BP215 Integration of IBM Lotus Notes 8 with IBM Lotus Symphony and OpenOffice.org

BP215: Integration of IBM Lotus Notes 8 with IBM Lotus Symphony and OpenOffice.org

John D. Head

Before we begin

Please turn off/set to vibrate/mute all Cell Phones Pagers Computers Please remember to fill out your evaluations

www.lotusphere08surveyonline.com

Agenda

Who am I?

OpenOffice.org Background

Introduction to OpenOffice.org Development

Writer/Symphony Documents

Calc/Symphony Spreadsheets

Impress/Symphony Presentations

Writer Mail Merge

Advanced Calc/Lotus Spreadsheets

Using Lotus Symphony in your Applications

Productivity Editor Toolkit and Composite Applications

Looking forward

Wrap-up and Q&A

I am sharing 9 samples in 60 minutes … get ready!

Who am I?

John D. Head

Framework Manager at PSC Group, LLC

Involved in Lotus technology since 1993

Speaker

Over 25 sessions at Lotusphere since 1996

Speaker at View & Advisor conferences

Author

Advisor Magazine and other publications on Office and SmartSuite integration with Notes

LotusUserGroup.org contributing Author and Forum moderator

www.johndavidhead.com

PSC Group, LLC

IBM Premium Business Partner for 18+ Years

Microsoft Gold Partner

Notes 8 and NMFR Design Partner

Host of IdeaJam.net

Former Host of OpenNTF.org

Winner of 2007 Lotus Award!

Host of the following blogs:

Ed Brill’s (www.edbrill.com)‏

Alan Lepofsky’s Notes Tip’s (www.alanlepofsky.net)‏

Alan Gartenberg - Sametime (www.adamgartenberg.com)‏

Jeff Eisen – Hannover (www.jeffeisen.com)‏

Domino Server Team (www.dominoblog.com)‏

Lotus Connections Team

(synch.rono.us)

Chris Pepin – IBM CTO’s Office (www.chrispepin.com)

The Demo Databases

Presentation example database

Single database with all examples

You can configure it for your Notes client

Example numbers in the presentation match those in the database

Lotusphere 2008 session database

From Genii Software

Updated version inside the demo database

Personal name and address book

My demos work with the standard Notes 6, 7, and 8 templates

Let’s take a little poll …

Who is using …

Office 97 and earlier

Office 2000

Office XP

Office 2003

Office 2007

OpenOffice / StarOffice

Lotus Symphony

Other

Agenda

Who am I?

Writer Mail Merge

Looking forward

Wrap-up and Q&A

OpenOffice.org — The History

StarDivision StarOffice written in the mid 80s

Bought by Sun Microsystems in 1999, StarOffice released in August 1999

Source code released October 2000

OpenOffice.org 1.0 released May 2002, 2.0 in October 2005

OpenDocument format becomes international standard ISO/IEC 26300 November 2006

IBM Lotus Workplace Productivity Editors released 2005

Based on OpenOffice.org 1.1

OpenOffice.org 2.2 released March 2007

Notes 8 to include IBM Productivity Tools, based on OpenOffice.org 1.1X

Lotus Symphony Beta 1 released in October 2007, Beta 2 in December 2007

What is OpenOffice.org?

Free office suite

Description from their Web site

“ OpenOffice.org is a multiplatform and multilingual office suite and an open-source project. Compatible with all other major office suites, the product is free to download, use, and distribute. To help build the community, join us.”

Their mission statement

“ To create, as a community, the leading international office suite that will run on all major platforms and provide access to all functionality and data through open-component based APIs and an XML-based file format.”

What is OpenOffice.org? (cont.)

Getting past the marketing message

OpenOffice.org is an alternative to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and it is free

Provides the following applications:

Writer — document editor

Impress — presentation program

Math — math function creator

Draw — vector drawing tool

Calc — spreadsheet

Base — database

Why Should I Care About OpenOffice.org?

Only office suite that supports Open Document Format (ODF) 100%

A free alternative to Microsoft Office

Runs on three platforms

Windows

Mac

Linux

Saves to PDF natively

OpenOffice.org is the basis of the IBM Productivity Tools included with IBM Lotus Notes 8

OpenOffice.org — Licensing

What is the licensing?

LGPL — the GNU Lesser General Public License

“ Lesser” means that non-free code can be integrated with OpenOffice.org (roughly speaking)

Is it really free?

