Core Information Objects:
Cards are used to keep track of "Things" such as companies, people, products, vendors, etc.
Forms are used to keep track of work. (see Well Formed Business Process Methodology). Forms can be sales order, service orders, loan applications, etc. Forms are "pulled" through a business process using Attraction Rules (see Trays below).
Trays are used to pull instances of Forms through a business process. Each TRAY contains an Attraction Rule that "attracts" instances of Forms based on the "state" or "status" of the Form.
Calendars keep track of work over time. Calendars can use Attraction Rules.
For example, Order Forms can be attracted to a Shipments Calendar based on Date Shipped.
Attraction Rules dynamically link business objects. Based on the "state" of an object an Attraction Rule can connect or disconnect links between business objects.
When used with Trays and Calendars, Attraction Rules manage business processes. When used with Customer records, Attraction Rules maintain dynamic links creating a real-time "web" of customer information.
Value Added Activities (VAA) - VAAs perform functions. They are automation agents that do work in context with business processes. VAAs can call web services, execute local scripts, link to enterprise system, update business objects... virtually any function you want can be built with VAAs..
Reports collect data from Trays, Calendars, and other objects. Reports will only cull information from the object on which it is placed. For example, a Sales Orders Report placed on a Work-in-process Tray will list only sales orders in progress, put it on a Shipments Calendar, the same Report will list only orders shipped on the date(s) selected by the user.
Business Process Objects define how Cards, Forms, Trays, Calendars and other business objects work together to deliver customer value using Visual World's "Well Formed Business Processes" Most activity in an enterprise is part of or in support of a business process.
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Security Objects:
Security Objects are used to control access to each area and component in a Visual World Real Time Enterprise. Some of the security objects are listed below.
Personal IDentification (PID) objects define users. PIDs define user's rights within the system, their preference and their navigation limits.
Keys are used in combination with Locks and PIDs to control access to places and data within Visual World. Keys are placed on LOCKS and to PIDs. Locks are strategically placed in the world on data and Place Objects.
As a user (PID) navigates through the world and encounters a Lock, the Keys the PID is carrying are check against the Keys on the Lock. If a match is found, the Lock is open and the PID can access the data or navigate to the desired place.
Locks are used in combination with Keys to control access to places and data within Visual World. Keys are placed on LOCKS and on PIDS. Locks are strategically placed in the world on data and places.
As a user (PID) navigates through the world and encounters a Lock, the Keys the PID is carrying are check against the Keys on the Lock. If a match is found, the Lock is open and the PID can access the data or navigate to the desired place.
Supply Cabinets store information objects that go together. For example, all accounting Forms may be stored in an Accounting Supply Cabinet. Supply Cabinets are used in conjunction with Keys, Locks and PIDs to control access to classes of information.
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Application Objects:
Application objects are the entire set of program applications that have been written with standard programming techniques. Any application Object may be "wrappered" inside Visual World allowing these applications to be treated as virtual objects in the enterprise. Common applications that are wrappered are defined below.
Microsoft Word objects. This allows you to store Word documents on the server then automatically edit them with your local copy of Word. Visual World maintains a calendar of all Word documents created and changed.
You may link your Word documents to a customer Name Card or any other object in Visual World. For example you might want to keep a correspondence record written in Word for a contract or you may want to document company procedures then, using the Backpack, drop that Word document on a staff person's desk giving them ready access to procedures.
Microsoft Excel objects. This Object works exactly like the Microsoft Word object above.
Microsoft Power Point objects. This Object works exactly like the Microsoft Word object above.
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Programming Objects:
Programming Objects are used by the Visual World developer to create Real Time Enterprises. Programming in Visual World is "declarative" meaning you "declare" the program where you want the results. Microsoft's Excel is also a declarative environment. In Excel you place the formula where you want the results. You're not burdened with the behind-the-scenes code that actually performs all the work.
Visual World works in a similar manner. You place the object where you want it, then define the Attraction Rule to pull information to it. For example, you can create a Tray of unpaid invoices, place that Tray on the Desk of the A/R clerk then put an Attraction Rule such as: "If {AmountDue} is greater than 0 then Attract" on the Tray. All unpaid invoices will now flow to that Tray.
Different programming objects are used so business construction can be done by anyone who is authorized. A non-programmer can create simple rules, while at the same time even the most demanding programmer can accomplish the most complex tasks.
The Backpack is used to pick-up, carry then place objects in the enterprise. It allows for rapid drag-and-drop construction of the enterprise world. Using the Backpack you can quickly construct an entire virtual representation of your enterprise, including placing Buildings, Departments, Desks, PIDs, Keys, Locks, Trays, Calendars, Form, Cards, Microsoft Office objects... virtually any Visual World object may be placed in the Backpack then dropped in the desired location. This is truly a complete "web of your enterprise" created within minutes, without any coding.
Program objects are used to store business rules and extended procedures. Any object can have multiple programs with behaviors attached to it. Programs are written in a "Business Basic" and is designed for the person who is comfortable in Microsoft's Visual Basic. No complex programming language is needed.
Data Dictionary objects define fields on Forms or Cards (Object Sets). The Data Dictionary object can also be a "formula" for calculating data on the fly. Dictionary objects allow you to add new fields to an Object Set without reformatting stored information.
Dictionary Objects can also contain Program Objects allowing for "virtual data"... information that is stored remotely but appears to be in the object as data.
For example, you can define a web service call in a dictionary and place that information in an object appearing as if it actually resided there. For example, you could place a credit score on a customer Name Card but access the data from another computer or web site.
The Object Set Definition (OSD) object is used to define different "Sets" of objects. Object Sets can be thought of as "files" in a database, but in fact are far more powerful. Visual World comes with over 100 Object Sets, such as Form, Cards, Reports, Trays, Keys, Locks, Desks, Buildings, Purchase Orders, Sales Orders, Service Orders and more.
You can create your own Object Sets such as Equipment Inventory Cards, Employee phone directory, Loan Application Forms... virtually anything required to define your business. In Visual World all objects are grouped into sets, and each set is described in an Object Set Definition.
Templates are for defining Forms and Cards Templates are used to store information. Templates come in two types: Form Templates (Forms) and Card Templates (Cards).
Toolbars provide a convenient place for Buttons and shortcuts for functions that are commonly used. Any object can be "Pickup and placed" on a Toolbar where its function is automatically turned into a Button.
Trigger Agent objects are Visual World's robots. They run in the background and are activated based on timers you set. Agents can then command any other object to start performing its task.
For example, an AGENT can be placed on the Shipping CALENDAR to notify customers by e-mail that their order has been sent. An AGENT can be placed on a TRAY to monitor the workflow and alert a manager that work orders are piling up.
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