Document Storage
Overview
As part of the ITAS Roadmap we have been looking at alternative storage repositories to complement the default use of Windows Folders.
The first of such alternatives is MS SQL FileStream. The FileStream feature enables SQL Server-based applications to store unstructured data, such as documents and images, within the Database.
See this article for further information.
In ITAS terms this allows the documents to be generated through standard DocGen processes and automatically stored in the designated Database, as well as offering a repository for other files to be uploaded to.
Being 'contained' within a Database has many advantages:
- Backup/Restore functions can include these documents
- Enhanced full-text search capabilities provided through SQL meta data (indexing)
- Optimisation of disk space as document data is compressed into a single Database file (similar to those used for transaction data)
- Logging/Auditing of file creation/update activity
- Version-control and recycling options
- Integration with other ITAS Services; Alerts & Notifications, Data Processing Service, ITAS API, Web Portal
Integration
Being part of ITAS Services means that it can be configured to work with other services:
- Alerts & Notifications - The ITAS Notification (Windows) Service can be configured to publish messages whenever a file is created in the designated file system; subscribers can be Trader Desktop users or middleware processes
- Data Processing Service - Can be configured to respond to a Notification and perform a task or series of tasks, e.g. indexing, targeted notifications, state management
- ITAS API, Data Portal - Documents stored within a Database are accessible through various methods; seamless system-to-system (B2B) through API or manual upload/download through Data Portal
This feature is available to Enterprise and Premium Plan subscribers through Document Management Services.