Introduction
In this article, we will describe the latest version of IBM®DB2®Advantages and applicability of Content Manager (CM) and IBM DB2 Content Manager OnDemand (CM OnDemand. First, we will describe the data models of CM and CM OnDemand, and then show an example for each data model so that readers can understand the advantages of each model. Because both products have their core strengths, not all content management problems can be solved in one product. Finally, we will describe an Enterprise Content Management scenario, where CM and CM OnDemand can work together to meet the needs of this scenario.
Overview of IBM DB2 Content Manager and IBM DB2 Content Manager OnDemand
DB2 Content Manager is the core of IBM's solutions for enterprise Content management, it provides a separate, open, and comprehensive platform for managing, sharing, reusing, and retrieving various types of digital content. The intermediate layer of this distributed architecture provides:
- Scalability of a geographically dispersed enterprise from a single department.
- Supports the openness of multiple operating systems, databases, applications and resources.
- Supports XML data models.
- Critical task mission critical) applications and applications such as Siebel, PeopleSoft, DB2 Records Manager, WebSphere®Integration of MQ Workflow and WebSphere Portal middleware to provide Web content management.
IBM DB2 Content Manager OnDemand is part of the Content Manager Solution for enterprise Content management middleware. Automatic capturing, powerful indexing with immediate availability, and instant access to statements, statements, and bills provide support for customer services and improve operations. Advanced features include CD-ROM publishing and PDF indexing. The electronic statement presentation function provides support for improving call center efficiency and allowing customers to use the Internet for self-service.
Understanding DB2 Content Manager
This section describes the DB2 Content Manager data model and points out its advantages and limitations.
DB 2 CM Data Model
Figure 1 shows the data model used by DB 2 CM.
Figure 1. Data Model
The DB 2 CM data model is an object-oriented relational data model. An Item type is composed of multiple entries, all of which have specified related attributes. The Item type is the main component of the data model. It contains all child components, if any,) and related data. An Item type includes:
- A root component-the first level of the hierarchical item type, or the only level.
- 0 or multiple child components-Level 2 or lower level of the hierarchical item type. This is optional.
- Category-there are two types of items defined by the system:
- Non-resource item type-indicates the entity that is not stored in the resource manager. Entries divided into item categories are stored on the library server as metadata.
- Resource item type-indicates the objects stored in the resource manager. These entries describe and point to content on the Resource Manager, such as videos, images, files, and other data.
Dynamic Data Object DDO) represents the component root component, child component, and resource component in the data architecture ). Persistent data identifiers can uniquely identify these objects, which use data entries as their property values and contain content. Each data entry has a data identifier, a name, a value, and some attributes, such as null, data type, and so on ). Links or references are represented by data entries. Each Data Entry references another entry or non-resource in another entry type ). The link associates two entries and provides a way to access the linked entries. A link has a name, an identifier, such as "contains" or "has ". Only the root component of an entry can be linked to another entry or be linked by another entry. "Outbound)" links refer to the links that use this entry as the source. "Inbound)" link refers to the link with this entry as the target.
Advantages of DB2 Content Manager
DB2 Content Manager has the following advantages:
- Integrated Query Language for text search-This interface is used to query all details of the CM data model. Because the complexity of the system table is completely transparent, this query language is very easy to use. The cached data model definition allows the system to efficiently execute queries. This query language also integrates text Search based on DB2 Net Search Extender. Therefore, it supports full-text Search, combined text Search, and index-based Search. Attributes of any length, such as the abstract of a document, can be searched using this query language, and can be further searched to find any word or word combination in the text, this can be achieved through full-text search of text-type metadata or text content. If the entry type is defined as full-text index, text documents loaded into such entries are automatically created with full-text indexes. Furthermore, if a document is stored through the ODMA interface, DB 2 CM automatically creates a full-text index. This query language also complies with the XQuery path expression XQPE) specification.
- Federated search-DB2 Information Integrator for Content provides federal searches and updates for Information across multiple discrete data sources, which can be structured or unstructured. Different types of target data sources can be easily configured in any combination. You can also add and search for new data sources. Regardless of the data source format, the results obtained from a federal search are a fixed data format technically called dynamic data objects ).
- Support for video assets-The video stream asset API provides support for retrieving archived and streaming videos. Because the content of the Video Stream object is generally large, persistent operations such as adding, searching, and updating are usually completed through the IBM VideoCharger Server or a third-party video Server, this third-party video server uses a standard protocol such as file transfer protocol FTP. Based on the relevant metadata, you can search for video assets and establish sessions to directly send content from the video server to the video player through streams. This API also supports Multi-Segment playlist.
- Workflow-Document routing provides the ability to integrate routing work along predefined processes. The process defines the way the user executes the work and the route that the work goes forward. Different routing methods include:
- Continuous-Continuous step stream.
- Branch-Conditional routing based on user behavior.
- Temporary route-The work is not performed in a predefined manner.
To improve efficiency, analyze the workload that changes over time, or view the entire history of a specific entry, You can monitor the workflow.
- Integration with legacy systems and Vertical Industrial Applications-DB 2 CM provides an open, released, and consistent object-oriented API for application integration. This makes it possible to connect and support applications such as Customer Relationship Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, Web applications, and legacy system applications.
Limitations of DB2 Content Manager
DB2 Content Manager does not provide support for the following features:
- Stream Data from the mainframe.
- Batch content loading.CM does not provide a utility for loading content into the system. You can manually obtain documents or files from the CM client, or write a utility to load documents in batch.
- Microsoft®SQL Server. CM does support the use of IBM DB2®Universal Database™And Oracle as its content repository. However, SQL Server is not supported in this environment.
Understanding DB 2 CM OnDemand
This section describes the DB2 Content Manager data model and points out its advantages and limitations.
DB 2 CM OnDemand Data Model
Figure 2 shows the data model used by DB 2 CM OnDemand.
Figure 2. Data model used by DB 2 CM OnDemand
The DB 2 CM OnDemand Server environment contains one database Server and one or more object servers. The object Server resides on one or more nodes. The Database Server maintains a central database for the reports stored in DB 2 CM OnDemand. The Object Server maintains files in the cache, or uses the archive storage manager to maintain files on the archive media, such as optical media or tape. The Object Server is responsible for loading data, retrieving documents, and outputting data.
TermsApplication, application groupAndFolderIndicates how CM OnDemand stores, manages, retrieves, views, and indexes data.
- Folder) is the only target for users to query and retrieve data reports stored in CM OnDemand. If these application groups have the same database fields, you can query more than one application group in one folder.
- Application group (application group) is the place where database, storage requirements, and reports are defined. If these applications have the same database and storage management attributes, one application group can contain more than one application. Each application represents a report used to define the system.
- Application) describes the physical characteristics of a report. You must assign an application to an application group.
