Working with Aware IM in Hosting Environment

The main components of the Aware IM software are the Aware IM Server and the Configuration Tool. Aware IM Server is the core component of the software that stores configuration and operational data and executes processes and business rules, whereas the Configuration Tool provides the functionality that allows configurators to define business objects, processes, business rules and other elements of an application.

Normally the Configuration Tool works in tandem with the Aware IM Server – the changes to the configuration data performed in the Configuration Tool are stored on the Aware IM Server and vice versa – the Configuration Tool obtains the initial configuration data from the Aware IM Server (see also Configuration Process). This makes it possible to store and update the configuration information in one repository managed by the Aware IM Server.

Aware IM allows users to access their business space in the Operation Mode from any location via the Internet using a standard Web browser. This requires the Aware IM Server to be installed on a computer that has a permanent connection to the Internet with sufficient speed and bandwidth. The users who do not have a suitable Internet connection can run the Aware IM Server on a remote computer managed by an Internet hosting service provider (this set-up is called a hosting environment – see also “Aware IM Installation Guide”). Users who only need to access their application within a single location do not need a hosting environment.

In the hosting environment the Configuration Tool is unable to work with the Aware IM Server directly. However, one can prepare and test configurations on the local machine and then export the configuration into a BSV file. Once saved to a file the configuration information can then be uploaded to the remote Aware IM Server from the user interface of the Operation Mode.

In order to upload the configuration file to the Aware IM Server the system has to be configured to include the menu item of the “Publish Business Space Version” type (see Setting Menu Item Properties). When the user selects this menu item in the Operation Mode Aware IM displays a form where the user can specify the configuration file and provide the description of the changes. When the user submits the form the version is uploaded to the Aware IM Server and becomes operational (at this point Aware IM also performs the usual checks of the version to make sure that it is consistent – see Checking Version Integrity).

A few other features that can be very helpful for users that need to operate with the remote Aware IM Server can also be configured:

1. Operation of the “List Business Space Versions” type shows all business space versions available on the server in the Operation Mode. One can view the properties of the versions and delete them if necessary. This is like having a bit of functionality of the Configuration Tool in the Operation Mode
2. Operation of the “Create Business Space” type allows creating a new business space in the Operation Mode. The functionality is equivalent to the similar functionality in the Configuration Tool. A system of an Internet host may include this operation to allow their users to create their own business space and work in it.