Aras On-Line RFP - Architecture

Aras Innovator is a .NET web application framework implementation of a unique model-based, service-oriented architecture. The Aras Innovator™ architecture delivers robust, flexible applications that are exceptionally easy to maintain, change, upgrade, integrate, and extend.

The Aras Innovator architecture is entirely based on standard Internet protocols including HTTP, XML and SOAP. The server is a .NET application running inside IIS. Clients are Web Browsers (Internet Explorer).

The model-based approach makes creating and changing applications intuitive. Flow charts and process diagrams are used to define applications. An application is modified by changing a diagram instead of programming a large block of complex code. The diagrams that describe applications are defined in XML and subscribe to a set of shared services. When a change is made to an application diagram the running system is updated instantaneously. By using a model-based approach, non-technical personnel can quickly and easily tailor and deploy many applications without programming. Any required application or integration programming, is accomplished using the .NET programming languages, XML and JavaScript.

Integration is simplified with open APIs that link deep into the architecture. The APIs send and receive XML / SOAP messages, and publish a complete data dictionary providing a standard interface making the exchange of data with other systems straightforward. Federation capabilities enable the incorporation of data from other enterprise systems without directly managing the data within Aras Innovator.

End-users, administrators and developers use the same intuitive browser-based interface. The interface requires no client-side administration.

The Aras Innovator architecture dramatically reduces the time, cost, and effort associated with implementing and running enterprise applications. The result is a Total Cost of Ownership significantly lower than conventional enterprise systems