Yes

Will it always be free?

Yes

OpenOffice.org  StarOffice

StarOffice is Sun’s packaged version of OpenOffice.org

Sun adds other software, services, and support

For development purposes, you can write code that runs in both

The Notes 8 Productivity Editors

How do they relate to OpenOffice.org?

They are based on OpenOffice.org 1.1

IBM has made changes since the code branch

Do they support ODF?

Yes, as well as Microsoft Office 97 through 2003

Do they have an API?

Yes, an HTML-like document API

Supported in Eclipse.org development and composite applications

What about LotusScript?

No support for LotusScript or OLE/COM in 8.0.0

8.0.1 adds basic OLE/COM support

What is Lotus Symphony?

IBM branded the Notes 8 Productivity Tools as Lotus Symphony

Released them independent of the Notes 8 Standard Client

Beta 1 was released in Oct 07

Beta 2 was released in Nov 07

Beta 3 was released in Jan 08

IBM is on a 6 week release cycle with Symphony

These are updated from what we have in Notes 8.0.0

Will 8.0.1 have the Symphony branding and updated code?

Yes

Lotus Symphony Details

Free

Download from www.lotus.com/symphony

Support will be offered in 2008

Free

Runs inside the Eclipse.org and Lotus Expidetor framework (just like Notes 8)

Free

And did I say Free? 

Agenda

Who am I?

Writer Mail Merge

Looking forward

Wrap-up and Q&A

Designed on an interface-based component model called Universal Network Objects (UNO)

UNO definition

UNO offers interoperability between different programming languages, different object models, different machine architectures, and different processes; either in a local network or even via the Internet

UNO components can be implemented in, and accessed from, any programming language for which a UNO language binding exists

Does this work with Lotus Symphony

All of the demos (minus one) will be done using Lotus Symphony

You will need Notes 8.0.1 for these to work

IBM has exposed the Lotus Symphony objects to the registry to allow COM to work

If you want run the demos in 8.0.0, they will invoke OpenOffice.org

There is a way to hack 8.0.0 to work, but it is not supported

What is the ServiceManager?

ServiceManager is similar to the NotesSession class

It is a factory class that gets you to other places

Set SM=CreateObject("com.sun.star.ServiceManager")

Think of the ServiceManager as a back-end class, and we want the front end (like NotesUIWorkspace)

Set Desktop=SM.createInstance("com.sun.star.frame.Desktop")

What Did That Do?

Calling the ServiceManager created an OpenOffice.org window, but we need to do more …

Agenda

Who am I?

Writer Mail Merge

Looking forward

Wrap-up and Q&A

Let’s Start Writer — Word Processing Application

So far we have an OpenOffice.Org window, but it doesn’t know what application it will be — we have to tell it

Dim args()

Set WriterApplication=Desktop.loadComponentFromURL ("private:factory/swriter","_blank",0,args)

Args is a variant array

We don’t want to pass any parameters, but it must be an array

The “s” in “swriter” stands for “Star”

Now we have a word processor up and running

The Picture So Far

Now we have an application open

Time to do something!

Let’s Add Some Text

First, we need to get a handle to the text part of the document

Set WriterText=WriterApplication.getText()

Next, we need a cursor position where we can insert the text

Set Cursor=WriterText.createTextCursor()

Finally, we can make the traditional greeting

Call WriterText.insertString(Cursor,"Hello World!",False)

Hello World!

After executing all of the code we walked through, this is the result

Now let’s try it for real

Notes to Writer/Lotus Symphony Documents Demo — Example 1 “ Hello World” from Notes to Writer/ Lotus Symphony Documents

Agenda

Who am I?

Writer Mail Merge

Looking forward

Wrap-up and Q&A

Let’s Start Calc — Spreadsheet Application

Calc uses a different URL to define the application

Set CalcApplication = Desktop.loadComponentFromURL_("private:factory/scalc","_blank",0,args)

The command above creates the workbook

Next, we need to get the first sheet

Set Worksheet=CalcApplication.Sheets.getByName("Sheet1")

Let’s Start Calc — Spreadsheet Application (cont.)

Finally, we access the cell into which we want to enter text

Set cell=Worksheet.getCellByPosition(3,6)

We have set the string in a cell, but which cell is it?

Calc/Lotus Symphony Spreadsheets “Hello World” Demo — Example 2 “ Hello World” with Notes and Calc/ Lotus Symphony Spreadsheets Where will the text go?

