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AEPs from TNHGAEPs from TNHGatat
ACT! Visions 2005ACT! Visions 2005
ACT!2005 Enhancement ACT!2005 Enhancement ProductsProducts
fromfrom
The New Hampton GroupThe New Hampton Group
What we will coverWhat we will cover
Folders and their contentFolders and their content
TNHG.iniTNHG.ini
4 basic architectures4 basic architectures
The trigger command The trigger command structure and contentstructure and content
Troubleshooting with Log Troubleshooting with Log filesfiles
Folders Folders (Part 1)(Part 1)
C:\Program Files\TNHGC:\Program Files\TNHG\TNHG.ini\TNHG.ini\\ApplicationNameApplicationName
Application NameApplication Name.exe.exeApplication Name Application Name Installation and Usage GuidesInstallation and Usage GuidesSampleSample trigger files trigger filesTrigger.logTrigger.logPlugin.logPlugin.logVarious supporting files (.dll’s, .txt’s)Various supporting files (.dll’s, .txt’s)
TAG.ACT.dllTAG.ACT.dllTNHGCustomControlsCS.dllTNHGCustomControlsCS.dllTNHGCustomControls.dllTNHGCustomControls.dllVbPowerPack.dllVbPowerPack.dll
Folders Folders (Part 2)(Part 2)
C:\Program Files\ACT\ACT for Win 7\C:\Program Files\ACT\ACT for Win 7\PluginsPlugins
ADNADNApplicationNameApplicationName.dll.dll
ApplicationNameApplicationName.dll.dll
ApplicationNamePluginApplicationNamePlugin.dll.dllVarious supporting files Various supporting files (these will probably be (these will probably be
phased out)phased out)TAG.ACT.dllTAG.ACT.dllTNHGCustomControlsCS.dllTNHGCustomControlsCS.dllTNHGCustomControls.dllTNHGCustomControls.dllVbPowerPack.dllVbPowerPack.dll
Folders Folders (Part 3)(Part 3)
C:\Program Files\ACT\ACT for Win 7\C:\Program Files\ACT\ACT for Win 7\ToolsTools
ApplicationOrControlNameApplicationOrControlName.dll.dll
This makes it available to be added as This makes it available to be added as a “tool” for use in the Layout Designera “tool” for use in the Layout Designer
TNHG.iniTNHG.iniAlways in the C:\Program Files\TNHG Always in the C:\Program Files\TNHG
folderfolderSettings, preferences, counters, etc.Settings, preferences, counters, etc.Used instead of the Windows RegistryUsed instead of the Windows Registry
Avoids Anti-Virus “Trojan Horse” syndromeAvoids Anti-Virus “Trojan Horse” syndromeEasier to edit and manipulateEasier to edit and manipulate
““Classic” ini file format:Classic” ini file format:[[Application NameApplication Name] section header] section headerParameterParameterNameName = value = value
Change the value if you need to, but Change the value if you need to, but leave the leave the name alonename alone
Basic ArchitecturesBasic Architectures
Self-contained programSelf-contained program
PluginPlugin
Custom ControlCustom Control
TriggerTrigger
Self-contained ProgramSelf-contained Program
AEP
ACT!SDKdll’s
ACT!2005Database
Self-contained ProgramSelf-contained Program
Example: Example: Batch Field CreatorBatch Field Creator Operates OUTSIDE of ACT!, independent Operates OUTSIDE of ACT!, independent
of the ACT! User Interface (UI)of the ACT! User Interface (UI)
ACT! does NOT need to be runningACT! does NOT need to be running Self-contained in its own folderSelf-contained in its own folder (except …) (except …)
TNHG.ini file entries to “remember” last-TNHG.ini file entries to “remember” last-use settingsuse settings
Controlled by user input and interactionControlled by user input and interaction
PluginPlugin
AEP
ACT!SDKdll’s
ACT!2005Database
ACT! UI
PluginPlugin ExamplesExamples
Delete Company LookupDelete Company Lookup Layout ManagerLayout Manager Limited Access ManagerLimited Access Manager Select-A-QuoteSelect-A-Quote
““Part of” ACT!2005Part of” ACT!2005
ACT! DOES need to be runningACT! DOES need to be running
Installed into its own \TNHG\subfolder Installed into its own \TNHG\subfolder AND in \ACT for Win 7\Plugins subfolderAND in \ACT for Win 7\Plugins subfolder
Activated with ACT! menu or actionActivated with ACT! menu or action
