New in version 2.1

Here are the most important improvements in version 2.1.

AJAX

The automatic generation of the professionally looking web user interface is one of the key features of Aware IM. For most business applications this user interface is perfectly sufficient. In some cases, however, developers may want to change the default interface or add extra flexibility or totally replace it with a user interface of their own. This is where AJAX comes in.

Aware IM 2.1 offers an XML interface that allows developers and web designers to use it as a backend platform that will provide the data for the forms, persist the data, execute business rules and processes, run queries, create documents from document templates, etc. The presentation of data provided by Aware IM can then be done using multiple AJAX/JavaScript libraries available on the market - Backbase, Dojo, Google and many others.

This makes it possible to create rich user interfaces with many different styles and web widgets. In fact, it is possible to use the Aware IM XML Interface not only in JavaScript/AJAX technology, but also in other Rich Internet Applications (RIA) technologies, such as Flex or Laszlo (these use Flash player to create rich Internet applications).

It is also possible to use AJAX technology to embed custom forms into the Aware IM-driven interface, rather than create the entire user interface from scratch. Please refer to Aware IM Programmer's Reference for more details.

Dynamic calculations on forms

Until now the user would have to click Save on a data form to see automatic fields re-calculated based on data entered in other fields. Not any more! Aware IM 2.1 can perform field calculations on the fly. For example, a purchase amount can be re-calculated as soon as the user enters the desired quantity.

You have complete control over which rules are executed when data on form is changed and which rules are executed on the back-end only.

Application configuration in XML

Here is another welcome addition that highlights the openness of Aware IM. While applications are designed using a proprietary Configuration Tool, the Documentation command automatically generates a human-readable document describing the main application elements like definition of data objects, business rules, etc. The feature was available in Aware IM from day one.

Aware IM 2.1 takes this even further - it allows exporting the application configuration in XML. The exported XML file contains the complete application business logic, down to every single element you specify in the Configuration Tool.