True 3-Tier-Architecture for Scalability and Easy Deployment

BBj’s database layer, business logic layer and presentation layer can be distributed across different platforms in a network and can be scaled independently as needed.

The 3-Tier architecture supports a virtually unlimited number of simultaneous clients/users, allows multiserver environments and the use of multiple databases, in heterogenous OS environments.

Communication over the network is secured by 128 Bit SSL encryption. The execution layer and the database layer can be load-balanced.

Standards-Based

Since BASIS tools are based on and developed for Java, they are fully standard-compliant and do not introduce any proprietary technology.
•    BBj and Barista software runs in the standard Java JVM
•    SQL is used for data interaction
•    Java to integrate existing functionality into your application and to extend your applications
•    SOA-compliant Webservices to communicate with the outside world
•    XML, RTF, PDF and HTML file formats

Rich Thin Client

The BBj client is a genuine Rich Thin Client which can be started as a Java applet or by a Web Start. The BBj Thin Client establishes a stateful bi-directional TCP/IP connection with your server.

Business rules and methods can be executed either on the client processor or on the server, wherever they ensure optimum performance.

It uses little of the available bandwidth. Using Java WebStart, the installation effort is almost zero - there is no need to install the Thin Client on each workstation or update the versions manually.

Users start their application using a simple http-link, and WebStart will automatically install or update the BBj Thin Client and start your app - on any Java-enabled client operating system.

BUI

Based on the Google Web Toolkit, BASIS has created the “Browser User Interface” (BUI). Without any changes to the source code you can deploy your application to all Javascript-enabled web browsers.

That is, to all desktop computers as well as smartphones and iPads. Now and in the future.

Built-in SaaS availability

Thanks to BBj’s 3-Tier Architecture, all BBj Barista and AddonSoftware applications are SaaS-capable.

User Interface Design Options

BBj provides a host of ready-to-use controls for the development of complete GUI applications, but you can also freely chose from a wide range of available standard and 3rd party Java components.

The BBj architecture takes care of everything that is needed to run your programs on the server, but displays the UI controls within the Thin Client. Just instantiate the class and use it - the BBj architecture will handle the rest.

Due to the built-in standard control set to handle almost any business application tasks, many business and validation rules are executed in the Thin Client. This reduces server load and network traffic and again improves the overall user experience of your application.

Rich Internet Applications

The BASIS BBj Thin Client is the choice for your deployment as a feature-rich Java application. Using Java WebStart, the installation effort is almost zero - there is no need to install the Thin Client on each workstation or update the versions manually. Users start their application using a simple http-link, and WebStart will automatically install or update the BBj Thin Client and start your app - on any Java-enabled client operating system.

Operating System Independence

With BASIS tools, you are free to deploy on any operating system, at no extra cost and without the need of changing the source code: Windows, Linux, SCO Unix, HP/UX, Solaris, IBM AIX, Mac OS X.

Includes Free SQL Database

BASIS tools offer you the comfort of a built in powerful SQL database at no extra cost. This database is fast, reliable and SQL-standard-compliant, and offers you some valuable features like the direct result set navigation (direct result set or direct navigational access).

Database Independence

You are never locked into any database when you chose BASIS as your development platform. BBj and Barista can work with virtually any SQL database using JDBC.
You have the flexibility to follow your customer's database preferences, or even use more than one database simultaneously in the same program.

Ready-to-use menu system

BASIS Barista supplies a complete framework with a menu system, user management and database-supported development of the user interface.

Geolocation, GPS location

BBjGeolocation is a feature in BUI. Thanks to this feature, BBj programs can manage real-time tracking of fleet vehicles, integrate with Google Maps and provide a host of other location-based services, using the GPS geo-positioning system.

Realtime Debugging, Testing and Troubleshooting

BBj is an interpreted, dynamic language which allows interactive access to the program state and to the environment during runtime and so enables realtime debugging, testing and troubleshooting.

Browser Compatibility

BBj applications are deployed as "real" applications, giving all user a uniform application performance, no matter what browsers they us. You can deploy BBj applications on any operating system and platform without the need for additional testing or rewriting code.

Dynamic Database Binding

The connection of the application to the database can be switched dynamically, allowing for running the same application for different customers on different databases to achieve a complete physical separation of customer-data.

Multi-Firm Features

Barista and AddOn Software have built-in multi-firm/multi-tenant functionality to allow for setting up your SaaS application for multiple firms on the same database. The access credentials to the different firms are maintained on the application level per user.

Tracking and Auditing

Using BBj or Barista on the BBj database, switching on tracking and audit logging is straight forward. You can create a full audit log of all changes to your database records per table.

Language Support

BASIS tools offer multi-language support - on the same server, users can run their application in different languages, even simultaneously!

Easy Deployment

The BBj Thin Client provides a rich user interface of a local application - including features like Drag & Drop, Clipboard or even access to local printers or Point of Sale Hardware - with a zero deployment effort.  Write your code once and BBj will do the rest for you!

Customize Your Applications

In a perfect world, all your customers would use exactly the same functionality. However, custom tailored functionality cannot be avoided. Barista and AddOn Software are prepared for that: Maintain your standard, and build custom screens for customers independently from your standard. Barista will take care of your customization every time when you roll out updates to your screens, logic, or database – automatically.

One Code Base for SaaS and In-house Installations

If your customers demand both options - SaaS and in-house installation - you can significantly reduce your efforts with BASIS technology: If you deploy over the web as an SaaS or install in a local network environment - the same software will handle both.

Create Database-driven applications with Barista

The Barista Application Framework is the solution for database-driven applications. Select your database and tables, choose your elements and put them on your forms. No SQL, no manual programming, just by pointing and clicking you create a fully functional application. If you need more, Barista and BBj let you write your own SQL behind your forms or implement more sophisticated requirements directly in BBj and Java to enhance and individualize your application.

Reporting

Creating and integrating reports with BASIS applications is easy. We have prepared an integration using the Jasper reporting tool Jasper Reports by JasperSoft. With the design tool iReport Designer, you can create your customized reports for print and preview, and for output to HTML, PDF, and many other formats. BBj and Barista integrate seamlessly with the JasperReports Viewer, so the user of your application will enjoy working with a fully integrated reporting tool.

Stored Procedures

BBj implements the standard JDBC-SQL interface and offers you stored procedures which can hold any kind of business logic, not only access to stored data on disk. Our stored procedures do not only work on disk data, but entirely in-memory so you can encapsulate complicated business logic into a stored procedure, using the same programming language you know and master: BBj or Java.

Easy development, easy integration

When you use BASIS tools, you don’t need to browse for libraries, add-ons or plugins, everything is just there. Most BASIS customers will never have to leave the BASIS technology platform for their development tasks. However, if you need to integrate with other software products or need specialized functionality, you are free to integrate with any kind of Swing components or JavaBeans on the user interface side, use Webservices, JDBC-SQL access from and to your BBj data and business logic.

Easy Server Management

The BBj Application Server is very easy to manage. Using a fully featured Java interface running standalone or as an applet, you can change all settings, view the logs and the memory management, monitor running clients, open files and JDBC connections, shut down clients, and even have a look at the current line of code a particular client is executing - a  valuable asset in the support of large, distributed sites.

Free for developers

Developers’ BBj and Barista licenses are for free. For productive applications, we charge a fee per concurrent user. There are purchase and rental licensing models available. With BASIS, there are no fees per server or per processor.