Copyright 2002: LIIF Technology Technology Architecture Review Architecture Review Database Application Database Application Architecture Architecture Collaborative Workgroup Collaborative Workgroup Architecture Architecture The following document is posted by the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) in accordance with the requirements of the Fannie Mae Foundation’s October 2001 grant in support of LIIF’s continued information technology (IT) development. Materials posted by LIIF outline the organization’s strategic IT plan, as well as document the implementation process of this plan. LIIF’s IT plan included customization of loan servicing software, report automation, impact statistics generation, fund administration, and asset liability monitoring. LIIF’s knowledge and experience developing this IT workplan is posted as an aid to other non-profit Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) who may be generating their own IT workplan and who may find the subsequent materials helpful in that regard.
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
The following document is posted by the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) in accordance with the requirements of the Fannie Mae Foundation’s October 2001 grant in support of LIIF’s continued information technology (IT) development. Materials posted by LIIF outline the organization’s strategic IT plan, as well as document the implementation process of this plan. LIIF’s IT plan included customization of loan servicing software, report automation, impact statistics generation, fund administration, and asset liability monitoring. LIIF’s knowledge and experience developing this IT workplan is posted as an aid to other non-profit Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) who may be generating their own IT workplan and who may find the subsequent materials helpful in that regard.
Desktop DatabaseDesktop Database Client-Server DatabaseClient-Server Database Replicating DatabaseReplicating Database Terminal Server (Thin Client)Terminal Server (Thin Client) Web Application (Thin Client)Web Application (Thin Client) Extending a Desktop Database Application Extending a Desktop Database Application
across a WANacross a WAN
Desktop Database Architecture
DatabaseApplication
DatabaseFile
User PC
NetworkFile Server
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Desktop Database Architecture
DatabaseApplication
DatabaseFile
User PC
NetworkFile ServerSelect Loan record
Where Loan Number = 123
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Desktop Database Architecture
DatabaseApplication
DatabaseFile
User PC
NetworkFile ServerSelect Loan record
Where Loan Number = 123
Loan Table
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Desktop Database Architecture
DatabaseApplication
DatabaseFile
User PC
NetworkFile ServerSelect Loan record
Where Loan Number = 123
Loan Table
Final selection of Loan recordFrom loan tableOccurs in client databaseApplication.
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Reasonably efficient on single PCReasonably efficient on single PCBarely adequate on a LANBarely adequate on a LANUnacceptable for a WANUnacceptable for a WAN
Unacceptable query response times across Unacceptable query response times across WAN:WAN:
Transfer Time for 6 Mb Table:Transfer Time for 6 Mb Table:3.6 minutes at 384 kbps3.6 minutes at 384 kbps10.8 minutes at 128 kbps10.8 minutes at 128 kbps47.7 minutes at 28.8 kbps47.7 minutes at 28.8 kbps
AdvantagesAdvantages Users experience fast response times because Users experience fast response times because
replicated databases are local databasesreplicated databases are local databases Replication database tolerate slow and Replication database tolerate slow and
AdvantagesAdvantages Users experience fast response times because Users experience fast response times because
replicated databases are local databasesreplicated databases are local databases Replication database tolerate slow and Replication database tolerate slow and
intermittent WANsintermittent WANs
DisadvantagesDisadvantages Replication servers must be installed in each Replication servers must be installed in each
branch office.branch office. Inevitable data concurrency problems must be Inevitable data concurrency problems must be
AdvantagesAdvantages– No installation of application software on client No installation of application software on client
PCPC
DisadvantagesDisadvantages– Requires very large servers and fast networksRequires very large servers and fast networks– Many windows applications do not perform well Many windows applications do not perform well
in terminal server environmentin terminal server environment– New, untested technologyNew, untested technology
Terminal Server ArchitectureTerminal Server Architecture
Desktop DatabaseDesktop Database Client-Server DatabaseClient-Server Database Replicating DatabaseReplicating Database Terminal Server (Thin Client)Terminal Server (Thin Client) Web Application (Thin Client)Web Application (Thin Client) Extending a Desktop Database Application Extending a Desktop Database Application
across a WANacross a WAN
Web Application ArchitectureWeb Application Architecture
Web Application:Web Application:• Accesses and updates data in a database Accesses and updates data in a database
( More than a static Web site.)( More than a static Web site.)• Contains application programming logic in Web ServerContains application programming logic in Web Server
WebApplication
DatabaseFile
User PCWith Web Browser Database Server
DatabaseServer
Web Server
Internet
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Copyright 2002: LIIF
AdvantagesAdvantages Allows application access from any locationAllows application access from any location Standard, ubiquitous browser interfaceStandard, ubiquitous browser interface Particularly suited for external usersParticularly suited for external users
Web Application ArchitectureWeb Application Architecture
AdvantagesAdvantages Allows application access from any locationAllows application access from any location Standard, ubiquitous browser interfaceStandard, ubiquitous browser interface Particularly suited for external usersParticularly suited for external users
DisadvantagesDisadvantages Requires instensive use of Web server resourcesRequires instensive use of Web server resources Inferior user interface (compared to Windows)Inferior user interface (compared to Windows)
Web Application ArchitectureWeb Application Architecture
Desktop DatabaseDesktop Database Client-Server DatabaseClient-Server Database Replicating DatabaseReplicating Database Terminal Server (Thin Client)Terminal Server (Thin Client) Web Application (Thin Client)Web Application (Thin Client) Extending a Desktop Database Application Extending a Desktop Database Application
across a WANacross a WAN
Extending a Desktop Database Extending a Desktop Database Application across a WANApplication across a WAN
Run the application in a Terminal Server Run the application in a Terminal Server environment.environment.
