Externals

The Externals form (formerly referred to as External Programs) contains a list of installed custom programs that are available to be run. These Externals execute functions outside the normal scope of the DEACOM system. Since Externals may modify DEACOM data in ways that are not compatible with the main application, they should be tested in a training environment, and the results validated, before being installed and run in a production environment. Externals are stored in the "Addins" folder. There are three potential file extensions users may see when adding an External, which are: .dll, .fxp, and .fxs. Each extension is treated the same within DEACOM and does not require additional setup.

DEACOM version updates do not automatically update externals. During the system updating process, externals should be tested when the proposed update is present in the training environment, and the results validated. If the external no longer functions as desired in the updated environment, contact DEACOM support to schedule programming time to have the program updated. The maintenance of custom externals is a billable project.

Like all aspects of DEACOM, there is security to limit who can access, modify and run Externals.

  • Security access to "Tools menus" is needed to access Externals.
  • Security access to "Tools - - edit external programs" to add, delete, modify programs.
  • Security access to "Tools - - run external programs" to run programs.

System Navigation

  • Tools > Externals

Externals form

Button

Description

Run

Run the highlighted External.

Add

Add a new External to the list of programs that can be run.

Modify

Modify the listing for an External. Does not modify the program itself, only the link to the program.

Delete

Delete the listing for an External. Does not delete the program files from the Addins directory, but prevents users from running the program via DEACOM. Assuming that the program files are not deleted from the Addins directory by other means, the link can be added back to Externals in the future, if the program needs to be run again.

Upload File

Option to select and import a file to the "Addins" folder within the main Deacom application folder.

  • Useful for uploading files (such as dlls) that will be used with External Programs. This options means that files will not have to be copied manually which may require additional copy privilege's for users.
  • Only one file may be imported at a time.

Edit External Program form

Field/Flag

Description

Name

Name of the program, as desired to display in DEACOM.

Type

Select Program

Program

Name of the program, as titled in the DEACOM application Addins folder.

Private

 

Plugin