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Ross ERP from CDC Software:Leveraging the Power of Microsoft OfficeBusiness ApplicationsWhite PaperPublished: May 2010For the latest information, please see http://www.cdcsoftware.com/erp andhttp://www.microsoft.com/cdcAbstractMicrosoft partner CDC Software is a market leader in enterprise software applications,and support companies with Ross ERP , an Office Business Application (OBA) thatdelivers a powerful and fully-integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutionusing the familiar tools of the Microsoft Office System. Ross ERP is built on the flexibleMicrosoft .NET Framework and harnesses the power of Microsoft Windows Server ,Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Windows to provide companies with an ERPsolution that is flexible, customizable, integrated, intuitive and value enhancing.
Table of ContentsEXECUTIVE SUMMARY .2INTRODUCTION .2AUDIENCE .3CDC SOFTWARE AND ROSS ERP .3FEATURES AND BENEFITS OF ROSS ERP .3BENEFITS .4INCREASED USABILITY ON A FAMILIAR PLATFORM .4ENHANCED PERFORMANCE AND WORKFLOW EFFICIENCY .6IMPROVED INSIGHT AND VISIBILITY .7CUSTOMIZATION .7ADVANCED SYSTEM INTEROPERABILITY .8SCALABILITY .8A PROVEN, RAPID DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM .8REDUCED TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP .9REDUCED ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN.9CONCLUSION .9ADDITIONAL INFORMATION . 10Ross ERP from CDC Software: Leveraging the Power of Microsoft Office Business Applications1
Executive SummaryWhen it comes to enterprise resource planning, efficient and easy-to-use solutionsare mission critical. Executives want systems that manage the complexity ofeveryday activities, integrate different departments, and bridge the gap betweendigital data and offline customer interactions. Anything less will disrupt workflowand compromise profits.CDC Software’s Ross ERP solution, built on the reliable and scalable Microsoft Officeplatform, is a solution that marries efficiency and system-wide integration with thefamiliarity and cost-effectiveness of Microsoft technology. With Ross ERP,companies leverage their existing Microsoft expertise to maximize the long-termreturn on their ERP solution through: Increased Usability on a Familiar PlatformImproved Insight and VisibilityCustomizationAdvanced System InteroperabilityEnhanced Performance and Workflow EfficiencyScalabilityProven, Rapid Development PlatformReduced Total Cost of OwnershipReduced Administrative BurdenRoss ERP is solidly integrated with Microsoft Office, including Outlook , Word ,Excel and Microsoft SharePoint Server . Users easily share data across multipledifferent platforms, applications and devices, improving communication,collaboration and performance. Authorized users are able to work remotely withup-to-date ERP data on virtually any mobile device.IntroductionToday’s executives need to be forward-thinking when it comes to investing in theirIT infrastructure. They want solutions that are reliable, adaptable, scalable and builtto last. As a result, over 95% of CDC Software’s Ross Enterprise customers areplanning their IT environment around Microsoft tools. Microsoft’s Windows Server,SQL Server and SharePoint are becoming industry standards for business systems,and the pool of IT resources skilled in Microsoft technologies is growing every day.Ross ERP is an innovative enterprise resource planning solution that responds tothis industry trend, leveraging the power of Microsoft technologies for its ERPcustomers.Ross ERP from CDC Software: Leveraging the Power of Microsoft Office Business Applications2
AudienceThis white paper is intended for IT decision makers looking for an enterpriseresource planning solution that fits easily into their existing IT infrastructure andleverages their Microsoft investments.CDC Software and Ross ERPCDC Software is a Gold-Certified Microsoft Partner with over a decade-longpartnership with Microsoft. Ross ERP is an enterprise resource planning solutionthat is rooted in Microsoft Office Business Applications (OBAs), which are softwaresolutions that combine the familiarity and ease of use of the Microsoft Office System– the clients, servers, services and tools - with the depth and structure of Line ofBusiness (LOB) systems. Ross ERP fully embodies the OBA concept by buildingupon and directly embedding cutting-edge Microsoft technologies and applications.The Ross ERP product suite includes modules for financial management,manufacturing management, quality management and regulatory compliance,traceability, materials management and inventory control, maintenancemanagement, business