There are primary feature sets or tools found in the XpressCommerce^® Framework that provide unmatched collaboration and visibility between the retailer and trading network. The Framework is the essential foundation for the XpressCommerce^® system. Comprised of a suite of sophisticated framework components that work together to provide application services directly to users, or indirectly to other applications via Web services and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), the components within the Framework encompass functionality such as:

• Date consolidation: Getting data under control from its starting point in the PDM application is simply the first step. Data integration points between the information silos across the development and supply chain process are vital to ensuring the connection between the disparate systems that are often present. The Masters are data records that serve as a central repository for product information, including a history of all changes. This data is accessed throughout the lifecycle and keeps the ‘product’ as the focal point for all future activity. Masters are used throughout the system to eliminate redundant data entry by sharing this data across all business functions. They can be created within the system or by importing data into the system to build a Master record in each of these areas: Material, Fabric, Product, Supplier, Factory, Agent, or Customer.



• Collaboration tools: With secured, role-based access to the system, each user can communicate through a centralized repository for collaborative discussions – a vast improvement over distributed email messages. Attaching “discussions” to a specific issue ensures that all relevant information is instantly at-hand. Shortening the time it takes to resolve problems and reducing the risk associated with separate communication tools, this component makes for more effective negotiations and creates an easy-to-research database of past discussions/negotiations.



• Workflow, calendar and event management: Multiple sub-components come together to achieve a unified view of activities, projects, due dates, performance and task owners.
  
  
  • The Rule/Alert Manager is a tool that creates alerts that are routed to the appropriate party via the system, email, or both. Alerts are automatically generated based on business rules, and include an automated escalation feature to ensure proper managerial oversight – enabling true “management-by-exception”.
  
  
  
  • Role/User Manager is used to build user profiles, configure role hierarchies and provide role-based access. In tandem the Security Manager provides security and permission capabilities for all system users.
  
  
  
  • Process Tracking provides instant access and real-time visibility for everyone involved in the various stages of the entire concept-to-delivery cycle. It also handles all workflow in one centralized system and uses automated alert mechanisms and exception-based reporting to reduce the time it takes to manage the workflow. It can also allow appropriate access for your trading partners, unlocking unsurpassed value by providing greater visibility and further reducing cycle times. The process manager integrates with all the other modules to provide tracking visibility into all aspects of the business.



• Visibility: Visibility works by using information technology to collect data from multiple sources, and then it is centrally displayed and reported so that it can be used to support a proactive decision-making process. The end result is to achieve open and collaborative innovation and orchestration through an effective management layer to keep everyone focused on the same performance goals. The visibility features that are unique to XpressCommerce^® include these sub-components.



• The powerful Reporting Engine enables users to create, run, save, schedule, share, print or export comprehensive system and ad-hoc reports with summary, drilldown and tabular capabilities. It can also be used to create Dashboard reports to display information in a graphical format that can be placed within other system modules.



• A “What-if” Date Calculator tool allows users to see how changes to a task’s scheduled due date, dependency or duration will effect a schedules overall outcome. Users can calculate the changes and choose to accept or reject the changes.



• With the Schedule Progress Report, users see overall progression of particular tasks and completion percentages without creating detailed reports. A user can select up to 5 tasks and filter to the segment of data most important to them.



• With the Real-Time Visibility Tool users can create real-time, editable views into functions throughout the system. This tool allows the creation of multi-directional views into the system and mass edits within the same document. Multiple data types and their respective schedule workflows can be combined into one view allowing users to access and edit multiple data points in one click.



• User Configured Dashboards and a personal Workspace provides users with the ability to manage view settings for their home page and to link portlets on the home page to external URLs, internal business documents or most frequently accessed areas in the system.





• System management: A range of management tools provide internal IT teams or super-users with the ability to manage system wide settings such as alerts, business documents, templates and various system parameters. User profiles and role hierarchies are also centrally managed and administered here. An optional ADK component can be delivered as part of the product offering.