Sys Dev:
Developing an Orixa Systems Application

How do I develop an Orixa System?

There are 2 basic routes: The "Self-Build" or "we build".

How to "Self Build" 

Get in touch with us to request an "empty" system, and then use the resources in this website to develop an App yourself. Most features of Orixa can be added using Orixa, so any user can set up a single-user system and begin developing it. The free system we distribute is a fully featured version of the Orixa, but can only be accessed by a single user. If you want to use a "Self Build" App with multiple users, you have to pay Orixa for the use of the Orixa Server or Orixa Cloud-Servers.

The "Self Build" route is technically demanding, but can be a useful way to really understand how Orixa works. Self-builders need to have a good understanding of how relational databases work, and some understanding of the SQL data-base language.

Note that Orixa staff are always ready to help Self-builders, with paid assistance, so you can do a lot of the work of developing an App and pay only for minimal help you need.

How "We Build"

Get in touch with us and we will review your needs. We will develop a base system using pre-written modules to minimize development cost and time. This initial system will then become a base which we will collaborate with you to extend into a working system you are happy with. The extension process can be open-ended, allowing you to add functionality as you wish. You will be given a clear indication of likely cost for the different stages of the development process, and we can work to a clear time-line with delivery to deadlines.

A key idea in development of an Orixa System is that one or more staff members should be assigned to be "Admin Users", these should be members staff at the customer with good IT skills, capable of taking on management of the Orixa system. Orixa is not admin-heavy, and does not require day-to-day work from an "Admin User". However Orixa is powerful, and it is particularly useful for Orixa customers to have some dedicated staff who really understand how to use the system as these Admin Users can extend and develop the systems themselves keeping them aligned to your business.

Orixa Systems have a small number of experts working in countries where their systems are installed. It may be possible to have these people assist in system development. This is often helpful as they speak local languages, and can work cost-effectively. 

What we develop

A finished system will consist of a fully featured SQL client-server database with unlimited user licenses and one or more Orixa Apps which allow users to access and update data. An Orixa App can be a Windows compatible program, which can be run on a PC, laptop or tablet, an Android App which can be run on an Andriod phone or tablet, or a web-page-based system.  The development may also include modules to link your Orixa App to programmes such as Excel, Sage, Quickbooks or other software using ODBC.

First phase: Development of an initial system

• Development of base system.
• Installation of this at client site(s).
• Initial training of users and client's "Admin users".

Second Phase: Initial system to full operation

• Follow-up training and support
• Assistance with importation of legacy data from other systems
• Work to customize and extend the system to fully meet a customer's needs

Third Phase: On-going support to maintain and extend a system

• Further training and support to give "Admin users" skills to extend and develop their Orixa App.
• Work to develop mechanisms to integrate your Orixa App with other systems in your organisation such as management reports, your website(s) and / or accounts systems such as Sage, Quickbooks etc.
• Work to extend the system into new areas of the company's information management.

Using Your System

Once your App has been developed, it is yours. The App executable files, your data in your database, all associated reports, database code and procedures are yours. Orixa charge a simple annual fee to use of the Orixa Server. You can optionally pay maintenance to ensure they receive upgrades as these occur, and to to ensure your App continues to work on evolving computer platforms. Your App can be used with no on-going costs without the Orixa server, but only by single-users. You do not have to buy annual upgrades, but upgrades add new features that become possible with evolving technology and ensure that your App continues to work on new versions of operating systems. 

There are no hidden fees or extras. There are no "per user" license costs. Once you have a system you can install it on as many computers as you wish, with as many users as you wish, within the limitations of the system, and the scale of your own server architecture.

If you run a multi-site system, Orixa will host a sharing-server for you to link your sites together. This host will act as a cloud store for your data, and enable its distribution between your multiple sites. There is a clear, simple cost for a sharing-server with some simple tiers for different sizes based on the quantities of data being exchanged. If you use an Orixa system in multiple locations the data will be exchanged through the cloud. Orixa Apps require a Local Area Network within any one node of operation, and require internet connections to link nodes together in the case of multi-site operations.

Orixa offer add-on products which you can buy or subscribe to. These include automated cloud-backup for your data, and access to libraries of extensions which are additional scripts and libraries you can buy to add features to your system. Subscribing users also receive access to special development tools that make buliding and developing your Orixa system easier.

Orixa also offer a support, maintenance and extension contract for customers who want this additional security. These contracts are usually managed on an hourly basis for direct contact with Orixa staff. Within these contracts simple relationships with Orixa experts are possible allowing interactions from simple advise and training to extension and re-coding of your System.

How much does it cost to develop an Orixa System?

All systems are different, some require very little development time others far more. A system may be destined to work on a single server with a few users or may be destined to work on dozens of servers in multiple offices in different locations. Based on these different requirements the development costs will vary a great deal, so it is not useful to put specific amounts on our website. Please contact us for more detail. 

Our developers have a selection of pre-written modules which often fit with your business requirement. Where these can be used they will be, and the saved development time will be passed on to you as a lower cost.

All development costs will be outlined clearly for a customer, and there are no "hidden" costs.

Once a customer has paid for a system to be developed and installed there are no other costs, except for an annual charge to use the Orixa Server. Customers may pay for additional services such as day-to-day support, maintenance, upgrades, sharing servers, cloud back ups etc., but none of these are required.

Additional service offerings

• Day-to-day product support.
• Development time to extend and develop the software.
• Provision of automated add-on services for your Orixa system, such as automated cloud-backup to protect data and cloud sharing-servers for multi-site operations.
• Additional added value services such as automated of email, SMS and messaging of data direct from your Orixa system.

Costs

The cost of an Orixa system breaks down into three parts:

1. Development Costs
   We will arrive at an estimate of the number of days a system will require for each of the three stages of coding and training, after initial discussions with management and staff. The client will then be presented with a quotation for system development.
2. Follow up training and support
   For 2 or 3 years after development it is normal for Clients to have additional needs, training requirements, system extensions and other work they need to do. This typically costs around 20% per annum of the cost during the "Development Cost" phase.
3. Orixa-server cost
   This fee allows multiple users to access your App simultaneously across networks in your organisation. You can use your App without it, but only for a limited number of users.
4. Upgrade Fees (optional)
   This fee upgrades your application, server programmes, shared server and database to the latest versions. This is sensible and safe as computer environments are constantly evolving. Paying an annual upgrade will ensure that your system remains future-proofed and safe to use.
5. Long-term support and maintenance (optional)
   Following development, it is still useful for Clients to work with us, we can provide skilled support, small extensions to your system, upgrades to cope with new versions of Windows, new threats and viruses, upgrades to components like databases etc. This phase is usually charged on an hourly basis, plus the annual upgrade fee to rebuild your Orixa System with up-to-date component libraries to work with the latest version of operating system software. This typically costs around 5 – 10% per annum of the cost during the "Development Cost" phase.
6. Additional product and service offerings (optional) 
   These are detailed above.

As part of any contract we will be willing to quote for additional hardware and software if the client wishes, but we are always happy to work with third-party providers of hardware.