ASP Theta.

Softlab Ltd, have available its latest application service provision (ASP) offering, ASPTheta, which is an enterprise application service based on IFS Applications 2000, a customisable component-based business applications. The service is aimed primarily at small to medium enterprises (SMES) in the manufacturing and automotive sector.

ASPTheta is the second service to be launched under the ASPLexicon brand the first; ASPKappa, which automates, integrates and speeds the flow of information into, through and out of core Business systems, was launched earlier this year. The new service available in the UK through Softlab, will provide systems integration consultancy to customise the solution to meet specific business requirements, customer support, helpdesks, training and upgrades. ASPTheta will be hosted by Exodus, Internet hosting and management services, deployed on the IFS application and running on Sun Microsystems hardware.

ASPTheta is available at three levels of functionality and with two optional components, to maximise the flexibility for customers: The cost varies according to the level and options required and is based on an initial sum paid upfornt, to cover set-up, integration and training, with agreed monthly rental payments thereafter which are linked to the number of users:

* Level one entry-level functionality, with purchasing and inventory, customer order tracking and Material Requirement Planning (MRP) capabilities, it provides the core business processes that a manufacturer requires.

* Level two -introduces customer and supplier scheduling components and can be integrated with ASPKappa to link externally to other customers and suppliers, streamlining information management across supply chains.

* Level three - an advanced 'master scheduling' facility including shop floor reporting and ordering capabilities. Significantly, it goes beyond standard MRP scheduling capabilities with its constraint-based scheduling. Many systems constraint-based scheduling. Many systems produce theoretical schedules without the facility to take into account whether they are workable in practice which, however, level three ASPTheta now provides.

A fully functional set of financial management components as well as quality management and business performance components can be added as options to any of the levels. The provision of the service at a number of levels enables customers to select the functionality that they require. In addition, the ASP model allows organisations to use the functionality with low numbers of users, growing their use as required.

ASPTheta supports productivity, shortening throughput times by providing detailed analysis of scheduling and financial data across the enterprise. Manufacturers can also use the information available on ASPTheta to keep stock to a minimum.