AEPs from TNHG at ACT! Visions 2005 ACT!2005 Enhancement Products from The New Hampton Group.

AEPs from TNHGAEPs from TNHGatat

ACT! Visions 2005ACT! Visions 2005

ACT!2005 Enhancement ACT!2005 Enhancement ProductsProducts

fromfrom

The New Hampton GroupThe New Hampton Group

What we will coverWhat we will cover

Folders and their contentFolders and their content

TNHG.iniTNHG.ini

4 basic architectures4 basic architectures

The trigger command The trigger command structure and contentstructure and content

Troubleshooting with Log Troubleshooting with Log filesfiles

Folders Folders (Part 1)(Part 1)

C:\Program Files\TNHGC:\Program Files\TNHG\TNHG.ini\TNHG.ini\\ApplicationNameApplicationName

Application NameApplication Name.exe.exeApplication Name Application Name Installation and Usage GuidesInstallation and Usage GuidesSampleSample trigger files trigger filesTrigger.logTrigger.logPlugin.logPlugin.logVarious supporting files (.dll’s, .txt’s)Various supporting files (.dll’s, .txt’s)

TAG.ACT.dllTAG.ACT.dllTNHGCustomControlsCS.dllTNHGCustomControlsCS.dllTNHGCustomControls.dllTNHGCustomControls.dllVbPowerPack.dllVbPowerPack.dll

Folders Folders (Part 2)(Part 2)

C:\Program Files\ACT\ACT for Win 7\C:\Program Files\ACT\ACT for Win 7\PluginsPlugins

ADNADNApplicationNameApplicationName.dll.dll

ApplicationNameApplicationName.dll.dll

ApplicationNamePluginApplicationNamePlugin.dll.dllVarious supporting files Various supporting files (these will probably be (these will probably be

phased out)phased out)TAG.ACT.dllTAG.ACT.dllTNHGCustomControlsCS.dllTNHGCustomControlsCS.dllTNHGCustomControls.dllTNHGCustomControls.dllVbPowerPack.dllVbPowerPack.dll

Folders Folders (Part 3)(Part 3)

C:\Program Files\ACT\ACT for Win 7\C:\Program Files\ACT\ACT for Win 7\ToolsTools

ApplicationOrControlNameApplicationOrControlName.dll.dll

This makes it available to be added as This makes it available to be added as a “tool” for use in the Layout Designera “tool” for use in the Layout Designer

TNHG.iniTNHG.iniAlways in the C:\Program Files\TNHG Always in the C:\Program Files\TNHG

folderfolderSettings, preferences, counters, etc.Settings, preferences, counters, etc.Used instead of the Windows RegistryUsed instead of the Windows Registry

Avoids Anti-Virus “Trojan Horse” syndromeAvoids Anti-Virus “Trojan Horse” syndromeEasier to edit and manipulateEasier to edit and manipulate

““Classic” ini file format:Classic” ini file format:[[Application NameApplication Name] section header] section headerParameterParameterNameName = value = value

Change the value if you need to, but Change the value if you need to, but leave the leave the name alonename alone

Basic ArchitecturesBasic Architectures

Self-contained programSelf-contained program

PluginPlugin

Custom ControlCustom Control

TriggerTrigger

Self-contained ProgramSelf-contained Program

AEP

ACT!SDKdll’s

ACT!2005Database

Self-contained ProgramSelf-contained Program

Example: Example: Batch Field CreatorBatch Field Creator Operates OUTSIDE of ACT!, independent Operates OUTSIDE of ACT!, independent

of the ACT! User Interface (UI)of the ACT! User Interface (UI)

ACT! does NOT need to be runningACT! does NOT need to be running Self-contained in its own folderSelf-contained in its own folder (except …) (except …)

TNHG.ini file entries to “remember” last-TNHG.ini file entries to “remember” last-use settingsuse settings

Controlled by user input and interactionControlled by user input and interaction

PluginPlugin

AEP

ACT!SDKdll’s

ACT!2005Database

ACT! UI

PluginPlugin ExamplesExamples

Delete Company LookupDelete Company Lookup Layout ManagerLayout Manager Limited Access ManagerLimited Access Manager Select-A-QuoteSelect-A-Quote

