SouthWare Conference 2003 –
RCF Packets

By J. Carlton Collins, CPA 

 

RCF Packets for the Web

 

The acronym, RCF, stands for Remote Control Fields.  This technology provides results that are similar to Web Services.  It provides the intermittent steps to automate SouthWare programs that transfer data to a SouthWare Server using Netlink or WebView.  The process compares to the way that Macros function, in that both RCF Packets and Macros reproduce the steps required to complete a task.  But there are some major differences between RCF and Macros that indicate the benefits of using RCF technology.

 

RCF Packet

Keystroke Macro

Stores field entry and termination values

Records keystrokes

“Smart” playback

“Dumb” playback

Variable field values

Fixed values

Visible or invisible

Visible only

Flexible launch via object

Fixed launch point

 

Learn Wizard

RCF technology enables the creation of RCF through a “Learn” wizard.  The user can simply run the program as you want it to run later, and the wizard will mimic those steps when prompted in the future.  Values are recorded for each FlowPoint and those values are used when (if?) FlowPoints are reached.

 

Invisible Mode

RCF Packets function in invisible mode by suppressing the visible standard display/accept.  The RCF will also try to force the default value for an accept if one is not available.  Although, RCF will make the print visible for reports.

 

·        NetLink can run an RCF Packet that runs invisible, and these two technologies functioning in collaboration with each other would result in a process that compares to Web Services.

 

·        TaskWise AutoReport Tabs use a special RCF Packet output type that is designed for silent running of reports.  RCF enables the display to occur within the browser control on a unique TaskWise tab.

 

Limitations

Typically RCF’s can be used in the same scenarios that would be otherwise used with a Macro, only the RCF has more functionality.  Some of the known issues are that RCF only automates standard accept fields that specifically contain an accept.  RCF does not affect procedural FlowPoints.  The other major know issue is that RCF invisible mode hides standard displays.

 

 

 

 

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