build your own app - a framework for enterprise apps
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Build Your Own Appsa framework for Enterprise Apps
Luis Garza
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
• CEMEX internal social network
• Started with 6 global communities appointed by CEO around strategic topics
• Open to everyone: more than 2,000 communities grew organically
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
Main Platforms in Place
Collaboration Tools Transactional Tools
• Self-Service Approach• Multiple Communities• Empowered users• Open to all employees• Unstructured• No technical knowledge
• Maintained by IT • Specific Apps• Profile-based Operations• Specific to departments• Structured• Highly technical
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
What Users Requested
• Be able to create their own applications• Deploy apps without technical expert knowledge• Effortless handling of structured data• Integrate functionalities within institutional tools• Easy to maintain and customize• Reduce time and costs
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
Introducing Shift Forms
• Feature of Shift 3.0• Based on IBM Forms
Experience Builder• No major technical
knowledge required• Open to all Shift users to
support our Global Network
• Self-service approach (IT certified launch)
• Support through a Forms Support Community in Shift
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
Main Forms Types
Standalone Integrated
• Independent from other systems
• Not connected with other data sources
• All information in Forms database
• Examples: simple surveys or data entry applications
• Interact with other plaforms
• Services and APIs from data sources
• Send or receive back information from other databases
• Examples: applications that read/send information from SAP, Shift...
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
Forms Environment
• Embedded• iFrames• Widgets• URLs
Gateway
Active Directory
Data Sources
...Web Service
s
We are able to retrieve data or connect directly to different sources which allows us to have a broader flexibility at the moment of developing new apps.
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
Build Your Own App Framework
• Shift Support Community and Forms guidelines for development• A custom library of web services to help the user on the developing• Utilities such as Mass Upload from Excel or Active Directory search
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
Custom Forms Users of forms can request custom-made functionalities such as • User Interface Design through drag and drop• Data Manipulation Functionalities• Report Generation Capabilities• Unstructured data handling: images, files, etc• Workflows, stages and notifications
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
How to Edit a Form
• SettingsGeneral things like application name, files, JScript before start, overview of services and formulas
• FormsEdit form with drag and drop, change fields and all different UI objects
• StyleChange default styles or integrate your own css
• AccessDefine roles for this application and who is using the role. Give them edit, read or write access
• StagesManage stages to go through a process, define accessability of fields depending on stage
• ValidationIf you have some errors in the application it is shown here
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
Data Management• Built-in graphs and reporting capabilities• Export of data to spreadsheets and other databases through web
services• Connection with other analytics/dashboard tools
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
Initial Pilot: Information System
After
Before
App developed by external ($20K+ USD)Exported to MS SharePointUpdated by ITMonths to develop
App developed internallyCustom/flexible interface
Maintained by user group (trained)Custom Reports
Weeks to develop
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
Typical Forms Development Plan
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
Development Guidelines• No central team of development experts, the user is the developer• Tutorials on how to create, manage and deploy applications• Recommendations on most used Forms components• Library of web services available to deploy • Custom-developed services can be added by request
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
The Case for Shift FormsTraditional Apps Shift Forms
May need external developers Developed in-house
Cost range: $60-$100 per hour In-house development and deployment
Different platforms, resource and infrastructure required
Forms license included in IBM bundle
More complex testing and training on the final application and data
The user tests, edits, configures and deploy as needed
Change requests are costly and time consuming
Change request are performed by the user
Expert knowledge of development is required
Average Microsoft Office user can develop applications
Supported by IT help deskSelf-service approach (support community and collaboration)
The development of the first few applications in Shift Forms have already paid for the required investment
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
Internal Support Community
Sample Guides• How to publish• Links to launch• Workflow elements• Reviewing data• Main components• Frequent errors
• Everyone contributes to support Forms• Internal application sharing• Experts facilitate for questions and answers• Training material and webcasts to train and show examples
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
Cases in the Pipeline
Research Presentation Project
Presentation-style Application developed
in Forms and embedded in Shift to
support a specific project community
Decision-Tree Playbook
A playbook to aid in the decision process to
choose a financial scheme
Transformation Idea Project Tracker
A tool designed to track the progress of a
given idea of the Transformation
program
Asset Management System
A repository and tracker for the main
intangible assets managed by the
company
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
Access through Mobile Devices
Most objects used in Forms adapt to mobile use with no extra code or work
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
What Lies Ahead
• Create more web services and libraries• Improve connectivity with more platforms• Reinforce Forms User Support community
to help users and create a Q&A archive• Keep the technology platform up-to-date
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG
Thank You
Luis Garza@lc_garza
Innovation ManagerCEMEX
Mexico - Switzerland
[email protected]://www.cemex.com
Copyright © 2014 CEMEX Research Group AG