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for articles excerpted from the 2nd Quarter 2000 Edition
of Insight, the newsletter from Genesys Customer Service:

Component Technology -
Reduce, reuse, recycle

Software recycling catches on;
build once, use repeatedly to save
time, save money, increase productivity

Conference 2000: Vision and Value
for the 21st Century

Conference September 10-13, 2000;
details on sessions, registration,
keynote speaker, agenda, and more

NewsBriefs

Benefit Payments Outsourcing
Genesys BPO of Choice
Director of Marketing Quoted on ASPs

Training Available via the Web

Online Check is latest
addition to Genesys' suite of
online training modules

Component Technology -
Reduce, reuse, recycle

By Steve Munini, Genesys

It is common for developers to believe that it is easier, and more cost effective to control all aspects of a software system by developing as much of it by themselves as possible, rather than purchasing existing components and incorporating them into their solutions. Today, available component-based techniques help make the case against the practice of building from the ground up.

Component-based software construction involves connecting specialized pieces of software, or components, into a larger piece of software that performs to fit the requirements of the system under development. Components may come from different vendors, and each vendor may use a different programming language to create their components. Components can be connected in this manner, because they each talk the same language, or follow the protocol of a System Object Model.

Taking a page from hardware engineering:

The hardware industry has long been packaging integrated circuits into small packages with a well-defined interface. A hardware engineer can easily use an integrated circuit (IC) by studying its interface, and literally plugging it in to the rest of his circuit. This practice drastically reduces the time and complexity of a hardware engineer’s job.

Software components effectively perform the same function for a software engineer that integrated circuits do for hardware engineers. With components, software developers now do not have to worry about how to build the functionality from scratch. They can simply purchase a component that contains the desired functionality, learn its interface, and make it a part of the software solution that they are building. Using software components in this fashion saves enormous amounts of development time and cost.

System Object Models:

Prior to System Object Models, software developers were restricted to localized code reuse. A software development project would establish coding standards and procedures to ensure that code written by a developer would one day be reused by another developer on another project. Software developers also frequently employ personal reuse practices by having their own "toolbox" of software that they have collected over the course of various projects. A developer may run into a development problem that he has solved already, and reuse a solution from his toolbox. Localized, or small-scale reuse can significantly reduce the time and cost of software development, but the major result of localized code reuse has been the production of "islands of components." System Object Models define a protocol that allows components to communicate on a global scale, and enable worldwide software reuse.

An example case:

For example, a spell checker might be sold by one vendor and plugged into several word processing applications from other vendors. Another example might be a calendar control that allows for the selection of the date using the mouse. This control can be plugged into any application that may wish to use a clickable calendar control. The developer that wishes to use this functionality simply inserts the component into the application, and writes code to retrieve the user input. Dramatic cost savings can be realized by employing reuse in this fashion.

Build vs. Buy Example:

Let’s assume that a developer wishes to use a clickable calendar control that allows the user to select a date using the mouse. The control will look like the one in the figure above.

Let's do a quick build vs. buy case for this functionality.

Assumptions:

Build:

Buy:

Clearly, it is better to buy than it is to build this component.

The technology is evolving at a rapid pace. Many organizations are using component technology in an effort to exploit the latest and most advanced software both on the front end (user interface) and on the back end. Genesys benefits enormously by embracing this technology. Genesys’ internal development is faster and less expensive by using component technology in our current product line. Case in point, both WEBServe and WEBWorks were built using a reusable web-enabling component.

As well, Genesys is exploiting the technology to its fullest potential through the development of component-based applications. Components are at the heart of the project to rollout these applications beginning with a Training and Development module that will be demonstrated at Conference 2000 in September.

Component technology may seem to be a new concept, but it is here today and growing rapidly in popularity in the industry. Be sure to attend the 20th Annual Genesys HRMS Conference (September 10-13, San Diego, CA) to hear more about components and see the technology firsthand.

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Conference 2000: Vision and Value for the 21st Century

With demonstrations, panel discussions, interactive sessions, tips and techniques - plus an evening on the Bay - this year’s Conference is packed full of information. The 20th Genesys Annual HRMS Conference is just around the corner… are you ready? Have you registered for Conference? Made your airline and hotel reservations? Received your preliminary agenda? So many questions, so little time!

If you’ve attended a Conference in the past, you know the value it provides. If you haven’t attended before, this is the perfect year to be present. We’ve gone all out for the 20th Conference, filling it with knowledge-building seminars and networking opportunities, and of course some fun activities have been scheduled too. This is a Conference you’ll want to attend, not hear about after the fact! And we suggest that you come early and register for the Pre-Conference Workshops as well. These workshops are invaluable, covering a sampling of topics and easing you into the full Conference days ahead.

