What is Custom Systems?
Traditionally, customisation was a task for the programming team. Changes needed to be assessed for impact on other sites, slotted into the programming and testing schedules, and finally issued along with the next Jobstream product release, perhaps six months later. Jobstream has developed new technology which allows customisation to be freed from the release cycle, and to become a consultancy task instead.
How does it work?
Because Jobstream has its own Data Dictionary and Forms Engine, we have been able to develop a customisation technology which controls the behaviour of the system but is carefully isolated from the core Jobstream functionality. As a result, seamlessly integrated customisations can be delivered straight away. As well as offering immediate results, Custom Systems customisations are simpler and cheaper than traditional programming work.
Why is it good?
- New features can be added to your system straight away.
- Allows site-specific functionality to be added without affecting the core software.
- Simpler and cheaper than traditional programming work.
What can it do?
- Add new data storage fields (to custom-added pages).
- Add new virtual fields for information and reporting.
- Add new pages to forms.
- Add validation conditions on new and existing fields.
- Control the circumstances in which new and existing fields and pages appear.
- Add columns to browser views.
- Add search fields to browsers.
- Change data in bulk using data modification scripts.
How do I get it?
If you're an existing Jobstream user, you've already got it! The Custom Systems technology has been part of the core Jobstream product since version 8.1 (which was released in July 2003) and its capabilities were extended further in version 8.2 (released December 2003 and updated in March 2004). That means that you're probably already able to take advantage of Custom Systems by installing one of our existing customisation patches (or a new customisation designed to your own specification).
The Custom Systems Catalogue
Existing users can view a list of the currently available customisations in our Custom Systems Catalogue (you'll need to login to access this page - if you don't have a login password, request one here).