It allows standard web page forms, web-based programs like ActiveX and CGI, and other systems to quickly and easily exchange information directly with your UNIX server without requiring any additional web software on UNIX. You specify what UNIX command to run for each type of incoming data and WebLink can merge the output of your command with a web page template to return customized web pages to the user. Since WebLink can accept incoming XML and convert it to fixed-length or delimited text formats, WebLink can also be used to accept XML data from other systems for processing by the UNIX server.

Two license versions are available: Standard and Deluxe. The Deluxe version adds support for maintaining a separate session for each web user (usually accomplished through a login form), automatic paging of large reports without intervention by the UNIX database, and "data persistence" which eliminates the need to manually maintain values that carry from page to page (ex: customer number, company information, etc.) - greatly simplifying the work required by the web page designer and UNIX programmer.

What are some examples of how this software can be used?

Since FineLine WebLink can be used with any web pages on any website 24/7, anyone can access select data on the UNIX server as long as they can access the Internet with a web browser. With the availability of cellular wireless connections, this information can now be exchanged from virtually anywhere, including a service truck, car, bus, train, boat, airport, customer location, etc...

A few example applications:

• Customers check order status
• Service personnel enter job completion information
• Customers schedule delivery / installation themselves
• Installation crews access their schedules
• Repair personnel order parts
• Technicians access detailed specs and installation instructions
• Clients search pending case status
• Shippers check delivery status
• Suppliers check inventory
• Job seekers check available job listings
• Salespeople view customer accounts
• Customers request copies of invoices / statements / bills
• Students can check grades / schedules / requirements
  
  

How does WebLink work?

By making only a few simple modifications to a standard web page form, the data entered in the fields of the form can be transferred directly to your UNIX server and processed by any UNIX command you desire to handle that particular form's data and return the results.

How can I use this software?

With WebLink, you can easily and securely provide any information you desire from your UNIX server to your customers, suppliers, clients, etc. 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the World Wide Web.

Three steps are required to implement this functionality:

1. Install, license and configure the FineLine WebLink software on UNIX
2. Create web page forms (or ActiveX or CGI scripts) that the web user will use to request the data from the web site (Sound Ideas also provides web page design services)
3. Create the function(s) that will take the formatted incoming data from WebLink, look up information in your database software and return the desired results

What are some key features of this product?

• Standard web page forms require only a few simple modifications to support data exchange with FineLine WebLink.
• Direct data exchange from programs (ex: ActiveX or CGI scripts) is also supported with optional XML to straight-text conversion.
• FineLine WebLink will only receive, reformat and pass text files so your UNIX system remains secure since it cannot be directly accessed by a user or program through this software.
• Data from your database command can be merged with existing HTML web pages to create custom pages dynamically
• In addition to returning text or HTML web pages, WebLink also supports returning photos, videos, PDF files and more as a response to an incoming request. Custom PDF files can even be created from your UNIX data "on-the-fly" with our FineLine Trapeze software and forwarded to the web user with WebLink.
• Up to 9,999 UNIX commands can be specified to process data for any type of application (ex: order status, information requests, tracking numbers, inventory queries, etc.)
• Built-in filtering is included for parsing and converting the incoming data to prepare it for being consumed by your UNIX application (including HTTP query and XML formats).
• An option is available for wrapping outgoing text with HTML information to automatically create a web page from "raw text" output.
• A program is included for testing the input and output on the UNIX system without requiring a web browser or Internet connection.
• Any errors encountered (ex: invalid access requests from the Internet) are logged and can generate an e-mail message to any number of users sent through a specified SMTP server.
• An easy-to-use UNIX configuration interface is provided for configuring the software and making it operational in literally minutes.
• The Deluxe license adds the ability to maintain a separate login session for each web user, automatically save and replace variables when merging pages, automatically break-up large reports and more.
• Extensive online documentation is provided which includes numerous examples and detailed explanations of what is involved in creating a complete dynamic web page system.
• Four web page demonstrations are available in a PC installation program on our download page for experiencing how WebLink works on your UNIX server over your local network.
  

Your UNIX server must have a static IP address (or use a dynamic DNS service to associate a fixed domain name with a dynamic IP address) so web pages can connect directly to your server from anywhere on the Internet.

• SCO OpenServer
• SCO UnixWare
• Linux
• IBM AIX

How is this product licensed?

This product is licensed by single UNIX server (unlimited users).

What is the pricing for this product?

Standard Version:

Deluxe Version:

Upgrade from Standard to Deluxe:

NOTE: All prices subject to change without notice.