Keyfile gets into e-commerce game

NASHUA, N.H. - Keyfile, a decade-old firm providing workflow-based imaging systems, is turning its attention to electronic commerce with a suite of software modules that automate the procurement process.

Called Keyflow Commerce, the software suite combines Web forms, document management and workflow features. The suite enables a buyer to fill out a purchase request at the desktop and have that requisition routed to the procurement manager for approval.

Keyflow Commerce, which works on top of Microsoft Exchange, lets the buyer enter the approved order into a corporate database or enterprise resource planning system after sending it on to the supplier by e-mail, fax or other means.

Keyflow Commerce comes with NT-based server software called the Active Document Workspace. This component holds the document repository, which is accessible through a Web browser. The documents are made part of a structured workflow, which can be organized using a tool called the Keyflow Designer.

Other Keyflow Commerce software modules include an XML Engine for serving up forms in the Extensible Markup Language Format. If a user demands high availability of the document repository, there's a way to provide cluster and fail-over support through a component called the Enterprise Server.

In all, there are eight software modules in the package. The core components are available now, with a few, such as the XML Engine, slated for fall shipment. The average customer configuration would cost $50,000, according to Keyfile.

The state of Illinois university system plans to have the Web-based Keyflow Commerce installed later this summer.

"The state legislature now requires us to put contracts out to bid in electronic format," says Gloria Keeley, director of systems and business development in the state of Illinois office of business affairs. "We decided the Web was the only possible mechanism we could have to do this."

The state of Illinois campuses have already started using custom-designed electronic forms to post contract information, but using Keyflow Commerce will eliminate having to develop the Web forms on their own.

"And once we have bidders registered, we'll be able to take the bids they've submitted and respond to them through our own workflow process," Keeley says.

Keyfile: (603) 883-3800

Keyflow Commerce overview from Keyfile

E-commerce
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