Here are some of the questions we are asked on a regular basis.

The Breato forum contains a more complete set of FAQs and other information. Please click here to view it.

How does Breato work?

Applications are built and tested on our hosted servers using the Breato Designer. Click here for more details.

There is a Sandbox, if you want to separate your development from your production system. When you are ready to release the applications to your user community, the Breato Administration tools help you deploy the applications into your production area on the Breato server. The applications are then immediately accessible to any users you have given permission to.

Software Vendors can also market their applications (for free or not, it's your choice!) to any member of the Breato community through the Breato Marketplace. You can offer free trials to prospective customers and, when a customer signs up, you can convert their free trial account into a production application.

Who should use Breato?

Software Vendors who develop products and services, software developers who build bespoke applications for third-party companies, or in-house software teams that build applications for use within their own companies.

Breato is very useful if you have several systems and want to aggregate data for management reporting and analysis. One of our customers uses Breato to aggregate data from IPTV and video-on-demand servers installed in hotels across the UK and present information to help hoteliers choose the most popular films and maximise their revenue.

Why would I want to use Breato?

Developing web-based applications that interface with databases requires a detailed knowledge of programming and an upfront financial outlay to install and house the servers on which the development and production applications will run. You also need a fast, high availability connection to the Internet and good firewalls to separate out the different types of traffic as they arrive at your office.

Breato changes this. We make it easy for anyone to work and collaborate online - even if they don't have a four-year degree in computer engineering! We are here to remove the barrier between you and the web application of your dreams. With Breato you get started with no upfront financial outlay, and can get going quickly with a range of pre-built applications from the Marketplace. As our servers are hosted on a high-speed network, the speed of accessing your applications is only dependent on the connection between your PC or laptop and the Internet.

Why should I use Breato?

Breato gives several benefits which allows you to:

• Focus on innovation instead of the infrastructure. You no longer need to worry about application servers, databases, hardware, hosting, maintenance, upgrades, security, compliance or scalability.
• Build applications and market them in a few hours or days, not weeks or months.
• "Pay-as-you-grow" instead of "pay-before-you-go" model. You no longer have to incur huge up-front costs to acquire development tools, software and hardware before you even have a customer. With Breato, you only pay a regular monthly amount for the service once the project has been given the go-ahead, or the customer has signed on the dotted line.

As a Breato partner, you can implement a diverse range of business functionality and build applications for different industry verticals. Consequently, you can sell your application to any customer or industry vertical you intend to target.

How much experience do I need to create a Breato application?

Anyone with a basic level of computer skills can learn to build a database application with Breato. We created the platform with all levels of experience in mind. New users can keep to the basics and those with more knowledge can delve into advanced features and write Javascript and SQL statements to do even more with their data.

Do I have to download anything?

No downloads are required to run Breato applications and no other programs need to be installed on your computer. All you need is a web browser that is supported by Breato.

Do I need any other programs to build databases with Breato?

No. You create and manage all your database tables using the Breato Designer.

What kind of application can I build with Breato?

With Breato you can build any kind of application - from a simple administration support system to an enterprise-wide content distribution system, and everything in between.

Is my data secure?

Yes, as much as any data can be. Breato takes all precautions to ensure that your data will be accessed only by you and your authorized users. Breato applications can be secured with SSL 128-bit encryption, the same technology used by online retailers to protect credit card transactions and ensure safety during data transfer.

Applications are hosted in a physically secure data centre. Backups are taken hourly, and each day the latest back-up is copied onto another server.

What if I want to export my data?

If you want to use another database application simultaneously, or if decide you no longer wish to use Breato, you can export your data using the Administration tools. There are several ways to get your data out of your Breato application. You can export as Excel, CSV or XML. You can also use the Breato Gateway to extract data from Breato and load it into your own systems.

Can I work offline?

No. Because everything is hosted on our servers on the Internet, you must have a connection to the Internet from your computer to access your Breato applications.

How much does it cost?

Breato offers a range of packages to meet all budgets. Please click here for subscription options.

Will Breato fit within my existing Agile methodology?

Breato is inherently Agile. It was designed to allow applications to be quickly developed and enhanced over time by multiple teams working simultaneously. Breato systems allow immediate interaction with the end user for sprint sign-off and quick stakeholder buy-in which facilitates confidence in the overall project and higher success ratios.

Is Breato environmentally friendly?

Breato was formed in part because we want to contribute to the betterment of the environment by making it easier for people to telecommute and transfer information over the Internet instead of travelling and printing documents. Our servers are run in intelligent clusters - a step that reduces the environmental impact caused by data storage.

How can I get involved?

Become a Breato partner. Accredited partners are able to offer technical, development and training consultancy as well as re-sell Breato subscriptions. Click here for further details about becoming a partner.