Lotus Forms Web Intro

IBM Software Group

© 2007 IBM Corporation

IBM Lotus Workplace Forms™

Kemal Danisman, Lotus Technical Sales, United Kingdom

Summer 2007

ibm.com/software/forms

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© 2007 IBM Corporationibm.com/software/forms

Agenda

Business Value of Workplace Forms Case Studies / references IBM Lotus Workplace Forms

• e-form Components

• Solution Suite

• Architecture

Integration Scenarios XForms & XFDL Forms Services Framework

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Business Value of Lotus Workplace Forms

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Paper Driven Processes

Incur traditional costs… Paper and printing Unused form disposal Archival and storage

...as well as hidden costs that can slow business Lengthy completion times Validation and error checking Data re-keying Physical routing time Complex approval chains Data aggregation across forms

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Cost of Forms

• A single paper form costs $30-$165 to use, enter, process and retain• $22.5B is spent on pre-printed forms in the US alone• 30% of pre-printed forms are wasted

The costs of using and processing paper forms in many organizations today is staggering:

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Cost of Forms

High degree of errors and rework• Form users fill out forms incorrectly or illegibly

• Data entry personnel re-key data into backend systems incorrectly

• Optical Character Recognition (OCR) scanners read incorrectly

• Mailing or faxing time lengthens business processes

Increased call center / Support costs• Lack of ‘wizards’ or business logic in paper forms causes

increased calls to support centers for clarification

• Incomplete or illegible forms require outbound calls to resolve

Difficulty proving regulatory compliance• Difficult to link forms, signatures, and attachments throughout

an end-to-end business transaction

Decreased business flexibility• Updating, printing, and distributing new paper forms is costly

• Transition to new forms creates a window of increased errors and rework while both ‘old’ and ‘new’ forms must be accepted

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IBM Workplace Forms helps reduce the time, costs and problems inherent to manual, paper-based forms processes.

Providing far more than simple electronic print and fill capabilities, IBM Workplace Forms aids in streamlining and automating end-to-

end business processes that are initiated by forms

IBM Workplace Forms

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What are e-forms ?

Automating Forms-based Business Processes

A secure, XML-based form technology to replace manual paper-based processes or as a front-end to web-based applications where the capture and re-use of data is important.

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e-forms – Enabling on demand processes

“80% of Business Documents are Forms”

“Enterprises are seeking electronic process enablers, not just forms on the web”

“e-forms based on XML architecture will become the standard for web-based form input and document delivery by 2006”

“The real value of electronic forms lies in its ability to reduce the bureaucracy associated with paper forms rather than simply replicating it”

- All quotes from Gartner

ComplianceSecurity

IntegrationRecords

DynamicBusiness Rule

Driven

Infrastructure

Integration

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Business Process Automation

Va

lue

DocumentCentric

Business Process Centric

Business Process Automation (ECM, Workflow, BCS)

Fill, (Sign) & SubmitOn-line

Store Preserve

Print & Read

Print & Fill

Fill & Print

Fill, (Sign) & Submit Off-line

View Compliance (Pixel Perfect, Sec 508)

Store Preserve Simple Process

Regulatory Compliance (HIPPA, etc)

e-forms - Spectrum

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What is e-forms all about?

e-forms offer end-to-end software and service solutions which make high-value on-line transactions:

• Automated - Manual processing adds errors and time, creating unnecessary costs

• Secure - If someone attempts to alter a signed transaction, it is detected immediately

• Auditable - Can keep track of all the steps taken

• Enforceable - Secure enough to take into a court

IBM Workplace Forms supports all of these out of the box

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Case Studies

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IBM leadership position in major solution areas

Forrester Wave: E-Forms Software, Q2, 2006

The Forrester Wave is copyrighted by Forrester Research, Inc. Forrester and Forrester Wave are trademarks of Forrester Research, Inc. The Forrester Wave is a graphical representation of Forrester's call on a market and is plotted using a detailed spreadsheet with exposed scores, weightings, and comments. Forrester does not endorse any vendor, product, or service depicted in the Forrester Wave. Information is based on best available resources. Opinions reflect judgment at the time and are subject to change.

