Q: What is Evo2Web Internal?
 
This software is envisioned as an extension of DBA Classic / Evo~ERP that will ease and expand the availability of data and simple interaction with your manufacturing, inventory, and sales info. The biggest impact initially will be on the way the data is accessed within your company via your Intranet, but the future potential is for external customer interaction over the Web. Get the full Evo2web info.
 
Because of the speed and extensibility inherent with browser based applications, finding and following data in your ERP system with this tool is more intuitive for your users, especially the more casual users of DBA/Evo such as managers, field reps, and customer service. It is not intended to replace data entry intensive tasks such as writing POs, running MRP and processing Work Orders.
 
In the future there will be an external "Evo2Web Portal" application available, through which your customers and vendors can interact with your ERP system over the Internet.
 
Q: Where did that lame name come from?
 
A: From my dark past. In 2000 I was hired by a tiny company in Raleigh, NC to create a Java viewer for an enterprise reporting suite named "Report2Web". When I started on this project I was tempted to use that name since it made sense in the narrow concept of this project that I had initially. Fortunately, the new parent company (Redwood Software) has maintained the name and the web domain. Evo2Web (aka DBA2Web) has grown into much more than a simple reporting tool, so the current name is more descriptive... even if it does sound odd.
 
Q: Do I need a Web server to run this?
 
Not really. Evo2Web Internal can run on any Windows Pro or Server version, from 2000 to 2008, via the included web server software. It can also be installed on any web server that supports PHP5 and MySQL (including LAMP or IIS). It can be added to a current Intranet server or, depending on your setup, even installed on the same server that runs your current PSQL database.  
 
If you want to make Evo2Web Internal available on an external web server then you will want to use a secure server with SSL that can access your PSQL server through your firewall. More info available on request.
 
Q: How will this application be priced?
 
Since this application is like a lite version of a full DBA/Evo license, Evo2Web Internal will be offered as a less expensive "seat", like the Data Collection (DC) application licenses, but will be separate from DBA/Evo. An annual maintenance arrangement will bring unlimited updates and email support. Exact pricing will be announced in December '08.
 
The future product, Evo2Web Portal, will have a site license.
 
Q: Can I install it myself?
 
Possibly. Each of our customers is different and there are many variables, so you may prefer to have an on-site visit for initial implementation. For other users, remote installation by IS Tech will be the best method. The trial version can be installed by any user on any PC that has access to the PSQL server (DBA/Evo database).
 
Q: Can this be customized?
 
Absolutely! The entire app is being programmed to the latest Web 2.0 standards with accessible tools such as PHP5, CSS2/3, XHTML, ANSI SQL, and jQuery (unobtrusive JavaScript). Custom queries, reports, or even a custom interface or special applications can be created and put in place quickly. We will maintain separate builds for any customer who has us customize their build so that future updates will not break custom features.
 
Q: When will this be available?
 
Commercial installations are NOW available. A Desktop Trial is also available for anyone wishing to test drive the app. Initially, the Intranet (Internal) version has been released. For customers who wish to use this application on a secure Web server, please confer with the developer about secure methods available.  
 
Q: Could I give my customers access to this?
 
Not in this Intranet (Internal) version. There plans for a separate application, named Evo2Web Portal, to allow customer and vendor interaction with your DBA/Evo data. The web portal will limit access, for a customer or vendor, to information pertinent to them alone.  
 
For instance, a customer would be able to log in and check on their open orders, their order history, or their open invoices. They could place an EDI order or request a quote and get live product availability and pricing information. The portal could also be used to feed live pricing/availability info to your online catalog.
 
A vendor could check your stock on products that they supply to you, or they could submit an invoice to your payables from their online account.
 
Q: Do I need more Pervasive licenses to run this?
 
Possibly. Since this app uses a PSQL client connection during the few moments that it takes to run a query, there must be a license available for it. So, if you have a  10 user DBA/Evo license and ten users of PSQL, it would be possible to run out. It would be a good thing to have at least one more PSQL license than you intend to use for DBA/Evo. If you are unsure of your situation don't hesitate to ask for more info.
 
Q: Does this web app have any special browser requirements?
 
No. It is currently being developed and tested in IE6, IE7, IE8, Firefox 2 & 3, Safari, Opera 9.5+, and Google Chrome.  
 
Q: I don't see a feature or report that I really need. Will I have to pay for a custom feature?
 
If it is a feature that will benefit a majority of users, then no. We are committed to adding features rapidly, so we are looking for advice on what will be of most use to you. Features with broad appeal will be added as part of our regular updates. Use this forum for making feature requests.
 
One-off customizations will always be available, too. Ask for a quote anytime.