Compex streamlines software delivery

Compex software is moving faster-than-ever from development to production, while high software quality is being guaranteed even more effectively. In addition, the new version of the Compex configuration management facilitates the handling and management of the delivery process. The tool automates relevant steps and allows for more targeted interventions. All customers for whom Compex reinstalls, customizes or updates its standard software can benefit from this.

The tool makes it possible to test packages with new elements in simulated customer environments. Smoothly running elements can be identified and forwarded quickly, while not fully functioning elements can be discarded for further processing. For this purpose, packages can be reassembled before they are imported into the next environment. Such "repackaging" can take place before the software reaches the "preprod", which is the last environment before going productive.

"Everyone knows automatic program installations and updates from their personal computers," says Christophe Loetz, Managing Director of Compex Systemhaus GmbH. “When you are dealing with individually adapted ERP software, however, it is not so simple. Here, the customizing, parameters and reprogrammed elements and very large databases have to be taken into account. And the respective combination is a one-off that must be treated with particular care.”

Compex ERP standard software consists of several thousand artifacts, such as programs, configuration files and more. Without any configuration management tool (that includes version management), developers and administrators would find it difficult to navigate among them. Updates could hardly be delivered consistently. During this process, the software is transported and tested through several environments successively – first at Compex, later at the customer's.  Importing these artifacts requires to adjust existing data structures. The new version of configuration management manages such steps and, at the same time, eliminates most manual entries for transports and tests.

"Software delivery is a complex task. The latest version of our configuration management makes it easy to handle it," Loetz continues. "Administrators can ensure continuous and trouble-free operations – with minimal effort."