LEI 3.0 retains support for the Collapse/Expand MetaConnector (used in porting data from several records into a one Domino form field) as well as the Order MetaConnector (used by LEI to order data that is returned from more than one source). However, there are also two new MetaConnectors that will extend the capabilities of the LEI server in your organization: Connection Broker and Metering.

The Connection Broker MetaConnector enables you to send data between different connections based on information found within each specific row of data.

Metering allows the LEI administrator to collect useful statistics regarding the movement of data between data sources. It is logged to a file that you designate. Options for metering include tracking totals and subtotals for bytes transferred as well as the actual number of records transferred. Metering is clearly an enhancement to NotesPump's previous statistical tools.

Domino connector Java classes
The current beta release of LEI (beta 2) does not include the Enterprise Integrator Java Classes or the remote console. However, the final product will offer the Domino connector Java classes, a newer version of the NotesPump Java class library. These classes enable you to create LEI activities that run specific Java applications. Any Java applications you design must reside on the LEI server in order for it to run a Java activity. In addition, a Java virtual machine must exist on the same server.

What about real time?
As you may know, Lotus, beginning with Domino 4.63, began offering RealTime functionality in tandem with the Domino server. This product, called Domino Enterprise Connection Services (DECS), comes free with Domino. It provides you with a simple template-based method of integrating external systems into your existing Domino framework.

LEI 3.0 will still continue to offer Real Time functionality, but this feature has not been significantly overhauled since the last release. If you currently are running Real Time activities on your Notes Pump server, you will be able to continue doing so under LEI 3.0.

An upgrade path to LEI 3.0
If you'll be upgrading to LEI 3.0 from NotesPump 2.5, all of your current database objects, such as The NotesPump Administrator (LNPADM.NSF), NotesPump Log (LNPLOG.NSF) and NotesPump Script Vault (LNPVLT.NSF) can be converted to the newer version. As always, make backups of your existing NotesPump database before upgrading to LEI 3.0.

Jennifer Regnault is a Consultant with Noblestar Systems Corporation, headquartered in the Washington D.C. area. Noblestar is a Lotus Premium Business Partner offering custom Domino and Enterprise Integration solutions to a wide range of clients. She can be reached online at jregnault@noblestar.com.