Continuum Edition


The Continuum Edition of Ostendo introduces not only new functionality but also a significant advancement in the underlying technology.
Earlier versions of Ostendo were built upon the Windows architecture and framework, providing a strong foundation for business management and operational control.

With Continuum, this foundation has been extended through the introduction of a modern technology stack known as OHJA (pronounced “Oh-Ya”).
OHJA combines Ostendo, HTML, JavaScript, and AI technologies, enabling a more graphical, browser-based, and intelligent user experience — while still retaining the proven core functionality and data integrity of Ostendo.


Ostendo - HTML - JavaScript - AI (OHJA)

OHJA brings together a set of modern web-based technologies — HTML, JavaScript, and AI — to extend the Ostendo framework beyond its traditional Windows environment.

This combination allows for a more graphical, interactive, and modern user experience while maintaining the core power and business logic of Ostendo.


Purpose and Advantage

By using OHJA, organisations can:

  • Continue using the proven Ostendo back-end (data structure, logic, security, and workflow)
  • Present and interact with that data through a modern browser interface
  • Incorporate AI-driven insights, providing predictive analytics, natural language, and machine learning capabilities
  • Improve user experience with graphical navigation, dashboards, and process visualisation


Key Tools within Continuum (using the OHJA Platform)


Each graphical tool serves a different business purpose.


Tool

Description

Potential Organisational Use


Dashboards

Purpose-built dashboards showing key metrics in graphical form, with full drill-down capability.

Monitor real-time KPIs such as sales, production status, financial performance, or service response times.


Quick Launch

Graphical navigation tool allowing users to access Ostendo modules intuitively.

Simplifies user access — especially for non-technical staff — improving productivity and reducing training needs.


Process Navigator

This interface provides for easy launching of a Model (scan to launch) along with full step by step images and notes 

A tool to display specific Process Model information for a specific user(s) in the organisation


Flowchart Creator

Easy-to-use flowchart builder for illustrating business or process flows.

Document workflows such as job costing, purchasing, or approval processes for clarity and training.


Image and Notes Editor

Built-in screen capture and annotation tool, allowing users to attach images and notes to records.

Capture visual references for issues, maintenance, or QA — improving documentation quality.


Image Viewer

Enables the viewing of Images including Flowcharts created with the Flowchart Creator

Used for viewing Images within the Process Navigator and Process Traveler.


Bill Of Materials Viewer

Enables the viewing of a BOM's information including Hierarchy Levels, Routing Steps and Line information

Enabling full details of a BOM to be shown including Versions, Features & Options and full searching capability within the Viewer along with shortcut to each version


Process Traveler

A flexible tool for managing multi-step processes such as testing, approvals, manufacturing, or batch sign-offs.

Digitise checklists, ensure process accountability, and track sign-offs electronically.



Dashboards:


This module allows you to create custom KPI dashboards for users. These dashboards enable you to graphically represent statistics in 


What a Dashboard Is in Ostendo

An Ostendo dashboard is a screen (or group of screens) that presents key business information in a visual and interactive format.
It’s designed to give users — whether managers, supervisors, or staff — a real-time view of what’s happening across their part of the business.

You can think of it as a live information centre tailored to a specific function (e.g. sales, production, purchasing, or service).


What Dashboards Show

Each dashboard can display a mix of:

  • Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as open jobs, late shipments, unprocessed orders, etc.
  • Charts and summaries — e.g. sales by month, jobs by status, stock shortages.
  • Lists and grids — e.g. pending approvals, open quotes, overdue invoices.
  • Interactive elements — users can click through to view underlying transactions or related records.


The data is typically live, pulled directly from the Ostendo database, meaning it reflects the most current operational state.

Different Dashboard Types in Ostendo

Depending on the setup, you could see:


  1. Operational Dashboards – monitor key activities in real time (e.g. current orders in progress).


  1. Management Dashboards – provide higher-level summaries (e.g. monthly performance by department etc).


  1. Custom Dashboards – designed for specific roles (e.g. Warehouse Dashboard showing pending picks, goods received, and stock movements).


Purpose

Dashboards in Ostendo are meant to:

  • Streamline decision-making by showing the right data at the right time.
  • Improve visibility across departments.
  • Highlight exceptions — e.g. overdue jobs, missing approvals, low stock.
  • Reduce the need for reports by presenting data visually and interactively.


Example

A Production Dashboard might show:

  • Total Production Orders currently in progress
  • Total hours worked today
  • Production Orders behind schedule (highlighted in red)


This allows a production manager to see issues immediately and act — without running separate reports.