““Part of” ACT!2005Part of” ACT!2005

ACT! DOES need to be runningACT! DOES need to be running

Installed into its own \TNHG\subfolder Installed into its own \TNHG\subfolder AND in \ACT for Win 7\Plugins subfolderAND in \ACT for Win 7\Plugins subfolder

Activated with ACT! menu or actionActivated with ACT! menu or action

Controlled by user input & interactionControlled by user input & interaction

Custom ControlCustom Control

AEP

ACT!2005Database

ACT! UI

ACT!Layout

Custom ControlCustom Control ExamplesExamples

Radio ButtonsRadio Buttons Volume KnobVolume Knob Progress BarProgress Bar OdometerOdometer

““Part of” ACT!2005 LayoutPart of” ACT!2005 Layout ACT! DOES need to be runningACT! DOES need to be running Installed into its own \TNHG\subfolder Installed into its own \TNHG\subfolder

AND in \ACT for Win 7\Tools subfolderAND in \ACT for Win 7\Tools subfolder Add “tool” to the Layout Designer, Add “tool” to the Layout Designer,

then use it on a layoutthen use it on a layout Displays ACT! data in non-text formatDisplays ACT! data in non-text format

TriggerTrigger

ACT! UI AEPACT!SDKdll’s

ACT!2005Database

Commandarguments

DOS .bat file

TriggerTrigger Examples:Examples:

Account Number GeneratorAccount Number Generator Auto Fill FieldsAuto Fill Fields Copy Fields ContentsCopy Fields Contents Field CalculatorField Calculator

““Part of” ACT!Part of” ACT!

ACT! DOES need to be runningACT! DOES need to be running

Installed into its own \TNHG\subfolder AND Installed into its own \TNHG\subfolder AND in \ACT for Win 7\Plugins subfolderin \ACT for Win 7\Plugins subfolder

Activated with ACT! field trigger or menuActivated with ACT! field trigger or menu

Controlled by “command line argument”Controlled by “command line argument”

Command Line ArgumentsCommand Line Arguments

Tell the trigger what to do “this time”Tell the trigger what to do “this time”

Could be specified as part of the Could be specified as part of the trigger or custom command in ACT! trigger or custom command in ACT! 5/6, but canNOT be part of the 5/6, but canNOT be part of the trigger in ACT!2005trigger in ACT!2005

So, AEPs use a DOS .bat file for the So, AEPs use a DOS .bat file for the triggertrigger

The .bat file gives the AEP its The .bat file gives the AEP its command linecommand line

Command Line Argument Command Line Argument FormatFormat

Examples:Examples:

?E=C ?L=<User 7>=<User 4>, ?E=C ?L=<User 7>=<User 4>,

<Qty>=<Count><Qty>=<Count>

?T=<C:User 4>=I-D(4)-S(6) ?R=M?T=<C:User 4>=I-D(4)-S(6) ?R=M

?A=<C:Amt Due>=<A:Rate>*<C:Qty> ?V=T?A=<C:Amt Due>=<A:Rate>*<C:Qty> ?V=T

● Detailed instructions in product’s Detailed instructions in product’s

Installation and Usage GuideInstallation and Usage Guide

Command Line ArgumentsCommand Line Arguments

Each argument is of the formEach argument is of the form

??XX==● ExamplesExamples

• ?E= Entity designation is …?E= Entity designation is …• ?F= File name is …?F= File name is …• ?L= List is …?L= List is …• ?T= Template is …?T= Template is …• ?A= Algorithm is …?A= Algorithm is …

Command Line Arguments-Command Line Arguments-EntitiesEntities

Entity type designationsEntity type designationsContact:Contact: CCGroup:Group: G G Company:Company: AAMy Record:My Record: MMActivity:Activity: VVNote:Note: NNHistory:History: HHOpportunity:Opportunity: OOOpportunity Item:Opportunity Item: IISecondary Contact:Secondary Contact: SS

Command Line Arguments-FieldsCommand Line Arguments-FieldsFields names in carats, eFields names in carats, eitherither::

<<fieldnamefieldname>>

OrOr<<e:fieldnamee:fieldname>>

● Examples:Examples:• <C:Address 1><C:Address 1> (Address 1 field on current Contact (Address 1 field on current Contact

record)record)

• <A:City><A:City> (City field on current Company record)(City field on current Company record)

• <G:Description><G:Description> (Description field on current Group (Description field on current Group record)record)

