Welcome to DocLink Smart Client Help

 

Each Help chapter is laid out to provide an overview of a particular functional area and step-by-step instructions on how to accomplish common tasks.  Topics  cover general functionality available to users in DocLink components.  The companion Administrator Guide addresses configuration and maintenance tasks relevant to individuals with administrator access to DocLink.

Since DocLink is modular, installed components will vary from company to company.  The relevancy of the topics discussed ultimately depends on the specific components purchased by your company and installed on your computer.

What is DocLink?

doc-link is our premier integrated document management system; a sophisticated and robust suite of products designed to fit all your imaging, document management, workflow and routing needs.

doc-link provides tools to:

Capture document images.  The first step is to capture electronic images of your documents.

Index documents.  After an image is captured, the document is indexed with property values so these documents can be searched for and retrieved, as you need them.

Search and retrieve documents.  Once a document has been indexed, you can search for the document using the document’s property values.  When you find the document, you can view, print, fax or email it. 

Process documents though workflow.  You can use workflow to automate and enhance your current business processes.

Route documents automatically.  After an image is saved in DocLink, Output Manager can send it to the appropriate recipients based on pre-configured routing lists and recipient profiles.

How does DocLink work?

The foundation of DocLink is built upon the actual data contained on each document.  All documents in your DocLink database are defined by or associated with the following:  document types, top-level document folders and properties.  These categories allow you to index, process and search for specific documents and types of documents stored in your DocLink database.

Document Types

Document types (previously called forms or form types) are used to organize and secure documents.  Each DocLink document is assigned to one document type.  The document type defines whether the document is a Check, Invoice, PO etc.  In order to access a document, the user must be a member of a role that grants access to the document’s document type and top-level folder. 

Top-Level Folders

Document (Top-level) folders are also used to organize and secure documents.  All DocLink documents are indexed to at least one top-level folder.  In order to access a document, the user must be a member of a role that grants access to the document’s top-level folder and document type. 

Properties

Properties are data categories such as dates, reference numbers and names of various items that are commonly found on business documents.   Each document type is configured with one or more properties.  When documents are indexed into DocLink they are assigned property values.  These property values are used to then store, locate and retrieve the documents from the database.  Every document stored in your database must be indexed with at least one property value. 

Integrating DocLink with a Business Application

doc-link can be connected with your business application for seamless integration.  This type of integration is called side-by-side integration.  The benefits of this type of integration include:

  1. Automatically view documents and reports that are related to the transaction or information displayed in your business application.
  2. View a document on your screen while you enter the transaction into your business system.  The document will be automatically indexed with the information from the business system when the transaction is saved, eliminating duplicate data entry.
  3. Update a transaction in the business system and corresponding documents in the DocLink database will be indexed with the updated information.
  4. Produce documents from your business application and ERM will automatically capture, index, and store them in your DocLink database.
  5. Enhance your existing business processes by automating with workflow.
  6. Maintain the integrity of your accounting application.  DocLink does not modify or ‘write’ to your business/accounting database.  Information is simply ‘data mined’ or copied from your business screens through a series of mapping tables to populate property fields in DocLink.

Getting the Help You Need, When You Need It

In addition to online Help you can reference the doc-link Users Guide to help you learn about functionality.  Help topics can be opened by going to the Help menu within the application or by pressing F1 with an application window or dialog opened.  Online Help also contains troubleshooting sections that address common issues users have run into while using DocLink components.

If all else fails…

And you still can’t locate the information you need to help you resolve the issue:

  1. Document what you were doing and what happened – what problem are you experiencing?  What steps have you already taken to locate or resolve the issue?
  2. Contact DocLink Technical Support at 800.997.9921 ext. 1259, or by email at Support@altec-inc.com.