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Flex Data Services - FlexStore and Inventory Demo

I recently presented at the CFUnited 2006 Conference. My 1-hour presentation was titled "Flex 2.0 Data Services (FDS) and ColdFusion – 203". During that presentation I outlined the major features of FDS and how they integrate with Coldfusion web applications. I discussed which features FDS features were automatically available in ColdFusion 7.02 Enterprise: specifically HTTPService and Remoting to CFCs. I also tried to highlight when a development project will need to obtain a separate licensed copy of the full FDS installation.

A copy of that presentation is available for download here: Download PowerPoint Presentation.

At the end of my slide presentation, I then showed the audience a demonstration of Flex Real-time Messaging using two Flex applications: the FlexStore and a sample Inventory Dashboard applications. This demo was originally created by Robert Tiernay @ Abobe. With his permission I presented a modified version. Here is the scenario presented:

    • The user opens a web browser and uses the FlexStore application to purchase Nokia phones. After the user places 1 or more phones items into his shopping cart, he can then select the 'Submit' order button.

    FlexStore Image

    • Meanwhile, the store manager is using the Inventory Dashboard application to get real-time updates regarding the current inventory status. The Dashboard app also shows him when the inventory quantity is below a "threshold" level and more Nokia phones should be ordered.

    Inventory Image

The interesting features of this demo are (1) the dashboard never needs to refresh to get updated data, and the dashboard is NOT continually polling the server for updates... instead (2) the server "pushes" inventory changes whenever an order is submitted. In fact the demo FlexStore has a batch mode that randomly changes the quantities of each item in the shopping cart and then incrementally submits the order for each item separately. This allows users to see the Inventory Dashboard change as multiple orders/inventory changes are submitted over a period of time.

At least 20 attendees asked for source code to that demo. That source and the presentation slides - along with a video of the presentation - will be available online at the CFUnited site soon. In the interim, here is the source code for the FlexStore Ordering - Live Inventory Dashboard demo(s).  I have included in the .zip archive some configuration instructions with the source. I hope you enjoy the demo(s) and the thought-provoking ideas that it generates. 

Included with the source code are instructions for the installation steps required to properly install and run the attached FDS demo(s): those instructions include details for both client and server configurations. Click here to download the FlexStore/Inventory Dashboard source code.

Posted by Thomas Burleson on July 16, 2006 08:18 PM |

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