ibm forms v8 · 2015-08-27 · ibm forms designer an eclipse-based, drag-and-drop forms editor ibm...

IBM Forms V8.0

Forms Classic vs. Forms Experience Builder

2 © 2012 IBM Corporation

IBM Forms Experience Builder

Introduction Forms as Part of an Overall Web Experience IBM Forms Solutions When to use Forms Experience Builder When to use Classic XFDL Forms Development Environments for FEB and Forms Classic FEB and Forms Classic Portlet(s) for WebSphere Portal Forms Experience Builder Architecture IBM Forms Classic Architecture Forms Experience Builder Data Structure IBM Forms Classic Data integration JavaScript API(s) for FEB and Forms Classic Where to Find Information


IBM Forms documents and web experiences complement each other by providing the entire spectrum of e-forms solutions.

Data-centric Web Solutions

IBM Forms Experience Builder

Interactive, dynamic UI steps user through the entire transaction Records are data-centric rather than document centric On-the-web Design and Deployment of whole data collection solutions High volume throughput Supports custom CSS

Hybrid Web Solutions

IBM Forms Documents+Web

Experiences Interactive UI of web experience drives data collection for document style form Combines ease-of-use of web experience with enterprise features of forms documents

Document-centric Web Solutions

“Like paper” forms for the web Dynamic behaviors can be added to provide “interactive paper” forms Allows end-to-end XML solutions Can be digitally signed Can be saved locally Can be archived to content manager as document of record for auditability

IBM Forms Documents

IBM Forms Solutions


Different types of forms applications

Is it just about Data?

Is the Document and Data important?

Forms

A dynamicweb experience

for collecting information and engaging a user

in a process

Agile web experiences for

data centric application

eForms for document centric

applications

Agile web experiences for data collection

Capture InspectionOrder

Request

Survey

Enroll

Schedule

Select

eForms for document centric applications

ClaimConsent

Contract

Application

AgreementRegistration


Expanding the capabilities of IBM Forms

IBM Forms solutions complement each other to cover the entire spectrum of e-forms solutions for social business.

Data-centricSolutions

Forms Experience Builder Server, Viewer & Designer

Document-centricSolutions

IBM Forms 8.0Suite

✔ Engaging user experiences✔ Web-based tooling ✔ Records are data-centric ✔ High volume throughput

Delivering CompleteWeb Solutions

✔ “Like paper” forms for the web ✔ Intelligent documents ✔ End-to-end XML solutions✔ Digitally signed records


When to use Forms Experience Builder System is data-centric:

— You need to just capture the data - not concerned with the form, logic, or the document that was used to capture the data.

Existing SOA is REST based.— Forms Experience Builder comes with an HTTP Transport that can easily consume REST based

services. Expected heavy concurrent user load

— Forms Experience Builder is much better at handling high transaction volumes.— High concurrency has little to no extra demand on server.

Short lived or ad-hoc application needs— Need quick survey, or quick approval for a limited time.— Heavy need to leverage web based technologies — like JavaScript and CSS— existing skill-sets can be leveraged.

Need easy access to all captured data— Forms Experience Builder can easily export all captured data to XML, XLS, or Symphony.— Provides OOTB view into captured data, allowing filtering and searching.

Need to allow business users to build their own Forms without involving IT— Forms Experience Builder allow business level users to build and maintain their own

applications without having to involve or depend on IT.


When to use Classic XFDL Forms System is document-centric:

— You need to store or archive document as record.— You need to digitally sign the document.— Electronic version of form needs to match existing standards.

Heavy printing requirements— Classic Forms provides high fidelity printing.— Can easily convert from or print to PDF.

Existing SOA utilizes SOAP based web services— IBM Forms Designer has Web Services Wizard

Need to support offline mode— IBM Forms Viewer can be used to view and fill in forms offline.

XML or schema based environment already exists— Classic Forms are entirely XML based, and can be built according to desired schema.

Highly complex dynamic UI is required.— Classic Forms can handle enterprise level business requirements with advanced validation and

complex mathematical calculations over many rows of data. Need to take advantage of existing product level integrations

— Classic Forms has OOTB integration with FileNet, ICM, and BPM products.


