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P&A
Template - in detail
P&A
Template is designed to provide an alternative to complex and
costly in-house software development and the compromises often encountered by
the adoption of off-the-shelf software.
Using
the power of Microsoft SQL Server 2000, P&A
Template is designed to address these issues by enabling the
development of applications by P&A consultants or by moderately skilled
developers - within weeks rather than months .
The
screen and report design tools provided with the P&A
Template enable developers and end users, to produce a
data-management system that exactly meets the needs of
individual organisations. Using the in-built security
functionality each member of staff can be given access to, and
responsibility for, those parts of the system appropriate to
their role. This means that key business processes can be
automated from beginning to end. Staff can be empowered
giving them the information they need to make decisions,
thereby improving efficiency and communication.
The
ongoing cost of ownership of software is often overlooked.
There will always be a need for additional functionality and
features as well as compatibility with new innovations in IT
technology. P&A Template provides a solution to both of
these problems. While customers are able to add functionality
and features quickly and easily using the standard design
tools, P&A is committed to incorporating new
technology into the template to provide the up-to-date
framework from which to build.
Key
Features
P&A
Template is a multi-database Windows application framework.
Each copy of the template enables the user to manage one
configuration of database and screens, however data can be
recorded and managed in multiple copies of this database.
The
data managed by P&A Template applications is stored using
Microsoft SQL Server 2000, providing reliability,
accessibility, scalability and data security. Where five
concurrent users (or fewer) require access to the system,
users can use Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE) 2000 to record and manage data. A copy of
MSDE 2000 is included free of charge with the template system.
The
system includes a screen designer that enables users to modify
the system data screens (and the underlying database
configuration). Each system screen corresponds to a table in
the database. Screens, and therefore tables, can be
added at any level (main screen, sub-screen, sub-sub-screen,
etc.). Multiple links can be made between any two tables by
linking key fields.
A
fully featured report designer is included in the system
enabling users to run, add and modify report templates. Using
the report designer, users can generate reports comprising
data from all areas of the database. These reports can be
previewed, printed, exported in a variety of file formats
(including pdf), sent via email, and published on a web server
(additional web-server software required).
Template
letters created as Microsoft Word documents can be defined
within the system incorporating data from all areas of the
database. Letters can be generated from these templates, for
example to clients or employees, and a full correspondence
history is retained. The letters can be sent via email (using
Microsoft Outlook) if required.
User
management tools enable administrators to define user accounts
and user-access profiles for individual users. Access to
system functions can be restricted, as can access to
individual fields in data tables. An integrated filter tool
enables users to define reusable filters to use with data
screens. These can be set as default filters to improve
usability in larger databases.
Any
Windows files can be embedded or linked to individual records
in the database. Embedded Microsoft Word documents and other
text-based documents can be indexed and searched using keyword searches.
The
system enables users to associate actions with individual
records in the database and these can be viewed from the
record in question. The actions recorded in the system can
also be displayed (or printed) globally, for example to
produce a user-specific or date-specific action list. If
required actions can be exported either manually or
automatically to Microsoft Outlook.
To
assist with the redistribution of software, P&A can also
provide a licensing tool to control distribution of software
and a full set-up wizard for product system installation on
end-user’s computers
An evaluation copy of P&A Template and MSDE can be downloaded
here.
A document outlining the benefits of the new P&A
Template enterprise edition is available here.
Sample
Applications
A
training course database - An
organisation needs a database application to manage details of
the courses they run for employees, their course schedule,
details of delegates and delegate bookings. Some of this
information needs to be published on their web site and it
must be possible to accept bookings via on-line application
forms. Correspondence with delegates should be possible via
email or letter. They also need to manage course documentation
and financial information. The database application for this
system can be built using P&A Template linked to a custom web
application for the client’s web site.
A
system designed for use by recruitment agencies (and
consultants) - Recruitment
agencies need to manage client details, candidate and vacancy
details. Embedding CV and job specification documents into
database records enables searches for keywords in order to
match candidates to vacancies. Details of current vacancies
can be automatically published to the company’s web site and
candidates can apply online. The agency may also want to
record additional financial information (such as charge-rates
for clients). Using P&A Template to create the database
application, a custom web application can then integrate the system with the client’s web site.
Association
Membership database - A
business association requires a database containing details of
all members with a facility to manage subscriptions and other
fees. The system will also enable the users to schedule
events, generate mailings detailing these, and manage lists of
event attendees. The association may want to have details of
events are automatically posted onto the associations web
site.
Services
For
those who do not wish to develop systems themselves P&A
Software Solutions offers a full application development service. This
service is designed for organisations who have the concept but
no means to develop it or where development is required within a short timeframe or budget.
Support
If
required P&A Software Solutions can offer a help desk support service
for end-users.
FAQs
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System Requirements, (MS Word document -
44Kb), FAQP&AT01, click here
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System Installation, (MS Word document - 42Kb), FAQP&AT02,
click here
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Getting Started, (MS Word document -
314Kb), FAQP&AT03, click here
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Sample Applications, (MS Word document - 38Kb), FAQP&AT04,
click here
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Managing Licences, (MS Word document - 92Kb), FAQP&AT05,
click here
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Building a Screen, (MS Word document - 153Kb), FAQP&AT06,
click here
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Database Maintenance, (MS Word document - 144Kb), FAQP&AT07,
click here
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Screen
Design - Adding Screens (MS Word document - 337Kb), FAQP&AT08,
click here
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Screen
Design - Liking Screens (MS Word document - 86Kb, FAQP&AT09,
click here
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Screen
Design - Calculations (MS Word document - 173Kb), FAQP&AT10,
click here
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Screen
Design - Validations (MS Word document - 219Kb), FAQP&AT11,
click here
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Reports
- Calculations (MS Word document - 195Kb), FAQP&AT12,
click here
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Letter
Generation - (MS Word Document - 365 Kb), FAQP&AT13,
click here
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