Summary

Being an architectural software framework rather than an out-of-the box product, the Infradox architecture is based on well-tested reusable components, tools and services that form the backbone of our solutions.

On top of this we have developed a large library of functions targeting several vertical markets, most importantly picture libraries and other professionals that need to manage and deliver digital content within end-user communities. Thus enabling us to build and deploy advanced and diverse web solutions in record-time.

Xpertise have developed "web kits" that enable users to manage their sites online using web based tools on all industry standard platforms, as well as our IDAC application and plug-ins for the MS-Windows platform.

Infradox is based on open industry standards and uses the best performing state of the art technology, though proven technology exclusively. Infradox is designed to provide maximum performance, scalability and availability.

Technology in-depth

Infradox solutions are built on a multi-tiered and scalable architecture of loosely coupled and multi-threaded services. Our components are designed and developed to allow for asynchronous non-blocking operation, by that not only guaranteeing the best performance but also increasing fault tolerance and load balancing capabilities. Failure of dependent services can be automatically resolved without hampering the availability of a running solution. All services start either automatically after a reboot or are started on demand using JIT activation.

The Infradox components are developed using com/dcom technology and are implemented as Windows 2000 service applications. These services act as either agents, brokers or both. The agents are pro-active self-maintained applications that operate based on a schedule or are triggered by an event in the system (i.e. the database system, the file system or the operating system). The services implemented as brokers are reactive software components working together with other services requesting their functionality.

The web server software runs ISAPI dynamic link libraries in Internet Information Server, acting as secure intermediaries between the services and clients. Also, ISAPI is the undisputed fastest way to produce dynamic web pages.

IDAC management console

The distributed multi-tier architecture makes it possible for MS-Windows applications to connect to the services via HTTP. For this purpose Xpertise's developed the IDAC application suite. The IDAC host application embeds several plug-ins that we have developed for specific tasks, e.g. amending file data, populating database tables and the creation of web content without any technology requirements.

Core components

Below is an overview of the most important "building blocks" - and the functions offered - that run Infradox solutions:

File handling

• Automated data extraction from digital files and data injection, either batched or at the point of delivery (IPTC, Photoshop™ and other proprietary annotation standards are supported by design).
• Support for many industry standard image and multi-media file formats and PDF, including automatic creation of “work” versions for web display and comping use.
• Powerful image broker for on-the-fly creation and instant delivery of digital files to end-users. Including visual watermarking, overlaying text, canvas stretching to append logo’s, copyright notes et cetera.
• Rules based and fully automated routing, standardisation and multi-step processing of digital files. Automated creation and management of multiple file versions targeting specific uses or specific (web)delivery methods (e.g. on-demand down-sampling to accommodate delivery by e-mail).

Full text indexing and Search

• Database independent and dynamic content indexing - provided by the Infradox Content Indexing service - to process updates without website downtime and to have new content available online in the blink of an eye.
• Super fast full text search engine available through the Infradox Search broker service. The Infradox search engine functionality is powerful and its true power can be made available to end users by creating advanced search pages. Advanced search option are standard; filtering, searching with Boolean operators, wildcards, proximity, and phonetic searches. Built-in support for both narrowing and widening search results and search results can be returned to the user in any order of display.

E-mail

• SMTP broker service; ensures delivery of e-mail to recipients even if a mail server is temporarily unavailable. This service also asynchronously sends automated notifications of specific website activities, sends users their lost passwords, delivers files and lightboxes via e-mail etc.

Site management

• Configuration broker; used to configure Infradox web solutions while they are running. Changes are reflected in the user interface instantly and allow tweaking and tuning without the services being unavailable to end-users.
• Content storage broker; manages file locations and provides instant access to files no matter where they are located. For instant retrieval and delivery, in any size or format on demand.
• Session management service; keeps track of user permissions and user state information to automatically return users to the correct pages, with the last used view styles, selected site preferences et cetera.
• User management service; authenticates users and persists user information in the database.
• Template broker; organises templates, style sheets, scripts and page fragments in a central repository. Web pages may include static and dynamic content and can be assembled from content coming from disparate sources and targeting specific platforms. Templates are cached for super fast access and dynamic pages that are not subject to frequent changes are generated on a need-to basis only.
• Alert agent service; continuously monitors server heart beats and web services availability and has automatic recovery abilities built-right-in to guarantee maximum availability.

Database connectivity

• Automatic database updates (MS-SQL Server™ being our preferred database platform. Other vendor platforms supported through ADO).