analytics, and data collection. The underlying technologyplatform of the Ross ERP suite leverages Microsoft .NET for rapid development, aswell as Microsoft Smart Client, and Visual Studio for its robust user interfaces. Builton the flexible Microsoft .NET Framework, Ross ERP applications enable companiesto build on their existing technology investments, and to tailor the applicationsprecisely to meet their unique needs.Ross ERP applications are easy to use, easy to learn and people-centric, making it asolution that information workers are eager to adopt. With embedded MicrosoftOffice Outlook and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server applications, and a tightintegration to the Microsoft Office suite, information workers are able to performdaily tasks with the tools with which they are most familiar, while simultaneouslytapping into mission critical enterprise data.Through its global partnership with Microsoft, CDC Software management anddevelopment teams actively work with Microsoft teams to ensure that the Ross ERPapplications move in lock step with Microsoft advancements. As a Gold-CertifiedMicrosoft Partner, CDC Software can quickly develop and bring new innovativefeatures and products to market, based on Microsoft’s cutting-edge technologydevelopments.Features and Benefits of Ross ERPWith innovative and evolving technologies in the areas of software and hardware,Ross ERP applications help companies improve their visibility into their businessRoss ERP from CDC Software: Leveraging the Power of Microsoft Office Business Applications3
transactions, improve collaboration amongst their trading partners and improveinteroperability between existing and planned business systems.Whether companies are tracking inventory, orders or assets within their plants oracross their enterprise, their users are looking for more ways to get more data outof their ERP application – in the office, on the road or from home. To achieve theseobjectives, Ross ERP applications leverage Microsoft technologies to: Expand desktop usage via software object technologyGain fast access to ERP data via web-based, mobile clientsEmploy smart clients, built for on-click deploymentBuild web portals to aggregate enterprise data, organized for the users’specific knowledge needs, with links to related system functionality andcapabilities.Workflow processes within Ross ERP improve collaboration between businessdepartments, suppliers and customers. With greater visibility, consistency,accountability and control over their business processes, companies can increaseproduction efficiencies and achieve higher customer service levels.BenefitsIncreased Usability on a Familiar PlatformBecause most Ross Enterprise customers are already operating in a Microsoftenvironment, the learning curve for Ross ERP is faster; tasks can be accomplished infewer steps and with fewer errors. This in turn increases users’ effectiveness,efficiencies and satisfaction levels with the applications.Ross ERP’s close connection to Microsoft solutions extends to the level of the userinterface as well. Ross ERP offers a Microsoft-style interface that most users findintuitive and familiar, enabling them to learn how to use the system in less time andwith less training, and to enjoy a more seamless experience when performing theirdaily work in both the ERP solution and Microsoft applications. Furthermore, RossERP offers task and role-sensitive navigation that changes in context with the areaof the system being used and/or the role of the user, intelligently pushing contentand features to the user when and where they are most relevant and useful.Because it embeds the Microsoft tools users love into the ERP system, and it alsoallows easy incorporation of third-party information and applications via itsMicrosoft SharePoint-based portals, Ross ERP becomes a natural hub forinformation workers, providing a single central location for daily activities withoutcompromising the functionality and ease of use that employees enjoy with MicrosoftOutlook and Microsoft Office applications.With Ross ERP, information workers can:Ross ERP from CDC Software: Leveraging the Power of Microsoft Office Business Applications4
