Mamut 12 is set for great things now that its built on SQL Server..
Whats's new in Mamut 12 ?
After months of beta testing, chaging codes and updating documentation we can say that the 2 most siginificant upgrades from Mamut 11 to Mamut 12 are within the accounting section and the Mamut 12 system itself.
In Mamut accounting the introduction of multiple cost centres may gain a sigh of releif as will the ability to reverse journal entrys!
The most siginificant updates come as part of the Mamut system , see the list below:
-System/Administrator - Microsoft® SQL Server®: From version 12, Mamut Business Software uses Microsoft SQL Server 2005 for its database. This gives you secure, scalable and efficient data processing.
-When installing or updating to version 12 of Mamut Business Software Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express edition will be automatically installed and configured for Mamut on your PC/Server.
- Access control when updating to a new version
- New file structure: The files are divided so that the files which are created or changed during installation or update are saved to a separate location. In Windows Vista®, files located on C:\Program Files can only be changed via Windows® Installer.
- Improved security: The system administrator can differentiate the user’s access to the database directly from the SQL Server.
- Client Manager: Improved functionality for launching all accessible system databases on the relevant SQL Server.
- DataTools: a new tool for database administration and backup restoration
- Updated API
While some of the points above are not clear , there is a massive effort by Mamut development to improve the underlying capability of the software.
The truth is that its taken Mamut a huge investment in time and resources to bring us this release so quickly and while most will punish them for taking so long, the partners who live and breath Mamut will be relieved that the change has gone ahead and is now here.
So what is an SQL Server ?
Mamut 12 comes shipped with SQL Server express( a free edition of Microsofts flagship SQL Server Enterprise) take a look at this video for a quick overview . MS - SQL server is huged by some of the words largest organisations, its only real true competitor is Oracle.
MSSQL Server is the choice by the majority of the blue chip companys thoughout the UK and is hugely popuøar in Europe. Mamut 12 comes with the small business version, which can be upgraded to the full unlimited version at any time.
No, it doesnt actually need a server to run on! Your PC can act as a "server".
Check here for a video:
www.microsoft.com/sql/demos/sqlexpress2005/index.html
To celebrate the new year we throw out the old Mamut 11 based on Visual Foxpro and welcome Mamut12 built on SQL Server!
Out with the old :
Mamut 11 used Visual FoxPro which is an adequate database for small networks with the average number of
user around 50. This reflects the old maximum capacitys for Mamut.
In with the new:
Mamut 12 SQL Server is a robust all-purpose database that can continue to expand as your
company grows. More users can be added by upgrading the hardware with recent
benchmark test supporting up to 4,600 users.
Out with the old:
Visual FoxPro did not have the security or expandability to be used in larger networks.
Network securtity around visual foxpro 11 is barely nothing. Mamut 11 added more
protection but if the user is able to by-pass Mamut, they then have complete access to do any
changes desired.
In with the new:
SQL Server allows for maximum security. Your data is protected from unauthorized access by
integrating network security with server security. Since there is user level security, users
can have restricted access to the data records thus protecting them from modification or
retrieval by specifying user-level access privilege. In addition, with the data can be stored on a
separate server, the server acts as a gateway that limits unauthorized access.
And finally out with huge network loads!
Visual Foxpro (Mamut 11) would place strain on networks as it was not a true client server database.
Mamut 12 on SQL Server processes requests from users and only sends to the user the results of the
request. Therefore, minimal information is transmitted over a network. This improves response time and eliminates network bottlenecks.
Written by Andy Smith
Technical
eXcommerce AS