KE Vitalware

User Interface

Vitalware provides a rich and intuitive Windows-based graphical user interface. This interface is used for data query, capture, update and management processes.  The graphical user interface is typically deployed on a local area network within the Registry head office where key employees and power users require the maximum functionality.

Vitalware's performance and flexibility in dealing with massive sets of data improve the efficiency of work practices in many areas and make available a level of service to the public not attainable with other systems.

Client-Server Interface

Internal users access the system through a purpose-built Windows client program connected to the Vitalware server. This structure provides a range of benefits, including:

• secure control over access to records and processes;
• process-driven operation that can guide users through complex, multi-step functions; and
• comprehensive audit trail of all user activity.

The client interface consists of a single point of entry, called the Command Centre, which provides direct access to all of the modules that the user has permission to enter. From the Command Centre, users can open any number of modules. Each module is shown in its own Module Window and users can have any number of Module Windows open at a time, including multiple windows to the same module.

Each Module Window allows users to search, display, report, add and amend data within that module - subject to the user's security profile.

Command Centre

The Command Centre consists of a Windows Tool Bar containing a button for each module available to a user. An example Command Centre is shown below. This highlights a selection only from the breadth of modules available in Vitalware:

Vitalware Command Centre

Module Window

When a Command Centre button is selected, the appropriate module is selected and a Module Window appears. This allows searches of existing data in the module as well as the creation of new records and amendments of existing records. The window has a number of components designed to give user feedback as well as comprehensive functionality.

Example Module Window: Births Module 

• A Tool Bar, consisting of a series of Tool buttons, is situated below the menu bar. This provides rapid access to the most common operations.
• A Status Bar is located at the base of the window allowing messages to be displayed as an operation is being performed. 

The rest of the window is occupied by one or more Display Tabs, which display the information from the current record or form. In some modes, the Display Tabs are dedicated to displaying identifying information for the currently displayed record, e.g. its Registration Number and Registrant's Name.

The contents of the Data Tabs will depend on the current state. A number of states are available:

Search

A search form is displayed into which search terms may be entered. Vitalware supports Query By Example and allows users to search on any field or any combination of fields. Searching supports all boolean operators as well as range searches for numeric-based data (including dates). For text fields, a broad range of text-based search operators are available including word-based, phrases, morphological, phonetic and proximity.

Display

Once a search has been performed the matching records are displayed. A range of  different display options are available, including: 

New Records

New records can be added, by authorised users, using the same Module Window. Users simply enter data into each of the relevant fields and save the record. Throughout data entry, a range of simple validation constraints are applied (e.g. valid date formats, etc.) and upon saving the record, a much broader range of validation checks are performed on the record. Records with validation errors can be saved by data entry staff, but the validation errors must be addressed, or in some cases overridden, by an authorised user before a registration record can be marked as registered.

During data entry the user can access a lookup list to select from a set of allowable or previously entered values, as shown below. Lookup lists are also available in Search mode.

Example of Lookup List

Image Viewing

Vitalware incorporates sophisticated support for multimedia resources. This feature supports any form of multimedia, including videos, audios and documents, but is primarily used for images of historic registrations or application forms.

Vitalware allows authorised users to display an image associated with a registration record and zoom and pan around within the image. In fact, Vitalware supports the creation of an electronic certificate based on all or parts of an image. Authorised users can select one or more sections of an image that are then automatically pasted into a Certificate template. Various adjustments to the images can be applied and then the certificate printed and saved for future use.

Image of multiple registrations on a double page of an historic registration book 

Zoomed image of part of a registration from an historic registration book

  Web Browser Interfaces

External patrons (e.g. general public) and third party data providers (e.g. funeral homes) access Vitalware through customisable Web Browser-based interfaces.

Each of the Web interfaces is a secure Java application which connects directly to the Vitalware data source using Vitalware's JDBC driver. Each interface can be configured to access the Vitalware production tables directly or a copy of these sources on another machine (this copy can be automatically and continuously maintained and refreshed by Vitalware).

Each interface uses server-based configuration files to control the structure of the information presented to users. Each also uses configurable XSLT style sheets and Cascading style sheets to control their format and appearance. This makes these applications very easily integrated into a Registry's existing web structure and very easily configured to conform to the Registry's preferred on-line presence.

Index Browsing

Vitalware includes an on-line interface for the general public to search, browse and order copies of historic registration records. Simple search screens are provided to search for birth, death or marriage events. Results are shown in tabular format.

The Registry has total control of which event records are accessible via the Index Browsing web application. For example, most Registries provide access only to historic records (e.g. more than 100 years old), the publication of which does not violate any privacy rights of any individuals.

Index browsing: Births search screen

Index Browsing: Births search screen showing results 

Certificate Validation Service

Vitalware includes a secure Certificate Validation Service (CVS), both interactive and machine-to-machine, which can verify the authenticity of details about an event.

Subscribing organisations can use CVS to verify the details of a person of interest. This can be details provided by the person directly or details on an event certificate produced by the person as proof of identity.

The CVS system indicates the validity of the data entered but never discloses any further information about a person. Thus it ensures the privacy of the person while still allowing the requesting organisation to determine if the provided information is accurate.

CVS is a secure system requiring authenticated access only. Subscribing organisations must be provided with an account before the system can be accessed.

Typical subscribing organisations include Passports Office, Police, Licensing Bureaus, Banks, etc. The Registry can choose to provide this as a free service or can apply a transaction-based fee as appropriate.

Interactive CVS: Login screen

Interactive CVS: Screen showing successful match

Interactive CVS: Screen showing failure to match details 

Electronic Marriages Register

Vitalware includes a secure interface for marriage celebrants to enter details of an Intention to Marry and subsequently the actual Marriage.

The eMarriages interface enables celebrants to enter all of the details of a proposed marriage and lodge this as an Intention to Marry with the Registry. When the marriage has been performed, the formal marriage application can be submitted and the appropriate documents produced.

Celebrants can store and retrieve their own records in eMarriages prior to formally submitting them for registration. They can then track the status of those submitted records.

Within the Registry, submitted marriage records are stored in a "holding" database. Authorised Registry users can verify those records, transfer them to the Vitalware Marriages Registration module and formally register them.

The eMarriages interface provides a toolbar of functions which support the creation of new records, retrieving stored records, saving records, submitting them to the Registry and producing reports.

For the capture of marriage information, the interface provides a series of "tabs" of fields. The current tab is highlighted in blue. Tabs which have been successfully completed are shown in green, while tabs that have not been visited or which contain data validation errors are shown in red.

The field structure and layout of the tabs is completely configurable on-site.

eMarriages is a secure system requiring authenticated access only. Subscribing celebrants must be provided with an account before the system can be accessed.

eMarriages: Screen showing entry of Bride Details for new marriage

Electronic Deaths Register

Vitalware includes a secure interface for funeral directors to enter death/funeral notification records interactively or in batch. The eDeaths interface uses the same style, format and processing as the eMarriages interface. In addition it provides facilities for the uploading, in bulk, of death registration applications. This enables eDeaths to be integrated into many common Funeral Director systems.

eDeaths is a secure system requiring authenticated access only. Subscribing funeral directors must be provided with an account before the system can be accessed.

Other Web Interfaces

Other Vitalware web interfaces include:

• Secure interface for hospitals to interactively enter details of birth events (hospital notification of birth).

• Interface for general public to lodge details of birth records. These must subsequently be matched against a hospital notification of birth and then approved by the Registry before they are registered.
• On-line ordering of Registry products.

Read on for more information about:

• The Integrated Object-Relational Database Engine
• Vitalware Customisation
• Other Features

Contact us for more information

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