Forrester Wave: ECM Suites, Q3, 2005

ECMPortaleForms Portal ECM

Magic Quadrant for Portal Products:Gartner: May, 2006

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Partial list of customers

Securities ExchangeCommission (tax filing)

United States Office ofGovernment Ethics

Royal Canadian Mounted

Police

State of WashingtonElectronic registries

State of OhioDepartment of Mental Health

City of Los Angeles

Ministry of Public Safetyand Solicitor General

Woodmen of the WorldInsurance

Law courts e-filing

700,00 users18,000 forms

1.4 million users$1.4billion ROI

United States JointChiefs of Staff

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Applications:•HR: Leave Approval,•Staff Evaluation, etc•Procurement•Logistics•Medical

Case Study: US Army, Air Force and Navy

Largest eForms deployment in the world (Gartner) Single solution for all enterprise business processes Workplace Forms chosen as open-standards + IBM SOA Reduced cost of business transaction automation

• Quickly automate enterprise transactions• Route via ad-hoc or defined workflows • Enterprise-wide tracking and reporting• Digitally sign all documents • Shut down redundant systems• Store and manage official documents/records• Collaborate on-line

Legal compliance through Records Management ROI in 2006: $1.4bn Solution includes

• WebSphere Portal, IBM Content Manager, Records Manager, Process Server, Tivoli

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Land and Property Programs,Corporate Registries of Service Nova ScotiaUsing Workplace Forms to make the property-buying process quicker and easier

CHALLENGE Enable citizens and businesses to have their land transactions completed

more quickly and conveniently, without reliance on lengthy paper forms Integrate the new registration process with the existing online database of

property records to accelerate verification and finalization

SOLUTION Established a convenient, Web-based data submissions process that

includes automatic records verification and electronic payment processing Leveraged the eXtensible Markup Language (XML) compatibility of IBM

Workplace Forms™ software to easily integrate the electronic forms system with the existing database

BENEFITS Cut transaction time for most locations to just one business day Improved rejection rate caused by submitter’s data entry errors from 15

percent to 3 percent Minimized reliance on courier services and trips to agency offices

Industry: GovernmentURL: gov.ns.ca/snsmr/property

“With the IBM solution inplace, we can provide better and more secure document submission services to our clients, and we can receive and process land transac-tions faster and with moreerror checking up front than ever before.” — Nancy Saunders, Acting Director, Registry 2000 Project, Corporate Registries ofService Nova Scotia

Case Study: Nova Scotia Land Registry

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Case Study: Woodmen of the World

• Challenge

• Needed to modernize and automate core customer-facing field rep activities (policy applications, form updates, quotes)

• Significant data entry errors and excessive application processing times

• Needed compliance with industry regulations

• Solution

• Field reps now use intuitive eForm wizards for forms on laptops

• ePad integration allows for table based signing

• Benefits

• Reduced data entry errors

• Reduced process costs

• Improved field rep productivity

• Cycle times from weeks to a couple hours!

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Case Study: BC Vehicle Inspectorate

The CVSE roadside inspectors are capturing 31,000 inspections per year from rural and urban locations all over British Columbia.

The inspections are done to international Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance criteria, which have been adopted by all North American jurisdictions.

The initial processes for collecting, assessing and using this information are labour, cost and time intensive.

These processes are also time sensitive as vehicles with infractions need to be identified as soon as possible and the information distributed to other jurisdictions in a timely fashion.

Objectives:• Reduce the time for the information to be available for

internal and external agencies, via legacy systems, from 14 days to mere minutes, greatly reducing manual effort and improving quality of data.

