Your Solution - the Technology guru
As the in-house technology expert you need to know that your retail software is robust and well supported. In addition, its important that it can be understood and maintained easily and that user defined reports can be created without difficulty. Sparkstone Retail answers all these requirements and is based on leading technology that will give your business the edge.
We use leading database technology
Sparkstone uses the leading open database technology from the world leaders in retail – Sybase. Sybase is used by 4 million users worldwide including many banks and supermarket chains.
The version we use has been tested for up to 1,400 simultaneous connections. Sybase is the father of MS SQL Server – Microsoft licensed code from Sybase to build SQL Server.
Why we love Sybase
Sybase has so many advantages - it provides a secure robust enterprise level database at a fraction of the cost of the competition, and its reliable and easy to administer.
Not only that but on small installations (below 4 tills) there is no need for expensive servers since it can work just as well installed on a single till or even a laptop. In addition, its fast and its superb replication abilities means it excels within a muti-site environment.
Sparkstone Retail Application
Sparkstone is a PC based, client server application.The application is installed on the client (PC or PC based till) and communicates to a server based database.
It runs on most operating systems including Windows XP Pro,Vista and Apple (Mac).Sparkstone takes advantage of server processing capability and local client resources
to deliver functionality fast, reliably, in a familiar environment and cost effectively.
Fast,secure,understandable technology
Sybase allows full RDBMS functionality (tables, support for SQL, views, triggers, business rules, stored procedures, roll back, replication etc). Stored procedures, triggers and business rules have been utilized in developing a secure and fast system.
Use of wide area network technology means that its easy to adminster the system and the communications.
Superb Multi-site replication
Sparkstone has been designed from the ground up to operate in a multi site environment. Sybase provides two essential technologies; the ability to ensure all entries into the database are uniquely identifiable (even in the event of a comms failure)
and cheap, robust movement (replication) of data between sites. We “replicate” over Wide area virtual private network (VPN) tunnels to synchronise databases continuously – providing real-time data.
Unique keypool technology
Our “keypool” technology means that a site can continue operating perfectly (including entering new data records) for weeks without communication with Head office in the event of communications failure – ie there is an entirely self sufficient mirror copy of ALL your data stored locally so you can see everything everywhere, at all times.
Support
We offer flexible support options covering basic business hours right up to 364 24/7.We have remote access to your systems and can diagnose and assist with problems directly,
right down to individual point of sale.
Helpful Views for easy report creation
Sybase is an “open” database and supports ODBC connections. This means that Excel and Crystal (and others can connect directly to the database and gain live data subject to security rights).
We have included “views” of the data that allows users to easily access the correct data without assistance from ourselves – giving the ability to write and construct your own reports.