Way too many steps to edit word doc in alfresco!!!!

[invantix]

Please tell me I am doing something wrong!

My CIO is not happy with what it takes to edit a file in alfresco.  "It is too complicated for our users"  He wants to can the trial.  I want to keep going so I need to find a better way.  (Click, edit, save, done)

Here is our experience.

Scenario A
1. find the file in alfresco.
2. click on the title
3. an empty browser window opens as well as the document in word.
2. make changes and click save.
3. Save as dialog opens.
4. He asks "Where am I supposed ot save it?"

Senario B
1. Click on the pencil.
2. Read the instructions and save the file on the desktop.
3. Make changes.
4. Save the file.
5. "How come I don't see the changes in alfresco?"
6. Well sir, you now have to update the file in alfresco.
7. find the space you were in.
8. find the file.
9. click the arrow
10. select update.
11. click browse.
12. find the file you just changed.
13. click open.
14. click update.


Please tell me I am doing something wrong!!

[loftux]

I don't think it is you, it is your CIO that is doing something wrong  :wink:

Have you tried using CIFS?
See http://wiki.alfresco.com/wiki/File_Server_Configuration
This is by far the easiest way of editing document, just map the folder and open the document as your CIO is used to. And then save as he is used to.

If he wants more gui there is an office plugin available, just download from where you downloaded the other stuff.

Tell your CIO that you most likely will not find any ECM software that allows for more easy editing. I've worked with Documentum, Hummingbird, Open Text Livelink, and Alfresco beats them all!

Peter Löfgren

[dhalupa]

Please tell me I am doing something wrong!


Please tell me I am doing something wrong!!

There is a possibility to make a small customization which will render edit link  (small pencil) as webdav link. In that case (if CIO is using Internet explorer) the editing scenario would be as follows

1. Click on pencil
2. Word is started and document is opened
3. Make changes
4 Save document

To acheive this you have to edit web-client-config.xml and change content of edit-link-type to webdav

Hope this helps,

Denis

[dhalupa]

I don't think it is you, it is your CIO that is doing something wrong  :wink:

Tell your CIO that you most likely will not find any ECM software that allows for more easy editing. I've worked with Documentum, Hummingbird, Open Text Livelink, and Alfresco beats them all!

You were working as a developer or as a user?

I have only been working with Documentum and from developer perspective it is much more fun to work with Alfresco. WDK and DFC were always kind of awkward to me.

But, from user perspective, I think that webtop is still more intuitive due to the fact that you do not have to take care of downloading working versions and uploading back after editing

Kind regards,

Denis

[tonytony]

Try the microsoft plug-in. It automates all of this stuff via webdav.

[loftux]

You were working as a developer or as a user?

Mostly developer and architect. But my statement comes from the fact that I've been very windows client oriented and mostly working with Hummingbird. So even if the initial post was talking about web, I still tend to think of windows clients only. And that is where Alfresco is so easy to use, when there is no need for a separate client and new ways to work. With the Hummingbird DM client the user had to fill in the 'Profile' card, a not to hard task. But then the document got saved mysteriously in cyberspace, the users actually wants to navigate a structure and that gives them a feeling of control that the file is actually saved.

So for the Alfresco web client, there is room for improvement. And to admit, the Open Text LiveLink web client has some nice features, like switching to WebDav view and edit files directly.

Regards,

Peter Löfgren

[dhalupa]

Mostly developer and architect. But my statement comes from the fact that I've been very windows client oriented and mostly working with Hummingbird. So even if the initial post was talking about web, I still tend to think of windows clients only. And that is where Alfresco is so easy to use, when there is no need for a separate client and new ways to work. With the Hummingbird DM client the user had to fill in the 'Profile' card, a not to hard task. But then the document got saved mysteriously in cyberspace, the users actually wants to navigate a structure and that gives them a feeling of control that the file is actually saved.
So for the Alfresco web client, there is room for improvement. And to admit, the Open Text LiveLink web client has some nice features, like switching to WebDav view and edit files directly.

I do agree that accessing Alfresco with windows client is very easy and intuitive for a typical windows user. I am just hoping that Alfresco will take a step back from social computing and other advanced stuff and will try to fix some rather basic things on web client.
These are, for example, implement save of scrolling position, implement tabbed layout instead of expandable panels, implement normal date input on property sheet component like the one they have implemented on recently introduced calendar view.. In my experience, these are things that average customer  will first notice when you let him play a bit with Alfresco web client.

Kind regards,

Denis

[dmatejka]

..yes you are right. and they know about it,…

http://forums.alfresco.com/viewtopic.php?p=36148#36148

:wink:

[mkopaczewski]

There is a possibility to make a small customization which will render edit link (small pencil) as webdav link. In that case (if CIO is using Internet explorer) the editing scenario would be as follows

1. Click on pencil
2. Word is started and document is opened
3. Make changes
4 Save document

To acheive this you have to edit web-client-config.xml and change content of edit-link-type to webdav

Tried this and it does not work, the document is not being updated, the copy is being save somewhere in the temp folder on my computer and that is it.
Any help?

[dhalupa]

Check the following

Open word document from alfresco with pencil link, when word app opens click on File->Properties . Location should be something like

http://yourserv/alfresco/webadav…