Development of a price management system in one day. EDocLib example
The ability to independently configure the system "for yourself" is perhaps one of the important parameters that affect the choice of a solution for managing a business. However, not all systems allow you to do everything yourself and just the way it is necessary for a particular company.
Under the cut - an example of how to configure the eDocLib system for managing company prices, regardless of the size of the business and the competence of the procurement staff.
First, a little theory. eDocLib is an ECM system or, even simpler, a business process management system, which, as you know, can be very different. Someone needs to manage branches in different countries, and someone needs one online store. The functionality of the solution is quite wide: from document management to the organization of teamwork.
The main feature of eDocLib is the ability to independently construct directories, descriptions, and so on. This example, in essence, is a demonstration of the simplicity of tuning the necessary tool in a particular case.
Imagine a company that needs to regularly purchase a fairly large range of goods, while, of course, you need to track prices for these goods from suppliers and update prices.
First, fill in the basic directories of the system.
In the directory “Contacts” in the section “Organizations” we enter the data of each supplier - the name of the company, contact person, telephone for communication.
Further - in the same place we create the section "Our Organization". For her, you can make a hierarchy of her own company - for example, management, procurement, sales, indicating specific employees and their contacts. The structure, of course, can be any - in accordance with the need.
In the directory “Document rubrics” we introduce all the necessary range of goods, distributing them into separate groups - for example, “Consumables”, “Notebooks” and so on. I must say right away that in the future it will be possible to search and sort price lists by item groups.
After that, create a new directory and call it “Delivery Terms”. Here we enter the data on the supply options - the possibility of a loan and its term, the need for prepayment and so on. For these categories it will also be possible to search and select a price that is more suitable at the moment.
After that, you need to configure the system. To do this, in the configurator, you need to create a new type of document with the name "Price List", then in the form editor we develop an input form for it, in the "Document Groups" directory we open the "Price List Equipment" group. Here we set up informing by e-mail about actions with this group of documents.
It is possible to highlight with color those price lists that have not been updated for a certain time - for example, two weeks. To do this, in the Color Filters directory, create the “Expired” filter. After that, we create a personal folder “Price Lists”, to which prices will be sent, we configure search filters in it - suppose, by item, by number, by supplier — all that are needed. Then we add the “Overdue” color filter to these filters - thus, all prices that have not been updated for more than two weeks will be immediately visible.
The last step: we create a general search query to select prices for the main details and a personal request to notify about created and edited prices. That, in fact, is all.
The number of groups in the product range, the list of suppliers and supply options - all this can be expanded and changed in accordance with what the company needs.
What is the result? Once for each supplier a separate price is created and the nomenclature presented in this price is selected. All prices are placed in a personal folder “Price Lists”.
After updating the price lists, new versions will be created with the date of the last update or other details that need to be changed. New versions will also be sent to users' personal folders, in parallel with this, notifications with links to updated prices will be sent to e-mail.
In this example, there are three ways to select a price by item: using the appropriate filter, using a search query, and directly in the headings. If the search is carried out using a search query, then the search by item can be combined with other search parameters. In the case of a heading search by selecting the desired item on the left side, you can see the prices on the right containing the item positions of this group.
The eDocLib system has many other features. More information about this can be found here www.eos.ru/eos_products/eos_eDocLib . Also, a demo site with examples of system application is under development.
The system requirements are as follows. Database Server: for working with Microsoft SQL Server DBMS - OS Windows Server 2003/2008, Microsoft SQL Server 2000/2005/2008 DBMS (in all variants with Full-Text Search installed). To work with ORACLE DBMS, any OS supporting ORACLE, Oracle 9i DBMS (version 9.2.0.4 and higher) or Oracle 10g (in both versions with Oracle Text installed).
Application server: OS Windows 2003/2008 Server, Microsoft .NET Framework v3.5 SP1, configured Microsoft Internet Information Services version 6.0, 7.0, client part of Oracle DBMS of corresponding version (only when using Oracle DBMS)
Database server and application server can physically hosted on a single server. In this case, it is possible to work only under OS Windows Server 2003/2008.
