VOSBA: a success story

VOSBA was conceived and developed by Vicus in 2006 and continuously expanded by Vicus with innovative new features that allow companies to not just link their business processes but actually integrate them. This makes VOSBA unique on the Dutch market. Thanks to the versatility of this proven solution, combined with Vicus' years of expertise, optimal efficiency is achieved. Soon VOSBA 4 will be rolled out and in 2014 VOSBA version 5 will be available. Further on you will read more about this latest version, but first we will discuss the start and (continued) development of VOSBA in chronological order.

2005: Picking up a real challenge....

At the beginning of 2005, it became increasingly clear to us that integrating CRM, e-commerce and ERP systems was a real challenge for small and medium-sized organizations. Based on customer wishes and requirements in such integration projects, we decided to develop a solution that goes beyond using a standard encoding. The development of VOSBA was based on the need to integrate 2 or more software packages in a simple and repeatable way. The repetition factor was a requirement here because it would allow costs to be limited. Existing solutions were far too expensive for the customers we supported. Therefore, we developed our own alternative with the prerequisite:

• cheaper than existing frameworks
• developed in an easier to implement language (php)

What's in a name?

In one of the first months of 2006, we started developing VOSBA. Originally this was the abbreviation for Vicus Open Source Business(integration) Architecture, later for Vicus Open Systems Business integration Architecture. And we still use this name where we now use the full name VOSBA e-solutions middleware.

In mid-2006, we implemented VOSBA for ourselves and for a first client where we provided a grant to EZ and Syntens for part of our work.

Increased performance

In 2007, we introduced application agents (software module that is inserted into the other application like a spy) and continued working on the internal measurement methodology to significantly improve internal performance based on the measurements. We also implemented a flexible configuration module. In this year, we handled implementation for customers working in catering, consumer electronics and health/factoring services. Among others, we built adapters for SugarCRM, Navision ERP, MISI WMS and Zen Cart webshop.

More data

2008 was the year with new challenges as customers started needing more and more data. Therefore, we had to again improve the xml and file processing environment and performance. We also started monitoring the server of both VOSBA and the target applications to prevent them from being overloaded with messages. For example, to avoid delays in sending product updates to an online store when there are many visitors at the same time. And we had to solve important memory problems in PHP. In this year, we implemented 3 more integrations for customers working in the healthcare, events and publishing industries. We built adapters for SQL-Ledger, Vtiger CRM, LimeSurvey, Papyrus ERP, Buckaroo and Joomla.

Additional stability

In 2009, we set to work cleaning up the code and "re-factoring" the framework. As more and more applications started to support APIs, we became less dependent on our own application agents. We grew with VOSBA more and more towards a Service Oriented Achitecture. We handled the implementation for 5 customers working in the apparel industry and training. We built adapters for King, Modis, WinPos and improved the Navision ERP adapter.

Breakthrough and WMS integration

The number of customers grew stormily in 2010 and VOSBA's new concept captured a market position all its own. Availability became an increasingly important factor with regard to coding and infrastructure. Important here was the fact that our solution proved to be more stable in practice than the systems we connected. On this basis, we increasingly made a name for ourselves with our "recovery processes" among our customers and business partners as the integration expert. In this year, customers active in the apparel, drugstore, wholesale, consumer electronics and automotive industries chose VOSBA middleware. Among other things, we built adapters for WICS WMS, Magento and various external product suppliers for processing article files.

Continuation and new projects

In 2011 we made some minor changes to the platform and fixed some bugs, but mainly we were able to serve existing and new customers with new implementations. Achievements: again new projects for customers working in consumer electronics, automotive and pet supplies.

VOSBA 4: another breakthrough

In 2012 we undertook a major redesign of the software to handle even larger files. This was the first real SaaS implementation. We implemented a new concept by switching from file-based handling to message-based handling within the framework itself. Our new concept saves a lot of memory capacity and CPU of both the source system (e.g. ERP system) and the target system (e.g. webshop). Complex serial product files from supplier systems or other systems are no longer an obstacle. In addition, data processing and routing is now much more flexible. The first customers are already benefiting from the renewed functionality of VOSBA 4.

In 2012, we handled the implementation of new customers in the automotive and electronics industries. This is especially true for integration with Navision ERP, WICS WMS, King Business Software, Vtiger CRM, Zen Cart and Magento. In May 2013, it's party time! VOSBA has been nominated by iCMG for the 2013 Architecture Excellence Award. The nomination in itself is already a crowning achievement!

Integration of crm, e-commerce, WMS and ERP systems

For example, VOSBA integrates your Magento webshop or Vtiger CRM to your ERP system including Microsoft Navision, King Business Software, Papyrus, WICS, Cash and Accountview. If your system has an API, web service or import/export function, we can realize the link. In addition, we cleverly read all kinds of article files via the newly developed VOSBA VendorConnector.

Even better integration with VOSBA 5

VOSBA solves your integration challenges better, more flexible and cheaper than other solutions in the market. VOSBA is expected to meet the increasing demand for integrated and demonstrably efficiency-enhancing solutions that are also affordable. Meanwhile, our developers are already focusing on VOSBA 5.

Want to know more?

We will keep you informed about VOSBA and the latest developments. If you have any questions, ask our experts. We are happy to be of service and to explain our mission statement: don't connect but integrate. Feel free to contact us for a consultation.