Architecture

Aspasia is developed using Oracle's PL/SQL programming language and is comprised of many database packages that interact directly with a user's browser by supplying dynamic HTML pages produced on-the-fly. Aspasia has over a million lines of source code and has taken over 35 programmer man years to develop so far.

The database server is supported by an Apache web server. Unless there is a particularly large number of users where load balancing and extra security are required there is no need for an application server as in many other "web" based architectures.

The database server can be any device that can host an Oracle database such as machines running NT, Unix or Linux operating systems. The Apache web server will normally run on a Windows 2003 server which is the operating system required for some third party products that have been integrated with Aspasia.

Aspasia source code is contained within the database itself in the form of packages, procedures, functions, etc. This means the database deals directly with the web server ruling out the need for a traditional "middle tier" which would only serve to slow the application down. This is why Aspasia is a true "thin client" application which functions without any client software whatsoever and why it is so fast. With a broadband connection users can easily forget they are using an Internet solution as performance matches local software 99% of the time.

Aspasia is available in two distinct deployment architectures.

For those organisations who wish to retain total control over their computer systems and data on their own premises, Aspasia software is available for use on company servers over an Intranet with or without an Internet connection.

For others, Aspasia is available on the ASP model where agencies can simply rent the software they require over the Internet and where complete data management is handled remotely by experts in their field. This means that agencies who do not want to have their own server on site can take advantage of the facility where all their data is hosted on the Internet. Backups, upgrades, etc are handled automatically !

This is the simplest technical solution available to estate agents today. All you need is a PC with an Internet connection. There is no need for expensive and complicated servers and networks.

Aspasia generates dynamic PDF documents from its data stored in the Oracle database using the PL/PDF program package. PL/PDF is written exclusively in PL/SQL. It is able to either store the generated PDF document in the database or provide the results directly to a browser. No third-party software is required, PL/PDF only uses tools provided by an Oracle Database. PL/PDF quickly and easily allows the development of applications with dynamic content but also permits quality presentation and printing capabilities.