Contents

1	Introduction 4
2	Architecture Overview 5
2.1	3-Tier System Design. 5
3	Installation 6
3.1	One Item Install and Forget 6
4 7	Client Application User Interface
4.1	Designed for the User. 7
4.2	MDI Design 7
4.3	Common Design Traits 8
4.4	Design Familiarity 9
4.5	Record Insight. 10
4.6	Wizards 11
4.7	Application User Settings 13
4.8	System Flexibility 14
5	Logical Business View 15
6	Letter Writing 16
7	Rules Wizards 17
8	Work Flow 18

3-Tier System Design. Client Access Point Application Datacentre Server Database Server

 

HomeWorks Rent Application Overview

1 Introduction

This document introduces a few of the features and functionality of ALC5’s Rent Application.

2 Architecture Overview

2.1 3-Tier System Design.

The ALC5 Rent Application is designed around a 3-tier system architecture using the following three main components

• Client Access Point
• Application Datacentre Server
• Database Server

The system is connected together so that the Client Access Point ( CAP ) connects to the Application DataCentre Server via a TCP socket. This type of connection is the most basic, but most utilised type of network connection protocol, installed as standard on OS’ from Windows 98 upwards. By using the TCP/IP standard protocol, any computer that can connect to a network can connect to the ADS ( Application DataCentre Server ).

The ADS then uses an ODBC connection to connect to the Database Server completing the link.

The ADS is used as a central connection for the Client Access Points and its main task is providing a central place for System Business Logic and Processing. The Information is collated and presented on the ADS before being compressed and packaged down to the Client.

The Client Access Point in this system is the Thin Client Application.

3 Installation - top...

3.1 One Item Install and Forget

The Thin Client Application uses a “One Item Install and Forget” system. It allows the client app to be installed on a client PC with minimal install setup. The IP address of an available DataCentre is the only requirement for the application to run, and once entered, is saved for quicker access next time.

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A Username and password is required for system access which will give the user an Administrator created unique view of the system and its components, i.e Read only view or only allowing a user access to the Base Data Items.

4 Client Application User Interface - top...

4.1 Designed for the User.

The client application uses an MDI style interface allowing multiple screens to be opened, but containing them within the scope of the main application. The application has been designed to allow the user to choose the way they work by giving them many ways of performing the same task, e.g. key strokes, drag-and-drop, menu selection etc.

The following pages show screen shots of the Client Application in operation.

4.2 MDI Design

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Bank Holiday Maintenance screen , with two other data screens in operation in the background.

4.3 Common Design Traits

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Administrator view with the ability to Export the contents of any data grid to Excel.

4.4 Design Familiarity

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All data maintenance screens are designed in the same user friendly way. One learnt screen allows a user to operate all other similar screens.

4.5 Record Insight.

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Full screen mode with instantaneous threaded search Record insight. “Recent Record” list displayed allowing instant access to recently edited records.

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Dwelling information shown, with 2 Recent Records.

4.6 Wizards

For user involved tasks, wizards have been designed to guide the user through the process

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Start Tenancy Wizard, allowing records to be selected via drag-and-drop, from the Dwelling Screen, Person Screen, Recent Records list or any place in the system that allows dragging of records.

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Tenancy warnings. User is presented with a warning that the person already has active tenancies when the new tenancy is due to start

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Tenancy Charges applied to individual Tenancies. Charges can be amended per tenancy.

4.7 Application User Settings

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User favourites. Commonly used tasks can be added to a users favourites task list for quick and easy access.

4.8 System Flexibility

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3 – tier DataCentre running on single PC. PC can act as App Server, App Server and Client or just Client. 3 – tier model configurable.

5 Logical Business View - top...

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6 Letter Writing - top...

When letters are needed to be sent, the ALC5 Letter Editor can be used to create a Client Custom Letter incorporating embedded Data Tags to mil merge the DataCentre data in to the letter.

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Using RichEdit text style allows wysiwyg editing of the letters along with the ability to preview the letter using sample data.

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7 Rules Wizards - top...

Using a “bolt-on” Rule Engine allows the system to use Rules for such tasks as Arrears Monitoring. Below is the standard ALC5 rules wizard generating a custom rule for overdue payments.

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Rules can then be modified using a list of database stored items.

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8 Work Flow - top...

The Rent Application has the ability to manipulate and maintain the integrated WorkFlow Engine on the Application Server. Multiple Rules can be assigned to individual tasks, and can be manipulated on screen at will.

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Showing a Work Flow Map being built.

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The task properties dialog box showing the rules defined for that specific task.

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