Forms Experience Builder Designer is 100% browser based

FEB browser based design tooling delivers powerful fill and submit experiences. ● Complete tooling

Full set of web data capture items Flexible layout using grids & sections Graphical rules & formula editor Routing editor

● Rapid development Preassembled items with default values Automatic binding to data records Apply advance features quickly

● Familiar techniques Drag & drop design experience

Easy discovery of item properties


IBM Forms Classic uses an Eclipse Designer

IBM Forms Designer Powerful, easy-to-use

design environment to create secure XML e-form and process wizard front-ends


IBM Forms Classic is Used for Digital Signatures

Presentation LayerBusiness LogicData InstancesFile Attachments

Digital Signatures make form a Secure “E-Envelope”

Sign multiple, overlapping sections or complete form

Use built-in signing, digital certificates or signing pads

Significantly smaller file sizes compared to proprietary binary formats


IBM Forms Classic has a Viewer

IBM Forms Viewer Standalone or browser-

based plug-in application to present, manage, interact with, integrate, digitally sign and submit IBM Forms XML e-form and process-wizard front-ends


IBM Forms Classic WebForm Server

Eliminates need for client-side software install when online

Web 2.0/Ajax functionality – dynamic, modern UI

Strong support for Web services, REST, ATOM-based services

Supports highly fidelity, signatures, dynamic behaviors, and all other forms functionality

Compatible with viewer deployed forms

Renders to a broad array of platforms, Mac/Safari, IPad, Firefox, IE, …


FEB Allows Flexible IntegrationRapid deployment process enables forms to be placed into production fast, embedded with other web applications or run stand-alone. Versatile

— Embed links in existing web applications — Embed in Portal applications— Embed in servlet applications

Cost effective— Easy integration with Web/REST services— Service based access to databases or

content storage systems

Expand your reach— Deploy forms in front or behind the firewall— Enclose links in emails, social sites or

mobile applications

Extend, streamline and automate business processes or social engagements


Forms Experience Portlet for WebSphere PortalA single out-of-the-box portlet can render any number of Forms Experience Builder solutions within a portal application.

● Specify an active form URL for display in a portlet.

● Edit forms directly in a portlet and automatically redeploy.

● Ready-made portlet for displaying forms. No programming is required.

● Supports JSR-286 eventing (open, data in & out, and submit).

● Configuration leverages Portal profiles.● Works with Portal’s Web analytics

aggregation.


IBM Forms Classic Portal Integration

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 IBM 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.


Forms Experience Builder ArchitectureReduces the gap between end-user development and IT administration to get solutions deployed quickly.

Create

Deploy

Run

REST

REST Output

(HTML, JS, Tables)

Source(XML, CSS)

Forms Experience Builder Server

Data

ExportImport

ServiceInterfac

e

Form

Manager

Responses

Form

Stages

Settings

● Collaborative framework LOB User: Look & feel, routing, privileges, logic IT staff: ACL, SOA services & plugins Others: CSS, JavaScript, data tables Export/Import with source control

● Proven methods Packaged as an EAR Security provided by J2EE container Database connection via data source

● Extensible REST interfaces (others work with) Services interface (works with others) Data feed API for captured data

● Scalable Client-side web processing 100% stateless server-side

Generator


The IBM Forms Classic Architecture

IBM Forms Designer

An Eclipse-based, drag-and-drop forms

editor

IBM Forms WebformServer

A Web 2.0 client for inside or outside the corporate

firewall

IBM Forms ViewerA rich client for mobile or

disconnected users

IBM Forms APIAllows your Web

application to manipulate IBM Forms

FileNetP8

WID/WBM

DB2

WebsphereProcessServer

FileNetP8

FileNetP8

WID/WBMWID/WBM

DB2DB2

WebsphereProcessServer

IBM Forms Services Platform

Websphere ApplicationServer

Websphere ApplicationServer

Websphere PortalWebsphere Portal

IBM Forms with Workflow

Human centric workflow for electronic forms routing


IBM Forms Classic Architecture

Servers

CorporateFirewall/Proxy

Browsers with Forms Viewer

Rich Client PC

XFDL Form

Internet/Intranet

SSL

HTML Render

Web Server

Web Server

Webform Server

Webform Server Servlet Class

Forms API

3rd PartyAPIs

Customer Application/Forms Services Platform

Browsers

Browser Only PC

Browsers

Browser Only PC

Webform ServerTranslator

Webform ServerTranslator

Forms Designer

Intranet

Designer PC

Forms Designer

Intranet

Designer PC

XFDL Form

Data Repositories

OracleSQL Server

DB2

Document Repositories

IBMFileNet

BroadVision

Workflow SystemsWorkflow Systems


Essentially the data for a given FEB application is stored in a single database table.— Each record in this table corresponds to a form submission or form instance— Table structure is very similar to what you see in View Responses— Some exceptions are forms with attachments and forms with tables in them

Forms Experience Builder Data Structure

DB2


IBM Forms Classic Data integration:

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.

