October 2, 2003

SYNERGY/DE, XML, AND WEB SERVICES: UNITING YOUR DIGITAL WORLD
XML (Extensible Markup Language) stores and transmits information, both on and off the Web, using a cross-platform, software- and hardware-independent language standard.
Providing an international, vendor-independent syntax for describing information, XML enables businesses to more easily communicate with customers, vendors, and partners—regardless of their computer systems and/or software.

Comprised of a set of tags and declarations, XML is a bit like HTML, but it focuses on providing information about the data itself, versus its format: it tells a computer what the actual data is, not what it should look like. Furthermore, unlike HTML, the set of valid tags can be extended to describe any type of data.

For example, this is how XML would describe the weather at SPC 2004 in New Orleans:

                  <?xml version="1.0"?>
                                    <weather-report>
                                       <date>March 18</date>
                                       <time>08:00</time>
                                       <area>
                                           <city>New Orleans</city>
                                           <state>LA</state>
                                           <region>South</region>
                                           <country>USA</country>
                                       </area>
                                       <measurements>
                                           <skies>partly cloudy</skies>
                                           <temperature>82</temperature>
                                           <wind>
                                             <direction>NE</direction>
                                             <windspeed>6</windspeed>
                                           </wind>
                                           <humidity>45</humidity>
                                           <visibility>unlimited</visibility>
                                       </measurements>
                                    </weather-report>

Intersystem Communication: Evolving to XML
For many years, disparate computer systems have needed to exchange data. In the early days, custom interfaces were usually developed, requiring intimate knowledge of both of the systems being joined. As more of these interfaces proliferated and duplicated effort, EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) emerged as a standard for creating specific types of interfaces, effectively creating interface “contracts” to which both sides of the interface agree. However, an EDI format cannot be modified without both sides agreeing to that modification. XML, on the other hand, can be extended to add new elements without invalidating the original interface. Therefore, participating systems can be upgraded independently as needed, and XML standard grammars can be upward compatible. Many companies are now adopting standard XML grammars for electronic data transfer.

Businesses Are Using XML in a Number of Ways
There are many uses for XML. Some of the more relevant and popular uses are listed below.

• Business-to-Business Data Transport: Transporting data electronically using standard, extensible formats.

• Data File Conversion: Converting data files from one format to another.

• Data Accessibility: Providing access to proprietary data for use in external application environments or across the Web.

• Data Integration: Integrating external data from disparate sources into applications or Web sites.

• Data Storage: Storing data in a non-proprietary format.

• Web Services: Integrating with third-party vendors in real time, and providing the ability to invoke proprietary methods for use in external application environments or across the Web.

• Customized Web Pages: Customizing views of data for users or viewing devices (for example, browsers, cell phones, or PDAs).

• Multi-Platform Applications: Helping to build applications that work concurrently on multiple platforms.

• Code Generation: Generating code from definitions or object descriptions written in XML.

Learn more about XML, including how to add XML Capabilities to Your Synergy Applications, and how Synergy/DE can help you get to Web services. Visit the Synergy/DE, XML, and Web Services microsite.
(Attention HelpDesk customers: After clicking on this link, log into the Resource Center. You'll then be redirected to the Synergy/DE, XML, and Web Services microsite.)

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XML: A SYNERGY/DE CUSTOMER CASE STUDY (MCS & INSITU)
Headquartered in the Thames Valley in England, MCS Global Limited develops and distributes the leading computer-based management system for the equipment and tool rental market. Deployed in countries worldwide, their Synergy/DE-based Insitu application suite tracks a wide variety of rental items—everything from deep-sea diving equipment to cement mixers.

MCS uses XML for business-to-business data transport and to communicate with Web services.

Data transport
The Point of Sale (POS) application is the principal component of MCS’ Insitu software suite. It handles various types of transactions, both rental and sales, from initial inquiry to final accounting. MCS customers wanted a streamlined process for electronically invoicing their customers and receiving orders from them. However, end users’ incompatible applications and operating systems prohibited the sharing of data, forcing MCS customers to complete these processes manually.

“Some of our customers generate over 10,000 invoices a month,” states Mark Nolan, Research and Development Manager at MCS. “Getting bogged down with manual billing procedures and costly human errors just isn’t an option for them.”

Looking for an affordable way to meet their customers’ requirements, MCS decided to incorporate XML into the Insitu solution. Outbound invoices and dispatch notices are now converted to XML, enabling third-party applications to receive and understand the data. Similarly, inbound orders and remittance notices arrive in XML format, enabling easy interpretation by Insitu.

“Opening up this type of communication has allowed us to streamline many of the day-to-day processes for our customers,” maintains Nolan. “Using XML, we can offer our customers this new functionality without the complexity or the expense associated with traditional EDI solutions.”

