Products

ISO 8000-110:2009
All products conform to ISO 8000-110:2009
Master Data Quality 

  

System Architecture Overview

PiLog is an international company that specializes in Data Quality Solutions that play a key role in the support and enhancement of a customer’s corporate Enterprise system(s).

PiLog has since its establishment in 1978 evolved its software architecture to keep up with the latest technologies and international ICT best practices.

The one core element that has remained stable and has matured over the years is our fully integrated, enterprise data model. This gives PiLog the ability to migrate and adapt our systems as and when required by technology trends and our customers, without affecting the huge investments made in customer data.

Our key drive on a systems level is to provide an Open Systems Architecture in order to facilitate system interoperability at all levels.

Apart from PiLog’s own ERP and Cataloguing products, we have deployed various other niche solutions in support of the major ERP systems within the petroleum, energy, steel and mining sectors.

System Architecture

PiLog has traditionally built file based mainframe systems in the early years which eventually evolved into the relational database based customer-server applications that were our core application technology up to 2001.

During 2001, PiLog embarked on a transformation in terms of technology and ICT infrastructure used to develop and deploy our solutions. We moved away from the customer-server application model and adopt a true multi-tiered, thin-customer based, Services Oriented Architecture model. This move was made without affecting the underlying functional data models.

In order to stay in line with our governing principles regarding the provision of an Open Systems Architecture, as well as to minimize the risks and cost of 3rd party proprietary technologies, PiLog adopted the Java suite of technologies as our main software development platform.

This allowed us to utilize the freely distributed and operating platform independent J2SE and J2EE standards in our solutions, while harnessing the flexibility of the Java Open Source community.

Multi-Tiered Environment

The PiLog product suite is a true integrated Enterprise Application. The system is based on a thin-customer, multi-tiered design, modeled on the Java 2 platform Enterprise Edition (J2EE) standards utilizing a Services Oriented Architecture.

The total solution consists of 4 distinct tiers:

  • Customer front-end (desktop web browser)
  • Web server component
  • Application Server Component
  • Relational Database Server

Enterprise Architecture

Below is a detailed diagram of PiLog’s Enterprise Architecture.

Due to the fact that the PiLog solution is web based with a separate application server, the solution can ideally be deployed at any one or more central sites with sufficient server resources. In such a centralized configuration, any business unit would access the back-end system via the LAN or WAN.

The system also allows for a distributed approach wherein servers are replicated geographically, running multiple instances of the back-end software. In this configuration, one node is appointed as the Central Configuration Control, where base data is updated and from where this data is distributed to the satellite nodes. This configuration is normally used when the organization’s business units are dispersed over a large geographical area with limited bandwidth capacity.

Key Technology Features

  • Java Middle Tier and Front-end.
  • Thin customer allows for instant distribution and centralized configuration.
  • Database support for both Oracle and MS SQL Server.
  • Rich customizable user interface provided via Swing Java classes and meta schema.
  • I18N - Support for multi-languages.
  • L10N - Support for Regions / Locale settings.
  • Application Server Security on User, Role and System level.
  • Easy configuration / customization via meta data.
  • Application Server managed connection pooling eliminates excessive and unused database connections.
  • Model View Controller (MVC) architecture divorces data from the presentation layer and compresses it in transfers between tiers to effect very low costs in communication
  • Multi-tiered environment allows for a truly scalable implementation that easily adapts to growth in system resource demand.
  • Modular approach allows for deployment in a number of network and infrastructure configurations depending on customer requirements.

Minimum Server Hardware Requirements

Scalability is a key benefit from the PiLog Systems Architecture.

This configuration can be scaled up across multiple application servers if the need arises, or scaled down if the database is running on a separate server. The best practice implementation methodology is to cater for the following servers for an enterprise installation:

  • Production Database Server/s
  • Production Application Server/s
  • Development Server
  • QA / Training Server

Server Interfaces

Note: Any electronic interface between PiLog Product modules and another customer system (e.g. SAP) will be handled as and when required by the customer and will be based on the specific customer requirements. Each interface design will subject to the direction of information flow, location of required information, available API’s and corporate data access policies.

Standard interface API’s for the PiLog Product modules include (but is not limited to) the following ERP’s:

  • SAP
  • ORACLE
  • MAXIMO

Web Services

The preferred implementation of interfaces between the PiLog system and other customer systems is by means of web services.

In the case of the SAP system, they provide the SAP Exchange Infrastructure (SAP XI) which enables cross-system communication and is integrated with the SAP Web Application Server, implements the various web service standards (i.e. XML, SOAP).

System Access Control and Security

Industry best practice means of security control are implemented

Database Access
End-users access the database via the web-based application.

Application Access
Access via the web application is controlled by a password provided to each registered user of the system and is stored on the central database in encrypted form.

User access is based on the assigned role and controls all aspects of the system in terms of:

  • What menu options are available
  • What application objects are visible
  • What data can be accessed
  • What data can be updated
  • What processes can be executed

PDA Access
Access to the mobile application (MobiQuest) on the PDA is controlled by the user’s 5-digit PIN, which is stored on the database in an encrypted format.

The system administrator controls who has access to which mobile device and mobile application via the Assessment Management web interface.

PiLog Hosted Applications Infrastructure

The following schematic illustrate a high level overview of a best practice implementation of a hosted solution on the customer premises. Contractors / suppliers or end-users of the customer access the system in a demilitarized zone (DMZ) from the internet, two firewall's as a minimum are required.