Modules - REIMS Open Integration Server

REIMS Open Integration Server (OIS) has been specifically designed as an integration engine to extend REIMS capability in support of both the very latest technical advances of Web Services-based integration, as well as the very practical requirements of legacy and proprietary interfaces, based on simple content such as spreadsheets. REIMS OIS has been designed for speed in order to support transactional integration, to complement the batch orientation needed to support the more traditional exchange of information between companies and systems.

Enterprise Application Integration (EAI), data synchronisation and interface mapping capability are provided by REIMS OIS. REIMS OIS is platform, database and content independent and utilises the REIMS Application Integration Mapping Web Services (AIMS) scripts to provide a powerful and flexible application-to-application communication and data exchange engine.

The OI Project Manager enables you to create OI packages which, when executed, use AIMS scripts to read data from one or more data sources, e.g. extract data from a SQL database and a DB2/400 database and write it to an XML file.

Web Services
REIMS OIS fully supports integration using advanced Web Services functionality. This can be utilised in a number of ways including processing a Web Services request from an external application which OIS will action and respond to even though the target application is not Web Services enabled. Alternatively, an OI package can be called as a Web Service and during the execution of an OI package, multiple Web Service requests can be actioned as part of the script execution.

REIMS OIS supports the SOAP, WSDL and WSIL standards for Web Services which ensures the interoperability of the REIMS OIS generated Web Services with those generated, or provided by, other products.

Mapping and Interface Levels
There are three levels of AIMS scripts that provide for the different levels of mapping and for the flexibility and sophistication of integration needed to cover all eventualities in the mapping and synchronisation process.

Level 1: Simple Mapping and Integration
Level one is the visual mapping view for simple and multi-format mapping, providing for drag and drop mapping which creates a series of SELECT and INSERT commands in the script.

Level 2: Advanced Mapping and Synchronisation
The second level is for advanced and complex mapping facilitated by the visual procedural presentation that illustrates the sequence of the events. This level supports the feature rich AIMS expression function for manipulating data to deliver intelligent and extendible mapping capability to address the realities of mapping XML, Database, Flat File and CSV formats in any-to-any and mixed environments.

Level 3: Expert Mapping and Web Services Integration
At the third, script editor expert level, the full power of the scripting language is available including the flow control commands for conditionally controlling the flow of the script. At this level, a Web Services Interface can be created and implemented. In addition, external functions or existing application interfaces can be integrated into the mapping process to ensure that there is no restriction on what can be achieved by mapping the various formats supported by the AIMS process.

AIMS Expressions
AIMS expressions are designed to provide detailed field manipulation capability. An assistant is provided to facilitate the generation of expressions and assist the user through pull down lists and other user aids. The expressions assistant is available at all three levels. The AIMS expressions tool facilitates 'intelligent mapping', has many standard functions and is an extension to the REIMS expression capability that takes into account the additional flexibility required for more dynamic integration.

Data Adaptors and Connectors
A Data Adaptor identifies a database file or file with which an OI package reads or writes data. The JDBC Data Adaptor works directly with SQL databases and the Data Adaptor definition contains the necessary data source, connection string and driver details. A Connector identifies a resource with which an OI package reads or writes data.

Overview
REIMS OIS consists of:

• The Open Integration Definition (OID) which facilitates structural definition and development of mapping
• The Open Integration Controller (OIC) which is used as the production environment to run the package and administrator functions for controlling the level of audit and deploying the package to one or more servers.

Audit and Control

• A complete multi-level audit system tracks full details for all transaction types, providing both current and historical views
• End-to-end tracking enables verification of acceptance and delivery of each transaction
• Validation of content and structure of transactions with full auditing and handling of exceptions
• Audit trail of administration, maintenance and system processing activities by user
• Audit archive and restore function.

Application Integration

• Application specific interfaces, e.g. SAP, BPCS, PeopleSoft (JD Edwards), Movex and Geac System 21
• Delivers an enterprise application integration tool kit to assist generic data integration into any application systems.