dbCLIC is a simple internet computing platform on which interactive web-based applications are developed. db stands for database and CLIC stands for the sound of the mouse click. CLIC also stands for quick and snappy interactive response and ease of use.

At the back end, there is a relational database. To interact with the database, you use a web browser. Using this platform, information and data are uploaded, updated, organized and stored in a database on the internet. Organized data in the form of lists and reports can then be circulated, retrieved and shared via the internet network from anywhere in the world and at anytime of the day with the click of a mouse button.

User (client)

The user is any person given a user id and password for access. At the user end is the web browser. User types in the url dbclic.net to call up the log in page. User keys in his user id and password to set up a secure connection session using ssl vpn technology.

Interface (browser)

Any popular web browser, such as ie, firefox, safari, netscape, opera and netfront can be used. A menu system connects the user with the server. Each menu item is linked to an electronic form. The user fills in a form in the web browser. You can use the form to upload data to the server, to search for information, to circulate information, to delete data, to collect data from the different database table and present then to you as an organized report.

Application - database enquiries

The applications are interfaces designed to put data onto the server or get data from the server. The form, in html format, is actually a request for information stored in the server. Application triggers are embedded in these web pages seen by the users. The submission of the form triggers a program to run at the server end. The program plays two important function it runs a program at the server end. The program is a database query, the query result are repackaged in the form of a web page, html format, and sent back to the waiting user. All this happens within a few seconds. Besides asking for information, a form can be used to update information to or delete information from the serve.

Language - perl cgi-scripts + sql statements + java scripts

Applications are written, in perl cgi-scripts and sql statements, to connect the user with the database. Perl is a scripting language, which means it is written in English, not in machine language and is easily understood and supported. Perl is an interpreted language which is run in real time without requiring to first to compile into a machine language. This makes updates easier. Perl is powerful language for handling text and is best suited for business use because business uses a lot of text. Java scripts are sometimes use to enhance user experience. At the user end java scripts applications run in the web browser.

Database connection - odbc or dbi

All that is left now is to enable the web browser at the client end to talk to the database at the server end. This is done with odbc or dbi services that are used to connect the database with the web server.

Hardware

Server (os + database + web server)

dbclic platform demands only basic requirement of the serve hardware. dbCLIC requirement is so minimal that it can even run happily on any personal computer you can pick up in the market. Network

You do not have to set up your own network. You simply make use of the internet which is already set up and looked after by your internet service provider.

Security (fire wall + authentication + authorization + e-certificate + ssl vpn + intrusion detection + proxy)

All uploads and downloads are done via application. Users have no direct access to server and its content. All activities are logged and monitored. The server checks the user’s identity and authorization. At the server end there is a fire wall to prevent intrusion, an authentication server to check user identity, a web server to process web pages and a relational database server to organize data into tables, each table contains data of related information and a storage area for storing uploaded

Uploads - Data & Documents

Initially, the database tables are structure only and without data. The database tables are populated by the user. Once populated, you can ask the database for all kinds of questions and reports by combining the data in different tables.

Open source, open standards

dbCLIC platform can use open source and open standard services. These include the relational database, the web server, the operating system can all be open source it not limited by proprietary products and frees you of many licensing problems. Open source and open standards are also widely supported. Many of these open source applications are free to download. That is why dbCLIC can keep its process low and affordable to all users. The savings are passed onto the users.

data integrity - backup database transaction log + uploaded documents

Each company has its own separate database and data repository that are backed up daily and download to a remote site.

The server is hosted at a data center and enjoy all the benefits provided by a well run data centare. The server is physically under lock and key. Access to the data center is strictly guarded. The standard provisions of the data center include secured access, backup power supply, scalable internet link, 24 hours air conditioning.

All these are simple but powerful and proven technologies. Because of the the technology is so simple, we can concentrate on developing the applications and their usability. We can pay more attention to performance.