The underlying mechanism for referencing and
updating data in Metastorm BPM is the use of Business Objects.
Business Objects allow any SQL query, or any database table, to be
referenced by the system. Tables may be updated directly, including
process tables, other table, is or even tables from external
databases. This can even be managed quite easily without any SQL
whatsoever.
In order to tie the business object to a
database, Metastorm BPM employs what it calls Connectors.
Connectors can be configured to reference OLEDB databases, ODBC
databases, Web services, or LDAP queries. Database connectors are
used to define custom Business Objects.
Custom Business Objects, as opposed to the
default Process Business Objects, may be defined as read-only or
editable. Both can be used on forms, in grids, in processes and on
reports.
Process Business Objects are created and defined
automatically and have special properties. Essentially they just
like editable Business Objects, but they additionally insert a new
record the first time they are used.
In order to use any business object on form, you
really have to drag your chosen Business Object onto the
form.
Once you have done this the business object
appears in your data access pane. You can then add any required
parameters, or leave them as the default.
From this pane, you merely have to drag and drop
variables to add fields and bind them to that
variable.
If you drag multiple fields, you are given the
option to create multiple fields or collect them together in a
grid.
This use of Business Objects makes the
Association of data with your forms and processes one of the
simplest procedures we have ever seen.
What is Metastorm BPM?