Create a Web Application ‘front end’.Create a Web Application ‘front end’.
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Extending a Desktop Database Extending a Desktop Database Application across a WANApplication across a WAN
Run the application in a Terminal Server Run the application in a Terminal Server environment.environment.
Create a Web Application ‘front end’.Create a Web Application ‘front end’. If the branch offices only need read If the branch offices only need read
access:access:– Copy the database across the WAN.Copy the database across the WAN.– Create reports and distribute them via e-mail.Create reports and distribute them via e-mail.
Makes it easy for teams to: Makes it easy for teams to: – Share informationShare information– Work together on projectsWork together on projects– Assign task responsibilitiesAssign task responsibilities
Makes it easy for teams to: Makes it easy for teams to: – Share informationShare information– Work together on projectsWork together on projects– Assign task responsibilitiesAssign task responsibilities– Establish task deadlinesEstablish task deadlines
Makes it easy for teams to: Makes it easy for teams to: – Share informationShare information– Work together on projectsWork together on projects– Assign task responsibilitiesAssign task responsibilities– Establish task deadlinesEstablish task deadlines– Track task statusTrack task status
Makes it easy for teams to: Makes it easy for teams to: – Share informationShare information– Work together on projectsWork together on projects– Assign task responsibilitiesAssign task responsibilities– Establish task deadlinesEstablish task deadlines– Track task statusTrack task status– Show team members their work pending Show team members their work pending
Sequence tasks in a complex workflow: Sequence tasks in a complex workflow: – Control workflow with business rulesControl workflow with business rules
(Business rules can be based on the results of the previous (Business rules can be based on the results of the previous step)step)
– Generate ticklers and reminders of work to be Generate ticklers and reminders of work to be donedone
– Generate alarms when work is not doneGenerate alarms when work is not done– Track and analyze historical performance for Track and analyze historical performance for
Calendars and Scheduling Calendars and Scheduling Tasks and Contacts Tasks and Contacts Document ManagementDocument Management Workflow automationWorkflow automation
Calendars and Scheduling Calendars and Scheduling Tasks and Contacts Tasks and Contacts Document ManagementDocument Management Workflow automationWorkflow automation Ticklers, reminders and alarmsTicklers, reminders and alarms
Calendars and Scheduling Calendars and Scheduling Tasks and Contacts Tasks and Contacts Document ManagementDocument Management Workflow automationWorkflow automation Ticklers, reminders and alarmsTicklers, reminders and alarms Configurable views and formsConfigurable views and forms
Runs on top of E-mail Messaging ServicesRuns on top of E-mail Messaging Services Applications developed using configurationApplications developed using configuration and VB ‘scripting’ and VB ‘scripting’
Lotus Notes / Lotus Domino ServerLotus Notes / Lotus Domino Server MS Outlook / Exchange ServerMS Outlook / Exchange Server
– Standard Component Object ModelStandard Component Object Model– Same Script language as MS Office 2000Same Script language as MS Office 2000– 80 ++ Collaboration & Workflow Addons 80 ++ Collaboration & Workflow Addons
utilities built by third parities utilities built by third parities
Lotus Notes / Lotus Domino ServerLotus Notes / Lotus Domino Server MS Outlook / Exchange ServerMS Outlook / Exchange Server
– Standard Component Object ModelStandard Component Object Model– Same Script language as MS Office 2000Same Script language as MS Office 2000– 80 ++ Collaboration & Workflow Addons 80 ++ Collaboration & Workflow Addons
utilities built by third parities utilities built by third parities – Examples:Examples: