ExoFusion Application Framework

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ExoFusion is a smart client/web based application that reduces the time to market a business solution. A business analyst/consultant can build the majority of a solution in the analysis phase. User workshops can be used to build a proof of concept almost immediately. Customers generally do not always know what they want until they are presented with a visual sample of the proposed solution. This rapid proof of concept approach enforces a structured, efficient, incremental and iterative methodology.  Unlike most proof of concepts, the resulting application is used as the final solution.
The following describes some of the functionality of the application. It is, however, impossible to describe the effectiveness of the user interface as well as the use of window panes to manage multiple views in this document. This applies to both the smart client and the browser. A demonstration of the software will give you a much greater appreciation of the full extent of the ExoFusion application.
The ExoFusion Application server offers the following:
• Stateless – If a server goes down, all users are immediately notified. Any current user work will not be lost. Once the server is up again the user will be informed and they can continue working exactly where they were.
• Multi-tier.
• Multithreaded.
• Database and operating system independent.  This integration can be included in any form. A single form can contain fields from an Oracle database and a MSSQL database. ExoFusion will automatically manage any updates. Additionally, double clicking data in an Oracle data field can automatically select a report that resides in an MSSQL database. This is all achieved via a drag and drop forms designer.
• Web services - Any data can be imported via a web service, this then ensures that all validations on the data are performed.  Data need never be imported directly into a database. This cuts down on the chances of introducing dirty data into an operational database.
• Load balancer – This provides unlimited horizontal scaling. One or more of the servers can be used to extract warehouse reports. Typically these reports are large and apply high load to the server resources. The load balancer will ensure that operational requirements are not restricted by such large reports.
• Supports a smart client - This ensures that deployment of the client solution is via a web URL i.e. maintenance free client. ExoFusion can be deployed across the internet or an internal intranet.  However, the client is intelligent and will automatically detect the most efficient transport protocol to use .i.e. either tcp or http/s. High speed scanning can even be implemented across a low speed internet line  e.g. a Broker House can scan application forms that will automatically initiate a workflow process on the administering banks back office server. The broker, via comprehensive security, can monitor these workflow processes via reports or SMS.
• Supports a browser – ExoFusion will automatically create web pages.
• High Availability / Business continuity - If a server goes down while a client is in the middle of a server transaction, the client will automatically connect to another server. The user will be totally unaware that the server has gone down.
• Very little or no code development is required as ExoFusion is under pinned by an XML layer that is maintained with a forms designer.  This ensures that a User designed form is the same if it is rendered in a browser, a smart client, a PDF page or a printed page. This ensures a single point of maintenance of business forms i.e. there is no additional work required for a web form or a smart form. They are created from the same source.
• Forms are designed via a simple drag and drop interface. This includes database connectivity. All relationships and validations are managed through this forms designer. The resulting XML will ensure that all data, whether captured via a keyboard or imported via a web service, is passed through the same validation layer.
• The Smart client manages all aspects of a users experience within an application. This includes:
1. E-Mail - Incoming E-Mails are automatically attached to a client file. The user is then informed of the new mail via a text scroller at the bottom of the screen. When the user double clicks the scrolling text, the e-mail and the client’s information are displayed. This means that all previous client e-mail’s (both incoming and outgoing) are immediately available to the user. All requests can be answered from within the e-mail contents  i.e. if the client has requested a copy of an invoice, then the user can attach a pdf version of the invoice to the mail by simply pressing a single key. Then, pressing the mail send button will forward a copy of the invoice to the requesting client. No searches are required.
2.  Any report from any database can be created using the designer. Charts (Bar, Pie, Dial etc) can be attached to these reports. Various user filtering options are available to the user. All charts are synchronized with the report. If a user filters the report to only show all sales from within the Western Province, then the charts will show the same data. All report cells, chart bar columns and pie slices are active i.e. if a report shows all sales and a bar chart separates these clients by province, then double clicking the chart bar may show all the clients and their sales figures within the selected province. A number of charts can be displayed on a report for comparative purposes. Any report can drill down to any data on any database. Reports can be any information chosen by the user as it is designed by a non-technical resource within the forms designer via drag and drop operations. Further, simply pushing a single button will display the report as a pivot table. This enables the user to slice and dice the information in any way they require.  Every total cell within the pivot table is active. This enables a user to display any relevant report using any information used to generate the total in the cell. Snapshots can be taken of the graphs by dragging the graph into a document library component or e-mailed by dragging the graph onto the e-mail icon that is on the status bar. Most BI programs can perform the above, however, this system allows the user to access and update the original source data. This means that operational systems and warehousing systems are tightly integrated at a user level, but may be completed separated at a database level.
3. ExoFusion contains a comprehensive archiving module. A snapshot of any report can be compressed and archived into the system repository.  The information in that report can be displayed but never changed.
4. A scanning module provides for high speed scanning or user ad-hoc scanning. All smart clients are scanning stations if the logged in user’s permissions allow scanning. Scanning can performed across low speed internet lines. External users can scan documents from anywhere and the system will trickle feed these images as a background operation. A user can index these scanned images before they are uploaded.
5.  A manager can attach data alarms to any report data. e.g. If a manager wants to be informed if the monthly product sales are less than 80% of the average of the previous 3 months on the 18th of every month. The system can provide the values and/or reports, charts, pdfs, excel spreadsheets and dials of the relevant data, via an e-mail or text scrolling at the bottom of the screen.
6.  Any report and relevant user filtering can be used to create a mailing list. This mailing list can be scheduled to run as a once off or at a predefined time.
7. A supervisor can monitor users via the business activity monitoring module. Graphs are dynamically built on the supervisor’s computer showing the number of applications / forms captured and the number of key strokes typed. A supervisor can attach alarms e.g. if a user has not completed an application within 5 minutes etc. Any alarm will be displayed as text scrolled across the bottom of the Supervisor’s computer.
8.  The document management module provides for the full management of company documents, including check-in and check-out of documents. Access control lists allow users to distribute and monitor documents. Workflow is directly integrated into the document management module i.e. A workflow form can be initiated to control the distribution of documents e.g. Budgets. The workflow form will contain a distribution list of managers who are required to accept/reject relevant documents. This distribution list will contain the acceptance date, manager name, comments and the signature or photo of the person. Once again, these workflow forms are designed by the user and may contain any information / controls required. The document management module is a component that is attached to any form at design time. These components are controlled via detailed user permissions and access control lists. Further, the components can be attached to libraries e.g. users can have a ‘My Library’ component that allows them to store any private documents. This ensures that all private company documents are stored in a private repository and are backed up. The company can create corporate libraries that allow users to get immediate access to important documents e.g. Standard Operating Procedures, Training documents, Software etc. These libraries can be used for project management. Folders can be created by a project manager for each stage of the SDLC. Standard letters can be attached to these libraries e.g. a template for a Business Case Document. Any document, including e-mails, project minute meetings, user designed forms, Microsoft Office, Open Office can be stored. E-Mail is directly integrated into the library. Simply dragging a document onto the e-mail icon of the toolbar will e-mail the document. (Any forms will automatically be converted into pdf documents) This e-Mail will automatically be attached to the library for control and audit purposes.

9.  The scheduling module allows for the scheduling of meetings and appointments with multi level reminder options. This module also supports walk-in and standby control. This module is directly integrated into all the other modules i.e. when a reminder is raised the message will scroll across the bottom of the users screen. Double clicking this text may display a client’s file or any other information that may have been attached to the scheduler.
10.  The conferencing module allows any user to invite other users to discuss a specific topic. This module supports communicating via typing or voice. Both private and public discussions are supported. The entire system data is available within a conference call i.e. any one of the participants may display a relevant form and distribute to the desktop of all other participants. Any file or document can be dragged onto a participant’s desktop; this file will automatically be distributed to all participants. This is particularly useful for the distribution of software and then talking users through the installation process. Once complete the recording of the meeting can be saved into any one of the corporate libraries described above. According to access rights a user may play back this meeting via the relevant library.  The conference will be played back exactly as it was recorded, including text, voice, documents and any enquiries on forms.
