ASYST International, the sole distributor for Access Accounts in Sub-Saharan Africa, today announced the release of a Software Developers` Kit (SDK) for use with the flagship Dimensions and DimensionsLite business and accounting solutions.
The Access SDK delivers four key advantages to those who wish to customise standard Dimensions software.
Firstly, unlike most customisation tools, the Access SDK does not restrict developers to one specific language or environment. Instead, they can write modifications using their favourite programming languages. Any COM-compliant language can be used, including VB, VB.NET, C# and Delphi.
Secondly, modifications are held in a separate layer away from the core Dimensions code. Consequently, they cannot affect the security, integrity or business rules of the underlying system. Uniquely, this means that end-users can still take full advantage of routine software upgrades, as if their systems were 100% standard. Retaining this capability makes the customisation process even more cost-effective for the end-user. It also means that modifications, once written, will continue to work with new versions of the standard software and do not need to be revisited.
Thirdly, development time and expense is further minimised because code can be cherry-picked from third party applications and merged straight into Dimensions. This provides end-users with a single, user-friendly screen for complex business activities. Indeed, the SDK even allows for this process to be reversed:
Dimensions code can be cut and embedded seamlessly in third-party applications, such as manufacturing solutions.
Finally, there is no need to learn how Dimensions works. Instead, the SDK interacts with the developer, delivering all the files, fields and structures needed to carry out the modification process.
The SDK therefore takes flexibility to a new level. In its first release, the toolkit allows customisation of every screen within each of Dimensions` 35 business modules. It enables standard or customised Dimensions screens to be embedded in third party applications. And it provides all the hooks needed for third-party code to be incorporated into any part of the Dimensions system.
"For end-users, the benefits are clear," commented Paul Marketos, MD of ASYST International SA. "Staying within a single application for the entire working day brings considerable improvement in speed, efficiency and productivity for users. This new capability is a major boon for all of us, since this is a capability that we have been requesting from Access Accounts in response to the needs conveyed back to us from both our partners and users."
For further information, please contact Justine de Vos, Marketing Manager, ASYST International SA (Pty) Ltd: telephone (011) 622 0112, fax (011) 622 0124, e-mail jdv@asyst.co.za
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ASYST International SA is a subsidiary of UK-based ASYST International, providing experienced consultancy, specialising in the provision and improvement of business information systems. ASYST International is an established expert in financial, business intelligence customised software systems, providing solutions to improve business efficiency, reduce operating costs and increase profits. Asyst believes in a hands-on approach, from a tailored proposal, through to the best software design and systems configuration, to providing on-going training and support. It is also the sole distributor of Access Accounts in southern Africa.
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