How do I get applets to be active in the GroupWise client without eDirectory?

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March 9, 2019 at 11:55 am #10546
dgerisch
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My organization is in the process of decommissioning eDirectory. So we are going to deploy the Formativ applets we have via file copies (via ZENworks). To simulate the process before going enterprise-wide, I copied seven of the .vbf files to a network share, and then copied them from the network share to another PC (not my development machine). On that other PC, the Advansys Formativ Quick Config utility shows the seven applets, and they have a check mark next to “Enable” (that corresponds to “enable integrations” in the developer IDE).

But the applets don’t show in the GroupWise client menu, nor do they appear to be hooked into the GroupWise client. For example, one of them should show up as a button on a new mail, but the button is missing. What could be wrong?
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March 9, 2019 at 5:22 pm #10548
Support 2
Moderator
Hi, thank you for your post. Just to check some assumptions, are the applets Flexalocked or are they the original source code version?

As you are migrating from eDirectory distribution where the GroupWise client integrations are handled automatically, you need to copy the Flexalocked version of the original source code applets into the Applets folder on the workstation, which is usually the D:\Users\[user_name]\Documents\Advansys\Formativ\Applets folder. Formativ Runtime can only load Flexalocked or Encoded Applets.

As long as the client integrations have been preset in Creator, when you copy the Flexalocked applet into the correct location on the workstation, when the GroupWise client starts the applets should be integrated correctly.

Kind Regards,

Advansys Support
March 12, 2019 at 1:17 am #10551
dgerisch
Participant
OK, thank you. This is the problem. I was trying to distribute the original source code versions. No reason not to, really (well, except that they won’t work); and, since I’m a ZENworks user myself, when the ZENworks guy distributes the encoded version, it’s going to stomp on my source code version.
March 12, 2019 at 1:31 am #10552
dgerisch
Participant
I can do a Save As from my library to an external file. Is there a corresponding File, Open operation that I just don’t see? After the ZENworks distribution (and the source code gets stomped on), I’d like to import the saved file back in. The saved version of the source code has the form data encoded in it. Is it reasonable that I can open the saved off source file, copy all to the clipboard, and paste all into the applet in the library, and the form imports as well?

Thanks!
March 12, 2019 at 10:23 am #10554
Support 2
Moderator
Thank you for the additional information and please see responses below.

when the ZENworks guy distributes the encoded version, it’s going to stomp on my source code version

Yes, this is true if your Applets folder is the same as every other user within the organization and is automated by ZENworks. This risk can be mitigated by changing your default Applets folder for your workstation, so that your source code applets load from a different folder than other users. Change the default folder locations by using the Formativ Windows Control Panel Applet, which will update an associated registry entry.

This approach should not substitute for having an alternative, secure backup of your source code. 🙂 We use a source code control system to store our Applet source code.

While the use of eDirectory automated the encryption of the applets during distribution, moving to a ZENworks approach means the applet developer/distributor needs to Flexalock the applet prior to ZENworks distribution to GroupWise clients running Formativ Runtime.

Is there a corresponding File, Open operation that I just don’t see?

No, you are not missing these options, they do not exist. The reason is that it is assumed any applet to be loaded will be stored in either the local My Applets folder or the public user (shared) folder on the workstation. The applet must be physically copied into one of these locations before it will appear in the Creator IDE and accessible via the GroupWise client interface.

I’d like to import the saved file back in

Copy the original applet source vbf into the workstation’s Applets folder and restart the GroupWise client.

The saved version of the source code has the form data encoded in it. Is it reasonable that I can open the saved off source file, copy all to the clipboard, and paste all into the applet in the library, and the form imports as well?

The applet source XML file does include form data although you cannot import forms by pasting them into the IDE’s applet source code editor. When the applet XML file loads, only parts of the XML are loaded into the visible area of the IDE’s editor.

To achieve your objective, simply copy the applet source vbf into the Applets folder, restart the GroupWise client and open the Formativ Creator IDE.

Should you have the need in future, to Export/Import forms, click on the Forms button on the IDE when an applet is loaded and choose EXPORT or IMPORT. To import you will already need to have previously exported one or more forms (.frm files).

Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Kind Regards,

Advansys Support
March 13, 2019 at 12:12 am #10555
dgerisch
Participant
Thank you very much. These have answered all my questions.
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