Basix:Platform® Overview

Basix:Platform® is an innovative business application run-time environment used to deploy robust and scalable business solutions to end-users following the creation of these solutions using the Basix:Builder® application development tools.

Built on the knowledge and experience gained from over 14 years of developing and marketing flexible commercial software, the Basix™ products from EMS offer an alternative to the high cost, "one-size-fits-all" commercial software offered to industry-specific clients today.

Together, Basix:Platform® and Basix:Builder® provide the capability to develop and deploy broad based "whole of business" applications for any type of business or purpose. This software platform concept offers considerable value to businesses in terms of speed of development, agility in meeting changing business needs, lower total cost of ownership, and a future that is free from the lock-in effect of other packaged software.

The platform software has been designed to provide Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) for a number of different business requirements. The "Smart Client" Windows .NET forms-based GUI is intended for power-users who want fast access to business data, and the ability to quickly process business activities and workflow without the restrictions of a web based GUI. The "Smart Client" GUI is also used for mobile or field applications (in disconnected mode), and there is also a web GUI available for clients who need to run their applications over the web.

Basix:Platform® is an innovative business software platform that supports a range of typical functions and features "out of the box".  The following are standard features are available on all Basix™ products built with Basix:Builder®:

  • A standardised "Smart Client" User Interface with:
    • Standardised toolbar and menu options with built-in data manipulation functions (ie Add, Update, Delete and Clone)
    • A configurable application and form navigation tree view component
    • Various form styles to improved data review and editing:
      • Card View - for viewing and editing single records
      • Grid View - with powerful filter, sort, grouping and export functions for handling large datasets
      • Chart View - for reviewing and analysing numerical data as a graph
      • Map View - for viewing and analysing data spatially
      • Explorer View - a graphical navigation aid to explore business objects
    • a powerful search engine that includes query-by-form, stored searches and advanced searching capabilities
    • built-in data import/export options for transferring data to mobile and other applications
    • a simple "to-do" list function for reminders and follow-up
    • a range of document management functions and business actions facilities on all forms - to launch business processes and work-flow
    • integration to Microsoft Reporting Services for general reporting requirements
  • A flexible business data model and data access layer options that allow clients to determine and specify their specific data requirements for each application to meet their unique business needs.
  • Simple integration capabilities to exchange data or find and edit data in external 3rd party database systems (subject to security)
  • Security and User Roles for access control to application and data
  • Auditing features that allow clients to nominate and monitor the auditable data at both the user function and attribute level
  • Business Adapter "Snap-Ins" to add complex logic or specialised functionality into each Basix™ form
  • Comprehensive Reporting capabilities via integration with Microsoft Reporting Services, Excel and other XML formats.

These standard features provide a consistent and robust "look and feel" across all Basix™ applications, which helps minimise training and documentation.

Basix:Platform® has the capability to incorporate all your business data and documents, making this accessible to all users in your organisation. Business applications can scale from a single user installation to large corporate environments with thousands of connected or mobile users. Business data can be easily reported using the facilities of Microsoft Reporting Services, or exported to spreadsheets for specialised functions or reporting. Presentation of data in charts and the feature rich data grid means that the need for custom reports is almost eliminated. Features such as notifications and to-do items allow end users to handle time delays and anticipate time dependent processes, thereby remaining proactive in their user roles.