Technical Specification & FAQ

Technical Specifications

Hosted

- Useful for Testing and ease of access

ISES® is available on our secure server. To get started all you need is to download our remote desktop connection and set up your fire wall to allow access to our server. You will need a broadband internet connection and latest version of current web browser.

Installed

- Download and install the entire package in approximately 2 hours or have our support staff do if for you.

Software Specification
ISES® is written in Microsoft® .NET framework 3® with Microsoft® SQL back end, ships with SQL 2005 Express +
Hardware Requirements
- IBM® Compatible Computer Pentium® 200mhz or higher
- 500MB Ram120MB Hard Disk Space
- Monitor with 800x600 high bit true colour
- Software Requirements - Standard
Supported Operating Systems:
- Windows Server 2003; Windows XP Service Pack 2 or higher. Compatible with Citrix / Terminal services environment.
  - Windows Installer 3.0 . Windows Installer 3.1 or later is recommended.
  - IE 5.01 or later: You must also be running Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 or later for all installations of the .NET Framework.
  - .NET Framework 3.5

Software Requirements - Server Installation
- Microsoft Data Access Components 2.8 or later is recommended.
- Internet Information Services (IIS) version 5.0 or later. To access the features of ASP.NET, IIS with the latest security updates must be installed prior to installing the .NET Framework. ASP.NET is supported only on the following platforms: Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 3 recommended), Microsoft Windows 2000 Server (Service Pack 3 recommended), Microsoft Windows XP Professional, and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 family

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is this software compatible or can be integrated with other software packages?

Written in .Net with SQL back end so it can easily be interfaced with other systems. All we need do is write an interface module for each specific interface.

Is the software customisable to specific needs of the customer?

The software is very customisable
Customer can customize the user interface by pinning or re arranging windows
A logo can be added for reports
A Word template can be assigned which can be customised by the user
A Windows folder structure can be developed to suite the structure of the business
All rich text documents are editable like a MS Word Document
Flowchart shape pallets can be customised by the user
The risk matrix including definitions and number of categories, risk types, control point types can all be customised by the user
The risk control point type decision trees can be customised by the user
Each report can be filtered and the output customised by the user
We can develop specific reports for a customer if required

Are these site licenses renewable each year?

Yes there is a mandatory maintenance and license agreement. This covers:
- a set number of training and tech support hours
- Online training and resources
- Membership to the development forum
- Free updates
- Discounts off upgrades
- Licensing
It is calculated as 24% of total cost and paid annually

Is Icon Global Link responsible for development?

Icon is responsible for development however, we take input from our clients via the development forum. In this forum anyone with a current maintenance agreement is encouraged to suggest changes to the software to better suit their needs. They are also canvassed for agreement on future changes. These updates are provided as part of the maintenance agreement. The software is set up to auto update via an administrator login
For major developmental work we are also responsible for development and can scope and cost specific changes that a client, industry, government may need.

Is there a support network provided by Icon Global Link in the event of a software breakdown?

We provide 24 hour online support including known issues and fixes
There is an online discussion forum where users can share content
As part of the service agreement we provide technical support via email and can perform remote maintenance via logmein if required.

What is the typical amount of time needed for training?

Someone with HACCP and risk assessment experience will pick up the software very quickly and a basic run through takes about 1 hour.
For someone without risk assessment experience 3 hours and using examples a user can be up and running in that time.
A more comprehensive training session takes 1 day showing more details of the tools available
For an administrator and someone wishing to customize the software another ½ day is typically needed.
A detailed interactive manual with screen captures and interactive flash video is available online
We can also offer webinars

Has there been a ROI or case study used to show that software pays for itself ?

Yes a value proposition, common language between quality management systems white paper, and ROI spreadsheet can be found here.

Can you reveal customers/shippers already using this?

Yes a list of current clients can be found here

Who is the target market (size and types of company, products, value of shipments, shipping modes etc)?

