There are two approaches for application integration:
? Programmer's approach ? for applications integration it is necessary to create some program codes;
? Integrator's approach ? in this case special software products are to be used and the integration process set up by those software settings. The following tools may be used for the first approach:
? ODBC. In Lotus Domino codes may be used:
o Three @-functions (@DbColumn, @DbLookUp and), which work with registrated ODBC-drivers . @DbColumn returns the whole column from external table, @DbLookUp process search by the key, and @DbCommand runs a command of ODBC-driver or external table (for ex, UDATE or DELETE);
o Three inside LotusScript Data Objects (LS:DO), which support connection process, running of SQL-request and provide operations with received result table. This tool is more flexible than usage of described above @-functions (specifically, transactions mechanism, errors handling, etc);
o Free NotesSQL ® ODBC-driver allows calling Lotus Domino databases by SQL. This method is available only for simple Lotus Domino databases, as them are not relation databases and SQL is not good to work with (problems with multiple fields values and different fields set in documents);
? JDBC. For direct using of JDBC mechanism, free IBM JDBC-driver may be downloaded, which allows calling Lotus Domino databases from Java-applications. This approach is better then use NotesSQL ® ODBC-driver, but can not be use with complex databases. JDBC technology also using in some integration mechanisms, but JDBC itself is hidden from the programmer(as example, using build in JSP Custom Tag Libraries);
? OLE. Using of this technology is in the Microsoft platforms frame. If this limitation is acceptable for a task, then using of this technology allows data exchanging from LotusScript to OLE-applications. Specifically it is possible to export data from Lotus Domino to MS Excel or MS Word. This technology often is using to create reports for Lotus Domino data. In Lotus Domino exists Notes/FX mechanism, which implicitly uses OLE- technologies. This mechanism allows to process automatic data exchange between fields of Lotus Domino forms and information stated on OLE-server. Lately Notes/FX are used in really applications very seldom;
? XML. Using of this technology in Lotus Domino R 6 allows processing of Lotus Domino objects' stream transformation (documents, design elements, ACL, etc.) into XML and back, apply in a stream XSLT to XML, put filters on translated/received information, as well as review XML by build in LotusScript-classes, processed DOM and SAX parsing;
? HTML. If an HTTP task is started on Domino server, then from external applications is available sending/receiving data by of the same name protocol;
? CORBA. This technology used in Lotus Domino more in Java content. Applets, servlets, Domino JSP Custom Tag Libraries, using this technology may exchange data with Lotus Domino;
Apart in integration solutions line are DECS (Domino Enterprise Connection Services), DCR (Data Connection Resources) and LEI (IBM Lotus Enterprise Integrator for Domino) technologies. These technologies except of coding request administration settings to be tuned and may be refer as to first (programmer) as to second (integrator) approaches to integrate applications.
DECS technology allows direct connection with DB2, Oracle, MS SQL Server, Sybase sources, and external sources by ODBC and OLE technologies.
DECS technology requests of the same name task on the Domino server, as well as some settings in « DECS Administrator» database. Two types of documents can be created in this database:
? Connection, which provides the possibility connecting with an external system. Without details, let say that this document provides the path to external source and login and password for this connection;
? Activity, provides correspondence between Lotus Domino fields and information from external source. The correspondence is assigned by special Lotus Domino form and fields. This document can support up to four case types (form open in Lotus Domino, data changing, deleting or new record creation in Lotus Domino). After Activity document is activated the same processes in external source will be started if the tracking cases happen in Lotus Domino. For example, imputing and saving the new data in Lotus Domino (in case if them are tracking), analog data arrive in external source.
DECS mechanism works correctly in case if external source data are worked with only by Lotus Domino. Otherwise, if the data arrived in external source omitting Lotus Domino they do not automatically transferred to Lotus Domino.
DCR technology appeared in Lotus Domino R 6, is an interface extension for DECS technology and work only with corresponding task on Domino DCR server. Without details, the new design element by name DCR may be considered as analog of Connection document from « DECS Administrator» database. By the way, analogies of Activity documents are determinated directly in Lotus Domino forms.
LEI technology may be considered as developing of DECS. Using of LEI allows to developers much more possibilities for data processing with build in Lotus Connector Classes for LEI.
Good luck in your system setting up and contact us for any help in Moscow +7 (095) 918-3314, +7 (095) 918-3111 , in USA: 1-866-528-0577!
