Architecture

ePIP is a component-based software system based on industry standards for object-oriented architecture and design. The client applications are pure XHTML and use Blackstone Bay's unique transaction interface, allowing rapid response times in a web browser.

The software, designed to be deployed as an in-house turnkey application or hosted and maintained at a third party data center by Blackstone Bay, is a multi-tier architecture allowing a clean separation between presentation and business logic. ePIP client applications use SOAP to communicate with the server on the mid-tier, where all business logic is encapsulated, and use Blackstone Bay's unique high-performance persistence interface with a relational database.

The application layer is rules based, allowing highly customized configurations to the client's business practice.

Delivery

The ePIP system has been designed to achieve rapid integration within a client's network, regardless of size and the number of users accessing the software. ePIP runs from a central server location and connects to a corporation via a web-based thin client connection, allowing users to utilize the software anywhere a web browser is available.

With its thin client architecture and the extensive time and research already invested in the development of ePIP, Blackstone Bay estimates an integration time of 3-6 months for new clients.

Legacy System Integration

Having been developed with open standards such as XML interfaces and containing defined layers allows IT managers have the highest degree of flexibility in deploying ePIP into their computing environments. ePIP can be integrated to support critical legacy system functions, such as check generation and First Notice of Loss capabilities.

Platforms Supported

Currently, Blackstone Bay applications support BEA's Weblogic and IBM's WebSphere application servers, SQL Server, DB2 and Oracle databases, while running on Unix or Windows operating systems.