Cincom In-depth Analysis and Review

XML Style Sheets and Socrates®

Streamlining Processes through Effective DataIntegration and Transformation

WHITE PAPER

SIMPLIF ICATION THROUGH INNOVATION ®

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Step 1

Creating a Hierarchy with Socrates – The Foundation forEfficient Integration with Other Applications . . . . . . . . . 2

The Benefits of XML – Extensible Mark-Up Language anIndustry Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 2

Native Socrates Form – An Effective Tool for Internal DataTransformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 3

Enhance Data Transformation and Broaden Efficiency –On-Demand Data Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Summary

On-Demand Data Transformation – A Useful Tool forComplexity Reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Cincom In-depth Analysis and Review

XML Style Sheets andSocrates®

Streamlining Processes through EffectiveData Integration and Transformation

WHITE PAPER

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This white paper provides a step-by-step process of howto accelerate business processes through effective datatransformation.

Goal:The purpose of this technical white paper is to highlight abest-practice methodology that will optimize business-process changes through effective data transformation,making it a source of competitive advantage in yourorganization.

Audience:As the name implies, this document is written for atechnical audience, which would include the followingtitles within a customer organization:

• Technical managers

• Mid- to senior-level developers

• Technical end-user

IntroductionIn the pursuit of operational efficiency, corporate ITprofessionals as well as end-users experience a variety oftechnical barriers to business transformation and growth.One such roadblock occurs when data is not responsive towhat otherwise could be positive changes in systemapplications and infrastructure.

Through a step-by-step process that begins with buildinghierarchies for more efficient data integration, you canaccelerate business processes by transforming thehierarchy XML output to meet the specificationrequirements of third-party systems.

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Step 1

Creating a Hierarchy with Socrates– The Foundation for EfficientIntegration with OtherApplications

The hierarchy object within Socrates is a tool that givesthe user a clean and very efficient way to produce thenecessary output for integration without tons of scripting.

Hierarchies DefinedHierarchies enable you to define knowledge structuresshowing partnet-child relationships of Knowledge Explorerobjects. For example, in a manufacturing application, itcould be used to define a Bill of Materials structure (Fig. 1)of the components and subassemblies. In a legaldocument drafting application, it could be used to showthe document structure, where the components representsection(s), clauses and/or sub-clauses of the document.

Figure 1. Example of a Bill of Material

Hierarchies can be designed to provide a snapshot(generative output) of the configuration and can betailored to supply several different views of the sameconfiguration. In fact, Socrates can support multiplehierarchies in one model. This is significant when multiplesystems are being integrated to a Socrates solution, wherethe XML schema for one system can be very similar orquite different than the XML schema for another (i.e., XMLschemas for reports, drawings, charts, engineering utilities,etc.).

Socrates makes it very easy to create a hierarchicalrepresentation of the data as well as generation of theXML that these systems need.

The Benefits of XML – ExtensibleMark-Up Language an IndustryStandard Whenever you need to send data to an externalapplication, XML is a perfect fit for the exchangeformat. The extensible mark-up language consistentlyanswers to the issues that are present with ITDirectors and related IT Professionals who findthemselves at the crossroads when it comes to datatransformation.

Configuration solutions like Socrates often areintegrated to third-party applications such asreporting tools, CAD, CRM, ERP systems, etc. Howconfiguration data is packaged for use by thesesystems is an important step in defining theintegration process. Utilizing XML as the exchangeformat has many advantages.

• Documents are easily readable

• System independent, vendor independentstandard

• Can be hierarchical

• Custom parser is not needed

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Step 2

Native Socrates Form – AnEffective Tool for Internal DataTransformation

XML output in Native Socrates form is always useful if youare going to use other Socrates modules to import thedata. This output contains such information as the name ofthe hierarchy used to generate the output, the objectname, the type, instance properties, etc. Figure 2 showsan example of Socrates hierarchical output.

Figure 2. Example of Socrates Hierarchical XML Output

This format can also be very effective when the output isused to persist dynamic data for use in other Socratesmodules or reconfiguration at a later time. The output alsocontains, of course, the selected value (data) for eachnode (Socrates object).

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Step 3

Enhance Data Transformation andBroaden Efficiency – On-DemandData Transformation

However, all of the Native information is not necessarywhen we are integrating to third-party systems. Eachsystem to which you are integrating has its own exchangeformat (XML schema) definition. Since we need to use thedata for systems other than Socrates, this “Native” formcan be challenging. The structure (as seen in Figure 2) isvery generic and makes extensive use of XML attributes.

Compare this Native structure to a standard XMLstructure, like the one below.

Figure 3. Example of the Transformed Socrates Hierarchical XML

As you can see, the node names directly reflect the nameor description of the data. Using a standard style sheet,the Native XML can be transformed into a more usableform for integration. A second style sheet can then beapplied to further transform the standard XML to meet theXML schema definition for the third-party system.Moreover, this two-step process can be reduced to a one-step transformation by using a style sheet that willtransform the Native XML directly to the required schemafor integration.

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Summary

On-Demand Data Transformation– A Useful Tool for ComplexityReduction

Changes in technology continue to accelerate, and theeasiest technique of reducing costs and driving businessalignment is through simplification. Therefore, it is criticalthat solutions be flexible in order to move with theseadvancements. Implementing technologically provendesign standards, such as XML and Extensible StylesheetLanguage Transformations (XSLT), is vital to a solution’slongevity. Taking advantage of the design tools (i.e.,hierarchies) that are available in Socrates will allow you toeasily utilize these technological design standards (seefigure 4). An additional benefit of implementing the use ofSocrates hierarchies and Extensible Stylesheet LanguageTransformations (XSLT) is that the Socrates knowledgemodules become properly partitioned for other functionalareas of the solution. Thus, they become independentknowledge capsules that are insulated from other non-knowledge-based changes.

Therefore, changing integration schema or third-partyapplication(s) does not immediately require an update tothe Socrates knowledge module. In most cases, a simplemodification to the transformation file (XSLT) is all that isneeded.

Figure 4. Diagram of the Transformation Design

Cincom’s CommitmentCincom is committed to helping you maximize yourinvestment in Socrates with tools that streamline businessprocesses. For more information, please contact JimWilson at jwilson@cincom.com.

SocratesKnowledge

ModuleHierarchies

1 to n

Eng.Utilities

Reports

ERP

CAD

...

Tran

sfor

mat

ion

Laye

r

- Biztalk- WebSphere- *.xslt (1 to n)

XML

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About CincomFor nearly 40 years, Cincom's software and services havehelped thousands of clients worldwide simplify themanagement of complex business processes. Cincomspecializes in the areas of business where simplificationbrings the greatest value to managers who want to growrevenue, control costs, minimize risk and achieve rapidROI better than their competitors. Cincom serves clientson six continents including BMW, Citibank, Boeing,Ericsson, Penn State University, Milacron, Siemens,Rockwell Automation and Trane.

Cincom, the Quadrant Logo, Socrates and Simplification Through Innovationare registered trademarks of Cincom Systems, Inc. All other trademarks belongto their respective companies.

© 2007 Cincom Systems, Inc.FORM CM061103-1 06/07Printed in U.S.A.All Rights Reserved

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