The CN-EIP.NET system

Project background

CN-EIP.NET is an enterprise information portal – an integrated information portal based on an existing business system in CN-Group's intranet.  CN-Group is a global corporation in the retail trade industry.

The CN-EIP.NET provides information management and revelation (latest announcements, documentation, electronic publication, news, etc.) for CN group clients, members and partners.  Meanwhile the CN-EIP.NET provides a foundation for a cooperative work platform between departments and unification of business and project teams, which are the only gateways for clients to access the business system.

The CN-EIP.NET Introduction

CN-EIP.NET operates flexibly according to the demands of the customer for CN group to establish the portal; customers can configure and modify the system according to their demands. This contains the following modules

• Content Management Block

This provides an easy way for customers to build the information portal.  It includes features such as webpage design, news publishing and document management, picture libraries, knowledge libraries, forums and message boards, member registration and role management.

• Automatic Office Block

This provides mail management systems, calendar management systems, address list management and administration resource management, enabling the administrative department to manage work on line.

• Document Work Flow Management

This provides a visualization implement to customize document work flow.  The user may customize document types, templates and automatic reminders.  

• Project Management Block

This provides an interface from Microsoft’s project server and integrates project information. It enables the user to generate a project website from templates.  Each project can specify schedules, contact information, calendars, change logs, and minutes from meetings. 

• Digital Stamp Block

This contains digital signatures and seals.  The managers of these signatures and seals can convert to graphics and bundled on the competence in the development of personnel through encryption. Managers can have access to digital signatures and seals for use in all kinds of Office documents.  Digital signatures can guarantee legitimacy, and once applied, digital signatures cannot be revoked.

• Data Analysis, Statistics, and Report Management Block

Relevant constraints and formula definitions can be added to all reports created as Excel files.
Data analysis can be shown as a web page, with direct access to data from the database. The embedded Excel "Statement Definition / Update" tool allows users to change the statement formats, and automatically updates the statements and data tables corresponding to meet user demand for updated data statements.

• Reunification Message Communication

This includes deployment of Messenger on the client-side, deployment of Microsoft Live Communication Server on server-side, and instant messaging systems based on this platform.

It also enables sending document notification through SMS Messenger systems (to provide customers with wireless modems with the related drivers and API interface), and can automatically notify the relevant person whether the system can automatically send notifications.

Solution and technology description

The system layer, application layer and data layer provide a comprehensive, powerful security information technology management mechanism to ensure that all the data throughout the system reach appropriate people in an appropriate way, and that they have access to appropriate information and high-level 24/7 support.

• In the system layer, CN-EIP.NET deployment is based on Microsoft's standard methods of LAN deployment, internet intervention, internet security, and anti-virus capabilities to prevent the unauthorized deployment of a set of strategies (see Part VI) to ensure a safe and reliable foundation for the environment.

• In the application layer, it is based on Microsoft's Active Directory (AD) authentication and power management module to ensure the visitor's identity and authority level.  Furthermore, visitors can be observed through the system log, download log, and other monitoring functions.  The system tracks all relevant information and is able to monitor abnormal activity.

• In the data layer, all information (including documents, lists, schedules, etc.) can be stored in relational databases (such as an SQL Server), and supported the two-plane thermal storage solutions, database mirroring, online resume, and other database management methods.

The CN-EIP.NET framework was developed using the general international framework of technical standards to ensure system stability, scalability, and other aspects of system performance. The system is based entirely on Microsoft.  The net framework is the most advanced international technology platform among industry standards.

• It is based on microsoft.net servers (SPS, Project Server, Exchange server) to do extended development. This fully reflects the power of the microsoft.net servers, thus ensuring that system stability, security, scalability, and other aspects of system performance are up to international standards. 

• It is based on VS.Net development platforms for developing data, applications and interface layers in full compliance with Microsoft.  

• It is based on the Win2003 AD management system: The personnel structure of the company is represented as a whole "domain tree" of management. Staff competence in management, 
  certification, automatically distributed software, and client management groups provide a tremendous advantage. System maintenance greatly enhances the overall level and reduces maintenance costs. 

• It is used in all B / S application modes, with unity among branches throughout deployment, maintenance, and upgrades to provide a great convenience. Remote office is also supported.  

• It implements seamless connectivity with Office 2007, Project2007 Server, Live Communication Server, and other Microsoft IW (Information Worker) product lines. It reduces system difficulty for the general staff, and raises the efficiency of the whole system setup. 

 USE Software factory introduction
Traditional information management systems (such as personnel management, financial management, business systems, etc.) easily lead to "information isolated island" phenomenon, leading to difficulty integrating with the traditional patterns of information-based construction.

USE provides many kinds of IT services for our clients in all aspects of the software development cycles. For CN-Group’s intranet in this case, implemented on application development platform, the EIP.NET solution make information utilized as Enterprise Application Systems(including coordination, marketing, customer service, administrative, and other directions) the common "foundation" and "toolbox". Users can adopt the following approach in this international standard application platform and continuously expand their business applications. Moreover USE also provides the use of software application development tools, self-development and application of non-coding modules.

Because EIP.NET solution is based on Microsoft’s technical standards, so Microsoft platform software vendors can continue to develop application modules. Users can access a lot of space and mature application modules to integrate them with seamless connectivity.