Metadata ManagerThe Metadata Manager is responsible for collecting and managing document metadata (data about other data). i4i makes available two familiar interfaces that exploits the power of the Metadata Manager extensively:
- Windows Explorer interface
- Web browser interface
Both of these interfaces allow users to organize their documents according to their metadata properties and not their physical characteristics. This is the 'placeless views' approach to document organization. This functionality is available through both Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer - two very commonly used and familiar applications.
The Explorer interfaces use 'pull' technology to deliver documents to users rather than forcing users to search through numerous repositories for them. For example, a user is interested in all labelling documents relating to product XYZ that were written after January 1, 2000. This user simply creates a Windows Explorer folder with these properties specified. Whenever the folder is opened all matching documents, regardless of the data stores they reside on, automatically show up within it. This same user had previously created a folder specifying it hold all documents relating to product XYZ. The XYZ labelling documents appear and are accessible in both of the folders. The documents are 'placeless' - they exist in more than one folder.
The Metadata Manager eliminates the wasted time and effort required to hunt for documents. The result is that users don't overlook relevant documents; in short, real collaboration.
|
