TDOC - Some User References

The TDOC System is a software package which is "built" from elements, which are "integrated" to provide a specific solution - CEMDC. However, just as easily these layered building blocks can be used to build a bespoke solution in a minimal amount of time. The existing blocks have all been in use for many years, and are designed to be "sub classed" that is that they can be altered very quickly to perform slightly differently.

Before anything can be done, it is necessary to "Define" the scope of the project. The following table lists some of the areas to be considered and provide for:

Item	Definition
Infrastructure	The hardware, and other things upon which the software operates, which includes: User PC's Server Server Operating System Local Area Network and Communication hub [can include WAN] Wide Area Network, Internet Connection, Modems, Firewall, & Router TDOC uses the Advantage Database Engine [mounted on the server] which enables operation over a WAN. The Upload speed to a WAN is key to operating software using the TCPIP Protocol.
Development	The scope of work covering the application including: Database Structure Data Entry [including validation and screen layouts etc] Process Flow Management Reports and Analysis
Operational Screens	The presentation of data in a manner that can be used for entering data or capturing data. Many operations [like sending an email] actually generate the data to be captured. This is the principal area of bespoke development work. It is often based on using lower level libraries and objects already built into TDOC, such as bBrowser and for reporting ReportPro.
Reports	The presentation of data in a manner that can be used for operations. This includes both the Selection, and Generation. Reports can include data that is not shown on screen, nor do they have to show data that is shown on screen. Other methods of presenting data for review include "Tree Views" or drill downs.
Analysis	The generation of Metrics from Data
User Support	Covers "How to", which should be coved by training
Software Support	TDOC includes several other software, including: Advantage Database Engine Aladdin Licensing bBrowser, ReportPro, etc
Annual Support	Includes Software Support - including configuration assistance Incidental continual development Assistance with documentation
Configuration	The setting up of: Parameters Categories Process Flow Report Layouts [including embedded arithmetic etc]
Training	The teaching of users how to operate the software including: Operators Managers System Administrators

An Example - Administration of The Northern Ireland Warm Homes Scheme

Recognising that just two types of communication were required, namely

Correspondence and
Miscellaneous Contacts

and that the key to these communications could be structured as follows,

From [Manager] - Names Register
To [Surveyor, etc] - Names Register
About [Subject] - Subjects Register
Regarding [Applicant] - Groups Register

A solution was developed just five of the TDOC Registers viz: Names, Groups, Subjects, Mail, and Contacts. The Names Register required the following changes:

To be split [by filter] into three parts:
- Applicants,
- Landlords,
- and others - Surveyors, Contractors etc.
To have some additional fields added for Applicants Date of Birth etc etc
For each Applicant a matching Group is created automatically - thus linking the Applicant [Group] with data stored in the Names Register

The storage of metric data was within the Contacts and Mail Registers was also addressed. This allows an unlimited number of items of data of several types to be stored in any record. Simply put the storage is in the form of "Key: Value", with the user configuration enabling definition of the necessary keys.

The last item was the presentation of information on screen for both operational and reporting purposes. For this an additional module was required, but its design was based on the SDRS module already existing within TDOC.

The use of existing building blocks combined with development using Visual Objects - a Rapid Application Design tool - resulted in delivery of a complex solution in just six weeks, with a commensurately low development cost [Time equates to Money].

Visit the TDOC Web Site