"Our combination of Oracle and Linux provides us the flexibility, stability and credibility to effectively roll out our world class product." -Vic Ratnieks, Managing Director Align Systems, Australia

With Australia's shift to a service-based economy and globalisation creating opportunities for Australian expertise across our borders, Align Systems (Align) of Adelaide, South Australia has developed a unique operations management system, Aeonscope. This powerful management tool provides benchmarking and quality assurance protocols in addition to the full suite of accounting services. It provides government and corporate clients with branches nationally and globally the means to track and monitor operations efficiently from head office or anywhere else using the internet.

Align's business strategy is to be a provider of quality operations management systems to small to medium sized enterprises (SME) that are affordable, easy to use, responsive, reliable, scalable and adaptable to new technologies for the benefit of its clients. Using this criteria, Align chose to run its application on Grade with a Linux platform.

Oracle and Linux, An Ideal Combination

Vic Ratnieks, Managing Director of Align Systems states:

"Linux is our preferred Oracle server platform for SMEs that require the stability of enterprise proven Unix but with the cost effectiveness and supportability of commodity Intel-based servers. It has proven to be an extremely stable environment for Oracle and has allowed us secure, remote access to maintain and enhance our customers' Aeonscope systems."

Vic Ratnieks discusses customer's access to the application:

"We have the Oracle database on the Linux server connected to Telstra Big Pond Direct across an ISDN Internet connection which allows company executives to remotely access the exact information to which they are entitled. These include costing reports, billing, payroll and timesheets. In other circumstances this information also helps clients monitor where in the production flow their order is situated as well as providing a means to directly enter orders."

Data entry is Windows client-based. A browser based enquiry user interface has been developed using the open industry standards supported by Oracle such as Java servtets, XML and XSL.

Mr. Ratnieks said Align had tested Oracle under both Novell and Linux, but found that they could customise their clients' solutions much better with Linux.

"Since we installed Oracle on Linux we haven't looked back and for all future installations we will recommend Linux. The Oracle database helps us deliver on this because their product is built upon a strong foundation, backed by a well known, worldwide, financially stable organisation with round the clock support."

"Engineers, lawyers, building approval divisions of local authorities and companies with branches in various states can keep track of every facet of their businesses activities using our system which is supported by Oracle and Linux."

The use of Linux also allows great flexibility, for example, in selecting backup solutions, both in house and off-site, permanent Internet connections, proxy servers and firewalling.

The firewalling is highly flexible, ultimately allowing customers web-based access to view the progress of their particular project and to remotely retrieve relevant information without any direct interaction with the organisation providing the product or service. This would be particularly effective in the local government environment where the progress of development or building applications could be tracked. It builds in accountability for organisations involved in these types of transactions and helps identify and eliminate bottlenecks on large bureaucracies.

Koukourou Engineeers - Using Aeonscope on Linux

One of the companies to have implemented Aeonscope, Koukourou Engineers Pty Ltd, has used the product to integrate its management and accountancy procedures between the Adelaide head office and its Melbourne and Brisbane operations.

Koukourou Engineers is a service-oriented commercial consulting firm specialising in residential, environmental, civil, structural and forensic engineering. Its geographical sphere of operations includes Australia, the South Pacific and South East Asian areas.

The company has a clear understanding of the practical realities of working in the development sector, and a keen grasp of the commercial importance of cost control and minimisation. Clients include some of Australia's largest building, residential and commercial development companies, government and urban land authorities, many smaller builders and individual developers.

"Looking after our business operations in three states has become much easier now that we are using the Aeonscope system, utilising Oracle and Linux. The ease of connectivity and data interchange means I can monitor both productivity and accounts functions in all our offices from my desk in Brisbane," says Geoff Lawrence, National Operations & Systems Manager Koukourou Engineers.

"We are currently looking at several e-commerce applications, plus being able to have our clients access progress reports on their jobs, whilst maintaining strict security. We know we are just scratching the surface of the possibilities that have opened up to us, now that we have a secure and stable operating platform."

Koukourou is committed to providing its clients with a quality product and all operations are carried out within the framework of its quality system which is certified by NCS to meet the requirements of IS09001.

The Linux open source software is at the forefront of IT solutions worldwide and when teamed with the resources of Oracle allows creative developers like Adelaide-based Align Systems to make an impact in Australia and worldwide.

Customer Success Story, March 2001