Info*Engine is an Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) framework that allows companies to create focused business applications comprised of information extracted from multiple data sources. In today's competitive business environment, companies require the involvement of all organizations, as well as external partners, in the decision support process. With Info*Engine's data acquisition and Web-enabling capabilities, members of the extended enterprise can, for the first time, easily participate in any phase of the product and process lifecycle, resulting in higher quality products and faster time to market. Data and processes that have been traditionally locked away in legacy and incumbent information systems can now be connected using Info*Engine to create an integrated enterprise solution for every user throughout the supply chain.
Info*Engine is available stand-alone or as an option of Windchill™ product and process lifecycle solutions. Participants in the product development lifecycle can view complete product representations within Windchill, regardless of the information's physical system location. As information is used in the process, the Windchill lifecycle applications will communicate transparently with Info*Engine to retrieve the requested data. Using the Windchill lifecycle applications together with Info*Engine, members of the extended enterprise will realize the significant advantages of having complete product representations available through their Web browser.
Web-Based Architecture
Info*Engine uses the World Wide Web as a universal platform to provide a scalable application framework, combining information from loosely coupled systems into robust business process solutions. Using Web browsers, Info*Engine can quickly generate and deliver role-specific applications, providing end users with the exact information they require. Communicating through existing Intranets, Extranets or the Internet, Info*Engine can access and deliver information to everyone involved in the product and process lifecycle.
Top-down Integration Approach
Info*Engine provides a top-down approach to application integration by combining multiple data sources without relying on source-level programming. In part, this capability is due to its ability to work within industry-standard IT infrastructures, network protocols, APIs, interfaces – e.g., Structured Query Language (SQL), Open database Connectivity (ODBC), Java database Connectivity (JDBC) and Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), HTML, XML. This top-down approach allows business analysts to develop composite solutions from a business process perspective.
Composite Application Framework
Info*Engine is composed of multiple modules which provide a robust, "open", extensible platform upon which to create a composite product lifecycle information application. The resulting business solution takes advantage of existing technology, hardware and legacy systems, making the most of a company's past investments. Info*Engine creates a borderless environment, within defined security parameters, enabling users to:
Info*Engine Server
The Info*Engine Server offers native support for both messaging and transactional semantics, providing robust Extraction, Transformation & Loading (ETL) functionality. It supports bi-directional data access and extraction from almost any system, using supplied functions including create, read, update, and delete. Data manipulation functions, such as sort, join, merge, and intersection, are also provided to perform data transformation and formatting operations. The Info*Engine server is comprised of two primary components:
Webject Libraries
Info*Engine's Webject Libraries enable users to automatically map database schemas and object models into departmental applications. Webject tags are HTML objects that can be inserted into an HTML template file. When the web server encounters a Webject function tag in an HTML file, the object-tag is resolved to execute a specified method. The Info*Engine server then performs an action against the targeted system. Webjects may be used to perform a number of activities including:
Template Libraries
Info*Engine's template libraries define specific processes to be performed. Template processes provide both access to generic applications through Info*Engine's interface, as well as associated generic display screens. Template sub-elements define the correlation to business objects and tasks such as "Bill of Materials" or "Create Part." Info*Engine templates provide a flexible mechanism for defining information that must be accessed for a compound application and how it should be displayed. Sample templates are provided and can be easily customized or extended to meet specific business needs.
Info*Engine Adapters
Parametric Technology Corporation provides an extensive set of packaged adapters which provide access to information from Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Product Data Management (PDM) applications, and virtually any legacy system or database. Info*Engine's security mechanisms ensure that all established system security and permission rules are strictly enforced. Adapters are capable of interacting bi-directionally, with various systems using a variety of available capabilities. Information systems may be accessed at a variety of levels including:
This wide range of techniques ensures that Info*Engine can be used as a consistent, reusable integration platform irrespective of the specific systems involved.