Architecture
Mandoforms: from initial design to web server
Mandoforms are either small Java applets embedded within Web pages or HTML pages generated on demand. The Java applets are typically around 150 kbytes in size and can be cached in the user's browser. The user interface is instantly familiar to anyone who has used a wizard before, and simple to use for anyone that has not. For speedy comprehension, each form typically presents just a few related questions at a time. Questions that are not relevant to the user are hidden from view.
A sample Mandoform
A typical Mandoform consists of data entry fields, help text, a status bar in which error messages are displayed, and navigation buttons. Optionally, a form might include your company logo or other symbol and a progress bar:
If information provided by the user is incomplete or inaccurate the status
bar immediately signals the need for additional or correct information to be
given as the user types. The user is able to move both forward and backward
via on-screen buttons throughout the process to check all of their answers.
Mandoforms use navigation rules to determine which questions to present to
the user based on the information they have already entered. Hidden from user
view are those sections on the form that are not relevant. Information and
data capture thus becomes a much faster and less confusing process.
Intelligent navigation
Mandoforms are intelligent. They change according to the user's responses so that you never ask unnecessary questions. Using the above form as an example, if the user selects the Male radio button, the Mandoform knows that there is no need to ask about the user's maiden name.
Intelligent navigation such as this takes place on the user's PC without the
need to consult the server.
Mandoforms component architecture
The Internet, your company intranet or an extranet provides an interface between the user and (one of) your company databases:
On the user's side, the Mandoform runs in a Web browser either as a Java applet or HTML form.
The Mandoforms software determines which questions to present to the user based on the information they have already entered. Hidden from user view are those sections on the form that are not relevant.
As the user completes the form, every character they type is immediately validated ensuring input errors are reduced. This reassures the user that they are answering the questions correctly, and helps them to complete the form accurately.
On completing the form the user clicks a button to send the form to the Web server. As forms are often completed off-line by the user, a number of significant savings may have been made. First, they have not had to pay for any network connection costs while completing the form and, equally important, the server has been free to support other users.
For longer forms a Save/Resume facility can be easily added to forms to allow them to be saved and then completed at a later date.
Data is transmitted across the Internet securely using SSL or the Mandoforms Security Option. Standard access to databases is provided through the Database Plugin Pack, whilst address lookups can be performed using the Postcode Plugin Pack.
Further functionality assists data processing, for example:
- The Server can communicate with server-side scripts just like a standard HTML form, to integrate easily with your back-office systems.
- The Server can directly perform basic processing tasks, such as sending emails, storing data in a wide variety of ways, and creating documents that the user may print out.
