Active Sensing, Inc.
		Acseni® Configuration & Data Management System

Design Philosophy

Acseni is intended as a for small- to mid-sized engineering workgroups. The program design recognizes that smaller design groups have special requirements, and adopts a "shrink wrap" approach to PDM. Before beginning program development, ASI formulated these product goals:

• Inexpensive acquisition. Companies with constrained PDM budgets generally want to use their existing investment of PC hardware and networking. All program versions are capable of performing on mainstream PC hardware using the most common operating systems. ASI offers an entry-level single-user version for under $800, which is fully data-compatible with the complete multi-user versions.
• Fast installation with minimal training. Acseni is provided with a default configuration and step-by-step installation; many workgroups can be operational in an afternoon. System setup consists of editing database records and clicking on option buttons; there is no programming required. Context-sensitive, on-line help is available simply by pressing F1 on the keyboard. An extensive Program Reference manual supplements the User’s Guide.
• Minimal maintenance. All data tables reside in a single, easily backed-up file. All that’s needed is periodic table re-indexing and server backup, and administrators can even program a "reminder window."
• Open, extensible architecture. Underlying user interface and data access code is written in the developer version of Microsoft Access, the most robust and widely available Windows database. Unlike some PDM systems, the data is not "trapped" in a proprietary database design. Standard data exports include both document records and product structures (BOMs), enhancing Acseni’s utility as an MRP "front-end."

In addition, all data tables are accessible using either the retail version of Microsoft Access or using another ODBC-compliant database language. The complete table design is open for inspection. User-developed extensions can generate custom queries; export data with Visual Basic or Microsoft Access code; use OLE to move data directly to MRP; or even extend the data table definitions. Under certain circumstances, corporate developers can view (and even modify) the source code.

Acseni offers inexpensive, single-user configuration management capabilities including document management, structure management, integrated engineering change actions, and sophisticated process definition. More advanced versions include multi-user support and library management for all types of electronic design files.

Technical Support for current users

ACSENI has been replaced by PDXpert Product Lifecycle Management software

Copyright © 1996-2006 by Active Sensing, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The information here is believed to be accurate at time of first publication. However, all product features, capabilities and prices are subject to change without notice. Acseni is a registered trademark of Active Sensing, Inc.