Platform Reusable Objects

Software development should be about solving your customer’s needs – not about reinventing the wheel. Accordingly we have included with the Connected Business Platform a number of reusable objects each designed to save you precious development time both now and in the future. These are made up of fundamental .NET controls based on the framework of the CBP and can be applied system-wide to serve specific purposes. They can be used again and again to enrich the functions of different areas of the application. Many of the CBP reusable objects are database driven and based off the settings found in the data dictionary and country tables. This further reduces development time while offering powerful end user customization capabilities to the end user.

The Data Dictionary-Driven Controls

The BCP includes a full featured data dictionary that includes database and field settings which manages the behavior of many of the reusable objects. The data dictionary is designed as a runtime tool that can help end users add fields to CBP powered applications as well as customize the field settings which manages the behavior of many of the reusable objects. Through the Data Dictionary control end users can; add custom fields, rename field labels, choose which fields appear in search screens and dropdown boxes, set field level security options (visible / invisible and editable/read-only), customize pop-up bubble help and more. The Data Dictionary is multi-lingual ready and allows for the use of multiple languages concurrently.

Data Dictionary Driven Control Example – The Search / Combo Box Control

The CBP includes a reusable search control that is fully integrated with our data dictionary control. Not only does this approach virtually eliminate the need to do any search screen related coding, but it also gives your end users complete control over which fields display in the search screen and which fields are searchable (even their own custom fields). The search control includes a number of functions including the ability to group (and subgroup) data, the ability to print and export the results, advanced search, automatic data paging and more.

Country Database Driven Control Example - Address Control / Phone Control

The Address Control greatly simplifies the developing of multi-national applications by automatically formatting the address for the country selected while the Phone Control applies the proper formatting for telephone numbers. Both control work in conjunction with the CBP country database that contains the options for 238 counties worldwide.

Data Dictionary Driven Control Example – The Address and Phone Number Control

The Address Control manages the address formatting for different countries such as the City, State, State, Postal and County formatting for the US and UK. As set in the Country settings, the Postal Code field can search through a repertoire of default postal codes or allow the user to manually enter them.

The Phone Control manages the formatting and masking of telephone numbers. As set in the Country settings, the phone formatting is applied to the telephone / ext and fax / ext fields when you select a country.

Complete “Mini-Applications” Based off Leading Third Party Components

In addition to the vast array of reusable components designed to speed development and give a consistent user interface to end users, the CBP includes two full featured “Mini Applications” based off popular third party components. By integrating the leading third party controls into the CBP developers have the benefit of working with the best controls available, but without the need to spend hundreds of hours of programming to make it usable. Mini Applications include…

Data Dictionary Driven Control Example – The Word Processor and HTML Editor

Word Processor – Based off the latest “Text Control .NET” control the CBP Word Processor is fully Microsoft Word compatible. The CBP Word Processor can be easily connected to the Data Dictionary greatly simplifying “Mail Merge” activities for the end users. The CBP Word Processor includes all of the benefits of the “Text Control .NET” control including the ability to print to HTML or PDF file.

HTML Editor – The CBP HTML Editor is based off the Netrix HTML control and has been developed to simplify the creation of HTML documents.

Built-in support system allows you to provide better, more efficient support services

The Plug-in Manager works in a familiar “add/remove program” operation that provides an outlet for developers to maintain all plug-ins under the sun. It detects newly installed add-ons and has options to add, modify or uninstall. You can install from sources such as CDs or floppy disks or from a plug-in repository at the connected business website. Once installed, you can set up the plug-in through a menu manager by dissecting the components (modules, dashboards, forms or sections) to include in the menu, form or wizard in Interprise Suite where it might be needed. User restrictions and multilingual settings may also be implemented to plug-in components the same way as in the standard components of Interprise Suite.

Store, use and reuse plug-ins
Apply role based restrictions
Multilingual support for all 238 major countries