Controlled by user input & interactionControlled by user input & interaction
Custom ControlCustom Control
AEP
ACT!2005Database
ACT! UI
ACT!Layout
Custom ControlCustom Control ExamplesExamples
Radio ButtonsRadio Buttons Volume KnobVolume Knob Progress BarProgress Bar OdometerOdometer
““Part of” ACT!2005 LayoutPart of” ACT!2005 Layout ACT! DOES need to be runningACT! DOES need to be running Installed into its own \TNHG\subfolder Installed into its own \TNHG\subfolder
AND in \ACT for Win 7\Tools subfolderAND in \ACT for Win 7\Tools subfolder Add “tool” to the Layout Designer, Add “tool” to the Layout Designer,
then use it on a layoutthen use it on a layout Displays ACT! data in non-text formatDisplays ACT! data in non-text format
TriggerTrigger
ACT! UI AEPACT!SDKdll’s
ACT!2005Database
Commandarguments
DOS .bat file
TriggerTrigger Examples:Examples:
Account Number GeneratorAccount Number Generator Auto Fill FieldsAuto Fill Fields Copy Fields ContentsCopy Fields Contents Field CalculatorField Calculator
““Part of” ACT!Part of” ACT!
ACT! DOES need to be runningACT! DOES need to be running
Installed into its own \TNHG\subfolder AND Installed into its own \TNHG\subfolder AND in \ACT for Win 7\Plugins subfolderin \ACT for Win 7\Plugins subfolder
Activated with ACT! field trigger or menuActivated with ACT! field trigger or menu
Controlled by “command line argument”Controlled by “command line argument”
Command Line ArgumentsCommand Line Arguments
Tell the trigger what to do “this time”Tell the trigger what to do “this time”
Could be specified as part of the Could be specified as part of the trigger or custom command in ACT! trigger or custom command in ACT! 5/6, but canNOT be part of the 5/6, but canNOT be part of the trigger in ACT!2005trigger in ACT!2005
So, AEPs use a DOS .bat file for the So, AEPs use a DOS .bat file for the triggertrigger
The .bat file gives the AEP its The .bat file gives the AEP its command linecommand line
Command Line Argument Command Line Argument FormatFormat
Examples:Examples:
?E=C ?L=<User 7>=<User 4>, ?E=C ?L=<User 7>=<User 4>,
<Qty>=<Count><Qty>=<Count>
?T=<C:User 4>=I-D(4)-S(6) ?R=M?T=<C:User 4>=I-D(4)-S(6) ?R=M
?A=<C:Amt Due>=<A:Rate>*<C:Qty> ?V=T?A=<C:Amt Due>=<A:Rate>*<C:Qty> ?V=T
● Detailed instructions in product’s Detailed instructions in product’s
Installation and Usage GuideInstallation and Usage Guide
Command Line ArgumentsCommand Line Arguments
Each argument is of the formEach argument is of the form
??XX==● ExamplesExamples
• ?E= Entity designation is …?E= Entity designation is …• ?F= File name is …?F= File name is …• ?L= List is …?L= List is …• ?T= Template is …?T= Template is …• ?A= Algorithm is …?A= Algorithm is …
Command Line Arguments-Command Line Arguments-EntitiesEntities
Entity type designationsEntity type designationsContact:Contact: CCGroup:Group: G G Company:Company: AAMy Record:My Record: MMActivity:Activity: VVNote:Note: NNHistory:History: HHOpportunity:Opportunity: OOOpportunity Item:Opportunity Item: IISecondary Contact:Secondary Contact: SS
Command Line Arguments-FieldsCommand Line Arguments-FieldsFields names in carats, eFields names in carats, eitherither::
<<fieldnamefieldname>>
OrOr<<e:fieldnamee:fieldname>>
● Examples:Examples:• <C:Address 1><C:Address 1> (Address 1 field on current Contact (Address 1 field on current Contact
record)record)
• <A:City><A:City> (City field on current Company record)(City field on current Company record)
• <G:Description><G:Description> (Description field on current Group (Description field on current Group record)record)
• <User 1><User 1> (User 1 field from current record of type implied (User 1 field from current record of type implied by entity spec)by entity spec)
Command Line Arguments-Command Line Arguments-FieldsFields
ACT! v5/6 used ACT! v5/6 used field numbersfield numbersACT!2005 uses ACT!2005 uses field field NAMESNAMESNames must be EXACTLY what you see Names must be EXACTLY what you see