• Eliminate the need to handle and microfiche every inspection form

• reduce training by simulating paper forms Ministry of Public Safetyand Solicitor General

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Case Study: BC Vehicle Inspectorate

Solution consists of IBM Lotus Workplace eForms and a custom Java Client Server application on ruggedized Panasonic Toughbook tablets using the TELUS 1X wireless network for voice and data and the TELUS Victoria Internet Data Centre (IDC) with a link to the BC Government data center.

The 85 inspectors have the Panasonic Toughbooks mounted in their vehicles and are able to roam the BC transportation system and capture valuable information on the state of the different commercial vehicles that use it…

• Workplace Forms simulating the client multi-part form, with near-real time driver and vehicle information look-up

• TELUS 1X network with NetMotion Wireless to provide session persistence where required for other applications

• Web Services and Java provide connectivity to Mainframe legacy

• Industry standard XML format describing format, business rules and content.

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Workplace Forms brings customers real business benefitsJust Some Examples: US Army: 100,000 forms, used by 1.4 million Army personnel around the world – expected ROI

more than $1.3 billion. USAF: 18,000 forms, serving 700,000 employees globally – ROI: $50 Million annually. Global Apparel Manufacturer: Reduced process time by 75%. Estimated cost savings per

year $787,500 Woodmen Insurance: accelerates application process from weeks to hours! Nova Scotia Land Registry: Reduces transaction time from 7 days to just 1 day. Reduce

rejection rate from 15% to 3%. SEC: 27,000+ publicly traded firms. Estimated annual to taxpayers of $1.8 million. U.S. Directorate of Defense Trade Controls: Shortens the application process from up to

66 days to as little as 9 days IBM Express Managed Services: Boosts productivity by 25%, Improves data accuracy and

completeness from 75% to 100%, cycle times down by 25%, reduces form localization times by 80%

City of Los Angeles: increased online business tax renewal collections of more than US$14 million in 2005, up from US$700,000 in 2003

Major League Baseball: reduced staffing requirements as well as development, printing, travel and telephone costs. MLB estimates annual savings of more than US$350,000.

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Lotus Workplace FormsComponents

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Presentation Layer

Pixel-perfect for duplicating paper forms

IBM Workplace Forms e-form components

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Presentation Layer

Pixel-perfect for duplicating paper forms Guided-interview, or wizard, driven


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IBM Workplace Forms Viewer

• Standalone or browser-based application to present, manage, interact with, integrate, digitally sign and submit Workplace Forms XML e-form and process-wizard front-ends

• Provides offline capabilities and “IFX” interface for extensibility

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IBM Workplace Forms Designer

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Business Logic

Capture forms processes in the form Integrate business process workflows


Presentation Layer


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Data Instances

Based on W3C XForms specification Multiple XML payloads for integration Validate against external XML Schemas


Business Logic


Presentation Layer


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File Attachments

Capture complete transaction Supplemental or associated e-forms MS Office, videos, faxes, etc.


Data Instances


Presentation Layer


Business Logic


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Digital Signatures Sign multiple, overlapping sections, field

level or complete form Use built-in signing, digital certificates or

signing pads

File Attachments

Presentation Layer


Business Logic


Data Instances


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Benefits of IBM Workplace Forms

• Provides full non-repudiation and auditability by storing the form template, data, and internal logic in a single file that can be digitally signed

• Maintain presentation and logic with data

• Save and email a form and work offline

• Route a form using any available transport mechanism (e.g. BPM, Workflow, Web, Email, FTP, etc.)

• Archive a form into a database or Content Management System

• Pre-fill a form with data and extract data from a form

• Sign and make a form tamperproof

• Integrate a form with other technologies (i.e., workflow, EAI, document management, content management, etc.)

• Parse & extract the XML data at any appropriate time in the form’s lifecycle

• Integrates with existing strategic IT infrastructure reducing TOC and accelerating ROI

• Activate a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) with intelligent message that flow across services

By treating forms as XML objects it becomes simple to:

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Unmanaged spreadsheets become sontrolled documents

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HTML screens become intelligent forms

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Unintelligent forms become assisted interviews

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Printed .doc/.xls documents become live forms

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Custom applications become just another form

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Simple .pdf documents become interactive forms

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Scanned images become interactive user interfaces

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Take a PC Interface and push to a tablet with a signature

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… and any paper process can become electronic!

