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Create new document types in IBM Connections Content Manager
Roberto Boccadoro
Introduction
By default there is only one document type in a CCM Library, the type “document”; Filenet, the base of CCM, has the possibility of defining various document types which can have various kinds of metadata associated. In this article I explain how to create a new document type in CCM.
Some definitions:
class
In object-oriented design or programming, a model or template that can be used to create objects with a common definition and common properties, operations, and behavior. An object is an instance of a class.
property template
A template for creating one or more custom properties that can be assigned to one or more classes.
custom property
A user-defined property, as opposed to a system-defined property. The user can assign custom properties to a class
In order to create a new document type, we will have to define first some new Property Templates that will define the various metadata of the document type, then create a new Class and associate the properties we want the document to have.
In this exercise I will create a document type “Project” with three properties associated, project code, project status, due date.
Step 1 – Create the properties
Log on to the Administration Console for Content Platform Engine at the address http://youserver.yourdomain.com/acce
Expand ICDomain then Object Stores, you will find the object store used by ICCM
select the ICObjectStore
Expand Data Design and right click on Property Templates, select New Property Template
A wizard will start, that will guide you through the various steps needed.
We need to define a name, type “Due Date” in the Display name, by default the Symbolic name will automatically inherit the same value, if you want you can change it.
Click Next
Select the Data type
In our case select Date Time
Click Next
Select Single value in the next screen
Click Next, a summary of the selected options will appear
Click Finish
Now perform again the same steps to create the Property Templates Project Code
Now perform again the same steps to create the Property Templates Project Status
Now we want to create a list of the possible statuses, so check Assign Choice list and click New
Name the list “Status List”
Click Next
Select String as data type for the list
Click Next
Click New Items
We now define the statuses that our Project can have.
Type “Not started” and click Add
Now add “Started” and “Complete” and click OK. At the end the list will look like this
Click Next
Click Finish
Step 2 - define the document type “Project”.
In the navigator, expand Classes and right click on Document and select New Class
Type “Project”
Click Next
A summary will appear, click Finish
When finished you will see this. Click “Open”
Select the tab “Property Definitions”
Click “Add”
From the list of Properties select “Project Code”, “ProjectStatus” and “Due Date”
Click “Save”
Close the Administrative Console
Using the new Document type
Create a Library in a Community in Connections and in the properties of the Library select to allow users to change document type
Upload a file
As you can see we can now change the document type. Click on Change and select Project
The new upload file box will show
Now, click on Due Date
Type something in the Project Code field and click on Project Status
Using this technique you can create as many document types and properties as you like.
The author would like to thank Marco Bonasoro of IBM Italy for the help provided with Filenet(See attached file: Screenshot-31_05_2013,18_00_24.png)