
c
h
n
o
l
o
g
y
O
v
e
r
v
i
e
w
I F S A P P L I C A T I O N S
T E C H N O L O G Y A N D A R C H I T E C T U R E
IFS and Technology................................................................................................2
Why is Technology Impor tant?.........................................................................2
Foundation1 the Open Evolutionar y Platform...............................3
Industr y Standard Tools and Technologies..........................................4
Unix and Microsoft Windows Ser ver Platforms ...............................5
Component Architecture.................................................................................5
Multi-Tier Architecture.............................................................................................6
Business Components............................................................................................8
Advantages and Benefits of Components ............................................9
User Inter faces........................................................................................................10
True Web Inter face.................................................................................................11
Personal Por tal...........................................................................................................12
Power ful Windows User Inter face ............................................................13
Mobile and Wireless Access .........................................................................14
Repor ting and Analysis.......................................................................................15
Open Integration.....................................................................................................18
Categories of Integration..................................................................................18
Open Integration Architecture.......................................................................19
Activity and Business APIs..............................................................................21
Access Providers ......................................................................................................22
IFS Connect ...................................................................................................................24
IFS Connectivity .........................................................................................................25
Electronic Data Interchange...........................................................................25
Web Ser vices...............................................................................................................26
Proactive with Events...........................................................................................26
Replication......................................................................................................................27
Business Logic Tier Technologies.................................................27
Business Logic Implementation .................................................................28
Middleware.....................................................................................................................29
Business Document Repor ting....................................................................30
Summar y...........................................................................................................................31
Glossar y..............................................................................................................................33
This document provides an overview of the architecture and technology used by
IFS Applications 2002. It is written for an audience familiar with basic software,
Internet, and ERP architecture concepts.
This technology overview focuses on the IFS approach to technology and the
component and integration architecture of IFS Applications. Related white papers
and technology overviews include:
IFS Technology and Architecture (White Paper)
Security with IFS Applications (Technology Overview)
Sizing and Scalability of IFS Applications (White Paper)
IFS and Technology
Why is Technology Important?
Technology, that great engine of change, is rapidly bringing about new ways of
conducting business. It drives competitive advantage, increased customer service
and loyalty, faster time to market, and increased efficiency and profitability. The
world is rapidly moving from connecting people with technologies like email and
fax to connecting business processes across diverse application systems in entire
business communities using Internet-based innovations. The very survival of com-
panies requires keeping pace at an ever-accelerating rate.
IFS understands the critical nature of technology. Making the right choices in an
ongoing technological evolution takes skill and careful planning. Many emerging
technologies fail to deliver on their promise; for others, the implementation expense
exceeds their value; as standards change, some technologies become obsolete.
At IFS, how technology is used is more significant than the technology itself.
We dont try to set the standards but conduct continuous research into emerging
technologies and standards instead. As they mature and gain acceptance, theyre
3
IFS APPLICATIONS