FIGURE A


There's no need to be ashamed of the LEI UI. The screen design is much more attractive than that of NotesPump. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Other than being easier on the eyes, the new user interface includes the same navigational features with shortcuts that execute activities and create connections. In addition, many of the standard administration views have been "prettied up" with view icons, which is a nice time saver if you don't feel like modifying the standard views yourself. The forms in the administration tool are still the same and possess the same functionality as they did in NotesPump 2.5.

The missing "link" and the new "connector"
In NotesPump 2.5, "links" were used to define the connection from a data source to the NotesPump server. Lotus has renamed them "connectors" in LEI 3.0.

In addition to the standard data source connectors available with NotesPump 2.5, Lotus has introduced a series of ERP and directory-specific connectors that allow Domino Server applications (including LEI) to exchange data natively with the enterprise resource planning or directory application of their choice.

These Lotus Domino Connectors may be used with other Lotus products, including Domino Enterprise Connection Services (DECS) and the Domino Connector LSX (i.e., LotusScript eXtensions).

The Domino Connector LSX
The Domino Connector LSX provides developers with a set of LotusScript or Java classes that can allow them to interact with any data source currently supported with a Domino connector. These extensions are included with the LEI 3.0 server package and have become a standard feature offering with Domino Server release 4.63 and above.

Outlined below are highlights of these new connectors, as well as their features within LEI. Be aware that the LEI server will be required to have the appropriate connectivity tools for the ERP system installed directly on the LEI server. Not all of these Connectors are currently supported by the LEI beta, but will be available upon final release.

Domino Connector for Oracle Applications
This connector allows LEI native access to the Oracle Applications Business Modules, thereby enabling Domino applications to integrate with the business model present in the Oracle system. It achieves this by interacting with the Oracle Applications Interface data as well as the Oracle Applications API. This connector currently includes interfaces for the Oracle HRMS, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Front Office and Financials suite of products.

The appropriate Oracle client must be installed and SQLNet configured on the LEI server for all the Oracle data sources being utilized. The Oracle Financials connector supports RealTime Notes, Direct Transfer, Java, Scripted, Replication, Polling, Command, and Archive activities.

Domino Connector for PeopleSoft
This connector supports native access to the PeopleSoft Panel business module data, including HR and employee data. The connector supports PeopleSoft Release 6 and higher. You must have the PeopleSoft Message agent running on the LEI server (this message agent's API is used to connect to Peoplesoft data), as well as ODBC drivers for the PeopleSoft data source defined in the ODBC Administrator.