Quick Launch


This module enables users to create ‘static’ shortcut buttons and organise them into Launch Groups and Categories. These buttons provide quick access to specific screens, reports, URL links, Business Process Models, inquiries, and custom scripts.

Launch Group:

These are User Defined Quick Launch Menu Options allowing the user to view only those buttons relevant to that Group eg: Sales & CRM, Manufacturing, Finance & Accounting etc..

Categories:

These are User Defined sections within the Quick Launch screen allowing the user to group individual button together in an easy to view configuration. eg: External (URL Links), Reports, Screens etc..


A Search option is also available allow users to easily find buttons based on all or part of the button name.


Beyond the static Quick Launch buttons, Ostendo continuously monitors each user’s activity, including how frequently they access screens, reports, and inquiries. Based on this usage data, Ostendo can dynamically generate ‘dynamic’ Quick Launch buttons. These dynamic buttons reflect the options a user has accessed today, yesterday, in the last 7 days, or in the last 30 days. Importantly, these dynamic buttons operate independently of the static buttons.


Process Navigator


Displays relevant Process Models used for capturing SOPs. This tool enables user to view and share specific Process Model information including images, notes, links etc.. with designated users. A Process Model may be retrieved and displayed by the user simply searching, typing or scanning a barcode relevant to the Process Model they wish to view. 



Flowchart Creator


This utility tool allowing Ostendo users to create graphical flowcharts primarily to be used in conjunction with the Image and Notes Editor used when creating a Business Process Model. Flowcharts created here can be output for use elsewhere as well.


Image and Notes Editor


Enables users to visually document Business Process Steps by importing images (flowcharts, diagrams, screenshots), overlaying sequence markers, and linking each marker to detailed HTML notes. The annotated image and notes are then saved against the corresponding Step in the Process Model.


  • Image Import & Layering

Import a base image (flowchart, screenshot, diagram, etc.).

Optional: Overlay additional images (e.g., logos, highlights, annotations) as layers.

Supported common formats: PNG, JPEG

  • Sequence Markers

Users can place numbered or custom markers at relevant points on the image.

Drag-and-drop positioning for each marker.

  • Markers can be styled (colour, shape, size) to indicate priority or type.
  • Step Notes
  • HTML-based rich text editor for notes (supports formatting, links, lists etc).
  • Each marker is visually linked to a specific Step note.
  • Notes can include references to external documents, URLs, or embedded media.
  • Data Binding to Process Model
  • Each annotated image and its linked notes are stored against the relevant Step in the Process Model
  • Optionally, allow reloading of images with all markers and notes intact for further editing


Image Viewer


A utility that allows users to view images, screenshots etc via the Process Navigator and Process Traveler.



Bill Of Materials Viewer


Enables users to view a Bill Of Materials (BOM) in a clear easy to understand graphical manner. 


  • Easily display BOM Versions of the Parent Item
  • Display any Features and Options associated with the BOM
  • Comprehensive search capability within the BOM for easy access of componentry or ingredients.
  • Display of Routing Steps and notes along with associated materials and labour
  • Show linked resources for BOM



Process Traveler


This utility providing a documented, step-by-step guide for users to follow through each stage of an overall business or operational process.

A typical application is in manufacturing, where each process point (e.g., a Routing Step) presents instructions and interactive elements for the user. However, the concept is broadly applicable to any business function requiring approvals, sign-offs, or structured workflows, such as Purchase Order approvals, Pricing changes, or Product Specification updates


At each Step in the process, the user may:


  • Complete Health & Safety Requirements
    • Ensure compliance before proceeding to the next step.


  • Determine Work Instructions
    • View or confirm detailed work instructions for the task.


  • Perform Quality Control Checks
    • Execute inspections and record results in the system.


  • Access Reference Materials
    • Display supporting resources such as:
      • Images
      • PDF documents
      • Videos
      • CAD Models
      • External instructions


  • Capture Data
    • Collect process-specific information such as:
        • Batch numbers
        • Scrap counts
        • Notes or comments


  • Review Required Materials
    • Display a list of materials, tools, or components needed for the step.


  • View Planned Times
    • Show expected duration or deadlines for the step.


  • Mark Step Status
    • Mark each step as Completed, Approved, or Rejected, ensuring traceability.

Benefits

  • Guides users systematically through processes.
  • Ensures compliance and consistency in operations.
  • Provides a centralised location for instructions, reference materials, and data capture.

Flexible enough to be applied across different business functions, not just manufacturing.