The Sentinel uses a Notes forms from a Notes Database (Tasks.nsf) to initiate, organize, document and schedule data loading tasks and a Windows Engine
(Sentinel.exe) to perform the actual data loading and related cleanup tasks.
Why Use Notes Forms?
We initially debated all types of user interfaces. We discussed scripting, and discarded it because it was too much work for end-users. We looked at TCL and REXX, and again discarded it because it was too much like programming for end-users. So we asked ourselves, what is the one thing all Notes users are sure to have in common? The answer was obvious: All Notes users know how to Compose a form. Therefore, they already know how to use the Sentinel!
We've designed seven Notes forms (referred to as Task Forms), one for every type of Data Source that we found to be prevalent within our customer organizations. Each form offers options to move data in hundreds of different ways. The fifteen forms are:
Data Integration 1. ASCII to Notes 2. ODBC to Notes 3. Notes to ODBC 4. Notes to Notes 5. Export to ASCII
Notes Tools 6. Run Notes Macros 7. Archive Notes Documents 8. Word Processing Import 9. Doclink Notes Databases 10. Total Responses into Main 11. Combine Notes Fields
Success
We have reached our design goal of making the Sentinel as easy to use as Composing a form. Try it out. The biggest problems you will have is making typing errors, but the Sentinel will find them and create an error log so that you can fix them.
Initial data loading
Initial data loading can be accomplished in three easy steps:
1. Compose a Task Form in the Sentinel Notes Application Sentinel Tasks (Tasks.nsf) that specifies the Data Source (ASCII File, ODBC or Notes) and the Destination Notes Database.
2. Execute the Sentinel Engine from the Task Form by clicking on the Run Now button.
3. A status window will pop up on the screen showing a count of records added and updated.
4. Data transfer completed!
Note: You also have the option of creating a Schedule Document to execute one or more Tasks in sets in the order you desire to load information into Notes Applications. These Schedule documents can be run at a later date, if desired.