
	What is Microsoft BackOffice?

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What is Microsoft BackOffice?

Microsoft BackOffice is an integrated suite of server applications. It offers services similar to the combination of Uniplex and Unix. It delivers office automation and system administration tools in a seamless fashion.

BackOffice runs on the Windows NT server platform (on any of the chip types, Intel, Alpha, MIPS, etc). Building from simple file and print share capabilities all the way through electronic mail and forms building , leading to complex database and groupware functions.

The key strengths

Tightly integrated with the NT operating system.
Can operate with and add value to existing systems
Ease of administration and integrated management features
Automatic integration with Windows '95 on the desktop.

Back Office Components

Back Office provides five services:

NT network operating system
Electronic Messaging and Groupware (Exchange Server)
Systems Management (SMS Server)
Host Connectivity (SNA Server)
Database Connectivity (SQL Server)

Exchange Server

Exchange is the centre of the electronic messaging and groupware system. This is a large and powerful system with many opportunities for improving your working environment and productivity, it will be covered in much greater detail in a later Newsline.

The Exchange Server is the equivalent of Uniplex' Mail, Time Manager and Screen Builder but with extended functionality.

Key Exchange Server Benefits

Universal Inbox for all forms of communication (including fax and the Internet)
Group Scheduling and integration with Microsoft Schedule+
Bulletin Boards and other applications
Shared access through public folders
Automatic replication across systems
Off-line "briefcase mode" PC and server synchronisation.

The Universal Inbox (extended beyond the Win '95 Inbox) allows you to keep all messages, forms, faxes and diary information in one place. The information can be quickly sorted or searched. Server based rules can automatically categorise and process incoming mail messages.

Built-in groupware applications give you a head start with systems based on Group Scheduling, Bulletin Boards, Task Management and Customer Tracking available out of the box. These systems can be tailored and extended by you to fit your exact needs.

Microsoft Schedule+ provides full diary functions for people, rooms and resources. It supports group meetings and regular, repeating schedules.

Public folders are a simple means of sharing information between users. Access controls allow team, department or enterprise wide sharing. In addition, public folders can be shared across different computers, even those remotely connected via modems or the Internet.

The Internet mail and news modules allow you to send and receive messages with other Internet users. X.400 is also supported as an optional component.

Finally, off-line synchronisation means that you can dis-connect your portable PC for mobile working, be creating e/mail as you travel and be receiving e/mail at your office. When you next re-connect your mail is automatically updated.

Administration made simple

BackOffice integrates the administration and security controls of all the components into one place. This means that when a new user is added all modules, from passwords to e/mail to the database are updated automatically. This obviously reduces the time taken to maintain separate user account details as you do with a Unix/Uniplex combination.

Of course, NT follows the Windows '95 model of auto-detection of hardware, networking and peripherals. There are already many 1,000's of supported hardware components. All leading office hardware, for example printers, are shipped with drivers ready to run on '95 or NT. These integrate automatically into Back Office.

NT also includes standard functions for managing security, performance and backups. All of these functions use graphical interfaces and are easy to use.

NT supports many network types including Ethernet TCP/IP and Novell Netware.

System Management Server

SMS is used for large scale NT and network implementations where there are more extensive management needs. It supports automated installations and remote desktop management. You can also develop your own systems, for example inventory management using SMS tools.

SNA Server

The SNA server provides connectivity into IBM mainframe style environments. This module is not required for stand-alone or Unix connected systems.

SQL Server

SQL Server is an industrial strength database system, originally developed by Sybase and now extended by Microsoft. This can provide database services for hundreds of users simultaneously. MS-Access, the Windows desktop database client, can integrate directly into SQL Server. This provides simple, organisation wide database access with easy to use tools for users on the desktop. SQL Server is the database "engine" if you will, similar to the Informix engine shipped with Uniplex. MS-Access contains the database design, user forms and data entry facilities. The reporting facilities from Access allow "wizard" based creation of reports, including multi-tables, charts and mail-merge. There is no real comparison with the Uniplex equivalents.

Like to know more?

Call Centreline 2000 to discuss your needs. We can arrange further information, training and seminars to extend your understanding of the BackOffice system

Centreline 2000 - Uniplex, Unix, Windows and Internet
Arle Court, Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 6PN
Tel: (UK) 01242 255 000

URL: www.c2000.com/papers/backofic01.htm
© 1995-2001 Centreline 2000
Last Updated: 1st August 1996


	Centreline 2000 - Uniplex, Unix, Windows and Internet Arle Court, Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 6PN Tel: (UK) 01242 255 000

	URL: www.c2000.com/papers/backofic01.htm © 1995-2001 Centreline 2000 Last Updated: 1st August 1996