Adapt their user interfaces to fit the way they work.Users can tailor their user interfaces to fit their job-specific roles, tasksand individual work styles. Work fluidly in both ERP and Microsoft applicationsUsers can work in both the ERP and Microsoft systems simultaneouslyand use the tools that are most relevant to them, but with fewerapplications, screens and clicks. For example:o Users can access ERP data from Microsoft Outlook or anyMicrosoft Office file by right-clicking on any piece of information,such as a customer or company name, to look up and even insertrelated ERP data without leaving the Microsoft application,thereby eliminating the need to toggle back and forth betweenapplications.o The Ross ERP document management module utilizes SharePointas its repository for business documents, which makes it easy forend users to employ the familiar content management and searchcapabilities of SharePoint, while working in ERP.o The Ross ERP customer portal development and Dashboard useSharePoint, which offers end users an interface they alreadyrecognize.o Microsoft Outlook is embedded in ERP Smart Client, rather thanreplicated through code. This creates simple user interfaces withfamiliar Outlook add-ons, including the calendar, tasks andcontacts components. For example, the Ross ERP business processmanagement (BPM) module workflow tasks are actually the enduser’s Outlook tasks.o Users can generate multiple e-mails, meetings and tasks directlywithin Outlook based on ERP workflow; there is no need forduplication or copying and pasting of e-mail into the ERP system.o Users can read and manage RSS feeds and blogs within MicrosoftOutlook.o Outlook emails and attachments are viewable within the ERPsystem and tied to contact, company and/or opportunity records.o The Microsoft Visual Studio Form Designer enables users toembed URL-based Web pages and .NET controls within a form,which allows buttons that perform tasks outside the ERP system. Find, assemble and analyze information quicklyInformation workers can save the headache and time associated withgenerating, locating and utilizing the data they need. Specifically, RossERP allows workers to:o Access the specific ERP information needed to allocate resourcesand time effectively and to make informed, data-driven decisionsthat support and enhance company performance and customersatisfaction.Ross ERP from CDC Software: Leveraging the Power of Microsoft Office Business Applications5
o Access ERP information from Microsoft Office, Outlook andSharePoint. For example, an end user can right-click on the nameof a company when working on a contract in Word, and it willbring up the company's ERP record on a sidebar so that the usercan get the company's fax number and other details in a snap.o Stay within a Microsoft application to create documents andspreadsheets; with Ross ERP, there is no need to switch back andforth between applications.o Export content to any Microsoft Office document format in oneclick.o Extract data from the ERP for off-line analysis in Microsoft Excelusing the Excel extraction wizard built into the Smart Client.o Use queries to reference multiple tables in a single search.o Create sophisticated target lists in seconds, then perform mailmerges to instantly generate e-mails, letters or faxes.o Use SharePoint portals within the Ross ERP dashboard to turn thevast data housed within the ERP system into more usable,personalized business intelligence by enabling users to view pastdue accounts, outstanding requisitions, late customer shipmentsor whatever they need to be more effective and focused.o Maximize compliance efforts through, among other things, the useof SQL Server Analysis Services for OLAP services, which givesaccess to Data Warehouse data from both of the BI dashboards,and Reporting Services and Excel for end users. The Ross ERPdatabase used by over three quarters of the customer base is SQLServer. The ERP system supports current releases of SQL Server,including Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2.Enhanced Performance and Workflow EfficiencyImprovements in visibility, automation, usability, and interoperability all combineto enable customers to avoid redundancies, reduce unnecessary complexity andmake critical decisions better and faster. For example: The integration of ERP and Microsoft applications eliminates the need toperform the same task twice – in two different locations. Information that was once retained on individual hard drives and inpersonal files is now integrated into one system, thereby eliminating thecumbersome tasks of locating data and documents in the middle ofmission critical tasks. Phone communications, email, documents, spreadsheets, online andoffline modes of communication are now merged. End users have an easier time sharing data across multiple differentplatforms, applications and devices, which improves communication,collaboration and, ultimately, company performance. Expenses are easily tracked and managed, which helps workflows keepbudgets in check and business processes running smoothly.Ross ERP from CDC Software: Leveraging the Power of Microsoft Office Business Applications6
