Jeff Vannest's Weblog

Upgrade Web Services in Oracle Application Server 10g

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:29:29 -0500

The OracleAS 10g software is, among other things, a robust application container for web services. It has integrated performance monitoring, web service clients, and several other add-ons that make it a pleasure to work with. However, all of this is built on top of a somewhat dated web service technology, Java API for XML-Based RPC (JAX-RPC). This article will describe the settings necessary to configure an OracleAS 10g web service to using the Java API for XML-Based Web Services (JAX-WS) technology.

Implementing B2MML In LIMS

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:27:12 -0500

In the process of implementing an ERP to LIMS interface, one of the challenges to overcome was how to clearly communication between Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) and SQL*LIMS v5. In the past, I had been exposed to several methods of interface communication, text files containing single bits of data, records inserted directly into a database, and concatenated strings transmitted over a network. Each of these methods had at least one serious flaw: if the data structure changed the interface stopped working. This article will review how Business To Manufacturing Markup Language (B2MML) was used to robustly transfer data and instructions between an ERP and LIMS system.

Interfacing SQL*LIMS v5 to a Global ERP

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:59:52 -0500

Most of this year has been spent designing and writing an interface between SQL*LIMS v5.1 and the new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system being implemented by a global pharmaceutical manufacturing company. The goal was threefold: notify LIMS system administrators of changes made to materials, vendors, and manufactures; automatically create and update lots in the LIMS system; and send lot statuses and results from LIMS back to the ERP when testing was complete. This article will review the decision-making process used to plan and develop the interface.

Completing a PDF Form using SQL*LIMS v5

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:44:48 -0500

I am intrigued with the possibilities offered by the Applied Biosystems SQL*LIMS v5 architecture, which relies on the Oracle Application Server software for the on-screen forms and printed reports. Like the article, “XML Reporting in SQL*LIMS”, this article will use the Oracle AS software to implement a report using a PDF forms in SQL*LIMS v5.

I Like Your Mousetrap, Really!

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:58:16 -0500

I’ve reflected on more than one occasion that independent consulting is a strange business. We’re neither vendor nor customer, although obviously, it’s in our best interest to be very friendly with both. It is, therefore, really problematic when an independent consultant gives opinions like “I wish customers acted like this,” or, “I wish vendors built things this way,” since the risk is that no matter what is said, it might be taken as criticism to someone, somewhere. But to state the obvious, this misunderstanding is not in the best interest of the independent consultant! So, let me say to whoever wishes to read it, “I really, really, really like your mousetrap!”

XML Reporting in SQL*LIMS

Sat, 05 May 2007 10:14:06 -0500

For several years my boss, Brian, has been telling me that the perfect solution for a LIMS Certificate of Analysis report would use a solid data extraction algorithm and a flexible XML output. The idea has always sounded interesting to me, except for the fact that the SQL*LIMS product doesn’t include the technology to do such a thing…until now. Today’s article describes how to customize SQL*LIMS and Oracle Reports to send data to XML, and how to convert that XML output to PDF.

Oracle Technology Day 2005

Thu, 09 Mar 2006 16:55:46 -0500

A day off work is always welcome – especially when it comes under the guise of "professional training."

How to create an FTP Interface in SQL*LIMS

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 09:04:51 -0500

I've demonstrated the creation of two types of custom interfaces in SQL*LIMS version 4.1: email and memo. The final interface type I'd like to demonstrate is FTP. First, let me qualify that I don't believe the creation of a custom FTP interface using PL/SQL is the best solution. However, I can certainly see advantages and simplicity in transferring data directly from a programmatic procedure without needing to write it to the sending file system or relying on complex transfer software such as IBM WebSphere MQ. Therefore, let's assume there is some compelling reason that an FTP client integrated into the PL/SQL environment is preferable and simply move on to a proof of concept.

The "S" Reality

Thu, 20 Oct 2005 19:48:42 -0500

Good consulting is based on good decision-making. Good decision-making is supported by knowledge, experience, and the quality ideal. Because I have a particular interest in the formation and expression of quality, I was fascinated by a certain book I am reading about the "S" reality.

How to create a Memo Interface in SQL*LIMS

Wed, 12 Oct 2005 15:44:06 -0500

In my last article, I demonstrated how to create an email interface in SQL*LIMS version 4.1. Such an interface provides robust functionality but there is a catch: using email for CFR 11-related communication is difficult to validate, and in many companies, may function as the sole method of notification. To get around these concerns, SQL*LIMS offers the memo, which is an application-specific notification stored in the Oracle database. However, like sending emails, the SQL*LIMS application does not offer a programmatic interface to the memo system. This article will demonstrate how to create a simple interface that will send a memo to a LIMS user when a custom program encounters an error.

How to create an Email Interface in SQL*LIMS

Sat, 17 Sep 2005 21:40:42 -0500

In SQL*LIMS, a PL/SQL package can be installed as an event and attached as a status action in any template or instance object level. This offers the LIMS developer a robust environment in which to execute a wide variety of custom actions. For example, most versions of SQL*LIMS come with an example PL/SQL procedure for executing cross-task calculations. However, in order to make this example code robust enough for regular use, a developer would need to supplement it with things like...error handling! This article will demonstrate how to create a simple interface that will allow emails to be sent to a LIMS user when a PL/SQL package encounters an error.

J & R Productivity Tips

Sat, 16 Jul 2005 11:11:56 -0500

In an effort to discover the most productive methods of work, I asked every consultant at J&R Consulting, Inc. the same question, "What productivity habits do you use regularly?"

J & R Technical Tips

Fri, 24 Jun 2005 19:00:29 -0500

As you may know, J&R Consulting, Inc. is a group of intelligent and hard-working technologists and pedagogues dedicated to reliably directing and completing Herculean tasks with aplomb. (Picture here the author smirking: a futile attempt at humor.) "How," you might wonder, "does a group of people spread all over the eastern U.S. accomplish such a thing?" I have wondered the same on more than one occasion. (I assure you that we do accomplish things. Now’s your chance to chime in, J&R customers reading this article!) To divine the answer, I asked everyone at J&R the same two questions, "What technology makes your work most efficient?" and "What productivity habits do you use regularly?" In this article, I will focus on the technical tips that keep our consultancy running smoothly.

Why Structure?

Mon, 20 Jun 2005 12:08:26 -0500

Did you know that all J&R consultants write PL/SQL code identically? In fact, new employees are told to mimic the style of any other senior consultant. I remember once asking a java developer from another company to use a specific standard for object and variable nomenclature. You would have thought I asked him to slap his mother. But this article isn’t just about coding, it’s about implementing structure in general. Succinctly, why do I use structure?

Java Monitors in SQL*LIMS 4.1

Thu, 09 Jun 2005 17:53:56 -0500

Java is a language that has gained much popularity. This is partially due to its ability to run on most computing platforms. However, if you try to run a java program as a Windows monitor on the application tier of a SQL*LIMS version 4.1 installation, you will notice that it doesn't seem to work. In this article, I'll demonstrate how to run a java program as a Windows service using a helper program already delivered with the SQL*LIMS software.