Notes with Calc — D7!

Why did the text go into cell D7?

Didn’t we write to cell (3,6)?

Rows and Columns Are Numbered from Zero

Just like arrays in Notes, the index starts at 0!

Agenda

Who am I?

Writer Mail Merge

Looking forward

Wrap-up and Q&A

Introduction to Impress

Impress and Draw are almost the same application

Pages contain shapes

Shapes can contain text

Text is handled just as it is in Writer

Let’s Start Impress — Presentation Application

To create the instance of Impress, call its URL

Set ImpressApplication=Desktop.loadComponentFromURL_ ("private:factory/simpress","_blank",0,args)

Next, call the getDrawPages function to create the default presentation

Set Presentation=ImpressApplication.getDrawPages()

To get the first slide, use the getByIndex method

Set Slide=Presentation.getByIndex(0)

Let’s Start Impress — Presentation Application (cont.)

Each layout type has its own number

To create a title page, enter the following:

Slide.layout=1

Finally, we need to get the title and handle it like it’s a Writer text object

Set title=Slide.getbyindex(0)

Set TitleText=title.getText()

Set Cursor=TitleText.createTextCursor()

Call TitleText.insertString(Cursor,"Hello World!",False)

Impress and Notes — The Result

Impress/Lotus Symphony Presentations “Hello World” Demo — Example 3 “ Hello World” with Notes and Impress/ Lotus Symphony Presentations

The Help Files — How to Read Them

Objects

Interfaces — collections of properties

In LotusScript you can use methods and properties from any interface

In Java and C you have to specify which interface you want to use

OpenOffice.org Help Demo — Example 4 Walking through help

Help from Your Browser

You can get a Firefox extension for OpenOffice.org

Easier to navigate

More to Say Than “Hello”

So far, you have seen the basics

How to connect to OpenOffice.org from Notes

LotusScript and Java examples

Now, let’s take a look at some real-world, useful demos

Agenda

Who am I?

Writer Mail Merge

Looking forward

Wrap-up and Q&A

Mail Merge Overview

Same concepts as mail merge if you were using Microsoft Word

User selects data

Generate data file

Detach template

Launch Writer

Execute mail merge

Produce end document

Two steps today

Build the data collection first

Then execute the mail merge

Mail Merge Details

Just like the other applications, mail merge has its own URL

Set objMailMerge = objServiceManager.createInstance ("com.sun.star.text.MailMerge")

Mail merge has seven arguments

DocumentURL

DataSourceName

CommandType

Command

OutputType

OutputURL

FileNamePrefix

Mail Merge Details (cont.)

Set the seven arguments

Set args(1) = OOoNamedValue("DocumentURL", url)

Set args(0) = OOoNamedValue("DataSourceName", "mrgdata")

Set args(2) = OOoNamedValue("CommandType", 0)

Set args(3) = OOoNamedValue("Command", "mrgdata")

Set args(4) = OOoNamedValue("OutputType", 2)

Output has two options

1 = Send to printer

2 = Save to file

Set args(5) = OOoNamedValue("OutputURL", savelocation)

Set args(6) = OOoNamedValue("FileNamePrefix", "mailmergeoutput1")

Mail Merge Details (cont.)

Finally, call the Execute method to complete the mail merge

objMailMerge.Execute args()

Mail Merge and Notes Demo — Example 5 Creating a mail merge letter from the Notes personal name and address book

Managing OpenOffice.org Templates

How did I get that template in my new dialog?

Use the template installation tool

Each template is a document

Supports OpenOffice.org Writer, Calc, and Impress applications

Can also be used as a programmatic template tool

Located on OpenNTF.org and on the conference CD

Agenda

Who am I?

Writer Mail Merge

Looking forward

Wrap-up and Q&A

Spreadsheets with Calc

How would you like your spreadsheet to work?

Something like this?

Dim ss as new spreadsheet

ss.setcell(3,6, "Hello World!")

ss.underline(3,6)

ss.rotate(3,6,45)

print ss.findrow(3, "Hello World!")

Creating spreadsheets is much easier when using a custom class — designed to make things easier for the developer

Removes much of the “hard stuff”

How It Works

Class Spreadsheet

public cols list as Column

...

End Class

Class Column

public rows list as Cell

...