in Tools > Define fieldsin Tools > Define fieldsSpellingSpellingUpper/lower caseUpper/lower caseSpacingSpacingPunctuationPunctuation
<User1> <User 1> <user1> <USER1><User1> <User 1> <user1> <USER1>
Are all DIFFERENTAre all DIFFERENT
Command Line Arguments-Command Line Arguments-ViewView
?V=T?V=T
Yes, please display the “viewer window”, Yes, please display the “viewer window”, let me verify the command, and make me let me verify the command, and make me “pull the trigger”“pull the trigger”
Provides access to Provides access to Help menuHelp menu
AboutAboutRegisterRegister
Command Line Arguments Command Line Arguments - .bat- .bat
The DOS .bat file replaces the The DOS .bat file replaces the functionality of earlier versions of functionality of earlier versions of ACT! that allowed a trigger to contain ACT! that allowed a trigger to contain the command linethe command line
Opens a black DOS window Opens a black DOS window but … but …You can use this to alert the user to wait You can use this to alert the user to wait
until ACT! finishes it work until ACT! finishes it work or you can immediately hide the DOS or you can immediately hide the DOS
windowwindow
Using the DOS WindowUsing the DOS Window
Sometimes a trigger will take a while to Sometimes a trigger will take a while to operateoperate
Users get impatient and start “clicking Users get impatient and start “clicking around”around”
The DOS window will close when the program The DOS window will close when the program finishes, so …finishes, so …
Hiding the DOS WindowHiding the DOS Window
You can immediately hide the DOS You can immediately hide the DOS windowwindow
ConsoleTool.exe /hideConsoleTool.exe /hideConsoleTool.exe is included in each ConsoleTool.exe is included in each
install, and is found in the \TNHG install, and is found in the \TNHG folder “above” the AEP-product-folder “above” the AEP-product-specific folderspecific folder
The DOS Window “flash” is a “training The DOS Window “flash” is a “training issues” issues”
Troubleshooting with Log filesTroubleshooting with Log files
Each AEP creates a “log” of eventsEach AEP creates a “log” of eventsLog file(s) found in \TNHG\subfolderLog file(s) found in \TNHG\subfolderCommand.log, Plugin.log, Command.log, Plugin.log, productproduct.log.logLog files are “cleared” every dayLog files are “cleared” every dayLogging is “on” by defaultLogging is “on” by defaultTurn logging on/off using \TNHG\Turn logging on/off using \TNHG\
subfolder\LogToggle.exe subfolder\LogToggle.exe (found on (found on
Start > Programs > TNHG > Start > Programs > TNHG > productnameproductname > Logging > Logging Control menu)Control menu)
Turning Logging On and OffTurning Logging On and Off
Troubleshooting with Log filesTroubleshooting with Log files
Empty? > trigger never “fired”, so Empty? > trigger never “fired”, so check:check:the ACT! field trigger settingthe ACT! field trigger settingthe .bat file program path and namethe .bat file program path and name
Error messages indicate problems in Error messages indicate problems in the command line argument or the command line argument or operations within ACT!operations within ACT!
Custom Solution CreationCustom Solution CreationMany ACCs choose to remain consultants Many ACCs choose to remain consultants
and not become programmersand not become programmersNeed a source of custom solutions to Need a source of custom solutions to
meet client requirementsmeet client requirementsDon’t say “No”; say “Let’s ask Geoff”!Don’t say “No”; say “Let’s ask Geoff”!Examples (ACT!2005):Examples (ACT!2005):
• Custom Account Number Generator
• Associate Activity Series with Group
• ACT! fields into Excel spreadsheet template
• Accumulate YTD and LifeTime sales totals to Contact field
• Convert MS Access data to ACT!
• Periodic update of ACT! with accounting data
The New Hampton GroupThe New Hampton Group
Custom solutionsCustom solutions
ACT! Enhancement ProductsACT! Enhancement Products
www.tnhg.comwww.tnhg.com
[email protected]@tnhg.com