10-Point Plan for a Future-Proof Vertec

Vertec is versatile, adaptable and open to individual business processes. However, these features do not come for free. Adaptability is of great benefit if used correctly. However, a Vertec can also be “built in”. Our 10-point plan lists the most important areas to consider when maintaining a Vertec installation.

Future-proof Vertec installations are of such great importance that Claudio Pietra presented a whole paper on the subject at the 2021 User Conference. You can watch his tips and background information here as a video:

19:50 Min

1 Update vs. Stay on the old version

Cloud Suite customers do not know the problem, they always work on the current Vertec version. On-Premises customers, on the other hand, must proactively implement updates. For security reasons alone, we recommend using only the last two major versions. As of December 2021, these are Vertec 6.5 and 6.4. Especially for customers with active Webaccess, we will enforce this recommendation more strongly in the future.

Updates are easier the smaller the version jumps. This fact therefore speaks for regular updates. If several major versions have to be skipped, extensive testing is mandatory and thus increases the hours.

When a module or technology is replaced, we usually publish the new feature with a major version. The replaced feature is then expanded with the next major version.

2 Web App / Cloud App vs. Desktop App

Use the Web App or the Cloud App whenever possible. The performance is much better, especially in scenarios such as home office or other work done remotely. Of course, there are still reasons to use the Desktop App – mainly when using non-cloud-capable extensions, for example to a FAR. In this case, ask yourself whether the use of the Desktop App can not be limited to a few users.

Our Cloud Clients Web App and Cloud App offer additional benefits in addition to better performance. On the one hand, installation is much easier and on the other hand, they also offer better security.

3 Vertec-generated reports vs. Office-generated reports

Our main argument for Vertec-generated reports is performance. Here is an impressive example: for a large customer, the running time of a report could be improved by a factor of 22 without changing the content. In addition, you can directly create a PDF via Vertec-generated reports. The performance and maintainability are again significantly greater if you do not simply have the classic Word reports generated by Vertec, but also use “Advanced Office Report”.

4 Business Intelligence Module vs. Excel Reports

Excel reports only run reasonably well if they are run via the Desktop App in a LAN. But as described in point 2, the Desktop App should only be used in very specific scenarios. In addition, Excel reports are not cloud ready. To counter these weaknesses, we offer the Business Intelligence (BI) module. The BI measures are pre-calculated by Vertec and are therefore quickly usable – and also cloud ready! What’s more, the figures can also be displayed in BI Tools or Excel via API. However, the figures are processed by Vertec.

5 Outlook App vs. Outlook add-in

The Outlook App, which has been available with Vertec 6.5 since summer 2021, is fully cloud ready. The activity history of a contact can be used directly in Outlook. Another big advantage: Thanks to Outlook App, emails are visible in the full-featured Apps even without access to a file system. The further continuous improvement of Outlook will focus entirely on the Outlook App.

6 Cloud extensions vs. COM / ActiveX extensions

Cloud extensions can be used by all full-featured apps. COM / ActiveX extensions, on the other hand, can only be used by the Desktop App. The desktop integration on both sides (Vertec / external system) only works really well and stable in the LAN environment. This makes it a discontinued model.

7 Python vs. VB script

Python as a scripting language has many advantages over VB scripts: For example, Python has a module concept with which business logic can be summarized. In VB scripts, this does not work and you would then have duplicate code. Python is also superior to VB scripts when it comes to the connection of third-party systems and Unicode. Furthermore, VB script cannot be sandboxes properly. For this reason, it is not available in the Vertec Cloud Suite and all On-Premises customers should consider not allowing VB scripts if they have their Vertec on the Internet.

8 Secure vs. Vulnerable

The security of a Vertec installation should be a top priority. To get closer to the subject, Claudio Pietra presented a visual comparison to a medieval fortress, Dover Castle, at the 2021 User Conference.

The concept is simple. Multiple lines of defense are meant to make it harder for attackers to penetrate the most important areas. The outermost line of defense is strong passwords and 2FA. If an attacker crosses a hurdle, it is not about offering the whole system at once. Other hurdles must be in place.

You can watch the full bring forward in the embedded video above from minute 11:00. In the Knowledge Base article The security of vertec on the web, we also show protection measures for different operating scenarios.

9 Performant vs. Too slow

Is your Vertec too slow? Then start the search for the causes with our Performance Analysis Tool. The tool can provide initial hints and provide solutions. Often even small adjustments can have a noticeable, positive impact on performance. Our support and your Vertec advisor will be happy to help you with further analyses and improvements.

Use 10 additional features vs. many hours of hours

More and more industry and country features are packaged by us as additional features and offered for free download. Before you put a lot of hours into customizing a new Vertec feature yourself, take a look at the List of additional features first. Good to know: Of course, the functions imported by additional features are just as customizable as you know from Vertec.