This year’s theme of Vision and Value for the 21st Century will be evident throughout Conference. Genesys is committed to providing the most innovative HRMS solutions to its clients. The Genesys Vision is pro-active and future-focused -- we’ve designed solutions to resolve anticipated challenges -- we’ve identified future needs and are ready to address them today. The Genesys Value is evident in the total package comprised of professional expertise, technologically advanced products, services designed to meet diverse needs, and a never-wavering desire to meet and exceed client expectations.

As in the past, this year’s Conference will begin with a Welcome Reception on Sunday. Then, Monday morning, September 11th, acclaimed keynote speaker, Michael Avery, president of Avery Training International, will inspire you to take a leadership role in implementing positive changes within your organization. Mr. Avery, who is well known for his unique presentation style, will discuss the proven concepts required to execute successful organizational changes. Culling from his vast experience, Mr. Avery will define the role of leader, identify the various levels of change, and explain how to take change from a simple idea to an implemented practice.

Following this dynamic keynote address, you’ll immediately want to return to your home base and start drafting positive changes to carry your organization into the 21st Century… but wait until Conference is over - there’s so much planned, you won’t want to miss a thing!

Over the remaining two and a half days of Conference, you’ll gather a wealth of information by attending the numerous sessions exhibited in both the Genesys Showcase and the Genesys Theater. Sessions are broken down into Executive, Technical, and Product and Services categories, ensuring something for everyone. The Theater sessions cover specialized reporting facilities, migration to NT/Windows 2000, the future of Outsourcing, and much more.

There are 50+ sessions planned, covering a variety of topics. Both Genesys staff and your peers - other Genesys users - will present these sessions. You’ll hear executives, developers, and users discuss topics of common interest to all. Here’s a sampling of the topics to be covered:

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

TECHNICAL SESSIONS

PRODUCT AND SERVICES SESSIONS

THEATER SESSIONS

This year’s Conference will be held at the San Diego Paradise Point Resort, in beautiful San Diego, California, from September 10th-13th. The location is superb and perfectly conducive for Conference. The facilities are impeccable and the resort is centrally located near such world-renown attractions as Sea World, Old Town San Diego, Del Coronado Island, and the San Diego Zoo. For a sneak preview of the resort, visit their web site at http://www.paradisepoint.com.

Are you ready to register? The annual conference has always been highly anticipated by clients. Conference provides a yearly opportunity to meet with other users and Genesys staff to discuss current issues and future developments. We encourage clients to attend, believing that the more clients that attend, the more successful Conference will be for all participants. There’s so much to gain by interacting with other Genesys users. It’s not too early to register, and registering is quick and easy. You can register on-line by simply visiting the Genesys web site and completing the Registration Form. You’ll receive a Confirmation Notice upon receipt of your registration.

Do you need additional Conference information? Lucille Breen heads up the Genesys Conference Committee. If you have any questions concerning Conference, from registration and session times, to the special evening event and guest program, or anything in between, feel free to contact Lucille by phone (978-685-5400, extension 3165), e-mail (lbreen@genesysHCM.com), or fax (801-761-2015).

Have you reviewed the agenda? A copy of the Preliminary Agenda was mailed to the primary contact at each customer site in late April of this year. The agenda includes full descriptions of the Executive, Technical, and Product and Services sessions as well as descriptions of the Theater sessions. In addition, the agenda details the dates, times, and attire of the Conference. Last but not lease, air carriers, conference fees, and extra-curricular activities are outlined. If for some reason you have not received a copy of the agenda, you have two options: you can view the agenda immediately on-line or you can request a hard copy, whichever best suits your needs.

This is the next to last issue of the Genesys Insight newsletter before Conference. As such, we’ve tried to highlight as many various aspect of Conference as possible. Also, we’ve tried to convey the excitement and pride that we feel regarding Conference. We hope we were successful on both points. Looking forward to seeing you in September!

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Training Available via the Web

You knew that Genesys Online Training was available via the web through the Customer Information Site, but did you know that a new module has been added to the list of topics and that several other subjects are in the works?

That most recent training module is for Online Check. All aspects of the Online Check feature are covered, including what it is and when it should be used. This module is taught through a combination of step-by-step instructions and sample screens. The text clearly indicates what you need to do in order to process an online check and also identifies the expected results.

If you’re new to the process of creating an Online Check, check out the Online Training first. Walk through the process; you’ll find the information invaluable. A highlight of the Genesys Online Training feature is the audio accompaniment, which enhances the learning process.

Reminder: Prior to using the actual Online Check feature (available from the GenTools Menu), you must first install GenLink Version 5.6.3.4.

Another training module soon to be available is Adjustments and Bonus Payments. Details to follow in future issues of Genesys Insight.

To access the Genesys Online Training feature:

  1. Log onto the Genesys web site http://www.genesysHCM.com.

  2. Select the Customer Information Site button.

  3. Select the On-Line Training button (User Name and Password required).

  4. Select the desired training module.
    5.

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NewsBriefs

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