Alba Spectrum Technologies
USA: 1-866-528-0577, 1-961-5918, Deutschland (0177) 8349 806, Moskau (095) 918 3314
P. Gottmann is a technical writer in Ronix Systems (http://www.ronix-systems.com) the European branch of Alba Spectrum Technologies ( http://www.albaspectrum.com ), IBM and Microsoft Business Solutions Partner serving clients in Berlin, Hamburg, Paris, Vienna, Roma, Munich, Madrid, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Denver, Phoenix, London, Sidney, Sao Paulo.
With the advent of 'Service Pack 2' for Windows XP... Read More
There are plenty of articles out there about how to... Read More
To all web designers out there, this article is for... Read More
As Mozilla Firefox nears 10% market share, with well over... Read More
Professional services firm cuts costs and improves productivity with integrated... Read More
For those who are unclear on the differences between the... Read More
Manufacturing in the USA is far away down from mid... Read More
New post-recession era has new features, which didn't exist in... Read More
You might think you don't need a firewall... Read More
Spyware is like the new technological nuclear weapon on the... Read More
Since Version 8.0 Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains & Great... Read More
If you company is small or mid-size special products or... Read More
As seeing large number of implementations ? in our case... Read More
Scrapbooks are very popular these days. I think that almost... Read More
Beginning with Domino version R4 it has integration with the... Read More
Some introduction into Great Plains Software products, now Microsoft Business... Read More
If you are to buy a HelpDesk & Asset Management... Read More
Formatting and reinstalling windows 98 is very easy if you... Read More
Crystal Reports is the most flexible tool on the market... Read More
One day, you suddenly realize that your computer started to... Read More
There are many commands that are used in linux on... Read More
Microsoft CRM is CRM application, maintained and supported by Microsoft... Read More
Fleet Maintenance Management is a critical position in any company... Read More
Microsoft CRM ? Client Relationship Management package from Microsoft Business... Read More
Java has come along a long way. Many would agree... Read More
If you are in a business that passes documents around... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions is now in process of creating so... Read More
C/SIDE (Client/Server Integrated Development Environment) - The core of... Read More
In a previous article, I wrote about OpenOffice... Read More
The Microsoft system preparation utility for Windows 2000 is a... Read More
Great Plains Purchase Order Processing (POP) module makes up one-third... Read More
Usually, the easiest way to tell you have spyware is... Read More
This article will not attempt to advocate the use of... Read More
Manufacturing in the USA is far away down from mid... Read More
Running Applications in Compatibility Mode With Windows XP, you can... Read More
Microsoft CRM has built-in conversion tool, however you should probably... Read More
If you have Microsoft Great Plains and support it for... Read More
I completed an experiment recently. I wanted to find out... Read More
And kill the best layout software in the process of... Read More
If you've been using MySQL database to store your important... Read More
Remember back in the days where screensavers were the coolest... Read More
Looks like Microsoft Great Plains becomes more and more popular,... Read More
The fact that a software tester is a most infamous... Read More
A few months back I really got sick of my... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains has substantial market share and... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains version 8.5, 8.0, 7.5, Great... Read More
With so many Microsoft Windows related viruses, errors, and other... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains, designed back in 1990th as database transferable... Read More
Looks like Microsoft Great Plains becomes more and more popular,... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains serves to the wide spectrum... Read More
Three highly respected names in Human Resources have joined forces... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is marketed for mid-size companies... Read More
Let's first look at your ERP system selection (without Retail... Read More
This article is for advanced Microsoft CRM SDK C# developers.... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains is main accounting / ERP application... Read More
The most important things you can do for your computer... Read More
NOTE: Please take time to read on - it may... Read More
Microsoft CRM ? Client Relationship Management package from Microsoft Business... Read More
Mike Dunville* had a decision to make. As the new... Read More
For those who still don't know, Microsoft Publisher helps computer... Read More
Most people understand that the "hardware" part of their computer... Read More
Not every software testing project can or should be automated.... Read More
No matter how much you enjoy your favorite screensavers, sometimes... Read More
Microsoft CRM is CRM answer from Microsoft Business Solutions.The whole... Read More
If there still are few unprotected computers left, I haven't... Read More
If you have been using the Internet for any amount... Read More
Software |