Our target market is any business with the vision to integrate it’s risk management systems and automate 70% of their administration
Small to medium sized enterprises are able to justify the cost of using the software
The software is very scalable and can be used by multiple site on a local or wide area network. For example on client manages 97 distribution centers with the system replacing 1.1 million documents.
Our focus is on entire supply chains linking into the ISESÒ trace services to link quality to production lots and location.

How many compliance mandates does ISES® accommodate?

As many as you choose to define

How do you price the product (based on a full supply chain vulnerability assessment and installation)?

The software can be purchased “off the shelf” and used to manage risk systems. The pricing for such an installation is based on a base license and then by number of risk systems and concurrent users.
con Global Link are able to offer facilitation in risk system integration.
Icon Global link and also offer existing plan conversion and import into the software. This greatly assists with training since users are familiar with their content and its structure.
Icon Global Link and our strategic partners offer supply chain assessments whereby, we use the ISESÒ software to assesses the supply chain against our “Supply Chain Assurance” risk system. From these assessments we offer a list of opportunities for improvement and provide the basis for through chain quality management such as ISO22000 or the ISESÒ trace services.

I know there are several ports throughout the world considered high risk, is that a key selling point for ISESÒ?

ISES® will ensure that stringent guidelines are being followed and will assist logistics providers and shippers to achieve compliance. Having a well managed through chain risk system that complies with legislation such as the 24 hour records maintenance rule is a primary focus.

With C-TPAT well on its way in the US, how can you sell ISES as a tool that works well?

First of all you should read this article about CTPAT
Icon Global Link are developing an international supply chain project using ISES® that will demonstrate all compliance systems including CTPAT. Read more

What type of staffing is needed to install?

The installation takes one person about 2 hours including the download which is about ½ of that time.
The person installing should know how to set up SQL server (IT professional) however we have automated the process so someone who is good at following instructions can also do this.
For clients without an IT department our IT support staff can set up a remote control connection to any PC and then perform the installation remotely. (after hours is preferred – i.e. leave computer on over night and it will be installed by the next day)

Do you sell ISES® as part of a ‘Systems Maturity’ model?

Ideally ISES® can be used to actually measure the status of the business against such models.

Reseller FAQ

Are logistics providers a better fit than the actual shipper?

ISES® trace services are hosted by Icon Global Link.
It’s better that each node in the supply chain is accountable for their own risk management systems. I.e. logistics providers should manage chain of responsibility while the shipper managers say HACCP food safety if they are a food manufacturer.

What marketing efforts do you envision are needed?

For a reseller the key is getting to the right people listed above so going to the right trade show followed up with demonstrations and ROI cost justifications is a good start.

Are we responsible for software maintenance and upgrades and is there an annual fee for these services and if so what do we charge?

No Icon Global Link provide that
We can remotely install and maintain the software
We can also add annual fees for services that resellers may provide as part of the annual fee and then pass those onto you

Are we issued a site license with the distributorship and we in turn sell other site licenses?

As a distributor you are issued with a site license and if you sell an agreed number of licenses you don’t need to pay a service agreement fee each year
If you are developing plans for the customer and they only need to edit or enter data then you sell an end user license and get a commission on the sale
If the sites want to develop plans then as a distributor you sell them a license and get a commission

To whom do you sell this product/service? (CEO, VFO, VP of Ops, COO – Trade Associations)?

It really depends on who has the knowledge of what value the quality management systems in the business add.
For an entire supply chain we work with industry and government bodies and we may need to educate the supply chain participants on what’s in it for them.
For a vertically integrated supply chain we talk to the CEO, VFO, VP or COO.
At a multi site level leading businesses tend to have someone who is in charge of all risk and compliance so we deal that that person and if they don’t exist then it’s a combination of Quality Manger, Operations Manger and CEO.

Is anyone in the US using this product?

Yes one of our project partners in the International Food Chain Integrity and Traceability Project (IFCITP) the Delaware Valley College.
Some of our existing clients OS that are based in the US are evaluating using the software globally.

ISES® Software