ProVUE Introduces Panorama Enterprise Server
Huntington Beach, California – July 30, 2008 – ProVUE Development announces
the release of Panorama Enterprise Server, the first totally RAM based
general purpose database server for Mac OS X. The Enterprise Server product
is designed to work in conjunction with ProVUE’s Panorama 5.5 database
software (released in December 2007) on client machines, and can also be
used for web database publishing (for use with standard web browsers).
Unlike traditional client/server systems that sequester all of the data on
a central server, the Panorama Enterprise system uses a “mesh” architecture
to distribute RAM based copies of the shared data across the network. This
mesh technology dramatically cuts delays associated with common database
tasks by spreading the load across the network.
According to James Rea, President of ProVUE Development, “The Enterprise
system works much like a formation of fighter jets teamed with an aerial
tanker. Instead of hoarding all of the data on the central server, the
Enterprise system distributes complete, redundant copies of the shared data
across the network mesh. Operations that don’t involve other clients
(searching, sorting, analysis, reports, etc.) are performed independently
at lightning speed in each client’s local RAM. The server is only involved
for coordinating data flow across the mesh, managing record locking and
updating modified data on clients as necessary.”
Dozens of beta testers have been using the Enterprise system for up to two
years. Chris Watts, Visual Effects Supervisor for the hit movie “300”, used
Panorama Enterprise to manage the tens of thousands of visual effects in
that movie: “We created over 30,000 quicktime clips during the course of
the 300 production. Everything is on a tight deadline, and we can’t afford
to drop the ball on even a single detail. Panorama Enterprise allowed us to
coordinate the work across the entire team, saving thousands of hours
during the post-production process.”
Beta tester Dr. Rickey L. Williams, President of Tanque Verde Pediatrics in
Tuscon, AZ, appreciates the speed, reliablility and ease-of-use of the
Enterprise system: “Our large office relies completely on Panorama and
Panorama Enterprise server, all running on 24 Mac Minis. In the past year
we’ve logged every one of our more than 19,000 patient visits in our
electronic health record, and it works great. We also use it for
prescriptions, scheduling, billing, immunization records, checking and
credit card accounts. It never crashes or freezes and we’ve never lost any
data.”
Transvideo Studios, Silicon Valley’s largest business television and
corporate video production facility, has staff sharing Panorama databases
in multiple locations on the SF Peninsula and globally for special
projects. According to Raymond Clark, CEO/Producer, “We depend on Panorama
Enterprise Server for thousands of transactions a day, by over 60
simultaneous users. It handles booking, scheduling, accounting, inventory,
contacts, project management, web publishing, and much more… over a
million total records in dozens of custom designed multi-user databases…
all working securely, via global remote access, with the power and speed
that keeps up with the pace of our mission critical broadcast environment.”
One unique feature of the system is that users can disconnect from the
network and continue working even when completely offline and detached —
for example when on an airplane or away from network connections. Database
changes made while offline are synchronized automatically when returning to
the network. No special setup or programming is required — this
synchronization logic is built into the server itself. This feature is
especially useful for companies with employees working in the field.
According to beta tester Ken Bliss, president of Bliss Industries in
Milpitas, CA: “We have built our entire company around Panorama Enterprise.
Panorama Enterprise keeps everyone on our team on the same page whether in
the front office, sales, engineering, wirelessly in the shop, or remotely
in the field.”
The Panorama Enterprise Server system is designed to be easy to setup and
use, even for novices. “I’m a veterinarian, with no experience or training
in programming or databases.” says beta tester John Kuttel, of Huntington
Beach, CA. “The Panorama Enterprise system made it easy to set up shared
databases to keep my five person veterinary practice running smoothly. The
databases I’ve set up handle pet records, billing, reminder cards, vaccine
expirations, licenses, and prescriptions (even printing custom labels for
medicine bottles). A big plus is that I can modify the databases whenever I
want (including graphics) — no need to wait for a consultant to show up. I
also really appreciate that I can access all of the data at home if a late
night emergency occurs.”
Other key features of Panorama Enterprise Server include WYSIWYG design
tools for building HTML/CSS forms, remote configuration, management and
debugging tools, support for Google Analytics, and automatic backup of live
databases. The software requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later (or Mac OS X Server
10.4 or later). Additional information about Panorama Enterprise Server is
available from the ProVUE web site (http://www.provue.com). The product is
available now, pricing ranges from $399 (3 user) to $2499 (unlimited users
+ web publishing).