The storing of knowledge in business is important but even more critical is the ability of an IT solution to empower all individuals in an organisation with that knowledge.  This is a key driver in the development and launch of a new IT solution from Ramesys called Summit Assimilate.

The software is essentially a framework to provide construction, contracting and professional service organisations with a toolset to manage all types of information and knowledge.  Assimilate focuses on bringing both structured and unstructured data together and then delivering the relevant knowledge to each user in a personalised manner within an easy to use tool.

Ramesys has over 30 years experience helping deliver structured content and knowledge to users by delivering financial, estimating, maintenance and operational software.  However, it was clear from customer feedback that they needed to offer snapshots of these systems to other staff around their business - but the challenge was to do this at a low cost, without expert system training and to get this knowledge to a user no matter where they were located.

Assimilate uses the now standard web browser to offer both enquiry access and write back to many back office systems.  A simple log-on (which could be at an internet café) gives profiled users access to reports relevant to them or their contract - for example a project manager can use Assimilate to access his project enquiry to review status on a project, drill into the detail and even drop the data into Excel if needed. 

Assimilate also has the ability to write back to the database - which means remote processing can be carried out wherever the person has access to a web browser - again an example could be a project manager submitting timesheets, or running a percentage completion update to ensure the business has immediate and up to date information on projects.

In addition, Assimilate tackles the problem of bringing unstructured content and data together with the structured cost and job data by presenting the user with a simple folder structure (much like the standard Explorer view) with the folder being organised by contract/job/department. 

A user then has access to content, documents, drawings, standard forms (like health & safety) and of course the cost enquiries against that job. All in one place, easily accessible and without the need to search off-line databases, file servers or request financial reports from the central office team.

"Its lower cost of ownership and quicker deployment, requiring minimal administration and management brings a reduction in the time spent by users searching for information" says Tim Nichols, Marketing Manager at Ramesys, who goes on to add: "Consolidation of content into a single data repository reduces duplication and offers 24/7 single-point user access to up to date information. It also has improved customer service by providing information online and enabling self-service as well as reduced reporting demands by using subscriptions, triggers and alerts to push information to users."

Ramesys say they have responded to a strong customer demand for the opening up of legacy systems to a wider audience.  Deploying Summit Assimilate enables users to find information quickly, increases user productivity through improved & relevant access to information and helps increase collaboration with customers, suppliers and partners.