Using Info-Centers

Info-Centers links data-storage, communications and special purpose components into one simple-to-use web-based package. The data storage components are display, sorting, filtering and backup. There are also components for copying tables and creating purged data banks.

The active components of Info-Centers are such elements as event management, bulletin board, discussion groups, messaging, easyChat as well as specialized web application easyOrder, easyReport and easyTour.

Databases, Storage and Tables


Accounts	Accounts are the major building blocks of Info-Centers. For example, a legal office might treat each legal entity as an account. A sales force would treat each separate corporate entity or sales category as an account. Each time you sign on to Info-Centers, you choose which account you will work within. If you only have one account, it will be automatically selected. If you have multiple accounts for which you are a user, then you must choose the account in which you will work.
Folders	Folders are fundamental separation within accounts. That is, an account can be further subdivided into folders. This is completely analogous to filing cabinet drawers being broken down into folders, or Windows directories being sud-divided into sub-directories. In part, Info-Centers can be visualized as an on-line, secure, infinitely large filing cabinet.
User Types & System Security	The primary User Type for an account is the "Owner". The owner is the user who has created up the account. Owners retain special rights and abilities that are not available to any other user type. The Owner determines the other User Types and their individual security levels. Info-Centers comes with User Types of "Member" and "Guest". These User Types can be removed and replaced with other User Types if you wish.
Data Storage	Within the folders (or, ignore folders if they are not needed) you can create your database. A database is simply a collections of related pieces of information, organized in separate tables. If you are familiar with Excel spreadsheets, then think of the database as all the separate 'sheets' in the Excel file. Think of a table as a single sheet and think of the table as consisting of rows and columns. Now the comparison is over because a spreadsheet is limited in capacity, but Info-Centers is not. Also, a spreadsheet is limited in its data types, but Info-Centers is very rich in data types. Info-Centers tables contain: Unique Record Number TimeStamps Dates and Times Text Memos (variable length texts) Numbers Images (.jpg, .gif, .tif, .png, etc.) Documents (.pdf, .doc, .xls, etc.) Email (email address) URL (Universal Resource Locator http://www. ....) String Fields (used to create a very easily read display) Info-Centers is designed to allow your data to be easily and beautifully organized and displayed.
Filtering & Sorting	Data must be easily and quickly retrievable. For this reason, Info-Centers is organized, first by Account, second by named Folder, then by Table. In addition, tables can be filtered and sorted. Filtering is the processes of taking out the records that we do not want to see. This is done by setting values in the fields that we wish to select on. It is quick and simple in keeping with the original design goals of Info-Centers. Sorting is exactly that. A default sort can be defined for each table, and the the order in which it will be presented. In addition, when the up and down arrow buttons at the top of field are pressed, the table is automatically reordered. And finally, when you open the filter dialogue, a sort selection is available as well as the filter.
Import Data	Databases and tables can be exported for import in Info-Centers. Tables such as Excel files, and Outlook can be exported to dbase style files (.dbf) then uploaded for conversion to Info-Centers tables.
Searching	Info-Centers allows for complete searching through your databases and folders. The global search is however restricted to an individual account. Searching has been constructed in a unique way and allows you to search for key words in each record and even inside stored documents (some restrictions apply).
Backup	There are multiple levels of backup inside Info-Centers: Daily Overall System Backup. This is automatic and provided by Info-Centers and is meant to create overall security for the system. This backup is not available to you unless you request it to restore your data back to a determined point. There is a charge for this work at normal and customary rates. Your Backup. You can backup you files at any time by going to the Account Administration Link and following the instructions for backup. Your System Backup. You can and should backup you data regularly. The Account Administration section has backup and restore functions to allow you to backup you data. The data could then be restored in the event that your make an error that needs correction by complete backup. Your System Backup and Download. After you backup your data, it resides in a zipped file that you can access and download to your system if you have a premium account. This particular function, for security reasons, is only available to the Account Owner. This also allows you to locally report from your tables as well as manage your own backups.
Restore	The restore function is a s simple as it sounds. Just enter Account Administration and restore your data to your last backup checkpoint.
Uploading & Downloading	You can upload (and then subsequently download) images and files. Images. Images can be uploaded into the system two ways: Native to most system functions. Where images are required, they can be specified and uploaded at that exact point. Just place the reference to the image by clicking the browse button. Account Administration. In some instances, the images are specified after creating a data element. For example, when setting up an account an image is added later. In this case, the best way to upload the image in through "Images". Files. Files is a general category describing documents or files (anything but an image) that you wish to upload to your accounts or tables. Certain kinds of files (.pdf, .doc) are defined as documents and can be searched by Info-Centers for content. Other files can not be internally searched.