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All from the same platform

Presentation

Data

Workflow

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Lotus Workplace FormsSolution Suite

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IBM Workplace Forms products

IBM Workplace Forms Viewer• feature-rich desktop application used to view, fill, sign,

submit, and route e-forms• able to function on the desktop or within a browser• Enables full connectivity with real-time integration using

Web Services• Based on open standards to enable Viewer to operate in

portal or stand-alone environments

IBM Workplace Forms Designer• an easy-to-use WYSIWYG e-form design environment• supports the drag-and-drop creation of precision forms• leverages open standards to deliver forms-based solutions

across LOB applications and IT infrastructure

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Form rendition optionsRich Client IBM Workplace Forms Viewer Embedded in a Web Browser (Also runs stand-alone without browser) Renders XML form

Thin Client Browser-only rendition of HTML

from IBM Workplace Forms Webform Server

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IBM Workplace Forms products

IBM Workplace Forms Viewer IBM Workplace Forms Designer IBM Workplace Forms Server – (API, Webform Server, Deployment

Server)• enables the creation and delivery of XML forms applications• provides a common, open interface to enable integration of e-

forms data with server-side applications• delivers a true zero-footprint solution• provides e-forms to external users quickly and efficiently

within a browser IBM Workplace Forms Service Framework

• A simple, extensible platform to facilitate the integration of WPF with partner technologies

• Integration with key IBM/partner technologies

• Example modules and integrations, best practices and integration guidelines

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Components Overview

DesignerLayout, Create and Test Form

Workplace Forms Server WebForm Server

Converts XML to HTML / JavaScript so eForms can be rendered in a common browser.

Workplace Forms ServerAPI

Used by customer or SI to archive forms and integrate data with one or more backend systems.

Workplace Forms Server Deployment Server

Deploy Viewers and e-Forms to user desktops.

eFormPixel Perfect Resolution

Wizards

Business Logic

Data Integration

Attachments

Digital Signatures

Common Browser

Viewer (Standalone or as Plug-in for

Browser)

Per User or Per form-page

Workplace Forms ServerServices Platform

Standard SOA deployment platform for Forms. Enables integration with over 40 back-end systems vi WebSphere TX

*NEW!*

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Lotus Workplace FormsArchitecture

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Servers

CorporateFirewall/Proxy

Browsers with Workplace Forms Viewer

Rich Client PC Workplace Forms Deployment

ServerSSL

SSL

Web Server

Web Server

Workplace Forms Webform Server

Browsers

Browser Only PC

Workplace FormsWebform

Translator

Workplace Forms Designer

Designer PC

XFDL Form

DataRepositories

Workflow Systems

Webform Server ServletClass

3rd PartyAPIs

Customer Application

Workplace Forms API

Workplace Forms Example Architecture Diagram

HTML Render

OracleSQL Server

DB2

DB2 CMDB2 DM

PDMDomino

DocumentRepositories

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Typical architecture

Web/Application Server Database ServerBrowser/ViewerClient PC

Database /Repository

Pre-Populate NewForm (template)

Save/SubmitForm (instance)

Open ExistingForm (instance)

XFDL Form

Application Layer Database LayerClient Layer

Encrypted TCP/IP (SSL)



Webform ServerHTML Form

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Another perspective: Conceptual diagram

Document-centric transaction

XML instance one for pre-population

XML instance two for integration

Extensible from 0N data instances

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Integration scenarios

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IBM Workplace Forms

IBM Content Manager +

Workplace

Solutions

WBI, WebSphere,

etc.

Off-Line Rich Client Browser Mobile

e-form

e-forms technology varies from simple (print-and-fill, Webforms) to advanced (digital signatures, offline storage). Advanced e-forms are a critical component of Industry Solutions due to their broad applicability to a variety of business processes. They can provide a common front-end to many different software products.

