 The factory is based upon an Architectural Application Framework called Enterprise Framework that describes a physical Microsoft .NET architecture leveraging Microsoft Enterprise Library and other service-oriented patterns from Microsoft patterns & practices.The EFX Factory was designed and built by development consultants within Microsoft Consulting Services in response to customer demand for an implementation of the .NET Architecture, best practices for .NET development, and guidance on best use of Enterprise Library and a number of other application blocks freely available from Microsoft.Initially, (circa 2003, .NET Framework 1.0-1.1, Visual Studio 2002–2003) ‘Enterprise Framework’ (EFx) was built to meet growing customer demand for an implementation of the .NET architecture.