Expius, Inc. has developed a dynamic repository database using a star system, used and controlled entirely through a browser based GUI (Graphic User Interface).

What is this dynamic repository database?
It is a database that can be controlled dynamically without having to reprogram its infrastructure, and used to save and organize a variety of eclectic information. In reality this dynamic repository database could be compared to a modular shelf to which more elements can be added and fashioned as needed.

The dynamic aspect comes through the star system allowing each module to work independently and with each other. New modules as individual password list, inventory, order history, and many divers listings can be assigned to each other. There is virtually no limit to the interactivity of the modules between themselves. This interactivity is customized according to the business model and need of the user.

The second dynamic aspect of this repository database is the browser base GUI. Any information saved in this database is controlled through a sophisticated secure website that can be accessed through any computer connected to the Internet with the proper authentication of course. This website is composed of a series of comprehensive, very simple but powerful set of administrative forms requiring no computer knowledge, to manipulate any of the data saved into the database. These forms are customized according to the user’s business model enabling a business to operate under their terms and conditions rather then imposed by the technology, at any time, any where with a computer and an Internet connection. Information as price changes, addition of new products to a catalog, shipping prices tax % changes, or simply upload of new product photos or document as PDFs or DOC can be done on the fly without ever waiting or requiring the assistance of a programmer or IT department.


What is this browser based GUI?
A GUI is a Graphic User Interface. It is the interface used to manipulate and control the data in the database. All the administrative forms are composed of simple web pages with input text fields, search fields, drop-down menus, check boxes and buttons, making them easy to use, limiting in many ways user input errors. This GUI is only available through Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or above. This aspect of the GUI allows a user to work virtually on any computer with IE 4.0 + (Internet Explorer) and a connection to the website whether Intranet or Internet without ever having to install a client program on a computer. This application will only require updates on the server cutting the cost of an IT department updating every client workstation etc. Now a days many website require plug-ins, as Flash, ActiveX, Java applets and others inflating the cost of the application in licensing for each plug-in, requiring constant maintenance, creating slow down and compatibility issues. Expius, Inc. GUI does not use any plug-in, ActiveX, or Java applets. The only requirement for the GUI to work properly is Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or above because of the use of Dynamic HTML to facilitate certain graphic aspect of the GUI.


The Core Application.
This repository database application is based on 3 technologies: Server, Database, and Internet. Expius has chosen Microsoft for all 3 technologies guarantying the obvious integration issue of all the different servers required, compatibility, future updates, support, and a reduce cost. Microsoft NT 4.0 Server or above can be run on any new Intel Pentium 500mhz or + with 512 MB or RAM or Alpha Server for a very reasonable cost and very little IT support. Most can be administered remotely assuring a very fast support response time hence reduced cost.

Server.
The application requires Microsoft Server NT4.0 / NT5.0(Server 2000) or any of the new generation of Microsoft servers as the .NET Server. The Database of choice is Microsoft SQL 7.0 + preferably SQL 2000, and the Website uses ASP pages running on Internet Information Server 4.0 +. For some more sophisticated module requiring email functionality Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 or 2000 is required.


Database.
For smaller applications requiring less traffic and fewer entries Microsoft Access or FoxPro database are used. This option is limiting somehow in the speed, number of access or traffic, and also the number of entries but does not require a server based database making it easy to transport to any ISP.
For heavier use like a full blown e-commerce website Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 or above is used allowing a more robust functioning and unlimited entries. This option is best suited for serious e-commerce application and often requires the user to have their own server to run the application. In many ways for e-commerce purposes it is better for a company to run their own servers on their own location because of many sensitive information stored in their database as client listings, order history and credit card numbers, inventory etc. Order on line can be printed automatically from the server to an invoice printer, as if the application is installed on an ISP server, this functionality becomes more cumbersome and very limited.

Website.
The website is divided into 2 website: the customer website and the administrative website.
The customer website can have many different areas as a retail area, a wholesale (B to B) area, a secure customer area where all their past orders or order status can be checked. All depends on the business requirements and the modules added to the application. Each module can be added progressively as the need arises.
The administrative site is usually divided into 3 areas for e-commerce application. The first area is the Administration area. It is where all the main data as the product listing, prices, description, catalogs etc is managed. The second area is rather called the Customer Service area where all the new orders, order history, customer listings etc is maintained and updated. And finally the third area is the Reports area. In this area you can find a series of default search criteria based report for listing of all your products. Some sales reports can be run and used for marketing purposes for example. Some other reports can be used to dynamically generate new catalogs for print purposes. Many other reports also can be found in this section, customized according to the user business needs and the modules used.