Technology

Netfira uses an open IT architecture that is flexible, adaptable, scalable and secure

Netfira uses a service oriented architecture (SOA), that enables quick development of service-based modular business solutions and allows easy integration to a variety of back-office systems to facilitate REAL-TIME inventory visibility and order automation.

Components

The Netfira Solution is comprised of three components, which transform the traditional buying and selling process via secure, two way, REAL-TIME eCommerce.

Netfira Seller

The Netfira Seller module is installed on the seller’s server and integrated with their back-office ERP or accounting/inventory system such as SAP, Oracle, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Fishbowl, QuickBooks, and MYOB. This integration enables buyers to view REAL-TIME inventory levels and customized price points. The Netfira Seller module is configurable and customizable to meet the seller’s business requirements. Order automation allows orders that are generated and transmitted by buyers to be automatically inserted into the seller’s back-office system, eliminating the need for manual data entry.

Netfira Buyer

Netfira offers a multitude of Buyer Solutions from an installable desktop to web-based products featuring REAL-TIME inventory visibility and order automation. This module allows the buyer to connect to the seller, look up inventory levels and customized pricing in REAL-TIME, and transmit purchase orders (POs) electronically.

The Netfira Cloud

Netfira uses a service-oriented architecture (SOA) which is flexible, secure, adaptable and scalable:

  • Netfira is flexible—allowing users to interact whether in a peer-to-peer environment or via a web browser
  • Netfira is secure—the messaging system overlays the Internet Protocol (IP) allowing secure, guaranteed delivery
  • Netfira is adaptable—the authentication server allows users access based on the credentials supplied during the authentication process
  • The SuperNode Server supports users who are behind firewalls and users who cannot use Netfira’s standard ports
  • Netfira is scalable—based on the peer-to-peer model, where minimal messaging is required to the authentication server
  • Plug-ins include a SQL Link plug-in and a supplier and buyer eProcurement module
  • Netfira supports mobile devices and configurable plug-ins

Back-Office Systems

When you first install Netfira Seller, it asks you to connect to a back-office ERP, inventory or accounting system. The Netfira Seller module requires this connection to automate sales orders. This is optional for the Netfira Buyer module.

Back-Office Systems Supported

The Netfira SDK is available for additional integrations.

Netfira SDK

The Netfira Software Development Kit (SDK) allows system integrators to write custom interfaces between back-office accounting systems and the Netfira suite of applications. These custom interfaces, referred to as integrations, make it possible for integrators to use Netfira to:

  • Access any type of data source, from desktop files to enterprise DBMS servers and beyond
  • Implement business or industry-specific rules, such as custom pricing and inventory control
  • Implement REAL-TIME interfaces to 3rd-party or internally developed applications

The Netfira SDK includes documentation and sample projects which illustrate how to write integrations that can work with almost all back-office systems.

Netfira Seller

The following configurations are supported by Netfira Seller:

Operating System Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Server R2 x64 [x86 mode]
Database Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Microsoft SQL Server 2008
Processor Intel Pentium 4 - 3 Ghz Processor - with 8GB RAM (minimum)
Hard Disk Hard disk storage dependent on size of your inventory system's database.

Netfira operates most effectively when installed on a common, high-end, multi-processor server computer.

Netfira is a registered Microsoft® Partner. Netfira Seller requires Microsoft operating systems to function correctly.

Netfira Buyer Desktop Client

The following system requirements are supported by Netfira Buyer Desktop Client:

Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional Server Pack 3
Windows 7 Professional
Processor Intel Pentium 4 - 3Ghz processor - with 2Gb RAM (minimum)
Screen 1024 x 768 video display resolution preferably flat screen (minimum)

The Netfira Buyer Desktop Client is NOT supported on Microsoft Windows Vista™.

Netfira Web Store

The Netfira Webstore is hosted by Netfira's high performance web hosting solution. There are no specific system requirements for a buyer or seller to access the Netfira Webstore. All that is required is a conventional browser interface to access its web-based components, and a machine sufficiently powerful to browse the internet.

The Netfira Webstore supports the following web browsers:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (7.x, 8.x)
  • Mozilla Firefox 3.x, 4.x (32-bit)
  • Apple Safari
  • Google Chrome

Install

  • Small download (~20 MB)
  • Rich Internet application
  • Link to, and access data from your current enterprise resource planning (ERP), inventory / accounting system

Invite

  • Access customer details from your ERP, inventory / accounting system
  • Send secure invitations to customers via email
  • Customers accept, invite and install Netfira Buyer
  • Customers are now linked to ERP, inventory and accounting system
  • REAL-TIME, secure connection from buyer to seller is now enabled

Search

  • REAL-TIME search by item, description, category, and catalog
  • Netfira Buyer returns current price and availability
  • Custom pricing is returned for each buyer
  • Search using purchase orders (POs) from buyer's ERP, inventory /
    accounting system

Buy

  • Based on the search, buyers can instantly place orders
  • Netfira Seller verifies the transaction
  • Order automation means orders are now created automatically in seller’s back-office system