“DataFlex empowers programmers to be more and do more. They are not only coders, they are also business analysts and process architects. They are actively involved in the concepts of analytics and conceptualization.” - Christian Hartlieb, CEO, Somentec Software GmbH

Fast and flexible object-oriented programming

Somentec was founded in 1994 by a small team – including current CEO Christian Hartlieb – with a focus on billing software for the energy market. To that end, the company looked for a robust object-orientated development environment.

The people behind Somentec were no strangers to software development, having created numerous solutions in sectors such as accounting, tax consulting, and hospitality using programming languages like Cobol and Visual Basic and procedural DataFlex. While these languages and others like them had their merits, Somentec did nog consider them to be a good fit for their new billing software for the energy market. The ideal programming language needed to be fast and responsive to keep up with an ever-changing industry. The new software should be developed with an object-oriented-Programming (OOP) framework.

To find a programming language, Somentec evaluated some of the biggest names in the market yet none met their criteria. Ultimately they selected DataFlex because it did. Somentec’s developers were already familiar with the DataFlex platform, having previously used the Object Orientated Programming Language (OOP) procedural Version of DataFlex (2.x) to develop ERP-accounting software. It was also chosen for its stability and the clarity of concept its robust framework provided for writing applications.

Somentec’s billing software (XAP.) is used internally by utility companies who are dealing in different roles with energy (electricity, gas, heating) or water, such as utilities. An addition to the Windows based ERP-Software, Somentec provides a web portal for the consumers to make self-services like they are also involved with consumer web portals as well that tend to be less complex applications for entering meter readings, accessing bills, updating personal details. Both , and so on. They’re not as the technologically challenging or complex as Somentec’s flagship billing products XAP. and the web portal , that are built in using DataFlex.

The regular regulatory changes that occur in the utility industry at least once or twice a year, and sometimes more, place enormous pressure on Somentec and the utility providers they support to stay updated, compliant and responsive to change. The regulatory changes impact the development process by cutting down the available development time for a new release to every six months or even lessso. That’s because their billing solution must keep pace with changes and allow the utility companies the time to adapt their billing processes in a timely and efficient manner.

It’s not easy to keep up with changes, especially when programming is the smallest part of the process. First, must analyze the regulatory changes. Second, you have to identify the effect on the software – what can be customized without programming. Third, you must identify what needs to be done in programming, testing, documenting, and training where needed. That’s why DataFlex’s robust framework and flexibility are so useful.

Streamlined and less complex for developers to learn

Somentec started with 4 developers, today they have more than 40 – a tenfold increase. It’s not just the size of the team that’s grown. As an OOP and 4GL, DataFlex gives Somentec a fast and efficient way to develop its solution, and maintain it. That’s because DataFlex as a programming language and framework is streamlined, is complete and less complex for developers to work with.

At Somentec, developers are encouraged not only to “code”, but to ‘develop’ in the original sense of the word, think about the problem and come up with a practical solution within the technical architecture. It helps that their development framework and programming language – DataFlex – is clear and concise.

The DataFlex framework brings several benefits to the development team at Somentec.
For a start, it’s object-oriented with several layers of classes. It is easily supported to , which means you have a central repository for business rules and Data Dictionaries. New developers at Somentec find DataFlex’s framework easy to learn, and they can onboard quickly and smoothly into the team.

With DataFlex Somentec developed a flexible software platform, which allows to serve multiple Software products for different Although it serves multiple sectors within the utility market. All installed Systems within the same Version are 100% identically. Individual are only interfaces, reports and very few components. , Somentec offers one flexible, software platform that can manage multiple utilities in one place. In fact, Somentec can reuse 99% of the components and interfaces for different customers simply by toggling functionality on or off.

DataFlex also makes it possible for Somentec to reuse the source code for different parts of its web services. This not only ensures consistent code quality, and saves developers valuable time, it also means there’s no need to continually rewrite everything from scratch.

The human side of technology

“The people at Data Access Worldwide are very good, very fair, and very close to us as a partner. They have an open ear to any problems and demands. For every problem, there’s a solution.” - Christian Hartlieb, CEO, Somentec Software GmbH

Human connection is vital in any business relationship, especially one that’s received a lot of investment over an extended period. The team at Data Access Worldwide communicates weekly with the developers at Somentec. They have also helped Somentec with specific customer projects and enhancements to the standard DataFlex product. This collaborative relationship ensures Somentec continues to develop its billing software with excellent support and consistent with DataFlex’s product direction.

DataFlex’s underlying technology continually evolves. One of the milestones was the DataFlex switch from using an embedded database to a relational one – such as Oracle. It wasn’t an easy transition, but it was a significant one, ensuring data integrity; security and performance. Another landmark moment was the switch from a text-based user interface to a WindowsGraphical User Interface (GUI) which made it simpler and faster for developers to use.

From a Somentec perspective, over the last few years Data Access Worldwide has made great strides in technology, 64-bit, Unicode functionality and new updates that deliver powerful new functionality for mobile apps. Somentec is also looking forward to working with Data Access Worldwide on the web service aspect of DataFlex and a runtime for Linux. It’s a collaboration that continues to go from strength to strength.

To discover more about Somentec, visit their website.