xdirectory

Structured content management for the web.

xdirectory is the core of our xplatform information management suite. Built from the ground up for the web, it offers a fully configurable, browser-based environment for creating and publishing searchable web-based information directories. xdirectory hands you the power to construct database-driven e-directories for your organisations intranet or public web-site. From digital image and multimedia catalogues, to subject resource gateways or specialist data collections – xdirectory is the definitive solution.

Information Management

Providing web-based access to well-ordered ‘information’ in any of its guises is an increasingly pivotal activity for organisations of all types, operating in every sector. The xplatform suite has been designed to provide a flexible, simple to use but immensely effective environment that will operate at the heart of your organisation’s information management and information deployment processes.

A Universe of Information

xdirectory allows web based e-directories to be published to your web site providing descriptive information that covers just about any type of resource, from images, videos, sound files and documents through to web sites, online remote databases and local electronic resources. The directories provided to your staff and customers are structured and searchable and wherever relevant will provide the users with direct access from within the directory through to the resources themselves.

Dublin Core

The Dublin Core standard defines a shared set of data attributes that can be used to describe a huge variety of information resources. Dublin Core is established as an increasingly important part of the infrastructure of the Internet, mandated by UK Government and attracting international and interdisciplinary support. xdirectory fully supports maintenance of simple and the more sophisticated qualified Dublin Core formats, generating records that can then be built into its categorisation and publishing framework.

Releasing Value

Information professionals are well aware that the accessibility and value of information will be maximised by its meaningful categorisation and organisation as well as by the use of powerful retrieval tools. Alongside a state of the art retrieval engine and customer definable record filtering technology, the xdirectory publishing framework provides information managers with the scope to design the structures into which their meta data resources can be most effectively deployed.

Definitive Web Architecture

xdirectory delivers both end-user access and back-office functionality through a standard web browser. Its use of open technologies like Java maximise portability to multiple technical environments as well as supporting rapid development and low cost roll-out.

Key Features

Record Management

Fully web based data entry facilitating distributed working. Assignment of records to directory sub categories and assignment of filter values for improved retrieval. Logon based privileges e.g. authorise records for display, forward records for content management review. System maintained record history.

Configuration

Define directory characteristics including its sub categories and retrieval filters. Define administrative structures including user privileges. Configure the Dublin Core implementation to local needs including adding new fields.

Access and retrieval

Pre-configured and installed with integrated Java retrieval engine. Fully web based search, retrieval and results browsing. Free text search, advanced search, combination searching and results filtering. Direct onward access to target resources, e.g. e-journals, Internet databases, images, sound etc. Integrated access to locally networked CD-ROM resources.

Interoperability

XML import / export of Dublin Core data
Simple and Qualified Dublin Core support

Database Management

Designed to operate with any ODBC / JDBC conformant database e.g. Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, ORACLE, Sybase etc. Pre-configured for and installed with default relational database engine.

Application Architecture

Built with Java Beans and designed to operate with any J2EE conformant application server e.g. IBM Websphere, BEA Weblogic, Enhydra etc. Pre-configured for and installed with default Java based application server.

Extension Modules

	Cross searching of multiple xdirectory instances
	Configurable subject hierarchies for additional or alternative search / browse strategies.
	Seamless and transparent logon to target resources requiring authentication.
	Definable associations between information assets to provide users with rich information landscapes.
	Publishing to CD for offline access and distribution.
	z39.50 support enabling remote searching access to information resources by external users.