Question	Response
Which programming language(s) and tools are used?	The languages that are utilized in Innovator are XML, SOAP, SQL, JavaScript, and MS .NET languages
In which programming language was the source code developed?	Innovator source code for the server is developed in VB.NET and C#.NET. Java script and C# is used for the client code
What is the form of delivery – source or object code?	The software is delivered as object code (DLL) for the core framework and source code for the business applications (XML)
If delivered by object code, is the source maintained in an escrow?	Aras Innovator Source code is distributed.
Describe the API’s available with the software.	The primary API is the SOAP-XML interface. All transactions from data modeling through end-user can be called as XML-SOAP messages. A 2nd .NET API is available for programmers who do not know XML
Describe the system’s built-in report writer and query features.	Aras Innovator utilizes the standard native Microsoft Reporting Services application.
Is the software web-based? If so, does it use ActiveX or Java applets?	Yes the software is 100% web base, utilizing Microsoft .NET web services and components.
Differentiate the functions performed by the server(s) and clients. List functionality that is available only through a desktop installation and not the browser application, such as administration tools, report development, job scheduling, etc., with the additional requirements which are necessary to use the functionality, such as Excel add-ins.	Server – The server contains the Innovator application, the web server, as well as the database and vault for the data being maintained. Standardized reports thru Microsoft Reporting Services are also created and executed here. Client – Innovator requires no client software installation. The Innovator product is accessed on the server by the client though the use of Internet Explorer. The client provides the access and interaction to the data stored on the server, and the Innovator product suite. All Innovator administration and scheduling is completed at the client level. Access and permissions to perform the operations (administrative, user…) are user and role based.
Name all proprietary and commercial databases and file structures that the software uses.	Innovator is able to utilize with both Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and 2005
What bandwidth is needed for remote users.	As discussed in the Aras Innovator Platform specification, network bandwidth recommendations are: 100 mbps network – Minimum 256 k (fractional T1) between Application Server and Clients. Recommend dedicated sub-LAN of 100 mbs or 1.0 GB copper between the Application Servers and Database Server.
If browser based, what version and service pack of Internet Explorer is required.	Microsoft IE 6.0 or higher is required
Is Active Directory used? If so, is it required, and what function does it provide.	Active directory can be utilized (optional) by Innovator to authenticate logins (Single Sign On).
Describe the software’s overall design architecture (modular, structured, table driven, etc.).	The IT Analysts (for example Gartner) define Aras Innovator as a “Model Based Service Oriented Architecture implemented in .NET”. Meaning…. The interface to all functionality is via web services calls, and the server infrastructure is 100% .NET. Innovator is a true, 100% web application. The data model, behaviors, process models, rules and form designs are all defined using a graphic XML modeling layer, and the definitions (the models) are stored in the database.
Describe the software’s “open system architecture”, if applicable.	Aras Corp is committed to standards and an open architecture. The underlying database schema and the XML-SOAP transactions are documented for customers. All programming languages and techniques used are common industry practices.
Is the software client/server based or a stand-alone product?	Innovator is a client/server architecture utilizing a 100% web infrastructure
How does Aras Innovator typically integrate with standard EAI	To answer the question about EAI frameworks (such as Microsoft BizTalk or Sonic), we have to focus on the XML and Web Services. Innovator works very well in frameworks that are based on Web Services. Innovator server is a Web Service (wsdl available) and all the data and transactions are available as XML / SOAP requests. When the Innovator server is using federation, it is most convenient for the server to send a web service request to an external WSDL, and the data that is returned is normally XML that Aras Innovator can XSLT into Innovator <Item> tags. Most of our customers are using the Web Services techniques to make connection between Innovator and one other 3rd party system. In this case the field mapping is typically done in either Method code or a XSLT style sheet. Either case, you are basically building a static map between the systems. If an EAI is used, the customer will build a bridge from Innovator to the EAI (such as BizTalk) and then normally use the graphical tools of the EAI for field mapping and business logic mapping. Some of the EAI’s are also quite good at handling the transaction processing (store & forward, delays, error handling, re-tries, scheduled events etc.). if we do a 1:1 Web Services integration between 2 systems, we have to write this logic each time custom. So the EAI has some advantages, but only when there are many integrations, and they will need to be modified many times. Otherwise much faster and cheaper to create a 1:1 integration using Innovator native Web Services capabilities because our developer tools are very good. I guess the key message here is that the Innovator API is the XML/SOAP messaging layer. This is 100% how our standard Client gets data, so if the EAI tool will send/receive XML messages, it can be 100% integrated to Innovator. Every function and internal Innovator core services are available.
What kind of database or file structures does the software use?	Innovator can be implemented with either Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or 2005.
Is the underlying database proprietary or a readily available commercial database?	Innovator is built on top of either Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or 2005. SQL Server is a commercial application available from Microsoft
Is the software ODBC compliant? If not, when will it be?	Yes
Be able to interface and update via several different media areas (internet, intranet, extranet, spreadsheets, flat file), as well as, be able to export to other systems	Innovator is a native XML application, and the preferred data exchange technology is XML sent as SOAP messages. Since many systems are not yet XML-ready, interfaces are often built with direct ODBC database connections or ASCII file exchange. ERP and CAD systems that have robust API’s can be interfaced using the API functions. All of the Microsoft .NET languages are available for creating custom interfaces
Microsoft Windows type interface – intuitive and familiar interface for all users	Innovator is a 100% Microsoft application using Windows style guidelines. The interface is consistent across the complete Innovator solution, with access to solutions based on user permission. Forms are very dynamic, and can be adapted for specific form layout requirements
Windows Explorer type interface – to allow familiar dragging and dropping of files, and quick drill down through folder structures for reading or writing of documents to appropriate folders	The Innovator interface is built on top of Internet Explorer. Common Microsoft file manipulation is prevalent throughout the Innovator solution (check-in and check-out using a Windows file browser). Drag-n-Drop of Files from Windows Explorer or the Windows Desktop is available as a community add-on, and will be enabled in standard Innovator after the 9.0 release
Web browser – option of a web browser front end, for access from computers without client software installed	Innovator is a 100% browser based application. All functionality (end-user, administrator and developer) is accessed through Internet Explorer, with no client software installation required.
Embedded Toolbars – toolbars and functionality embedded into Microsoft Office applications so that checking documents in and out can be done from within the applications	Innovator is a Microsoft web services based application, with a public web services interface. Interfaces with Excel and Word from within Innovator are standard. Access to Innovator server functions from within Word or Excel are not included in the standard download, can be developed by the customer or the community