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DataCache Application Recreated and improved -- from Filemaker to the Intranet The Communications Services department depended on the Filemaker Pro DataCache application to track complex documentation projects such as datasheets for technical products, application notes, marketing services projects for advertising and tradeshows,and trade publications, as well as internal time tracking and financial chargeback for these projects. To update the application, it was to be moved into a PHP web application backed by SQL Server. That would take over 70 screens of the front-end chassis, mapping the functionality and look while replacing the engine with more robust SQL tables and functionality. 1

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DataCache Application Filemaker translated to PHP/HTML/CSS Great care was taken to maintain a close appearance to the original Filemaker screens. Some visual features that FMP (Filemaker Pro) offered, such as rounded corners on tabs, was deemed unnecessary, but for the most part, color, typefaces, and layout were carried over, despite the fact that FMP used freeform fluid visual grid layout and the new application used CSS divs, spans and floats, and HTML tables/cells (where absolutely necessary) (Note: original screenshot does not reflect design changes made in FMP layout before the PHP application went live.) Filemaker Screen PHP Screen 2

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DataCache Application A Basic Record A DataCache record is a project- tracking entry following all record- keeping aspects from project creation to close/completion, including a robust Activity Log, Milestones tracking, links to project files in departmental folders, links back to project request original forms, links to the actual product page on the company website (if appropriate) and more. CSS was set by a Screen.CSS file that provided a unifying color and style scheme for the application. SQL database included 30+ main and supplementary tables, calculated views as well as procedures and triggers. CSS enabled above, same page disabled at right. 3

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DataCache Application Modularity PHP code is set up with include files, so that the entire record page is a dynamic shell. Header include: elements are context dependent Display Top include: Fields and checkboxes acting as links or buttons Display Tabs include: context dependent, are actually a horizontal list menu that highlights the current view page with matching color to the tab page Display View include: context dependent page depending on Display Tab chosen Field/table includes: reusable code put inside enclosing scrollable div. 4

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DataCache Application Application Stats 67 Page files: most standalone reports or lookup pages outside the common format 102 Include files modularly included inside pages (most inside the Main_Display page) 33 Wrapper pages for specific- purpose data entry. Most used: Popup_Wrapper.php, DialogBox_Wrapper.php, Deletion_Wrapper.php with associated functions. 38 Process files called by buttons, links, wrappers to carry out elaborate data entry/update operations 103 common functions shared among all pages 5

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DataCache Application Code in Action Most fields opened into popup wrappers via a common function called Display_Field(), but some needed specific handling. This Package List example calls the Popup_Wrapper with URL parameters, gathered up into a text string called $queryField that is displayed inside a table cell, the table being inside a scrollable div. Note the delete_Display() function that creates a clickable button in the rightmost table column. If there are no rows to display, the code displays No Package Items. To match the FMP original, fake rows are added if necessary. 6

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DataCache Application Extensive Reporting A full suite of reports was recreated and improved allowing task tracking, time management, and financial chargeback, as well as application administrative functions. The bug tracking system could be opened from any page, automatically capturing where a new bug entry originated. Users could track their past entries. Note modular row code in Data Sheets report second row sections in several entries are master/clone pairs with the secondary entry in smaller, lighter text re-using the same multi-row code with dynamic CSS 7

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DataCache Application The Finish Line The new improved application went live over Labor Day weekend so that the FMP application data could be completely ported to the SQL tables when data entry was turned off late Friday afternoon The application was ready for business on Tuesday morning and was immediately in use, with no reported loss of data in open or closed records. There was much praise for how easy the transition was for users. End of quarter financial chargeback went ahead on schedule at the end of October, and development began on improvements and new screens. 8