Client part: OS Windows 2000 Professional / Windows XP Professional / Windows Vista, Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, 7.0.
Under the cut - an example of how to configure the eDocLib system for managing company prices, regardless of the size of the business and the competence of the procurement staff.
First, a little theory. eDocLib is an ECM system or, even simpler, a business process management system, which, as you know, can be very different. Someone needs to manage branches in different countries, and someone needs one online store. The functionality of the solution is quite wide: from document management to the organization of teamwork.
The main feature of eDocLib is the ability to independently construct directories, descriptions, and so on. This example, in essence, is a demonstration of the simplicity of tuning the necessary tool in a particular case.
Imagine a company that needs to regularly purchase a fairly large range of goods, while, of course, you need to track prices for these goods from suppliers and update prices.
First, fill in the basic directories of the system.
In the directory “Contacts” in the section “Organizations” we enter the data of each supplier - the name of the company, contact person, telephone for communication.
Further - in the same place we create the section "Our Organization". For her, you can make a hierarchy of her own company - for example, management, procurement, sales, indicating specific employees and their contacts. The structure, of course, can be any - in accordance with the need.
In the directory “Document rubrics” we introduce all the necessary range of goods, distributing them into separate groups - for example, “Consumables”, “Notebooks” and so on. I must say right away that in the future it will be possible to search and sort price lists by item groups.
After that, create a new directory and call it “Delivery Terms”. Here we enter the data on the supply options - the possibility of a loan and its term, the need for prepayment and so on. For these categories it will also be possible to search and select a price that is more suitable at the moment.
After that, you need to configure the system. To do this, in the configurator, you need to create a new type of document with the name "Price List", then in the form editor we develop an input form for it, in the "Document Groups" directory we open the "Price List Equipment" group. Here we set up informing by e-mail about actions with this group of documents.
It is possible to highlight with color those price lists that have not been updated for a certain time - for example, two weeks. To do this, in the Color Filters directory, create the “Expired” filter. After that, we create a personal folder “Price Lists”, to which prices will be sent, we configure search filters in it - suppose, by item, by number, by supplier — all that are needed. Then we add the “Overdue” color filter to these filters - thus, all prices that have not been updated for more than two weeks will be immediately visible.
The last step: we create a general search query to select prices for the main details and a personal request to notify about created and edited prices. That, in fact, is all.
The number of groups in the product range, the list of suppliers and supply options - all this can be expanded and changed in accordance with what the company needs.
What is the result? Once for each supplier a separate price is created and the nomenclature presented in this price is selected. All prices are placed in a personal folder “Price Lists”.
After updating the price lists, new versions will be created with the date of the last update or other details that need to be changed. New versions will also be sent to users' personal folders, in parallel with this, notifications with links to updated prices will be sent to e-mail.
In this example, there are three ways to select a price by item: using the appropriate filter, using a search query, and directly in the headings. If the search is carried out using a search query, then the search by item can be combined with other search parameters. In the case of a heading search by selecting the desired item on the left side, you can see the prices on the right containing the item positions of this group.
The eDocLib system has many other features. More information about this can be found here www.eos.ru/eos_products/eos_eDocLib . Also, a demo site with examples of system application is under development.
The system requirements are as follows. Database Server: for working with Microsoft SQL Server DBMS - OS Windows Server 2003/2008, Microsoft SQL Server 2000/2005/2008 DBMS (in all variants with Full-Text Search installed). To work with ORACLE DBMS, any OS supporting ORACLE, Oracle 9i DBMS (version 9.2.0.4 and higher) or Oracle 10g (in both versions with Oracle Text installed).
Application server: OS Windows 2003/2008 Server, Microsoft .NET Framework v3.5 SP1, configured Microsoft Internet Information Services version 6.0, 7.0, client part of Oracle DBMS of corresponding version (only when using Oracle DBMS)
Database server and application server can physically hosted on a single server. In this case, it is possible to work only under OS Windows Server 2003/2008.
Client part: OS Windows 2000 Professional / Windows XP Professional / Windows Vista, Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, 7.0.