Communications

Account Summary

When each user opens an Account, they are presented with the basic Account Information. This is written material and/or images to communicate the basic purpose of the account. The formatted text in any aspect of Info-Centers can be HTML

Bulletin Board

The Bulletin Board can contain as many records as you like which are displayed under the Account Summary. The bulletin board records contain text and images just as the Account Summary.

Events

All organizations have events. These events could be training sessions, sales meetings, process deadlines, etc. Info-Centers Events management allows posting of such events for display to your users as well as online-Registration for the event.

Messaging

Messaging in Info-Centers is analogous to email, but with some very important differences:

email	Info-Center's Messaging
non-secure	secure
no permanent record	permanently logged in Info-Centers
managed by the account owner	spread around
mixed with many other things	contained by account

Use Info-Centers messaging for secure messages and a permanently stored file of those messages. There is no longer a need to allow firewall penetrations as with MSN messaging nor is there an availability of non-company sanctioned messaging.

Discussion Groups

There are many public discussion groups on the internet. Some use newsgroup technology (port 119, requires special port opening in the firewall) and others using normal internet communications. Info-Centers Discussion Groups operate with standard internet secure protocol over port 443 (secure encrypted communications). All messages are logged and never deleted (unless you so choose). This means that all past discussions are available for your review.

easyChat

easyChat is an online secure chat line for the specific users that are authorized in your system. This can be very useful for inter-branch communication. It is not public and therefore completely under your control. Also, all conversations are logged for your ultimate review.

Special Purpose Components

easyOrder

easyOrder is a special function absolutely unique to Info-Centers. easyOrder allows your Users to enter orders in to the system for processing by your order facility. When you subscribe to Info-Centers, immediately you have a secure internet based ordering system!

easyTour

easyTour is a special package for in-bound tour operators. easyTour allows you to set up a tour package, create Users (offshore travel agents) then manage the bookings. All travel arrangements for hotels, rental cars, etc. are automatically booked by email sent from Info-Centers.

easyReport

easyReport is a special reporting system designed for field personal to report in to head office. easyReport allows for entry of sales information, call logs, expenses and problem reports. easyReport can also be customized for many types of field reporting.

Use of HTML in Info-Centers

HTML

HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language and is the basic building block for the internet web pages. In order for you to present good Info-Center material you do NOT need to know HTML. All of your text and information will be just fine. In order to add color, bold font, italic fonts, enforced line spacing and hyperlinks, you will need to know a limited amount of HTML. It is easily learned and simple if you stick to basics.

Some examples of simple HTML are as follows:

— insert a line break

 text — make "text" bold

 text — make "text" italics

 text — make "text" red

text — make "text" green and also bold. Choose the combination you want.

<ul> text </ul> — a bulletted list that is not numbered. Each element of the list is enclosed in <li> text </li>

<ol> text </ol> — a numbered list; each element of the list is enclosed in <li> text </li>

<a href='http://www.info-centers.com'>click here for Info-Centers</a> — an automatic hyperlink to another URL (this example does not work, it is an example only)

If you really want to see some examples of HTML, you can right-click on any web page and "View Source".