An absolute identifier is the string of characters associated with each repository object. This string is computed using the date and time the session was opened, the number of objects created since the session started, and the object creation date (in milliseconds). An absolute identifier provides a unique way to identify an object in the repository, so that even if the object is renamed, all the links to it are retained.

A user with full access rights. He/she can administer repositories using the administration application, and can create and modify elements such as descriptors and report templates (MS Word).

See characteristic.

A characteristic is an attribute that describes an object type or a link. Examples: The Flow-Type characteristic of a message allows you to specify whether this message is information, or a material or financial flow. The Predicate characteristic of the Send link between message and org-unit allows you to specify the condition for sending the message. A characteristic can also be called an Attribute.

Descriptors allow you to create reports (MS Word) containing part of the contents of the repository. A descriptor for an object includes the characteristics of the object to which can be added the characteristics of objects directly or indirectly linked to it. The readable format for each of the objects encountered is entered as text in Word for Windows. You can insert descriptors into reports (MS Word) or report templates (MS Word) or use them to produce reports. Descriptors can be created or modified using the HOPEX Studio technical module.

An external reference allows association of an object with a document from a source outside MEGA. This can relate to regulations concerning safety or the environment, legal text, etc. Location of this document can be indicated as a file path or Web page address via its URL (Universal Resource Locator).

A function is a feature supplied by the software to carry out certain actions. Among functions available as standard are the shapes editor and the descriptor editor.

Descriptors, which are available with the HOPEX Studio technical module, comprise a tree of several successive groups. Each group concerns one object, and defines the query or link used to access this object from the preceding object. You can connect texts and other groups to a group. Users can define the order in which groups and texts are processed.

A link is an association between two object types. Several types of link can exist between two types of object. Example: Source and Target between Org-Unit and Message.

A matrix is a table consisting of rows and columns containing objects from the repository. Matrices show the links between two sets of objects, and can be used to create or delete links without it being necessary for you to open the diagrams containing these objects. For example, you can build a matrix showing the messages sent by the different org-units in a project.

see object type.

The metamodel defines the structure used to store the data managed in a repository. The metamodel is saved in the system repository of the environment. The metamodel contains all the object types used to model a system, as well as their attributes and the links possible between these object types. The metamodel therefore allows you to build diagrams that describe the organization or the information system of an enterprise. If desired, you can extend the metamodel to manage new types of object. Repositories that exchange data via exports, imports or extraction must have the same metamodel, otherwise certain data will be rejected or inaccessible. In metamodel definition language, object types are also called MetaClasses. Their characteristics are also called attributes.

A model is a formal structure which represents the organization of a company, or its information system. In another sense, a model can be a template for reproducing objects with similar characteristics. This is the case for report templates (MS Word).

An object type (or MetaClass) is that part of the database containing objects of a given type. The objects you create are stored in the repository according to their type. This notion is used when searching for objects in the repository and when the metamodel is extended to include a new type of object. Example: message, org-unit, etc.

A query allows you to select a set of objects of the same type, using one or several selection criteria. Most of the MEGA software functions can handle these sets. For example, you can use a query to find the set of all enterprise org-units involved in a project.

A reflexive link is a link between two objects of the same type, for example: the link between projects that allows you to define sub-projects.

Reports (MS Word) managed by MEGA are objects allowing you to transfer written knowledge extracted from the data managed by the software.

A report (MS Word) element is the instancing of a report template (MS Word) element. It is the result, formatted in the word processing software, of execution of the query defined in the report template (MS Word) element.

A report template (MS Word) is a structure with characteristics that may be reproduced on production of reports (MS Word). A report (MS Word) can be created and modified as many times as necessary; however to produce several reports (MS Word) of the same type, use of a report template (MS Word) is recommended.

A report template (MS Word) provides the faramework for the report (MS Word), which is completed with data from the repository when the report (MS Word) is created. A template contains the formatting, footers, headers and text entered in MS Word. It also contains report template (MS Word) elements that allow you to format data from the repository. It allows you to produce reports (MS Word) associated with main objects of the repository.

A report template (MS Word) element is the basic element of a report template (MS Word). It comprises a query which enables specification of objects to be described and a descriptor for their formatting. When creating a report (MS Word) from a report template (MS Word), each report template (MS Word) element is instanced by a report (MS Word) element.

A set is a collection of elements with common characteristics. For example, you can build a set of messages sent or received by a certain org-unit in the enterprise. These sets are usually built using queries, and can be handled by most functions of the software.

A setting is a parameter whose value is determined when the function with which it is associated is executed. You can use settings to condition a query (HOPEX Studio technical module). When you execute this query, a dialog box asks you to enter values for settings defined in the query.

A style is a combination of formats that you can apply to a paragraph of text in a word processor. Styles allow you to systematically apply formats such as fonts, margins, indents, etc. Several styles are available for report (MS Word) configuration. These styles have the M- prefix and are based on the M-Normal style that is similar to the Word Normal style. Note that the M-Normal style text is in blue. All these styles are contained in the Megastyl.dot style sheet.

A style sheet groups the rules of presentation that can be applied to elements in a Web page. These rules are expressed in Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) language. For further information, consult the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) recommendations (http://www.w3.org).

You can associate text with each object found when browsing object descriptors (HOPEX Studio technical module). This text is formatted for MS Word. It presents what will be displayed for each of the objects in the generated report (MS Word). In the text you can insert the object name, its characteristics, and its comment. You can also insert the characteristics of other objects linked to it.