ECi Launches Next Generation Vision

After a detailed business review, the company made the decision to move away from the Interbase platform. ECi has reworked Vision’s data structures and migrated across to a more solid and secure SQL Server database.

“We are a responsible systems supplier,” Steve Straley, Director of Development, comments. “It is our duty to ensure our systems are backed by companies who will enable us to move our products forward to meet the continued needs of our customers and to be aligned with current technologies. We care about our customers and understand that their data is a crucial asset. We moved to SQL Server because it has the backing of Microsoft. Syncing with the major technology companies is an important part of our overall product development strategy.”

The move to SQL Server gives dealers a number of options and means that all businesses, regardless of size, can realistically afford a powerful system like Vision. SQL Server allows ECi to offer Vision in a range of packages: a fully hosted online version for those who are growing rapidly but who do not want to manage their IT, an enterprise version for businesses who have the expertise to manage SQL Database in-house, or a single-user option. The single-user option is ideal for dealers who want an ERP system but cannot handle a large financial investment. ECi wants to make it easier for start-ups and one-person enterprises to flourish and expand in the office products industry. As these dealers are ready, ECi can offer a natural progression path to either the ‘Online’ or ‘Enterprise’ editions.

“A huge advantage of Next Generation Vision is its processing power. It is up to 30-times faster than competing products—no more waiting around while the system processes orders or grinds to a halt. At ECi, we’re always looking for ways to help our customers save time and increase overall efficiency, and ensure we are at the forefront of modern technology. Along with our move to SQL Server is the move to the .NET platform. This allows our software to be delivered to more people, in more places, on more devices than ever before. Actually, now the potential for product development is enormous—we have a resource of over 200 people who can support this product. That’s the value we provide our dealers,” concludes Steve Straley.

“It is a very exciting time for us at ECi,” says Mike Gibson, Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing. “We have created a completely new solution with Next Generation Vision by embracing the latest .NET technology and it is still very easy to use. In fact, it’s actually easier as all functions can be accomplished using just keystrokes. We can also adapt more ‘add-on’ products to the core system which will increase the value to the dealer. We already have PlanetPress, Acsellerate and our suite of Mobile Solutions but we plan to extend this portfolio.”