Home  /  XAL  /  History
1983 - Today

The History of XAL

From Concorde XAL to Microsoft XAL and beyond, the product has a long history of professional development - resulting in the flexible, feature-rich application that lets clients benefit from its pedigree while keeping pace with evolving technology. For more than two decades, The Docherty Partnership has been writing the most recent chapters of that story.

The evolving technology of XAL
From Concorde XAL in 1991 to today.
Developed by The Docherty Partnership Product & industry milestones
2026

The Docherty Partnership release MTD 2.0 to improve the HMRC MTD integration with AI-developed add-ons.

MTD 2.0HMRC MTD Integration
2025

The Docherty Partnership develop additional reconciliation and data validation tools to assist with migrations to SAP including stand-alone archiving of historic XAL data. SQL Server 2025 validated with XAL Kernel.

SAP Migration ToolsSQL Server 2025
2024

The Docherty Partnership develop integration with the TradeIT E-Commerce platform. Existing OLAP cubes developed for XAL are refreshed and extended to take advantage of developments in database technologies.

TradeIT E-Commerce IntegrationOLAP Cube Refresh
2023

The Docherty Partnership extend the simplified ABC approach to sales and purchasing analysis as part of a release of enhanced KPI reporting. SQL Server 2022 validated with XAL Kernel.

Simplified ABC AnalysisEnhanced KPI ReportingSQL Server 2022
2022

The Docherty Partnership develop a streamlined version of the Service Management Module aimed at smaller service companies, bringing real-time field data capture within reach of a wider range of businesses.

Service Management Module 2.0
2021

The Docherty Partnership extend the MTD VAT Module to meet the legislative requirements for the Construction Industry VAT Reverse Charge Scheme.

Construction Industry VAT Reverse Charge
2020

The Docherty Partnership develop integration with Causeway's Tradex platform to automate invoice processing for construction industry clients.

Causeway Tradex Integration
2019

The Docherty Partnership develop integration with Square EPOS solutions for retail clients. SQL Server 2019 validated with XAL Kernel.

Square EPOS IntegrationSQL Server 2019
2018

The Docherty Partnership gain HMRC accredited developer status and develop automated integration with HMRC to meet the requirements for the Making Tax Digital (MTD) legislative changes taking effect in 2019.

HMRC Accredited DeveloperMTD VAT Integration
2017

The Docherty Partnership develop XML integration with UPS, TNT and other international carriers to automate volume despatch processes for clients. SQL Server 2017 validated with XAL Kernel.

Third Party Carrier IntegrationSQL Server 2017
2016

The Docherty Partnership develop a Product Configurator Module for configuration based manufacturing companies, integrating with the Document Module to produce customised engineering drawing packs. Building on years of consultancy and training expertise, they also revise the successful suite of XAL training courses for new and existing customers.

Product Configurator ModuleProduct ConfiguratorXAL Training Programme
2015

The Docherty Partnership expand upon standard MRPII functionality to enhance impact reporting of supply-chain delays, and complete integration with SAP for multi-national clients' supply-chain partners.

Enhanced MRP Supply Chain ReportingSAP Supply Chain Integration
2014

International support capability expands to Estonia and Latvia. A new version of the E-Documents Module reduces cost and speeds the roll-out of automated bulk emailing to SME clients in additional formats including PDF. EMCS integration is added for the movement of controlled substances within the EU.

E-Documents Module 2.0EU Trade Module - EMCS Compliance
2013

International support capability expands to provide helpdesk support to XAL implementations in China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Spain and North America.

2012

The Docherty Partnership complete international development projects introducing parent-company control for international subsidiaries.

EU Trade Module - DESTATIS Compliance
2011

The Docherty Partnership complete an integrated module for the hospitality sector. A fully functional inline booking system to integrate with external online booking platforms such as Booking.com and LateRooms.com.

Hospitality Module
2010

Microsoft Dynamics C5 2010 released. The XAL kernel continues development in Denmark with the original development team.

2009

Microsoft Business Solutions end active development of the XAL product; kernel development continues under Microsoft Dynamics C5. Microsoft XAL 3.8 is released with certified compatibility for MS SQL 2005 and 2008. The Docherty Partnership develop the E-Documents Module, enabling XAL to produce HTML-formatted Sales, Purchase, Debtor and Creditor documents individually or in bulk, generating automated emails direct from XAL.

Microsoft XAL 3.8 - MS SQL EnhancementsE-Documents Module
2008

An upgraded Warehouse Management Module delivers hand-held stock-taking, dynamic picking and put-away, and barcode-enabled production order processing - providing multi-warehouse, multi-location functionality in a low-cost solution that supplements standard XAL.

