PACE Training Serves Dynamic Data Using the Alpha Five Web Application Server
You can view a demonstration of PACE Training's implementation of the Alpha Five Web Application Server by clicking
here.
NOTE: You have to have the Java VM installed on your system to view this demo. Also make sure your browser security settings allow running the Java VM in your browser. You may need to set the Java VM security setting to Low or Medium.
Q: Valerie, I see that you are using the Alpha Five Web Application Server on your web site, www.PACETraining.com. Can you tell us why?
Yes, by using Alpha Five v6 and the web application server, we can now maintain our training and registration information and registration activities in a single location. We have the flexibility to change the information in a matter of seconds in one application and one file, our Alpha Five v6 Training database. This database has tables for schedules, locations, instructors, courses, registration, and the like. With our previous web interface all the information was generated in PHP, web forms, and text files.
Q: Prior to implementing the Web Application Server, was it fairly straightforward to have an outside PHP developer create, upgrade and maintain the dynamic data portion of your web site?
On the contrary, it was painful at times. If the information we published changed, there were several files and web pages that had to be modified and of course, once in a while a file would get missed. And, while our web-designer was very adept at PHP, we weren't. So, not only were routine changes time consuming, if we wanted more involved changes, we needed to bring the developer back…when we could catch up with him!
Q: Can you give us a quick overview of what you web application does for you?
It gives us the ability to provide our existing clients and potential clients with real-time up-to-date information regarding our training and support services. We have the flexibility to enter our training information such as courses, pricing, instructor information, schedules, registrations, training locations, inquires, and the like…all in one database (Alpha Five, of course).
Q: So the Alpha Five Web App Server gives you control over your own dynamic data, as well as making it easier to maintain.
That's correct. In the past we stored our information in several different locations, and file types; making it very hard to maintain.
Q: I understand that your site is still maintained by a hosting service, but the web application server is running on your server. Can you explain how that works?
Yes, our website is hosted through an ISP but the dynamic information about our training schedules, support services, etc, is served via our web server here in our offices running the Alpha Five Web Application Server. Basically, when a visitor to our web site clicks on the link to our Training Schedule, they are passed through to the Alpha Web Application Server and it provides the dynamic capabilities, linking directly into our data tables.
Q: So other than the initial cost of the web application server, and your labor to design and maintain the system, there is no ongoing cost.
No, there isn't.
Q: Valerie, I understand that this was the first web server application you have created. Can you give us an idea how long this project took you?
It took me about four days altogether.
Q: How did you get along with the tools Alpha Five provides for web application creation?
The web components overall were pretty easy to use, however, there were a couple of instances when we weren't sure how to set up a couple of things. We read and re-read the Help files and got some assistance from the folks at Alpha.
Q: Tell me what you hope PACE Training will be doing with the Alpha Five Web Application Server in the future.
We would like to create a full "Building Web Applications" course as well as create web applications for our existing clients as well as new clients. We are currently working on a web application that will be sold commercially and we are talking with an existing client who wants to implement a web interface for their customers to enter and modify data as well as run reports.
Q: I understand that you also have some personal uses in mind for the web application server.
Yes, I help lead our Hearing Impaired Ministry at our church. We need to maintain accurate and up-to-date information regarding our hard of hearing and deaf members. The web application server will be used to help track everyone's contact information such as pager numbers, email addresses, home addresses, schedules of when they may need assistance outside of church. And we need to provide up-to-date information regarding meetings, special events, and post announcements. This will now be very easy to do and each member will have the ability to make changes to his/her own information…saving me time, and let's not forgot that all of it will be available 24/7. Everyone is excited about it and it will definitely provide us with another way to communicate with each other; other than face-to-face and TTY.
Visit the PACE Training web site at www.pacetraining.com
You can contact Valerie at vsimpkins@pacetraining.com