ProductVision is a standard Windows^® MDI (Multiple Document Interface) application.  That is, the program has a “desk-top” on which you can open multiple documents.  This is the same type of interface used by other Windows applications like Microsoft Word^®, Excel^®, and PowerPoint^®.  This shortens the learning curve for users already familiar with these programs.  And it happens to be an ideal interface for rapid formula development.

ProductVision allows you to open multiple formulas, raw materials, and other items simultaneously, allowing copying and dragging of information between items.  For example, you may open an existing formula and drag entire sections to a new formula.  This is much faster than having to add each component individually and reduces formulation time dramatically.

ProductVision utilizes “client-server” technology to manipulate and store application information (formulas, properties, MSDSs, etc.).  Client-server technology was originally developed in the 1980s to improve operability and scalability of applications written for mini- and microcomputers.   As such, it is a now a robust, mature technology that is used by thousands of computing applications.  In a client-server application, the user’s machine (client) handles the user interface and data request duties.  Another machine, a server, is connected to the client and responds to query requests for information. 

To increase speed and scalability and simplify distribution, ProductVision is written utilizing "multi-Tier" functionality.  That is, in addition to the client and database tiers, ProductVision has another layer which greatly streamlines system operation.  The data requests themselves are handled by a ProductVision service (program) called the “DAL” (Data Access Layer) – a third tier.   This service moderates communications between the workstations and the database management system.  Generally, this service runs on the database server machine, but may, optionally be configured to run on a dedicated machine.

This architecture has several advantages over a simple 2-tier design, including:

• Since the DAL handles all communications with the database, you do not need to have a database user license for each workstation, greatly reducing the number of licenses you need to purchase and maintain.  This "user pooling" will generally reduce your license requirements by a factor of 5 or more.

• This design greatly reduces the amount of bandwidth necessary between the user clients and the DAL, thus allowing you to operate the program with a thinner client and less bandwidth.

• Scalability is simplified.   If you ever exceed the data capabilities of a single DAL, you can simply install another DAL instance.

• And, since the client never establishes a constant connection to the database, program stability is greatly improved.   The DAL simply parses requests from the clients, establishes a connection with the database, and logs out as soon as the results are returned from the database.

Implementation of ProductVision with this "multi-tier" architecture provides all of the advantages of a “native” browser-based application without its inherent disadvantages.  Specifically, native browser-based applications work well for applications where a user is querying for specific information or filling in forms, but the technology is currently very limiting for sophisticated interactive applications like formula development.   Rapid formula development requires immediate access to information at all points in the process.   Native thin-client applications cannot communicate complicated field-level logic like ProductVision can.  With a browser-based product, you would need to wait until you pressed the “Save” button to know whether the formula meets your allowable criteria.  Given the limited bandwidth available, a native thin-client application has to compromise “intelligence” on the client to have a usable product.   And native thin client applications lose multi-formula “drag-and-drop” and other rapid formula development features.  ProductVision does not have to compromise on functionality to deliver a web-accessible, enterprise-wide solution to meet your product development requirements.