End Class

Class Cell

all the hard work happens here

End Class

Spreadsheet class

Creates the Calc object

Creates the worksheet

Developer creates columns and cells

These custom LotusScript classes allow you to build more generic code

For example, the ability to export and chart any Notes view without changing the code

Advanced Calc/Lotus Symphony Spreadsheets This sample was created by Alan Bell of Dominux Consulting Demo — Example 6 Create a spreadsheet using advanced Calc/LSSP integration

Agenda

Who am I?

Writer Mail Merge

Looking forward

Wrap-up and Q&A

Using OpenOffice.org/Lotus Symphony Within Your Applications

Add value by:

Writer — printing

Calc — number crunching and charting

Impress — presentations

One of the great value adds you get is PDF generation

Instead of “exporting” to ODF, you select PDF

Exporting to PDF

Creating a PDF from any OpenOffice.org application is very easy

args1.Name = "URL"

args1.Value = "file:///"+strOutputFN

args2.Name = "FilterName"

args2.Value = "writer_pdf_Export"

Set argsFinal(0)=args1

Set argsFinal(1)=args2

Kill strKillFN

Call objDocument.storeToURL("file:///"+strOutputFN,argsFinal)

A PDF of the same name as the file will be saved

OpenOffice.org Integration in a Real-World Application Demo — Example 7 An invoicing application that uses OpenOffice.org

Agenda

Who am I?

Writer Mail Merge

Looking forward

Wrap-up and Q&A

Using the Productivity Editor Toolkit

Documentation and samples for integrating the Notes 8 Productivity Editors with Notes 8 Standard

Lotus Productivity Toolkit 8.0 Windows.exe

Download this from IBM Passport Advantage or PartnerWorld

Targeted at people who know:

Java

HTML internals

OPF

Most of the time you will use this from a Composite Application (CA)

Productivity Tools Architecture

Automating Lotus Symphony Demo — Example 8 Lotus Symphony within a Composite Application

Third-Party Application Support

Product vs. Custom Development

Both have their place

Integra for Notes Symphony Edition

Supports Lotus Symphony and the Notes Productivity Editors

Required 8.0.1

Lotus Spreadsheets support today

Shipping at Lotusphere2008!

www.integra4notes.com BOOTH 710

Third-Party Application Support Demo — Example 9 Integra for Notes Lotus Symphony Edition

Agenda

Who am I?

Writer Mail Merge

Looking forward

Wrap-up and Q&A

2008 and Beyond

Lotus Symphony will continue to mature

Notes 8.0.1 will have an updated version

Notes 8.5 will have an updated version

Will we be able to upgrade Symphony in Notes ourselves?

We have multiple options

Office, Symphony, OpenOffice.org, etc.

The battle is just begun

ODF vs. Office XML (OOXML)

Competition will be good for us … if we can deal with all the changes

Agenda

Who am I?

Writer Mail Merge

Looking forward

Wrap-up and Q&A

Sessions you should see this week

Reports, Charts, and Graphs in IBM Lotus Notes

Julian Robichaux & Rob McDonagh

Swan 5-6 - Wednesday 3:00pm - 4:00pm

A Jug of Wine, a Spreadsheet, and Thee

Ben Langhinrichs

Swan 7-10 - Thursday 10:00am - 11:00am

Resources

OpenOffice.org

www.openoffice.org

OpenOffice.org Developer’s Guide

http://api.openoffice.org/DevelopersGuide/Developers Guide.html

OpenOffice.org Firefox help add-ons

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4102

OOExtras — templates and goodies for OpenOffice.org

http://ooextras.sourceforge.net/

John Head’s blog http://www.johndavidhead.com

Slides and content available from http://www.johndavidhead.com http://www.psclistens.com

Resources (cont.)

Programming OpenOffice.org with Visual Basic

www.kalitech.fr/clients/doc/VB_APIOOo_en.html

Alan Bell’s blog — UK IBM partner who does a great deal of OpenOffice.org integration

www.dominux.co.uk/dominuxblog.nsf

OpenNTF.org — the open source Web site for Notes

www.openntf.org

Integra4Notes Web site

www.integra4notes.com

PSC’s Reporting and Office Integration page

www.psclistens.com/enTouchCMS/app/viewCategory? catgId=66

Thank You! Questions & Answers We will be in the speaker room after the session Please remember to fill out your evaluation. www.lotusphere08surveyonline.com [email_address] www.johndavidhead.com www.psclistens.com Special thanks to Alan Bell for some of the demos