FAST — A framework solution for building "perfect fit" systems.
Auctor’s Framework for Advanced Software and Technology (FAST) is an integration of case and financial management functionality, configuration tools, and lifecycle methodologies used to define and develop web-based Human Services systems and other applications. The build-out of a system is based upon configuration sessions which identify how data is used and processed. This information is applied through automated processes to provide the desired functionality. The resulting systems are highly intuitive and functionally rich and can be implemented in most technical environments.
The following diagram and paragraphs provide a conceptual overview of FAST and its component parts.
- Role Based Security – User access to a FAST-based system is
managed through a highly flexible role-based security module.
This functionality allows for granular control of user rules while providing an easy to use security
configuration process. Changing the roles of a user is as
simple
as clicking the desired options. Maintenance of roles is
equally easy through an online interface.
System Access
- Web Based User interface (.Net/JAVA) – Systems created with the
framework are highly intuitive and engaging to the user. Most
actions are only “one click away” and navigation and workflow
issues prevalent in most legacy systems are
eliminated. Users find the systems very easy to use; consequently, the amount of training required for proficiency is
minimized.
- Interface Security – Data being passed between systems must
go through a security validation process. Each web service
contains security credentials to ensure that only authorized
access is granted to the data. For file based interfaces,
authorization and validation of each file must occur prior to
processing the contents of the interface file.
- Interface Component – For file-based interfaces, the framework
provides common XML-based interfaces for each business
component. For existing interfaces that support fixed length or
CSV type files, an intermediate data mapping step is supported
to modify the files into the appropriate common XML format.
- Web Services – All business components provided by the
framework can be accessed through a user interface or as a web
service. Web service support allows for integration of
framework-based functionality and data with other systems
regardless of their technical environment or platform.
Business Components
- Participant Management – The framework contains more than 25
business components associated with collections of
participant data. These components can be used to collect,
exchange, and manage critical information about the case
participants.
- Case Management – The case management components provide
functionality to define the case structure, link participants to
the case with user defined case roles, and record basic and
detailed case data. These components are user-configurable and
extendable.
- Financial Management – The financial management components
provide all functionality required to define financial
obligations including payors and payees, payment frequency and
amounts, and to track all payments, disbursements, adjustments,
and
delinquencies. Full adjustment, recoupment, and EFT processing
is supported as is disbursement tracking and bank account
reconciliation.
- Third Party Management – Most systems need some type of
common data with other parties. Examples of third
parties may be companies, employers, courts, state and federal
agencies and vendors. The framework provides the ability to
track information about the third parties including
their basic information and collections of addresses, contact
persons, contact methods and notes.
- Portals – Users
such as business partners or case participants can gain
authorized access to Fast built systems through user portals. The framework provides security
profiles to allow restricted access to functionality that
will show data that applies to these unique users. Custom
workflows can also restrict actions and functionality accessed by these users.
Foundation Components
-
Rules/Workflow
– Fully integrated within the framework is a UML-based rules and
workflow engine. This capability allows for the creation of Use
Case and Process Flow diagrams which define system
functionality. The Process Flow diagrams are consumed by the
engine to provide the identified rules and workflow processing.
The interface to this component is a simple graphical interface
for drawing the diagrams
- Document Management – Many organizations already have a
document management system that can be fully integrated into the
framework. Where no document management system exists, the
framework provides basic document generation and management
services that can be integrated within a developed system.
- Reporting Services – The framework supports system reporting
in several ways. If reports are already being provided by a
data warehouse or other reporting tool, they can be integrated
into the system. If no existing reporting service exists, reports can be generated by the framework through its reporting
functionality. This functionality produces reports in
HTML, PDF or Excel formats. Ad hoc reporting functionality is
also supported through the framework.
Development Suite
—
- Knowledge Base (KB) - FAST stores all data, rules, screens, reports, and batch processes in a central
Knowledge Base. This Knowledge Base is used to generate the
system using the appropriate technical and database generators.
As technology advances and newer technical environments arise,
the system is kept current by simply applying new generators to
the existing Knowledge Base, thus "Future-Proofing" the system.
- Configuration Center – To build out a domain-specific system
using the framework, the configuration center is used to define
most changes required to meet the unique needs of the system
being built. The information entered into this online
non-technical environment is used to automatically set the
framework components to provide the desired functionality.
- Patterns – Information entered into the configuration center
is consumed by the FAST patterns to automatically generate a
system that corresponds to the domain-specific user
requirements. This approach ensures consistency within the
system being implemented and allows for easy maintenance and
modifications.
- Application Documentation – All information gathered during
the design and development of the system is stored and
accessible through the application documentation tools provided
with the framework. This allows all reference material to be
easily accessible in a centralized site.
Overall Functionality
- Data Access Layer – Access to databases is accomplished through
the data access layer. This layer is automatically generated
by the framework tools based upon the information in the KB and the
identified database environment. This layer is independent of
the application code which allows for easier maintenance, or even
changing the database environment, without any effect on the system
code.
- Common Functions – The framework provides common
functionality that is used throughout all systems. Examples
include data formatting and validation
routines, EFT, email, and printing modules.
- Application Administration – Through an
online interface authorized users have the ability to maintain all actions related to user
maintenance and security configuration. The framework also
provides online maintenance of lists of valid values used within
the system and configurable system parameters that drive system
processing. This online access eliminates many of the issues
faced by current legacy systems that require programming
staff for simple change requests.
Technical Environments Supported
Applications can be developed using FAST in the following
environments:
User Interface environments: Java – web and Windows / .Net –
web and Windows / .Net