SME News IT Awards 2025/ 8 The Radicore framework is the perfect tool for building web-based enterprise applications where business-critical data is involved. As an open source Rapid Application Development (RAD) framework, the Radicore solution continues to add value to businesses around the world. We caught up with Founder and Director Tony Marston who told us more about the innovative framework. As a RAD toolkit for seamless administrative web applications/enterprise applications, Radicore utilises its founder and director Tony Maston’s years of experience in database design, application creation, and software development. Tony told us: “The Radicore framework is based on similar frameworks which I wrote in other languages in the 1980s and the 1990s. I began writing it in 2002 and publishing articles about its design in 2003. “I released it as open source in 2006, and shortly after I was asked by a web design company to build a small back-office application with RBAC controls for one of their clients. This was so successful they asked if I could build similar applications for more of their clients, but instead of a separate bespoke application for each one they asked me to build a general-purpose package which could be used my multiple clients.” With a successful start to this open source application, Tony found himself taking on the challenge completely and wholeheartedly. He continued: “I began building this in 2007, and it went live with the first customer in May 2008 under the name TRANSIX. In 2014 I formed a partnership with Geoprise Technologies in order to market an enhanced version of the application to organisations all over the world using the brand name GM-X (https://geoprise. com/content/gm-x-application-suite).” Specifically created and used to build multi-user database applications in need of a Role Base Access Control (RBAC) system, Radicore supports businesses wherein each department has access to and can use only the parts of the system which they need to carry out their duties. Built with four core modules such as Menu and Security, Audit, Workflow, and Data Dictionary, and additional subsystems like Purchase Order Processing, Invoicing, Inventory, Shipments, and more, Radicore covers absolutely everything a business may need from their enterprise application. In addition, Tony shared: “As well as making the framework available to other developers so that they can build their own applications, either for personal or business use, Radicore offers a consultancy service for organisations whereby we can design and build their application for them, or even to train their developers how to use the framework themselves.” From delivering a fully developed program that a business can utilise to providing customisable content for developers, Radicore’s offerings are perfect for applications which have HTML pages at the front end, a relational database at the back end, and software in the middle to manage every business rule from within. Radicore introduces even more straightforward management into a business’ daily operations, especially as the database is specifically made for the needs of each user to achieve more by using this innovative Open Source Software (OSS). With such varied and ever-evolving business needs across the corporate landscape, Radicore’s software is able to aid every major and minor aspect of managing digital operations efficiently and easily – without the user needing to dive deep into complex coding themselves. Designed and created by Tony himself, Radicore is able to support users every step of the way. Tony’s commitment to the users of his software has pushed the company into the limelight, especially as his extra support via the framework keeps users able to optimise their experience. With regards to Radicore’s approach to trends and changes, as well as adaptations within its software and the industries it helps, Tony commented: “While new programming techniques appear occasionally I do not rush to adopt them just to be fashionable. Once I have built something that works I keep using it, and only change it if the benefits outweigh the costs. I only implement changes if they are practical and justifiable.” To begin with, the interface created by Radicore was set up to be both consistent and intuitive through its standard templates – which can be learned and understood to deliver peace of mind when using the entire system. Tony enthused: “I did change all my classic HTML screens to provide a responsive web interface so that the applications could run on devices with different screen sizes and resolutions. I managed to achieve this by creating a separate set of my small collection of XSL stylesheets which then enables this feature to be turned on or off at will. This small change was completed in one man-month, but it impacted over 4,000 HTML documents in my ERP application.” In the same vein, the company keeps its fingers directly on the pulse of its users’ needs and requirements to ensure that it can deliver responsive, efficient, progressive, and helpful services all rolled into one neat package. However, this arena does not come without its trials, Tony added: “Challenges can appear from several different quarters. Users of my open source framework can use my forum to ask a question. My answer may be to point them to the documentation, or to point to a working example in one of the prototype applications which is included in the framework download. Sometimes the only way to provide a solution is to amend the framework, such as being able to produce address labels in the PDF processor. Furthermore, Tony explained: “Users of the ERP application may request additional functionality which may require additional database tables or changes to existing Best Open Source App Development Solution 2025: RADICORE
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