11.  The user activities module allows for the creation of ad-hoc and recurring activities. These activities are fully integrated into the system i.e. if a client phones and queries their statement, the user can access this statement in exactly the same format as the client has. All entries on the statement are active. If the user double clicks an invoice number on the statement then the invoice will be displayed, this may even be a scanned proof of delivery. An activity can be attached to the displayed invoice to confirm that a credit note has been created. In a few weeks when this activity is raised, a text reminder will be displayed across the bottom of the screen and when the user double clicks this text, the relevant invoice will be displayed. Any associated credit notes will be displayed as an attachment on the invoice.
12. The system is fully integrated with a browser. When the user opens this browser a button appears on the toolbar that allows any URL to be saved in a library (discussed above). The document management system can then be used to distribute this URL to any other system user. This allows for the sharing and recording of information across any company.
13. ExoFusion supports complex workflow and routing. A workflow, with rules, can be designed within the designer. This workflow supports sequential routing, parallel routing, reporting, escalation, alerts, roles etc.  Ad-hoc workflow allows for the distribution of any form to any user or any group. Full receipting and auditing is supported. The workflow system is directly integrated into the rest of the system, i.e. the workflow of any form is directly available on the displayed form.
14.  The Data process control module enforces the controlled capture of client information. Many documents and information about clients is required for compliance purposes. This module will ensure that these documents are present. An assigned administrator will be continually informed until these documents have been entered.
15. A comprehensive CRM module allows for a user to manage a client’s information through a single point of entry, such as a phone call e.g. a call agent can do a change of address via this component. Once complete, the change of address, with the previous address and the new address will be converted into a pdf format and automatically e-mailed to the client. The client can accept this change of address by simply returning the e-mail. Both the sent e-mail and the received e-mail will be attached to this call. Any future enquiry on this call will have this change and the associated e-mail’s attached. The same will apply for any form, document or activity that is attached at the time of the call. This module manages the priority, the state and the type of call. Reports are available reflecting the state of all calls. This module can be ‘trained’ to do automatic enquiries, i.e. if the call agent types in a claim number, this claim will be automatically displayed alongside this component. Bear in mind that this component is essentially a word processing component to capture the details of the call.
16. The User Interface automatically hides unused panes. This ensures that the user has the maximum space on the screen to perform tasks.
• Business Relationships – ExoFusion manages all types of relationships e.g. brokers, agents and Broker Houses. A single view is provided of all relationships allowing the user to drag clients between brokers.  Any relationship can be managed. The application is very flexible and does not limit the user to specific relationships.
• ExoFusion provides very tight data integration e.g. when viewing a pivot table, a user can display any associated data by double clicking a cell in the pivot table. Any form field, table column, table row or pivot table cell is ‘active’ and can be attached to any data in any database simply by double clicking with the mouse.
• Rules Engine – ExoFusion contains an embedded rules engine that supports the Rete Algorithm. This enables a non technical designer to insert and easily maintain thousands of business rules. These rules can be created at both design time and runtime. All rules are executed in a multi thread environment. This ensures that complex rules that access multiple databases do not impact smaller rule sets.
• Scripting Engine – Any script can be created to further enhance any complex business rule.
• Component Scheduling – Month End and Year End runs can be created and inserted into the server using pluggable architecture. This allows for components or services to be added to the server with no impact on any other part of the server. This allows for complex and pluggable customization of any unique client requirements.

Any type of application can be built using ExoFusion and include:
• Help Desks.
• Document Management – Including Imaging and Workflow / Routing.
• CRM – Call Centre.
• Accounting.
• Stock.
• Health Care Services / Health Management.
• PMA.
• Human Resources.
• Project Management.
• Financial Services.
• Business Intelligence.
• Auditing.
• Payroll.
• Debt Collection