IBM Lotus Workplace Forms

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Integrating Workplace Forms

Standard SOA, Web/Portal design considerations apply.

Almost always occurs in the Application Tier

Full range of request-time and real-time options available

Componentization and reuse provide standard benefits and efficiency improvements.

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Integrating Workplace Forms – UI integration

Typical User Interface Integrations Include:

• Web Application Integration

• Zero-Footprint Form Display

• Portal Application Integration

• PDM Integration

• Display of Forms Within Notes / Domino

• Display of Forms Within Eclipse

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Web Application Integration

The Workplace Forms Viewer can be run either standalone – by launching a form locally, or as a browser plug-in.

The Workplace Forms Viewer is associated with the mime-type:application/vnd.xfdl

Workplace Forms viewer displayse-form as a browser Active-X

plug-in inside a browser session.

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Zero-Footprint Form Display

Webform Server provides server-side translation of XFDL into HTML and JavaScript.

Webform Server maintains the rich, XML document on the server-side.

Both Servlet and Portlet-based zero-footprint applications are supported.

Workplace Forms viewer displayse-form as a DHTML page inside

a browser session.

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Portal Integration One can pass dynamic

URL/URI into the form for submission. There are several methods for doing so.

State management is an important consideration when creating a Workplace Forms Portal application; one must manage ‘parking’ the Viewer in memory to ensure that interactions with other Portlets do not wipe out in-progress form data. Workplace Forms viewer displays

e-form as a browser Active-Xplug-in inside a portlet inside

a portal page session.

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Integrating Workplace Forms – Portal Doc. Mgr.

“Form Template Library”

PDM Integration Enables us customers

enhance forms solutions through integration with:

• PDM Workflow

• PDM Accept/Reject Functions

• PDM Access Controls

• Workplace Forms Designer Forms publishing to PDM

Workplace Forms are managedJust lije other document types

Inside WebSphere PortalDocument Manager (PDM)

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Integrating Workplace Forms – Notes/Domino

Display Within Notes/Domino

Notes/Domino provides an excellent mechanism for form delivery, security, encryption and synchronization with the server-side

Display, store, archive, workflow, secure, route = manage

The form itself can natively ingest and output DXL – no translation needed

The Workplace Forms Viewer runs via OLE within Notes

Workplace Forms viewer displayse-form as an OLE plug-ininside a Notes document.

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Positioning Domino & Workplace Forms

FormsSubforms

Offline SupportWeb Forms

Web Services*Attachments

E-mail as transportPortlets

XML

Pixel Perfect Forms (Paper Forms)

Overlapping Digital Signatures

Forms Extensions (IFX) (Ex. Signing Tablet) (3rd Party Encryption)

Guided Front End (Turbo Tax)

Views & Logic (Form Management)

Domino Workflow

Domino Workplace Forms

Replication

On Disk Encryption

Lotus WorkflowXForms

(W3C Standards)

Self contained Standalone Solution Component Technology

Collaborative Document Based Business Transactional Record

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Fit with Domino

• Domino 7 & 8 include advanced XML and web services capabilities which simplify integration with Workplace Forms

Value with Domino - Workplace Forms extends Domino:

• Pixel-perfect precision layout and printing for industry regulated forms

• Easy-to-create wizards simplify content-entry for complex forms

• Keeps entire transaction as single document (important for compliance requirements)

• Workplace Forms Extensions (IFX) enable the use of external devices, barcodes and PKI signatures

• Portable forms applications across platforms/systems outside of Domino

Qualifying questions .. answered “yes”? Then use Workplace Forms:

• Do you need a cost-effective infrastructure for your Workplace Forms deployment?

• Are there forms-based applications or processes as part of your Domino deployment?

• Is it important for compliance or legal reasons to have a complete record of each transaction in your process (design, business logic, data)?

• Do you need to accurately print forms in your processes?

• Do you have complex forms that you need to simplify and easily maintain?

