IBM Workplace Designer for Domino Developers
December 29, 2005
Company's that do not have Lotus Notes and Domino can start realizing some the same productivity with the introduction of IBM Workplace Designer. Like Domino, Workplace Designer is a Rapid Application Development tool that allows programmers the ability to build business class applications quickly and cost effectively and then deploy them in any of the IBM Workplace family of products.
Development Process Like Designing in Domino
Domino Designer provided an unparalleled tool to rapidly develop prototypes and systems in an interative prototyping manner that better met many business objectives. This Iterative prototyping is where a prototype is developed quickly, sometimes in a matter of weeks not months, then the team reviews and refines the requirements. The designers incorporate changes and provide a more feature rich application for further review. These frequent reviews and refocus results in systems that meet or exceed the requirements and is delivered in a significantly shorter development cycle. Instead of spending months and months on development, Workplace Designer now allows developers and business partners to deliver applications quickly and cost effectively, in the same manner.
Workplace Designer Looks and Works Like Domino Designer
The concept of developing portlets to run in a Portal is not comforting to many Domino developers. However, with Workplace Designer, they now have all the tools they need to get up and running quickly. With Workplace Designer 2.5. you can build your first portlet in minutes. The transition from Domino developer to Workplace designer is a natural transition. IBM has incorporated many similar design concepts between the two, including document events, computed fields, script libraries, views, and even a majority of @Commands. The languages and technologies include JavaScript, HTML, and XML which most Domino developers are already familiar with.
Design first, database later?
The Workplace Designer is similar to the Domino Designer in that it removes the need to build and work directly with the backend database. You design your table schema in XML and then map your fields to the data on the form. The Workplace Designer manages the rest for you. New elements can be added on the fly, right from the form designer. Plus the deployment of changes is simplified. All you need to do is click on "Deploy Component" and the Workplace Designer tool does the rest.
Workplace Designer API Toolkit
Workplace Services provides users with team collaboration through sophisticated portlets such as Team Calendaring, Document Management, online Conferencing, and online Discussions. The Workplace Designer opens up all these components to the developer through the use of the Workplace Services API Toolkit. This allows developers to incorporate these tools in your custom applications thus providing your users and customers with world class collaboration systems.
Training is included
IBM has included example applications that will help developers get up to speed quickly and rapidly. Out of the box you can use the examples to learn best practices and design concepts. This is important to make it easier for the Domino developers to make the jump to Workplace Designer.
Kolaco, Inc.
6 Hampton Road
Mendham, NJ 07945
P 973.543.2888
F 943.543.5339
sales@kolaco.com |
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