Authorized end users are able to work remotely with up-to-date ERP data– anytime, anywhere, on virtually any mobile device. This streamlinesoperations and increases user adoption and satisfaction.Repetitious processes commonly associated with data entry areautomated, and multi-step approval processes are streamlined.Improved Insight and VisibilityRoss ERP gives companies a more granular level of enterprise data, which offersimproved metrics and analytics, enabling companies to better evaluate theircustomers’ needs, make smarter business decisions and gain a competitiveadvantage. By tapping into the ability of Microsoft SQL Server to store, synchronizeand distribute data, enterprises can further enhance the value of the data stored intheir ERP system.CustomizationRoss ERP is designed to meet each customer’s unique requirements by providingflexible architecture that empowers companies to mold the software to fit theirbusiness, without having to hire additional developers or consultants. This allowsthem to provide the best and most relevant experiences for their employees andbusiness partners. Specifically, enterprises can: Deploy Developer Studio to customize and extend the functionalityof out-of-the-box Ross ERP applications through .NET development,specifically addressing:o ERP databases and forms.o Client and server-side business logic, including workflows,standards and data models.o Role and task-based ERP navigational structures, including customlists of role-specific links, tools and reports.o Rich data for custom business intelligence. Access Ross ERP on their choice of deviceAuthorized users of Ross ERP can access the system from anywhere, atanytime, and on their choice of browser and device, including WindowsMobile. Allow information workers to tailor their user interfaces to fit theirunique roles and individual work stylesRoss ERP’s Smart Client user interface enables administrators and endusers to personalize dashboards, creating personal "hubs" that integratepre-built, custom or third-party SharePoint Web Parts to combine thedata feeds and applications of their choice. In addition, end users cancreate their own shortcuts and personalized information, includingperformance and lead-generation metrics, to-do lists, charts and graphs,reports, KPIs, knowledge base links, Outlook e-mail inboxes andRoss ERP from CDC Software: Leveraging the Power of Microsoft Office Business Applications7
calendars and even data feeds from back-office systems, Web sites andother third-party sources. Perform out-of-the-box customization without custom programmingMicrosoft Visual Studio allows users to design forms the way they wantto, without writing any code. They can control attributes such as color,justification, size and read/write rules, as well as organize data into tabs,thus eliminating scrolling. The guided form designer enables them toeasily take advantage of screen real estate, and they can even createdifferent forms to display to different user groups based on authorizationor needs.Advanced System InteroperabilityConnectivity between Ross Enterprise and third party applications is achieved usingweb services. With a growing list of web services, users have greater visibility andcontrol over various financials, purchasing and manufacturing businesstransactions.ScalabilityBecause Ross ERP is rooted in Microsoft technology, and CDC’s longstandingpartnership with Microsoft allows it to develop products in lock step with Microsoftadvancements, Ross ERP customers take comfort in knowing that their platform willremain relevant, supportable and scalable in the long term.A Proven, Rapid Development PlatformBuilt on the interoperable Microsoft .NET Framework, Ross ERP harnesses therobust Microsoft Windows Server platform, the analytical and data managementcapabilities of Microsoft SQL Server and the data-protection services of MicrosoftWindows to offer enterprises an ERP solution that they can depend upon toeffectively manage their sales, marketing and customer service business data andprocesses. Most Ross ERP installations are either on, or planning to migrate toMicrosoft’s Windows Server 2008.CDC Ross ERP also leverages Microsoft Visual Studio as its primary developmenttool, allowing developers to use its form designer to create and manage all Ross ERPforms,
partnership with Microsoft. Ross ERP is an enterprise resource planning solution that is rooted in Microsoft Office Business Applications (OBAs), which are software solutions that combine the familiarity and ease of use of the Microsoft Office System – the clients, servers, ser
