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technical architecture

Both Epitomy Data Manager and Epitomy Publisher are built on the Microsoft .NET Framework and feature a Service-Oriented Windows DNA architecture (Distributed InterNet Application).

Our Service-Oriented system architecture supports distributed and networked web applications. It separates the application software into functional layers where each layer performs a separate range of tasks within the overall application. Typically these layers work as follows:

  • The Data Layer maintains the databases that are the source for all Epitomy Data Manager and Epitomy Publisher information.
  • The Data Access Layer manages the interface between these databases and the processing of stored product or part information.
  • The Business Logic Layer processes requests for data by a user and arranges this data in a user-friendly structure.
  • Finally, the Presentation Logic Layer displays the processed data to the user.

Structuring the application logic in this manner makes it much easier to connect different databases and presentation devices particularly for hosted on-demand applications. The separation of presentation, business logic, and data management also makes it easy to change one area without affecting the others.

Our client modules make use of a RESTful web interface to publish data to client websites. Representational State Transfer (REST) is a protocol and architecture for transmitting data online. It uses simple interfaces and immediate processing of self-contained commands. By reducing complexity and separating client and server components it offers scalability, reliability, and the potential for real time modification of displayed data – a core requirement of any that is required to provide 24/7 support.

Scalable

Extensive testing of Epitomy's applications has confirmed the high scalability of Epitomy's n-tier architecture. It allows for distribution across a cluster of servers. As more users take up Epitomy Data Manager and Epitomy Publisher additional server hardware can be added to ensure a high quality user experience. XML (Extensible Mark-up Language) is deeply embedded within both products. It is a widely accepted format for structuring, storing, exchanging and representing business data. VB.NET and C# are object-orientated programming languages developed by Microsoft. These development languages are extensively used and can be installed on a wide range of operating systems.

Security

Epitomy's products provide a range of security features. These range from the encryption of passwords across configurable roles for users, and user group, to the logging of user activity for audit trail purposes. In addition, any data distributed on a CD/DVD is protected against un-authorised copying by layered access rights linked to 'User Roles'. Epitomy's ability to provide different views to different users depending on configuration is designed to minimise confusion and to restrict access to specific product area. Epitomy Data Manager and Epitomy Publisher are based on open, standards-based technologies, tools and protocols. These include the C# and Common Language Infrastructure Standards developed jointly by companies such as Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, IBM and Fujitsu Software, plus XML and related technologies.

NoSQL

Our new PIM Data Hub solution uses a NoSQL database for storing consolidated product information. This is a new breed of database structures that do not use the traditional SQL relational database model. NoSQL systems only contain the core functions of a database, improving speed, and provide a document-based data store optimised for scalability and suitability to large datasets and user bases.

Similar technology is already used by service providers for whom speed and scalability is a priority, including major players in financial services, online gaming, news and media as well as technical services from Mozilla, Github, StumbleUpon and Etsy. It provides distributed and multi-tenanted real time search and analytics that’s easily scaled through the addition of further server nodes.

fancy a chat?

If you wish to speak to a member
of the team please call us on:

+44 (0)114 258 0404
+44 (0)845 075 4848

Alternatively, please contact us at:

[email protected] [email protected]

Or fill in our online contact form.