Visit the Synergy/DE, XML, and Web Services microsite to read how XML is helping Insitu users streamline business processes is by enabling them to communicate with Web services.
(Attention HelpDesk customers: After clicking on this link, log into the Resource Center. You'll then be redirected to the Synergy/DE, XML, and Web Services microsite.)

How is the Synergy XML API helping you simplify business-to-business transactions?
Let us know: Synergy@synergex.com.

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SUPPORT TECH TIP: CREATING CUSTOM TAGGING IN WORKBENCH
Question:
How do I create tagging to add context-sensitive help to my custom routines?

Answer:
1. Do one of the following:

• (Use this method if you want tagging to include optional parameters.) Create a file with a .dbl extension that contains routines and their parameters based on the default Synergy tag file, \workbench\synproto.dbl.

  OR

• Determine which directories contain the source files with the routines for which you want to create tagging.

2. From the Workbench menu, select Search > Tag Files.

3. If it exists, select “DBL” Tag Files in the Tag Files dialog box. If it does not exist, proceed to step 4.

4. Click the Add Tag File button.

5. Make sure that DBL is selected in the Add Tag File dialog box, and click OK.

6. In the File name field, type a descriptive name for the tag file data base to create, and click Open. The file MUST be in the \workbench\wbconfig\tagfiles directory.

7. Do one of the following:

• In the Add Tree window, browse to the directory with the .dbl source files that contain the routines for which you want to create tagging.

  OR

• Close the Add Tree window, and in the Tag Files window, select the tag file you just created, click the Add Files button, and browse to the tag source file created above.

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HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT THE SYNERGY/DE VIRTUAL LIBRARY IN THE RESOURCE CENTER LATELY?
The virtual library is your one-stop shop for Synergy/DE product information, including

• Technical white papers
• Migration guides
• Customer successes and application notes
• Data sheets covering our products, educational services, and Professional Services Group

To get to the Virtual Library, start from the Synergex Home page. First, log into the Resource Center. Then under the "Product Information" section you will see the "Virtual Library" link. A link to the Virtual Library is also listed under the “Resource Center” menu in the left navigation bar.
(Not yet on Synergy/DE HelpDesk Support? Take a tour of the Resource Center as our guest. Just click on the "Synergy/DE Guest User?" link in the upper right corner of the Synergy/DE Solutions page of the Synergex Web site. As a guest user, you will be able to tour some of the areas of the Resource Center and discover all of the resources that are available with a HelpDesk subscription.)

Need more information about accessing the Resource Center? Visit the "Synergex Resource Center FAQs" Web page.

ATTENTION SPC 2003 ATTENDEES: DEDUCT YOUR SPC REGISTRATION COSTS FROM YOUR TUITION TO THE ADVANCED SYNERGY/DE CLASS!
Have you been developing with Synergy/DE for years? Would you like to learn how to use the more advanced features of this powerful development environment?

Plan to attend the advanced Synergy/DE training class.

This 5-day class will combine focused lectures with hands-on lab exercises to expose students to the newer and more advanced features of this powerful development environment. Topics will include

• Synergy XML API and Synergy HTTP document transport API
• Distributed computing with Synergy/DE xfServerPlus and xfNetLink, including component and connection pooling
• Advanced Professional Series Workbench features
• Synergy application profiling
• Synergy DBMS utilities and tuning
• Windows, Web, and Web service development with Microsoft .NET and Synergy/DE
• and more

This class will be held in Gold River, CA November 10-14.
(Due to some scheduling conflicts, we are rescheduling the UK class; please stay tuned to Synerg-E-News for new dates.)

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS SYNERGY/DE NOW? IN MAJOR RETAIL STORES ACROSS AMERICA!
In the market for new lawnmower parts? Simply head down to your local retail store and let Mower Parts USA help you find the parts for the model you require. Once in the store, just look for the red, white, and blue Power Equipment Parts Warehouse sign and dial the toll-free number provided. Mower Parts USA will help you look up or identify the appropriate part number, so you can order what you want. You can also e-mail them or visit their Web site, http://www.mowerpartsusa.com/, where they will soon have online ordering capabilities.
Mower Parts USA uses a Synergy/DE-based in-house application from Oscar Wilson, Inc. This application enables Mower Parts USA to keep accurate inventory records for their millions of different lawnmower parts.

A distributor of power equipment parts for a wide variety of manufacturers, Oscar Wilson serves virtually every consuming segment on a direct basis, dealing with distributors, dealers, retailers, the general trades, and end consumers. For more information, visit Oscar Wilson's Web site.

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