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RE: [Openflow-dev] A few quick questions.... please help me out.
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From: Michael D. <mic...@ea...> - 2003-04-11 04:14:58
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Andrew - Many if not most of the answers you are looking for are long and not something that would be answered in a day. Let me ask in return, how familiar are you with Zope and Python? From your questions, I would guess you are also pretty new to Zope as well. In basic terms, anything logical can be done by the Zope/Plone/CMS/OpenFlow/Python/SQL db of your choice. OpenFlow is a Zope product that is a part of the large product and features of Zope and is extended by programmers using Python and database functionality. Of course, Zope has it's own database, so using an add-on database is a decision based your needs and the availability of adapters. There are adapters for most major databases, both proprietary and open source. Some of what you are asking for comes from functionality in Zope and the portal product you chose, not OpenFlow itself. User management as an example is best done as a local function in Zope but if you don't know how Zope works, it is a long discussion to understand how flexible the user management actually is. Plone, CMF, and some of the other less well-known portal products for Zope have levels of user management you are asking for above and beyond what Zope itself provides. There are also products that can be added to add more levels of user management or the facilities that exist can often be extended by a Python routine crafted to pull information from Zope and customize it to what you are looking for. What OpenFlow is not is a stand alone product at the level of Ultimus or some of the other proprietary workflows. But in all honesty, those products depend on knowledge of things like the Microsoft Transaction Server and IIS. Instead, it adds additional workflow features to Zope and its product set. I say additional, because workflow and the concept of divided responsibilities/roles is a basic feature of the Zope concept for application development, maintenance and user interaction. To understand what OpenFlow adds, you need to understand Zope and the products you are using with OpenFlow and that isn't exactly simple. Because of that, mapping an application for this system requires an understanding of what each Zope product can do natively and when functionality is best used as it exists and when it is time to built a Python routine to add what you need. To me, and no offense intended I assure you, it sounds like you need to start by planning what your system needs to do and not by a feature set that might compare with a proprietary solution but may or may not be actually used. Then you need to break down the system to display, data, and functionality and implement each level in the products that meet the needs. I doubt I would be wrong by saying all of us have had to do that to figure out Zope. It does take time and the help to make it happen is weaker than it should be, but because of the object-oriented nature of Zope, the benefit is the smallest widget you build can be reused multiple times. So, if I failed to answer your questions with direct answers, it is because there are multiple approaches to every requirement you mention and no right way at a generic level. To make it work, start small, move your way through it one step at a time. So much for the "short" answer... Regards Mike > -----Original Message----- > From: ope...@li... > [mailto:ope...@li...]On Behalf Of Andrew > Hughes > Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2003 7:09 PM > To: Ope...@li... > Subject: [Openflow-dev] A few quick questions.... please help me out. > d > > Hi I need some help with some questions answered (and very quickly too > I'm stress'n). > > I'm very new to OpenFlow, and a client wishing to access its > capabilities has a few questions they need answered by the end of the > day..... please help me if you can. My answers need not be more than one > or two scentences, and in some cases and Yes or No will do the job. > > Any help would be fantasic..... > > * Can reports be generated in HTML and delimited format for use with > MS Excel? > * Does the WMS interface to an external report writer? If so, state > which, and describe how the interface is effected. > * Can employee attendance and log-on activity be tracked? > * Can employees be tracked for various processes they supervise? > * Can activity reports be generated by employee group and profiled > against other groups? > * Can the history of all transactions be maintained? > * Can processes be flagged inactive or cancelled but retained > for later use or revision? > * What facilities are available to track resources, including staff > & equipment? > * Is there capability for conflict resolution when multiple needs > are placed on individuals or resources? > * Is there capability for planning and forecasting? > * Can checklists be generated? > * Can calendar changes be made which reflect a range of > delivery areas? > * Can e-mail be linked to notification of events and completion of > activities etc? If so, describe how . > * Can any number of customisable e-mails be created? > * Can Zope be configured with Oracle (prefered) / SQL Server? > * Is there capability to import and export data ? Is the import / > export format customisable ? Specify the formats catered for > > > Any feedback would be extremely valuble!!! And I would be very thankful. > > > Thanks in advance, > > > Andrew. > > > ps you may reply to me if you wish at ahughes @lisasoft.com (Note: > remove the space) or in the mail list. > > > > ------------------------------------------------------- > This SF.net email is sponsored by: Etnus, makers of TotalView, > The debugger > for complex code. Debugging C/C++ programs can leave you feeling lost and > disoriented. TotalView can help you find your way. Available on > major UNIX > and Linux platforms. Try it free. www.etnus.com > _______________________________________________ > Openflow-dev mailing list > Ope...@li... > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/openflow-dev > |
