Getting Started

The web interface can be accessed by visiting this URL;

http://contacts.domain.com/

NOTE: For security reasons there's an access time limit of 30m. When it expires anyone accessing Contacts will be automatically Logged out.

The IPBrick Contacts web interface will be supervised by an admnistrator, he will have total clearance to create and edit any contacts he sees fit and to manage access permitions by creating user profiles.

After the login procedure (Figure 16.1), the index page (Figure 16.2), presents a quick access alphabetical list (the '1' is to access Entities whose name starts numerically or with a symbol) a filter and a Show All link.

Figure 16.1: Contacts login interface

Figure 16.2: Contacts index page

The Rebuild Contacts link has the sole purpose of synchronizing data between the database and the LDAP service.

Logout, obviously ends the session.

There's also two buttons in the central area of the page;

• Definitions
• Entity Types

By clicking on Definitions the following options appear:

• Entities management

  This is where the creation and editing of Entities is done.
  

  An Entity is any given organization that is related to your business. It will be the parent folder, so to speak, of an undetermined number of contacts.
  

  NOTE: To create an Entity you must first create an Entity Type entry in the Auxiliary Data page. This procedure is mandatory. You can't create an Entity if you don't have a type to classify it with.
  

• Auxiliary Data

  Selecting this option on the index page, displays a list of attributes (Figure 16.3) that will serve to characterize any given Entity.

  Figure 16.3: Auxiliary Data Page

  

  This step is crucial, you'll have to create at least an entry in any of these attributes if you wish them to be available when you are creating entities. To do so just click on its name and fill the field that will appear (Figure 16.4), to save click on Insert.

  Figure 16.4: Entity Types creation page

  
  • Entity Types - The mandatory attribute, a type of Entity (e.g. Suppliers, Clients,etc...).
  • Categories - an under-level Entity type (e.g. CeBite 2001).
  • Sub-Categories - Bear in mind that before creating a sub-category it's necessary to create a Category.
  • Countries - Create a Country.
  • States - Create a State.
  • Provinces - Create a Province.
  • Regions - Create a Region.
  • Economic Activities Classification - Identifies Entity by its E.A.C. number and description.
  • Associated Groups - Create an Associated Group (e.g. Consultant, Press, Reseller, User, etc...).
  • Additional Field - Any extra classification you wish to add.
  • Groups of contacts - Creates a tag that identifies a group of contacts.

• Profiles Management This menu (Figure 16.5) manages the permissions granted to users, it lets you edit or create new user profiles. By default there are three basic non-editable profiles:

  Figure 16.5: Profiles management page

  
  • Admin - The Administrator has complete control. He can Read, Create/Edit and Erase.
  • Editor - He Can only Read and Create/Edit.
  • Reader - Only has permission to Read.

  To create a new user profile simply click on Insert, this page (Figure 16.6) will appear.

  Figure 16.6: Profiles Management Insert Page

  
  • Input the Profile name.
  • check the permissions you want to concede.
  • click on Insert to save the new profile.

• Users Management
  

  This is where you can select which of the LDAP users can also be Contacts users (Figure 16.7), simply select the user and click the arrow button in the direction of the IPBrick Contacts Users box. You can also click on the button pointing to LDAP Users to remove a LDAP user from being able to access the IPBrick's Contacts management web interface.

  The profile association link located under the Rebuild Contacts link serves as a quick way to assign a certain user profile to the user in question.

  Figure 16.7: Users Management Page

  

• Close Session - Selecting this option ends the session.