October 2002 Edition

New Feature Spotlight: AppleScript
Q&A with Technical Support: InterSync, Variance Analysis
Smart Tip of the Month: MetaScript Examples
Third Party Software: Crystal Reports
Support Bookshelf: Third Party References

New Feature Spotlight

AppleScript

As Macintosh users already know, AppleScript is a powerful language for automating tasks. AppleScript can be used with Virtual Ticket 4.0 to automate many of your daily tasks such as: importing Digital Resources, entering field information, attaching document type forms, and launching other programs from within Virtual Ticket 4.0.

An AppleScript example for importing PhotoDisc images and keywords into your Virtual Ticket 4.0 database is available at: www.meta-comm.com/support/knowledge_base/solutions.asp.

Q&A with Technical Support

Q: What is InterSync?

A: InterSync 1.0 is a Windows 2000 Server agent that automatically adds, updates, deletes and thumbnails files in the Virtual Ticket 4.0 database. InterSync 1.0 consists of two Windows 2000 services, the File System service and the MetaData service, which handle two separate processes for adding images to the database. The File System service scans your Windows 2000 or Apple File Protocol volumes for any file system changes, and based on those changes it adds, updates, and deletes file information to the database. The MetaData service generates an up-to-date thumbnail image of these files. The end result is a database that is automatically synchronized with your file system and can be searched from within Virtual Ticket 4.0.

Q: What is the Job Manager Variance Analysis Report?

A: The Job Manager Variance Analysis Report is a Job Manager 3.0 add-in solution consisting of a custom query that displays the actual cost of a job and compares it to the estimated job costs. Users have the ability to view results using many different search criteria such as: by date, by job number range, by estimate number range, etc.

For more information about the Job Manager Variance Analysis Report and other Virtual Ticket 4.0/Job Manager 3.0 solutions visit:
www.meta-comm.com/support/knowledge_base/solutions.asp.

Have a question for the MetaCommunications support staff? Send it to support@meta-comm.com.

Smart Tip of the Month

MetaScript Examples

Many Virtual Ticket 4.0 system administrators need the ability to place the name of a user on a form dynamically instead of using hard-coded names. Here are two methods for dynamically placing user names on a Virtual Ticket 4.0 form.

Example #1: Getting a list of users

A global MetaScript can be used to produce a dynamic popup menu with a list of all users. This MetaScript example uses the new RunSQLQuery MetaScript functionality to retrieve a list of all users. It provides a solution that will not require the system administrator to make any changes to the form or field when new users are added to the system. To create the dynamic popup, perform the following steps:

1. Launch and log into Virtual Ticket Administrator 4.0/5.0.
2. Open the desired form in the Forms Editor and choose Global MetaScript from the Format menu.
3. Enter the following script:
   
   function
   GetUsers()
   {
   return RunSQLQuery("Select first_name + ' ' + last_name 'value' from users");
   }
   
4. Save your script and close the Global MetaScript window.
5. Place the appropriate popup field onto the form.
6. In the New field dialog, click the arrow next to the Values heading and choose Custom from the list.
7. In the Script window, enter the following script:
   
   GetUsers()
8. Click OK to close the New Field dialog window. Choose Save from the File menu to save the changes to the form.
9. Open a Virtual Ticket Browser Window to begin testing your MetaScript.

Example #2: Getting the currently logged-in user

The name of the logged-in user can be automatically placed in the dynamic popup field created in Example 1. This process can be done with additional MetaScript. Perform the following steps:

1. Launch and log into Virtual Ticket Administrator.
2. Open the form containing your dynamic popup in the Forms Editor.
3. Double-click on the dynamic popup field to open the Modify Field dialog window. Click the MetaScript button to the right of the Default field to open the Expression window.
   In the Expression window, insert the following MetaScript:
   
   var user = new LoggedInUser();
   user.FirstName + ' ' + user.LastName;
4. Close the Expression window and the Modify Field dialog. Save your form.
5. Open a new Virtual Ticket Browser Window and test your MetaScript by adding a new record to the database.

When a new record is created, the name of the currently logged-in user will be inserted into the dynamic popup field.

Third Party Software

Crystal Decisions Crystal Reports

Crystal Decisions produces an excellent reporting tool for Windows named Crystal Reports, which allows users to expand the presentation of their Virtual Ticket 4.0 and Job Manager 3.0 information. Crystal Reports uses Microsoft Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) to connect to the Virtual Ticket 4.0/Job Manager 3.0 SQL database, giving the report builder access to every field in the database and real-time information from those fields. Crystal Reports’ report creation wizard and useful layout tools makes creating and laying out any type of report quick and easy. Crystal Reports can be used to create multiple page invoices, correspondence letters, labels, open job reports, and much more.

For more information about Crystal Reports, visit: www.crystaldecisions.com.

Support Bookshelf

Crystal Reports Guides

Need some help using Crystal Reports for reporting from your Virtual Ticket 4.0/Job Manager 3.0 database? The following references will provide some help.

Crystal Reports: A Beginner’s Guide. by David G. McAmis.
This guide provides an introduction to Crystal Reports. The tutorial-type format provides a good way for learning the features of the product and will assist you to begin using data sources for connecting to databases.

Crystal Reports 8.5 Quick Start WorkShop. by FastPlanet Technologies.
This guide functions as a training course, instructing users on the many features of Crystal Reports. The guide focuses on product proficiency and provides real world examples you may be able to incorporate into your own reports.

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