In order to respond to the needs for distributing and displaying real-time data both on your business systems and throughout the enterprise Kinesix has adopted the Microsoft .NET framework for the development of our next generation application development kit, KX EDGE (Enterprise Development & Graphical Environment). The goal of the KX EDGE solution is to merge the features and benefits of the traditional Sammi product with the advantages of the .NET framework.

PRODUCT COMPONENTS

Display Builder

The KX EDGE Display Builder is used to graphically create the user interface components of a system and to define the link between the user interface components and their controlling applications. The Display Builder allows users to create an interface using pre-built “drag-and-drop” dynamic display objects (DDOs) and familiar vector-based drawing tools. Over 40 pre-built dynamic display objects can easily be customized by specifying appearance and data source properties. Since KX EDGE is a .NET application, users could add a third party or custom .NET or ActiveX control to the DDO palette. When dragging a custom control into the Display Builder a wizard is started that will walk the user through the steps of fully integrating the custom object with the Everest framework. This includes not only integration with the Display Builder but also with the Runtime application, and the API interfaces.

Other advantages of the KX EDGE Display Builder include language independent (internationalized) displays, the ability to save displays in Microsoft user interface mark-up language (XAML), and the ability of third party applications to use KX EDGE displays.

Runtime Environment

The KX EDGE Runtime environment includes a multi-threaded framework, wherein each thread performs a specific function, creating a highly efficient and agile application. KX EDGE utilizes an in-memory display cache which allows displays to be dynamically loaded and presented at Runtime instead of compiled and linked into the application code. This permits hundreds, or even thousands, of displays to be developed and used without any increase in memory required.

KX EDGE exploits .NET’s DataSet technologies to manage heterogeneous data from different data sources. Custom applications can access this same database through the Everest data manger interfaces. Built-in web services simplify the integration of custom applications with the Runtime by removing the need to handle the underlying complex sets of data

The KX EDGE Runtime Environment includes other features such as custom data drivers, custom commands, custom window application procedures (WAP), and failover and server redundancy.

Web Deployment

The KX EDGE Runtime client is specifically designed for high performance desktop based solutions. For remote access to KX EDGE capabilities (web browser, smart phone, etc.) additional components are provided. Using the same Display Builder as for the Runtime desktop applications, you can create displays for almost any remotely connected device.

API Applications and Data Servers

The KX EDGE Runtime environment receives data and control logic from back end applications connected through data drivers or adapters. The underlying protocol for connecting to a data source via a KX EDGE data driver/adapter can be RPCs, .NET remoting, XML SOAP or user specific. Regardless of the communication mechanism, this back end program is the source for data and commands from the developer’s overall application.

Two different sets of API methods are provided with KX EDGE: One set is based on the legacy API calls found in previous (non-.NET) Sammi releases and the other set provides a newer, .NET-based, object oriented framework for building .NET based back-end applications. The new KX EDGE API methods enable the developer to achieve ultimate control over the user interface from the back end application. Each of the KX EDGE DDOs is actually a .NET control with all of its properties and attributes exposed through the KX EDGE API. Not only does this give the developer the ability to send data and respond to events in the same way as the legacy Sammi API, but also provides very fine control of the graphics at Runtime. Essentially, through the KX EDGE API, the developer can write an application in any .NET language and interface with the KX EDGE Runtime as well as access all attributes of the formats and the individual DDOs.

Target platforms will include Microsoft supported platforms, Linux and other UNIX operating systems compatible with .NET.