Product Description

Spectrax is a software based system that seamlessly extends company ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems to PDA’s (Personal Digital Assistants). The system ‘mobilises’ these systems allowing the most appropriate person to interact with these systems from the most appropriate location. Spectrax empowers mobile workers, facilitating accurate, bi-directional information transfer as well as secure business transactions in real-time across mobile wireless and landline based networks.

The ERP functionality provided on the PDA encompasses both SOP (Sales Order Processing) and Field Service. Together these enable remote online ordering and field service call maintenance, near real-time inventory levels and updated aged debtor data. Sales agents or field service technicians can process customer payments in real-time and apply these payments as deposits to new orders or as payments to invoices. They can also record and manage customer information via a legacy CRM system.

The Spectrax System is based on the Microsoft .Net framework and the use of SQL servers. Spectrax is an integrated solution designed to extend the Sales Order Processing and Field Service modules of Great Plains, Navision, Axapta onto mobility devices. As an integrated solution, Spectrax will also include MS CRM, MapPoint and Online Banking.

The Spectrax System comprises of a number of discrete software elements, which when operating in conjunction with each other form the Spectrax System. These elements are:

• CCPocket™

• CCService™

• CCPro™

CCPocket runs on the PDA, whilst CCService is typically resident on an Internet based Server. CCService facilitates the bi-directional transfer of encrypted data streams between CCPro and the mobile PDA’s instance of CCPocket. CCPro (which normally resides behind the company firewall) provides the link between the customers ERP and CRM databases and the rest of the Spectrax System. (see diagram in ‘other information’ section)

Innovation

Wherever implemented, ERP and CRM systems become core components of an organisation’s IT environment. Despite the benefits delivered by such systems, access is typically only available to individuals within the boundaries of the physical premises (usually less than 20% of workers have access). Field workers and customers beyond this perimeter have to transact via intermediary processes such as handwritten forms which require subsequent manual data capture/collation. Spectrax overcomes these problems and delivers a significant business advantage to our customers. 

The customer business process is transformed, resulting in complete, accurate and real-time information transfer between the ERP system and the field staff. Other benefits realised by the process transformation include the speeding up of the order-to-cash cycle as well as significant reduction in the associated overhead costs.

Spectrax reduces the ‘distance’ between the organisation and its customers. By empowering field staff with real time access to current information where it is most required (i.e. at the customer coal-face), workers enjoy increased job satisfaction and the customer experience is improved.

The extension (or mobilisation) of the ERP and CRM systems to seamlessly extend beyond traditional boundaries is the key innovation that Spectrax has successfully delivered to its customers. There are various service providers that build intermediate systems which mimic aspects of ERP functionality that are ultimately synchronised with ERP and CRM systems. Spectrax, allows customers to represent key functionality of these systems to mobile devices. Other innovative advantages delivered by Spectrax include:

• Customers retain control of their critical business data since it remains housed in their own ERP system not in a 3rd party intermediate store

• Spectrax System presents a consistent, graphical, intuitive user interface no matter what ERP or CRM solution it serves. Users can read from as well as write to these systems

• Spectrax System integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, and Microsoft MapPoint. Since it is platform-neutral, it can also bridge between the Microsoft platform and legacy systems running on other operating systems.

Performance

The performance of Spectrax is most clearly demonstrated by the results achieved in real-world implementations. Spectrax has been successfully implemented by companies such as Coty, Fossil Australia and Air Liquide Healthcare. Some case studies are included along with the submission as a reference to both the real-world results achieved as well as a testament to the enthusiastic customer service delivered.

Spectrax is developed using Microsoft .NET framework, the Microsoft .NET compact framework and also leverages the Microsoft MAF (Mobile Application Framework) to ensure a consistent platform, standard compliance and enhanced interoperability. Compliance with MAF gives customers the assurance that they have the lowest possible reliance on proprietary technology. This also reduces the development cycle and allows Spectra to focus on building new value-adding functionality within verticals, rather than having to evolve and support proprietary interfaces.

Spectrax has been technically reviewed by our partners. Microsoft’s review culminated in Spectrax being recognised as a certified product for MAF, .NET and Windows Mobile technologies. Symbol granted Spectrax the only ‘validated solution certification’ in Australia [ https://secure.filesanywhere.com/v.asp?v=%89me%89%5De%A7%BA%9F%99 ].

In addition a complete mobility framework and comprehensive development tools help independent software vendors (ISVs) and developers quickly create custom mobility solutions or integrate their own applications with Spectrax™ System.

Through a strategic global partnership with Symbol Technologies, Spectra are able to provide high quality rugged mobile hardware as well as world class support - anytime, anywhere. 24/7 support levels are provided internationally including remote administration of devices.

Real user benefits are best shown using real world examples as follows:

• Returns are generated by leveraging more value from existing back-end systems. Framework methodologies allow relatively low-cost implementations to occur over a short timeframe. As a result, system ROI’s of 6 months and less are achievable.

• Real-time, bi-directional access to the ERP by remote workers eliminates wasteful intermediate steps and shortens the ‘order-to-cash cycle’. Fossil Australia eliminated 3-5 days from their historical order-to-ERP processing time. This ultimately impacts 20% on their bottom line.

• Improving data accuracy. Enabling field workers with the relevant tools and information improves data accuracy and reduces waste. Air Liquide Healthcare (ALH) needed to meet stringent statutory and regulatory compliance standards and to manage stock control. After implementing Spectrax, reporting accuracy was reduced to below 1%, stock transfer accuracy was improved and stock loss was reduced by 50%.

Potential

Spectra Interface has offices in the US, UK and Australia. Spectra also have an extended network of international resellers made up of MS Dynamics resellers and Symbol Integrators (currently 13 signed up internationally).

Spectrax supports Unicode and can be localised into most languages.

With Spectrax only released in April 2006 Spectra Australia has already successfully implemented Spectrax in local subsidiaries of multi national organisations. At least two of these already have plans to extend the solution internationally in the near future.

Key global alliances with Microsoft (Gold Certified Global ISV) and Symbol Technologies provide the ideal platform for international expansion.

Other success indicators include the following accolades already credited to Spectrax:

• Mobility Award Finalist - Microsoft WWPC 2006

• Won the Best ERP award at Microsoft ANZ Conference’06 for SOP for Fossil

• Currently nominated for a Microsoft Convergence 2007 Pinnacle Award

• Spectra have been invited to present case studies at Convergence 2007 for both the Microsoft Navision and Mobility sessions.

Other information the judges should know

Web URL:      http://www.spectrainterface.com