Suitable Software

March 11, 2021

Pentagon 2000 Software, Inc. developed the Pentagon 2000SQL software system in 1986 to provide inventory management capabilities for companies in the aviation and defense industries. Since then, the company has rewritten the software multiple times to utilize new technologies and add more features.

According to Kirk Baugher, executive vice president of business development at Pentagon 2000 Software, Inc., the software was initially developed under Microsoft DOS, the standard computer operating system at the time. It was then rewritten for Microsoft Windows in the 1990s and again in the 2000s for the Microsoft .NET framework and SQL Server platforms. Most recently, the software was rewritten to run on web servers and cloud computing.

Pentagon 2000SQL is a flexible software that many businesses within the aviation and defense industries can implement. The software comes with a core module that provides administrative and supply chain management capabilities, noted Baugher. Customers can then choose to implement add-on modules for increased functionality.

“The core module is the base-level and then all of these other modules are pre-installed, so you never actually have to install a module. We just turn them on. A wide array of pre-integrated add-on modules are available for activation to support a broad variety of workflow capabilities,” Baugher said. “Module support is available for fleet management, flight operations, aircraft recordkeeping, aircraft maintenance, component repair, manufacturing, distribution and accounting/financials.”

According to Baugher, the system is designed as a commercial package for rapid-deployment and can be installed in under one hour. Customers can choose to turn on capabilities at any time, without the need to download new software.

Though the software downloads in under an hour, “implementation can take a few days in some cases, or months in other cases, depending on the requirements for system set-up, consulting, training and data conversion,” Baugher said. “We have small businesses that are able to make quick decisions and implement on a very short timeline and then make continuous improvements over time. At the same time, for our enterprise customers, there are very sophisticated settings and controls available to perform a high level of customization and server-based automation of tasks for managing workflow and procedures.”

Pentagon 2000SQL can even the playing field for small, medium and large businesses, Baugher pointed out.

“At one end of the spectrum, small and medium businesses often don’t have the critical mass to compete effectively against larger rivals. And at the other end of the spectrum, large enterprises can become bureaucratic and lack the flexibility to compete effectively against smaller and more nimble competitors,” he said. “Pentagon 2000SQL provides tools for small and medium businesses to match the capabilities of their much larger rivals. Divisions of large enterprises can also deploy the system quickly and affordably to match the flexibility of smaller and more nimble competitors.”

As smaller companies grow, the Pentagon2000SQL software can grow with them.

“A lot of our customers start small with the five-user system,” Baugher said. “They might add some modules the next year. Two years later, they might grow and they might add users. The system scales up in terms of the number of users that can be online at the same time and it can get more broad if you want to add functions. You might want to add an e-commerce website or a mobile app. It’s fully integrated. Everything is pre-installed and then we activate those modules based on customer requirements and what they want to buy.”

Baugher said flexible software systems like the Pentagon 2000SQL are becoming increasingly important as companies evolve.

“The aviation and defense industries incorporate businesses from an array of different market sectors. At a high level, there are aircraft operators, MROs, distributors and manufacturers. But as the industries have matured over the years, some companies have diversified while others have specialized. Aircraft operators are typically very diverse and will also provide MRO services, manage vast supply chains and fabricate parts for their own consumption. Specialty companies have emerged to perform teardown, repair management and parts trading. As more hybrid companies emerge with innovative business models, the need for powerful and flexible software systems to support the business continues to rise,” Baugher said.

“Distributors, brokers and parts traders utilize the materials management and supply chain logistics features of the system,” Baugher continued. “MROs utilize those same features in addition to work order capabilities. And operators are able to utilize the broadest set of capabilities to support a fleet by tracking flight operations by tail number and recording changes to the aircraft based on both flight hours as well as maintenance activities. Planning can be performed to forecast maintenance before it becomes due and allow operators to procure parts in advance and schedule mechanics and other resources.”

Pentagon 2000SQL software is a web-enabled product, so users can access the platform remotely, an important aspect in the COVID-19 era. The system has mobile apps that can run on tablets and smartphones. “The system features real-time access to customer data from Windows workstations, web browsers and mobile app interfaces,” Baugher said.

This flexibility also allows non-remote employees to move from place to place throughout their workday. “As an example, a user may start their day at their desk in front of their Windows computer and start a transaction or process, and then grab an iPad and go out onto the shop floor or tarmac to manage some operational issues, and then later when traveling or at home can connect by browser to review progress or finalize a transaction,” Baugher said.

Companies that are still using an outdated legacy system should consider switching to Pentagon2000SQL, Baugher said. Many start-up companies and small businesses use the Pentagon2000SQL from their inception, but some mid-sized companies move to the software, “to replace legacy systems that are built upon outdated technologies that have outlived their usefulness,” Baugher said.

"Enterprise software systems are the lifeblood of many organizations," Baugher added. "Nothing can be purchased or sold without them. They control the revenue stream of the company, they ensure quality and regulatory compliance and they are the basis for all customer service. Now more than ever, investments in advanced modern and secure industry-specific enterprise software system can provide a competitive advantage for companies and ensure their success in the global aerospace and defense industries."