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Translating Technology to Business Solutions |
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A Web Based Application uses a normal internet browser to view data that has been dynamically created or processed by a software application. It typically involves data pulled from a database or back-end data source, is usually for internal (company or business) use only, and frequently is protected by a level of security. Covered Bridge Software has developed a number of web based applications for our clients. Samples of the applications are shown below.
StatsTracker Application - for the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute 
This application serves as a central repository and report tracking system for the department at the National Cancer
Institute that supports the massive Cancer.gov website (all the government information on Cancer). There are numerous
statistical reports produced dealing with the Cancer.gov website traffic, usage and visitor habits.
The StatsTracker application allows NCI staff to upload reports and documents from their local machines; to the central repository (a SQL Server database and Windows 2000 Server file system). The application has its own security system, and supports multiple levels of user permissions to only allow users to access the areas and see the information that they are entitled to (all the web pages are dynamically generated depending of various parameters and security levels). There is substantial searching and reporting functionality, classifications, indexing, and refinement of data available. The system has built-in administrative, maintenance, and support capability. The StatsTracker application can handle any type of file type, but the primary document types are MS Word, MS Excel, Adobe PDF, and scanned documents (GIF, JPEG) file formats. 
The other major component of the StatsTracker application is of task scheduling, electronic notification, and tracking
system. Requests for upcoming reports are scheduled in the system by entering information via web forms (much of the data
is pre-populated with data pulled from the database). A Requirements Document and sample Report Template can be uploaded
to the server and linked the request, along with other parameters and options required when producing the report. At the
appropriate time, the StatsTracker task scheduler will generate and send out detailed emails to the required technical
people and administrative staff, and act as a trigger to begin work on producing the report. Re-occurring requests are
automatically generated in the system, and all requests maintain an ongoing log of all activities, updated information, and
links to the Requirements Document, Report Template, and Reports that are produced.
The StatsTracker application uses the following technologies: SQL Server database, Windows 2000 Server file & directory structure, Active Server Pages (ASP), Visual Basic, VBscript, JavaScript, dynamic HTML, Windows Internet Information Server, VPN, FTP, Windows Terminal Services, database design and administration, server administration, Windows Scripting Language, Windows Task Scheduler, and I did all the graphical design and layout work. ChangeTracker Application- for the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute 
ChangeTracker is a tracking, notification, and work-flow application developed for the department at NCI that supports the
massive Cancer.gov website (all the government information on Cancer). It was designed and implemented to streamline the
process by which new documents are produced and posted to the Cancer.gov website, and to track when existing web documents
are modified. This system also tracks accountability and responsibility for Cancer.gov documents and pages, and provides a
way for NCI employees to track production, both past and present, through a comprehensive, cumulative log.
ChangeTracker delivers, to all parties involved (via emails generated by the system and sent to the appropriate people), up to date information necessary to monitor and track changes as well as each step of each change made to Cancer.gov. ChangeTracker uses web forms to help standardize user input, and provides a sophisticated search tool that can search on any data field, and generate search results and on-line reports of Requests and work done to Cancer.gov. Designated staff can track requested projects in progress as well as view a cumulative log of completed production tasks. Users are provided with feedback at each step in the production process via automatically generated e-mail. 
ChangeTracker supports and enforces a step-by-step signoff process for each request. The screen options and screen layout
are tailored and customized for the appropriate user privilege and step level of the request signoff process. Options that
are out of sequence for a request and ChangeTracker functions for which the user does not have privileges are not shown.
Any changes made to a ChangeTracker request are stored in the database. The database stores a running list of all actions
made, the user who made each change, and any additional comments that the user may supply. This allows a user to see the
status of a request quickly. ChangeTracker has built-in functionality for administrators that allow them to perform
maintenance and upkeep on the application without having to use technical staff.
The web based ChangeTracker application was build using the following technology: Microsoft NT server platform using the Internet Information Server (IIS) as the web server. The database used by ChangeTracker is a Microsoft SQL Server version 7.0. The programming language used was Active Server Pages (ASP). Other technologies used are dynamic HTML, Cascading Style Sheets, and JavaScript. SMTP is used to generate e-mails that are sent out after each ChangeTracker step is completed. A custom security login-in process is used to ensure that only authorized users enter the system. A SQL Server database is used to maintain user data and privilege level, and all web pages check to make sure the user is validated before displaying information, and a timeout session is enforced for idle sessions. CardioCounselor - Dr. Ronald Kirshner 
Dr. Ronald Kirshner of Rochester General Hospital, one of the top cardiovascular hospitals in the United States, wanted
to build an interactive web based application for his CardioCounselor.com website that would enable visitors to
take an active role in assessing, predicting, and treating their cardiovascular health.
Based on information provided by the visitor, the site can help assess individual risk factors for cardiovascular health,
clarify cardiac problems for those having chest pains, and list the kinds of tests physicians will likely administer.
Patients can use the website with their physician to enter and track test results. Those with no symptoms of coronary artery
disease can use the site to predict the future probability of developing it, or of having a heart attack.
The website application is based entirely on empirical data, most of which is provided by the United States government.
Using complex logic trees, tracking past and present user data, and evaluating against known evidence based medical information the system produces sophisticated charts and graphs, and makes recommendations. We were the developer and database administrator on a major re-write/overhaul and system enhancement effort. The technologies used for this application include: SQL Server 7 and SQL Server 2000 databases, Active Server Pages (ASP), integrated charting and graphing software (Apex), Internet Information Server (IIS), JavaScript, dynamic HTML, Visual Interdev, and SQL Server Enterprise manager. Web based Insurance Premium Calculator - John Hancock, Signature Financial Services 
This interactive web based application calculates Long Term Care insurance rates based
on data supplied by the user. This application was developed for John Hancock, Signature Financial Services, and the
Worldwide Assurance for Employees of Public Agencies (WAEPA).
In addition to the financial calculations performed, numerous disclaimers and legal statements are dynamically displayed, based on the state specific rules and regulations that are applicable. Users can also download state specific brochures and product information in PDF format. The technologies used include: Perl, JavaScript, CGI, PDF, and dynamic HTML.
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