• <User 1><User 1> (User 1 field from current record of type implied (User 1 field from current record of type implied by entity spec)by entity spec)

Command Line Arguments-Command Line Arguments-FieldsFields

ACT! v5/6 used ACT! v5/6 used field numbersfield numbersACT!2005 uses ACT!2005 uses field field NAMESNAMESNames must be EXACTLY what you see Names must be EXACTLY what you see

in Tools > Define fieldsin Tools > Define fieldsSpellingSpellingUpper/lower caseUpper/lower caseSpacingSpacingPunctuationPunctuation

<User1> <User 1> <user1> <USER1><User1> <User 1> <user1> <USER1>

Are all DIFFERENTAre all DIFFERENT

Command Line Arguments-Command Line Arguments-ViewView

?V=T?V=T

Yes, please display the “viewer window”, Yes, please display the “viewer window”, let me verify the command, and make me let me verify the command, and make me “pull the trigger”“pull the trigger”

Provides access to Provides access to Help menuHelp menu

AboutAboutRegisterRegister

Command Line Arguments Command Line Arguments - .bat- .bat

The DOS .bat file replaces the The DOS .bat file replaces the functionality of earlier versions of functionality of earlier versions of ACT! that allowed a trigger to contain ACT! that allowed a trigger to contain the command linethe command line

Opens a black DOS window Opens a black DOS window but … but …You can use this to alert the user to wait You can use this to alert the user to wait

until ACT! finishes it work until ACT! finishes it work or you can immediately hide the DOS or you can immediately hide the DOS

windowwindow

Using the DOS WindowUsing the DOS Window

Sometimes a trigger will take a while to Sometimes a trigger will take a while to operateoperate

Users get impatient and start “clicking Users get impatient and start “clicking around”around”

The DOS window will close when the program The DOS window will close when the program finishes, so …finishes, so …

Hiding the DOS WindowHiding the DOS Window

You can immediately hide the DOS You can immediately hide the DOS windowwindow

ConsoleTool.exe /hideConsoleTool.exe /hideConsoleTool.exe is included in each ConsoleTool.exe is included in each

install, and is found in the \TNHG install, and is found in the \TNHG folder “above” the AEP-product-folder “above” the AEP-product-specific folderspecific folder

The DOS Window “flash” is a “training The DOS Window “flash” is a “training issues” issues”

Troubleshooting with Log filesTroubleshooting with Log files

Each AEP creates a “log” of eventsEach AEP creates a “log” of eventsLog file(s) found in \TNHG\subfolderLog file(s) found in \TNHG\subfolderCommand.log, Plugin.log, Command.log, Plugin.log, productproduct.log.logLog files are “cleared” every dayLog files are “cleared” every dayLogging is “on” by defaultLogging is “on” by defaultTurn logging on/off using \TNHG\Turn logging on/off using \TNHG\

subfolder\LogToggle.exe subfolder\LogToggle.exe (found on (found on

Start > Programs > TNHG > Start > Programs > TNHG > productnameproductname > Logging > Logging Control menu)Control menu)

Turning Logging On and OffTurning Logging On and Off

Troubleshooting with Log filesTroubleshooting with Log files

Empty? > trigger never “fired”, so Empty? > trigger never “fired”, so check:check:the ACT! field trigger settingthe ACT! field trigger settingthe .bat file program path and namethe .bat file program path and name

Error messages indicate problems in Error messages indicate problems in the command line argument or the command line argument or operations within ACT!operations within ACT!

Custom Solution CreationCustom Solution CreationMany ACCs choose to remain consultants Many ACCs choose to remain consultants

and not become programmersand not become programmersNeed a source of custom solutions to Need a source of custom solutions to

meet client requirementsmeet client requirementsDon’t say “No”; say “Let’s ask Geoff”!Don’t say “No”; say “Let’s ask Geoff”!Examples (ACT!2005):Examples (ACT!2005):

• Custom Account Number Generator

• Associate Activity Series with Group

• ACT! fields into Excel spreadsheet template

• Accumulate YTD and LifeTime sales totals to Contact field

• Convert MS Access data to ACT!

• Periodic update of ACT! with accounting data

The New Hampton GroupThe New Hampton Group

Custom solutionsCustom solutions

ACT! Enhancement ProductsACT! Enhancement Products

www.tnhg.comwww.tnhg.com

[email protected]@tnhg.com