build your own app - a framework for enterprise apps

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


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


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


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


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...


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.


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


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


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


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


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


Typical Forms Development Plan


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


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


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


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


Access through Mobile Devices

Most objects used in Forms adapt to mobile use with no extra code or work


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


Thank You

Luis Garza@lc_garza

Innovation ManagerCEMEX

Mexico - Switzerland

[email protected]://www.cemex.com


mailto:[email protected]

build your own app - a framework for enterprise apps

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