Migration Options for Siebel File System Features in Siebel Open UI
W3C-based client applications typically run inside of a Web browser container and, for security reasons, are limited in their interactions with client-side applications and files on user computers. Conforming to a Web-standards approach dictates or suggests specific recommendations for designers of hosted deployments involving Siebel Open UI applications and documents or templates that use either structured or unstructured data.
Current Siebel CRM features for correspondence, for example, also force a change in the interaction between the user and the Siebel Open UI client, regarding legacy client-side proprietary document formats and applications.
Consider the following recommendations to make it easier to manage data and user interactions of these types:
In the current release, where Desktop Integration Siebel Agent is deployed on the user computer, users can save attachment files directly to the Siebel application. For more information, see Desktop Integration Siebel Agent Guide. See also the Siebel Installation Guide.
Where possible, integrate Siebel Open UI applications with true W3C-compliant client applications or hosted applications, such as Microsoft Outlook Web Access. Such applications can be integrated by using Web services on the back end or by using the JavaScript API on the client side, depending on the business requirements. Integrating with true Web-based client components can simplify many deployment challenges.
Application designers might consider moving content that currently uses attachments based on proprietary document formats and applications into structured or unstructured data fields that use Web-centric formats such as XML or HTML. This approach:
Allows content to be formatted using Siebel Document Server or Oracle Business Intelligence Publisher.
Supports audit trails and approvals as content is changed and added by users.
Can make it unnecessary to manage content in documents. However, separate physical documents can be created as needed when content creation or revision is complete.
Can make it easier to search the modified content.
Users must have locally available a directory, on the network or on the local computer (for example, a laptop), in which they can store modified files or content dragged from applications like Microsoft Outlook. Then they can save such files into the Siebel application as attachments in the Siebel File System.
This topic is part of Migration Tasks for Siebel Open UI.