Warehouse Management Module
2007

Microsoft rebuild the XAL kernel files on the .NET and Visual Studio platforms. Microsoft release XAL 3.7. The Docherty Partnership develop a Service Management Module for XAL, enabling real-time data capture and enquiry from remote service engineers.

Microsoft XAL 3.7 - Technical EnhancementsService Management Module
2006

The Docherty Partnership develop the Contract Estimating Module to manage version control of complex estimates - through manufacturing and purchasing to customer delivery - successfully implemented to manage multi-million-pound PFI sales.

Contract Estimating Module
2005

The Docherty Partnership establish the UK's leading independent XAL service provider. Building on years of experience, a Website Integration Module is released enabling integration with clients' own online ordering systems, together with electronic file interchange for Intrastat and EU Sales List. Microsoft release XAL 3.54 including full MS Office integration.

Microsoft XAL 3.54 - MS Office IntegrationWebsite Integration ModuleEU Trade Module
2004

Microsoft XAL 3.53 released to update underlying technical changes including closer integration to MS SQL.

Microsoft XAL 3.53 - Enhanced integration with MS SQL
2003

Microsoft release their first branded version of XAL, including XML integration with Microsoft SharePoint.

Microsoft XAL 3.52 - XML Integration, UI Upgrade
2002

Microsoft Corporation acquires Navision A/S, forming Microsoft Business Solutions; combined ERP products include Damgaard XAL, Damgaard Axapta, Navision Financials, Great Plains and Solomon. The Docherty Partnership team merges the expertise of Quorum Systems Limited and Hugur UK Limited to establish a UK centre of excellence for the product.

Navision XAL 3.51 - UI Upgrade
2001

Navision integrate existing add-on modules into the standard product, confirming the official reseller development channel for XAL.

Damgaard XAL 3.1 - CRM, Fixed Assets, Document Management
2000

Navision Software A/S merges with Damgaard Data to form NavisionDamgaard A/S, later rebranded Navision A/S. Combined ERP products include Damgaard XAL, Damgaard Axapta and Navision Financials.

Damgaard XAL 3.0 - Unified Global Source Code
1999

Damgaard Data ends the millennium with 11 international subsidiaries, distributors in 29 countries and over 75,000 installations worldwide; strategic alliances include Microsoft, Oracle, Compaq and IBM. Concorde XAL is rebranded Damgaard XAL. The Docherty Partnership team continues to develop the application, ensuring millennium implementation and upgrade projects are delivered on schedule.

Damgaard XAL 2.80 - UI Upgrade
1998

Damgaard acquires IBM's share in Damgaard International to better develop European markets. The Docherty Partnership team receives the top XAL European reseller award from Damgaard in recognition of the number of successful implementations since the team was formed. Damgaard International enters the US market, establishing offices in Atlanta, Georgia.

Concorde XAL 2.65 - UKConcorde XAL 2.70 - Euro-Compliance Accredited
1996

Damgaard International forms XAL Services Ltd in the UK. Based in Coventry, XAL Services begin developing XAL for the UK market. The Docherty Partnership team gains accreditation with XAL Services and begins implementing XAL with clients across the UK.

Concorde XAL 2.60 Released
1995

Damgaard release Concorde C5 in Denmark, based on the XAL programming-language environment and kernel. Concorde C5 becomes the Danish mass-market equivalent to Sage in the UK.

1994

IBM and Damgaard form Damgaard International A/S with equal 50% shareholding, to explore international markets and develop a globalisation programme for the XAL application.

1991

Damgaard release Concorde XAL, based on the XAL development environment (eXtended Application Language) - a uniquely flexible 4GL designed for creating business-application software. XAL ships with full source code, allowing the reseller community to build a wide range of specialised modules and vertical solutions.

1986

Damgaard release Concorde Finance (later renamed C4), providing full network-supported enterprise solutions that resellers and companies can tailor to their specific requirements.

1983

Preben and Erik Damgaard form Damgaard Data to develop integrated enterprise solutions and release PC-based accounting software.

The story continues

We're still developing XAL - and we're not stopping

Every year we add new capability to the product our clients rely on. Talk to us about what's next for your implementation.

Speak to our team
Already running XAL?

Stay on XAL for as long as it serves you well

If you're an existing XAL user, we'd welcome the chance to show you how we can continue to support and develop your system - whatever version you're on and whoever you're with today.

Moving to a new business system is a decision you should make when it's right for your business - never because your current provider has stopped supporting the product. With us, XAL stays fully supported, actively developed and dependable for as long as you need it.