• Do you need to integrate other devices or software with your forms-based processes

Integrating Workplace Forms – Notes/Domino

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Integrating Workplace Forms – Eclipse/XPD

Display Within Eclipse The Workplace Forms

Designer is Eclipse-based The Workplace Forms

Viewer runs within the context of Eclipse to provide form preview functionality.

This Workplace Forms Viewer and/or form templates can potentially be distributed via the Server Manager Client

Workplace Forms viewer displayse-form as an embedded plug-in inside

an Eclipse or Lotus Expeditorsmart client application.

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Integrating Workplace Forms – DB2 CM

IBM Workplace Forms integrates with WebSphere and DB2 Content Manager.

SubmissionServlet

SubmissionServlet

FormViewerForm

Viewer

Form Viewerin Web

Browser

Form Viewerin Web

Browser

SimpleCM

Connector

SimpleCM

Connector

ContentManager

A Reference Application is available on the Content Manager Demo Platform• Enables a “one-click submit” and “one-click update” into Content Manager.

• Deployed with a range of demo forms.

• Extensible to allow simple demonstration with other forms – no coding required!

• Connector is owned by the Content Manager team, ensuring future compatibility and enhancement.

The Content Manager Connector makes it simple for developers to:• Store forms as items in Content Manager (with attribute values set based on form data).

• Retrieve form items from Content Manager.

• Update existing form items within Content Manager.

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Lotus Workplace FormsXForms & XFDL

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XForms overview XForms is an Open Standard First published by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) in 2003

• Dr. John Boyer, Senior Product Architect for IBM Workplace Forms, is currently co-chair of the XForms Standard

• Workplace Forms supports version 1.0, with select features from version 1.1

A language for the “next generation of Web forms” - W3C

• Original intent was to improve HTML forms

• Grew beyond this once they began to understand complexity of forms

• Meant to be used as a conjunction with other languages (XHTML, XFDL, etc..)

Supported by numerous companies

• Including IBM, Novell, Oracle, Documentum, SAP, Sun…

XForms - Not an acronym, that’s the full name

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The internal architecture of XForms XForms 1.0 is data-centric It defines:

• A model for processing XML data, any format desired • An intent-based user interface for describing how the data

will be gathered• Submission rules for returning the data to the server

XForms standardizes the core business processing of forms, not presentation

XForms is designed to have a variety of presentation layers depending on the need

• WML, • XHTML, • XFDL, • SVG, • VoiceXML • etc.

XFDL

XHTML

WML

…

Other

Presentation Options

XFormsModel

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Enables Application InteroperabilityForms on any device…in any language…for any able/ impaired person…in any role within a business process1

Lowers Application Development CostsXForms enables reusable form components with multiple client deployment options3

Enables Industry Form StandardsXForms support industry schemas along with rules & UI2

Enhances and Complements SOA XForms provides a Forms Data Processing Model & supports active content using declarative rules & Web Services4

Business benefits & value

Enables Interoperable

B2B Processes & Transactions

Integrates Customers,

Suppliers, Channels

Faster Time-To-Market/Value

Lower Costs to Deploy/Maintain

Applications

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So, how do I make an XForms form?

Use XForms to create the data layer of a form Use a second language (Presentation Language) to

create the “look” of the form• We’ll focus on XFDL, but other XML languages such as

XHTML also work

Link the XForms data layer to the XFDL presentation language

• Maintains separation of data and presentation

XForms Model + Presentation Language = E-Form

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Extensible Forms Description Language (XFDL)

From 1993 to 1998, PureEdge Solutions (which was acquired by IBM) developed the Universal Forms Description Language (UFDL)

XFDL is the result of developing an XML syntax for the UFDL and is a W3C note

XFDL can do many things: • Presentation layer description language

• Data definition language

• Programming language

The latest version of the XFDL specification is version 7 for Workplace Forms 2.6

A copy of the specification can be found here:• http://publibfp.boulder.ibm.com/epubs/pdf/22915350.pdf

