This page guides you through the decision making process asking five key
questions to help you decide which system meets your requirements. Some
frequently asked questions at the end should also help this process.
Five Key Questions
1. Is there likely to be more than 5 users (now or in the near future) ?
Yes - You can stop now, the xen-IP range of systems is most suitable, being able
to support from 1 to hundreds of users.
No - Keep going, either the xen-IP range or xen-SE range will be suitable.
2. Will you store over 1,000 IP records (eg. patent applications, trade mark
registrations, etc.) ?
Yes - You can stop now, the xen-IP range of systems is most suitable as there
are no record/performance limits.
No - Keep going, either the xen-IP range or xen-SE range will be suitable.
3. Do you use an annuity agency ?
Yes - The xen-IP range includes automated interfaces to CPA or MDC, stop now if
this is what you require.
No - Keep going, either the xen-IP range or xen-SE range will be suitable.
4. Is access required via the Internet (or an Intranet) ?
Yes - You can stop now, the xen-IP range includes xen-Web which provides
browser-based view access to your data.
No - Keep going, either the xen-IP range or xen-SE range will be suitable.
5. Do you want the system to manage your documents ?
Yes - The xen-IP range includes comprehensive document management facilities,
the xen-SE range allows links to folders on your PC or network.
No - Either the xen-IP range or xen-SE range will be suitable.
Still not made a decision, this may help...
xen-IP range - Intended for small to large
enterprises where comprehensive security and data control is required.
xen-SE range - Intended for small/medium enterprises with limited
data volumes providing flexible record and task management.
If you have decided that the xen-IP range is the one for you, the products
within the range will vary depending on the data you need to manage. All the
products in the range share the same database format and so you can
mix-and-match whichever products you want, plus, upgrading at a later date is a
simple 30 second process.
The products are...
- xen-PAT - manages patent and design records
(plus commitment/agreement records)
- xen-TM - manages trade mark and domain name
records (plus commitment/agreement records)
- xen-Comm - manages commitment/agreement records
only (also see xen-CommView, a read-only version
of xen-Comm)
- xen-IP - manages all the above record types
(also see xen-ProView, a read-only version of
xen-IP)
- xen-Web - internet browser-based data viewer
If you have decided that the xen-SE range is the one for you, the products
within the range will vary depending on the data you need to manage.
The products are...
- xen-SE - suitable for all types of IP data,
specifically patent, trade mark and design applications plus commitments (such
as agreements)
- xen-SE Plus - suitable for all types of IP data,
with additional record types (proposals/inventions, proceedings/oppositions and
general records)
Frequently Asked Questions...
Will I need training ?
All products are supplied with comprehensive tutorials which take you through
all aspects of the systems and so many of our customers have never needed formal
training. xen-SE and xen-SE Plus are simple to use and no training will usually be necessary.
Training is available for the xen-IP range and this may be worth considering if
you have several users who are new to the system. The full course is 2 days,
refresher courses or courses without the supervisor training can be done in a
day.
Will I need help with installation ?
We can provide this service if required, however, the installation is simple to
do and only takes a few minutes for each PC. For the xen-IP range, if you
need a database server setting up, your IT Support should be able to install the
components in about half an hour.
How to I load my existing data ?
For xen-SE and xen-SE Plus this is simple, just get your data into a spreadsheet in the same
column order as xen-SE/xen-SE Plus and then copy and paste.
For the xen-IP range this can be a more involved process and we are happy to
offer our services to automate the data migration process. Typically this
takes between 3 and 5 days.
Do I need the annual support ?
xen-SE and xen-SE Plus includes free email support at no charge.
For the xen-IP range, we recommend you take the annual support option as this
entitles to support and free upgrades to the latest versions as they are
released (typically once a year).
Is the system secure to use over the Internet ?
xen-Web requires users to log in using a username and password but doesn't
encrypt data sent over the Internet. However, your IT Support can arrange
for a Virtual Private Network or other Internet security protocol to achieve
secure use.
Can I write my own reports ?
xen-SE and xen-SE Plus allows simple tabular reports to be defined and saved in the system, many
reports are delivered already configured. Since xen-SE and xen-SE Plus use an Access
database, you can use other applications, such as Access, Excel, etc. to develop
your own reports.
The xen-IP range includes over 100 pre-defined reports and since it uses
industry-standard database technology you can use any suitable application to
develop your own reports (such as Access, Excel, Crystal Reports, etc.).
How do the different systems relate to each other ?
You've probably guessed by now, but the xen-SE range is entirely different to the xen-IP range.
The products in the xen-IP range are all compatible with each other as they
share the same database structure, the main difference just being which data you
can access from each product.
Can I upgrade from one system to another ?
For the xen-IP range, changing between different products is a simple task and
can be achieved in less that 30 seconds without having to re-install.
Upgrading from the xen-SE range to the xen-IP range would require a data migration
exercise.