MONROE, La. -- AIMS Inc. has released its newest petroleum marketer enterprise accounting system, COMPAS Commander.
AIMS' COMPAS Commander project leader, Carl Paukstis, said, We had several goals for the COMPAS Commander project. They are:
Move to a native Windows application. There is a widespread familiarity with Windows by users and programmers. Commander provides easy access for the end-user to interfaces with mass-market Windows applications, such as Excel and Crystal Reports. Own the software code. AIMS has always had a support policy of the [image-nocss] buck stops here' for our clients. When a change is needed, either to correct a problem or to adapt to a change in the jobber business environment, AIMS must have the ability to deliver that change immediately. We can only do that when all the core software is developed by AIMS, and we have full control and ownership of the software we provide, he said.With these goals in mind, we chose Microsoft Visual Studio as our development environment, Visual Basic .NET as our development language and Microsoft SQL Server as our database, Paukstis said. SQL Server is an established, well-regarded database that's supported in major enterprise applications by Microsoft and accessible through all manner of third-party tools and support.
He added, We built a two-tier' client-server application, meaning standalone .EXE applications communicate directly with the database server. The robustness of .NET for this type of application has been well-borne out in the industry over the past few years. The two-tier base architecture also relieves our clients of the need to run their own web server or other middleware.' This means that clients don't have to hire or train staff and develop unsustainable sophistication in system administration and security and other issuesjust in order to deal with fuel manifests and excise taxes and the other accounting tasks of a jobber.
Paukstis said, The Windows and SQL Server environment is the best-known, best-supported platform on the planet. A client's staff probably already knows quite a bit about using Windows computers, and there is a wide choice of training available, both classroom and self-study, for any additional skills needed. Windows also offers the widest variety of device support, and the widest variety of additional third-party software available for the entire range of computing needs from the simple to the very sophisticated.
He said, Because of the SQL Server database backend and the .NET Framework foundation, we leave wide open the path to expand and add more sophisticated application models where appropriate. For example, increasing integration with the supply and transportation chain can pay big dividends for savvy jobbers. We are poised to offer, in future additions to COMPAS Commander, faster and more varied means of communicating pickup, transport and delivery data. With Windows' emphasis on portable devices and wireless communication, together with the .NET foundation, we are also planning significant additional functionality for order-taking, inventory management and customer service.
Concluded Paukstis, The Windows .NET framework and SQL Server database architecture make the development of additional interfaces quicker. AIMS will continue to expand the range of external data that a jobber can quickly and routinely integrate to the core business and accounting system without tedious, costly and error-prone manual input. And also vice-versa: with the COMPAS Commander environment, exporting any needed data is easily accomplishedwhether in XML, .CSV, spreadsheet formats, reports, or via SOAP Web Services.
Monroe, La.-based AIMS develops, markets and supports a variety of automated data processing products and services for the wholesale petroleum distribution industry.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.