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XFDL design goals

Represents forms as single objects without dependencies on externally defined entities

Is a human readable plain text Is a publicly accessible open standard If you want to create your own Viewer, Designer or API,

all necessary information is available Provides a syntax for inline mathematical and conditional

expressions Permits the enclosure of an arbitrary size and number of

base-64 encoded binary files Allows attachment and conversion of external files such

as photo ID, word processor documents, spread sheets, etc…

Goals of XFDL are to create a high-level computer language

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Design goals continued…

Offers precision layout needed to represent and print near pixel perfect forms

Facilitates server-side processing via client-side input validation and formatting

Permits extensibility including custom items, options and external code functions

Offers comprehensive digital signature support, including• Capture of the whole context of a business transaction

• Multiple signers

• Different signers of (possibly overlapping) portions of a form

• Freezing computations on signed portions of a form

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XFDL capabilities Unlike most XML derivatives, XFDL is a

programming language

• Smart enough to make decisions, handle arithmetic, and respond to user input

• Directs users through the interface, performing calculations and error correction on the fly

• Computations are built into each document, which also provides nomadic functionality

• Complex business forms cannot be represented with HTML.

• XFDL provides full non-repudiation and auditability by storing the form template, data, and internal logic in a single file that can be digitally signed

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What does XFDL add to XForms?

Document-centricity• XFDL stores the data in the document, creating a single

record

Precision layout and printing• Can faithfully reproduce paper forms

Wizard-based, dynamic forms• Can guide user through filling process, change on the fly,

and reduce errors

Broad support for signatures• Locks both the XFDL presentation and the XForms data

Extension points for integration with other technologies

• Can embed .jar files in the form to extend the functionality

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What does XForms add to XFDL?

New items• Table, Pane, Checkgroup/Radiogroup, Slider

XForms event handlers• value-changed, readonly, readwrite, submit-error, etc.

XForms functions• Boolean-from-string, avg, min, max

Device Independence Data Modeling

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The Forms Services Framework

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Content Management Document Management Workflow

RDBMS Application Servers Portal Servers

Partner Versions

WF

Ver

sion

s

Platfo

rm

The Business Challenge – Enabling deployment

Forms are a broad “horizontal” technology that can be used in many industries and applications

To provide a complete solution, Workplace Forms need to be used in conjunction with other enterprise technologies:

Maintaining an integration between two disparately managed technologies becomes geometrically complex …

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Workplace Forms Viewer

Workplace Forms Services Connector

• Mapping Services• Transformation Services

•Pre-population• Meta-data management• Create, Read, Update,

Delete

Repositories,e.g.

CM, JCR,Domino

ApplicationDesign,

e.g. Notes Workplace Designer

Workflowe.g.

Process Svr.,Notes,

PackagedApplications

e.g. SAP,Siebel

IdentityManagement

e.g. Tivoli

UserInterfaces

e.g.Portal,Notes

ApplicationServers

e.g.WAS

WorkplaceForms

WebformServer

The Solution

A simple, extensible platform to facilitate the integration of WPF with partner technologies.

• Shorten time-to-value and reduce cost/risk for customers, partners .

• Provide re-usable components

• Ensure integration interoperability

Integration with key IBM/partner technologies.

• Provide “out-of-the-box” functionality

• Direct Integration - WP, CM, WPS

• Websphere TX - DB2, SAP, SOA..

Example modules and integrations. Best practices and integration

guidelines.

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Forms Services Platform

As part of Forms Server v2.7, it supports the sameset of platforms that the Server supports, includingSUSE Linux 9 on Intel

Provide an out-of-box repository of common service pipelines which can be configured individually for each integration solution

Provide out-of-box Forms Designer integration plug-in. Provide out-of-box plug-in for TX Allow for easy integration by hosting Extension Folder where the

bundles (.jar) and configurations (.properties) of integration solutions are dropped. Common services are provided for all extensions found in the Folder.

