FOUNDATION Help Facility Increased User Productivity Enterprise applications are measured in large part by the effectiveness of the users of that application. Users are most productive when they are properly trained and supported. A proven delivery mechanism for user training and performance support is on-line Help. Foundation's Help facility allows you to bring extensive on-line help to your OLTP and client/server applications. Foundation's on-line Help augments new employee training, provides refresher training and information about changing business procedures and application requirements. Various Levels of Help Foundation Help is designed to maintain and deliver different categories of Help information. An open approach allows customers to define additional Help categories as appropriate. Help, related to a specific application field, is field context sensitive. That is, when Help is requested, the user's position within the on-line form automatically determines what Help is appropriate. Similarly, Help, which is specific to a particular form, is provided automatically based on the active form. Help related to application or system error messages is also available. Help categories such as standard operating procedures and company policies, which are not context specific can also be provided. Graphics/Multimedia Help Facility Interfaced with Foundation's Graphics ToolBox (GTB), help text can be replaced or augmented by graphics, movies, and other abstract information objects. This multi-media information can even be presented in an otherwise terminal-oriented application, as long as that application uses a device and a terminal emulator which can interface with Foundation GTB*. Foundation's Client/Server products are designed to interface with the Help subsystem; independently developed clients can also use Foundation's API to leverage Foundation's Help services. *Menlo's own CTAccess and MacMenlo emulation products provide an interface to the Graphics ToolBox. Menlo will work with 3rd parties to assist in its implementation into other products. Easy Access to Updates and Upgrades FOUNDATION provides on-line access to the Help information database which allows the Help information to be manipulated by the personnel that develops product training and reference materials. Help information, like the business and the applications which support it, is not static. Because of the many changes and enhancements over time, ready access to the Help information aids in the updating process. Unlimited Help Information Although most Help information is concise, and therefore brief, some subjects may require additional explanation. FOUNDATION does not limit you to a fixed amount of Help information. Because the nature, as well as the quantity of Help information is extensible, the FOUNDATION Help facility can be utilized for the dissemination of other types of information such as: new application READ ME files, operational announcements, business news, etc. Easy Enterprise Integration FOUNDATION Help is accessed through a simple API. It can be integrated with your current on-line applications very easily with just a few lines of code. © Menlo Business Systems, 2002