IBM 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

SubmissionServlet

SubmissionServlet

FormViewerForm

Viewer

Form Viewerin Web

Browser

Form Viewerin Web

Browser

SimpleCM

Connector

SimpleCM

Connector

ContentManager


Forms Experience Builder Services Architecture

WebSphere Application Server

Experience Builder

Service Definitions

Every Experience Builder application is exposed as services

- Retrieve- Search- Delete- Submit

Definitions can be created for any REST or Web Service including:GeneralExperience

Builder - SAP- Oracle- DB Systems- many others


The Forms Classic Services Platform A simple, extensible platform to facilitate the

integration of IBM Forms with partner technologies utilizing technologies such as WebSphere Transformation Extender (TX), etc.— 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 - Portal, CM, Process Server— WebSphere TX – DB2, SAP, SOA, etc.

Example modules and integrations. Best practices and integration guidelines.

IBM Forms Viewer

IBM Forms -Forms Services Platform

• Mapping Services• Transformation Services

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

Delete

Repositories,e.g.

CM, JCR,Domino

ApplicationDesign,

e.g. Notes Designer

Workflowe.g.

Bulit-in,ProcessServer., FileNet,

etc,

PackagedApplications

e.g. SAP,Siebel

IdentityManagement

e.g. Tivoli

UserInterfaces

e.g.Portal,Notes

ApplicationServers

e.g.WAS

IBMForms

WebformServer

IBM Forms Viewer

IBM Forms -Forms Services Platform

• Mapping Services• Transformation Services

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

Delete

Repositories,e.g.

CM, JCR,Domino

ApplicationDesign,

e.g. Notes Designer

Workflowe.g.

Bulit-in,ProcessServer., FileNet,

etc,

PackagedApplications

e.g. SAP,Siebel

IdentityManagement

e.g. Tivoli

UserInterfaces

e.g.Portal,Notes

ApplicationServers

e.g.WAS

IBMForms

WebformServer


FEB - Agile RoutingFEB's Role-based access control and adaptable business processes automate user notifications and approvals.

Automate your form management processes, enabling you to save time and money.

● Customized interactions Guided data capture experience User-specific access to form items Personalized submission actions

● Dynamic experience Content show & hide based on role Automatic generation of email notifications Invoke services at routing steps Flexible routing using rules

● Quick setup Easy to automate routing process Simple role & user security assignments


IBM Forms Experience Builder JavaScript API

FEB's JavaScript provides a programmatic way to interact with a Forms Experience Builder application at run-time

JavaScript is triggered by events Can place JavaScript in event at various level

● Application● Form● Page● Item


Forms Classic's JavaScript API

IBM Forms Server – JavaScript API is a collection of tools that allow you to programmatically interact with XFDL forms on web pages.

The API gives you direct access to an entire form and all of its nodes. And allow you to manipulate the properties of fields, labels, lists and other controls.

You can retrieve information from a form that is embedded in a Web page, manipulate it with your own JavaScript code, and then insert it back into the same form or into another form on the same Web page.

Can get information about the digital signatures on the form (if any), and verify that the signatures are valid.

The JavaScript API requires three files which are distributed with the Viewer and the Server installation

● L_FormNodeP.js● LF_ViewerScript,js● LF_XFDL.js


Forms Classic's Java API's

Java API is a wrapper on top of native C libraries (.dll / .so) Provides low level access to XFDL forms in Java™, C, and COM Create and manage applications that analyze, route, validate, and create

electronic forms Provides a collection of “Classic API” Java/C/COM functions for manipulating

IBM Forms, including: Read and write forms Retrieve information contained in a form's elements Assign information to the elements of a form Create and remove elements within a form Extract images or enclosures from a form Verify digital signatures

“Java Streaming API” also part of Form Library Read and write forms Retrieve information contained in a form's elements Assign information to the elements of a form

Form Library

Java Streaming API

Classic API

C API

Java API COM API

Not 100% pure Java due to JNI

calls


Forms Classic's Java API Architecture

Java API is a wrapper on top of native C libraries (.dll / .so) Provides low level access to XFDL forms in Java™, C, and COM Create and manage applications that analyze, route, validate, and create

Web Application Server

IBM Forms API

Servlet

Form

Processing

Data Repository

Form

XML

Workflow


IBM Forms Website– http://www-01.ibm.com/software/lotus/forms/

IBM Forms on YouTube– http://www.youtube.com/user/LotusFormsEnabl

ement

IBM Forms Wiki– http://www-10.lotus.com/ldd/lfwiki.nsf

IBM Forms Catalog– http://www-

01.ibm.com/software/lotus/forms/catalog/

Experience Builder Download– http://www-

01.ibm.com/software/lotus/products/forms/designer/beta/

Where to find more information

Portal

iPad

Android

http://www-01.ibm.com/software/lotus/forms/

http://www.youtube.com/user/LotusFormsEnablement

http://www.youtube.com/user/LotusFormsEnablement

http://www-10.lotus.com/ldd/lfwiki.nsf

http://www-01.ibm.com/software/lotus/forms/catalog/

http://www-01.ibm.com/software/lotus/forms/catalog/