Provide a proven sample as a quick-start tool for creation of integration solution

Comes with (re-factored) integration solution for WebSphere Portal 6 Document Manager

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WebSphere Transformation ExtenderA powerful complement to the Services Platform

Allows out of box connectivity to many repositories and information sources

Is in addition to the value of the Services Platform – plugs into the “mapping” extension point

Optionally allows SAP, Peoplesoft, and industry specific (HL7, SWIFT, …) connections

Provides GUI environment to allow visual mapping of form data to repository

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IBM Software Group


WebSphere Transformation ExtenderA powerful complement to the Services Platform

Benefits:• Consistent data transformation and enrichment • Reduced application development and maintenance costs • Increased knowledge re-use • Standardized approach and components • Increased quality of applications • Reuse of transformation across the enterprise • Decreased time to market of new applications• High-throughput execution of complex transforms and

enhancements • Code-free design and deployment • Library of over 120 pre-built functions to accelerate

application/integration construction

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IBM Software Group


Database

ODBC

DB2

Oracle

MS SQL Server

Sybase

Enterprise Application Adapters: SAP r/3 SAP XI Siebel Peoplesoft

Industry Adapters: SWIFTnet V4.2 HIPAA X12 V2.7 EDIFACT V2.7

Non-Database

Archive (tar)

Archive (zip)

base 64

batch file

CICS

Com Automation

Corba

Database

e-mail

RHL Fastwine

File

RS Manager

FTP

GZip/ZLib

HTTP

IBM WebsphereMQ(client

IBM WebsphereMQ(server)

Java Class

JCA Gateway

JMS

JDNI

Mime

MSMQ

OracleAQ

Quality stage

Quoted-printable

Shell script

Sink

Socket

TIBCO RV

Tuxedo

VAN

What comes with base entitlement:

Informix

OLE DB

SQL/MP

SQL/MX

Available at additional charge:

WebSphere Transformation Extender

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IBM Software Group


Before:

Now - - With Forms 2.7

Forms 2.6

SAPCustomServices

Forms 2.7

SAPTX 8.1

EA SAP

Advantages:• Standardized• Looser coupling between applications (less interdependence)• Easier integration of legacy applications

Free entitlementWith WPF 2.7

$62,500 SRP

Example SAP Scenario

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IBM Software Group


IBM Workplace Forms Server – Forms Services Platform 2.7

• An enterprise application, framework and libraries which provide the ability to extend and integrate Workplace Forms

• Service-oriented and extensible, promotes the development of reusable components

• WF Designer Plugins to create Forms Services Platform projects, manage project repositories and generate WebSphere TX Type Trees and Maps from Workplace Forms data instances

• An optional SDK and samples to support custom Pipe/Bundle development

• Optional “Integrators*” for direct integration with other IBM/Partner technologies (PDM, FileNet, …)

OK, but what is it?

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IBM Software Group


High-Level Architecture

Servlet Bridge

PortletBridge

RequestDispatcher

Pipeline Constructor

Pipeline Execution

ServiceDefinition

ServiceDefinition

Pipeline Modules“Pipe-Stages”

OSGI-BasedPipeline Assembly

and Execution

Invocation and Bridging

DB2

Sybase

Portal 6/PDM

ContentManager

MS SQLServer

Forms User(Viewer)

Designer Integration

Pipe Stages

DeploymentPipe Stages

MappingPipe Stages

RepositoryUI

Pipe Stages

CustomPipe Stages

Repository Connector

Pipe Stages

FormsDesigner

Forms User(Webform Server)

SOA(SOAP)

Oracle

SAP R/3

PeopleSoft

Websphere T

X M

apping Integration

TeamspacesAnd

Documents

FutureIntegration

FutureIntegration

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IBM Software Group


Contact details: Kemal Danisman via ibm.com or local representative

More information:

• ibm.com/software/forms • Whitepapers, Case-Studies, Webinars• Workplace Forms Viewer and Designer FREE 60-dayTrial• Download sample forms

• ibm.com/developerworks/workplace/products/forms/ • Technical Information