Vistec Business Systems Ltd, based in Belper, Derbyshire, has announced Vistec Express, a new family of software products that has been designed to provide integrated export documentation and Electronic Data Interchange message facilities for specific trading communities. The first and only package available so far is aimed at international trade, and has been endorsed by ASSET (Association of Short Sea Electronic Traders), which includes companies such as Pilkington Glass, ICI, British Steel and Ferrymasters. Vistec Express uses the EDI communications package, ESP II, from Transtel Communications and is written for IBM and Compaq 80286 or 80386 personal computers. The software package, which conforms to IBM’s Systems Application Architecture standards, requires a minimum of 2Mb RAM and runs in the Microsoft Windows environment. Vistec Express can be linked to INS, IBM and ISTEL networks, and supports Edifact and Tradacoms messages. The package is claimed to have a number of facilities, including a database of shipping consignments, the ability to send and receive ITMS short and deep sea messages, and print and review message options. The target price for the basic software package, including consultancy, installation and maintenance, is around UKP4,000; to include the documentation printing system, the cost will be approximately UKP7,000. Those companies belonging to ASSET are charged at a special trial rate. Vistec will be introducing new soTXLrev^ packages to the Vistec Express family, and increasing the number of message maps in due course.
