newby? file sharing with team members

[Kurt]

A team member gave me an infopath 2003 file. I used that file to create a
second and modified file. I then used the second modified file to create a
third modified file and like wise a fourth file.

Each new file is a unique form. I then copied the four files on to a server
hosed shared folder to share with the other team members. When the others
open my work they do not get the intended results. If I open the same files
from with in infopath, the intended results are correct.

We have no documentation other than the included help files, the on line
labs, and this site. What is the best way to learn about using this software?

Is it possible to turn off the version protection or what ever it is called?

Can anyone recommend a good book for us to buy?

We want to create intranet access to forms that populate data in a
controlled fashion. We want to end up with a paperless process control and
report system.

Thanks!

 

[Kurt]

I should be specific.

I opened the first file, modified it, and saved it.

To created the "new" file I used the modified first file, did a save as,
modified the file and saved it.

Using this method. the fourth file inherited embeded information from the
origninal 'template'.

 

[Clay Fox]

Typically, you will have a form template published to a central location for
everyone who needs it to access.

Then you will have a submit action that will save indivdual documents to a
preset location and with a standard naming convention.

Do you need the previous copies or is everyone finalizing a form and the end
result is the goal?

If you need to template the informaiton as well you may need to have a
backend repository, such as a database or xml file that the data can be
shared between multiple files. You can also have the form name update so that
each becomes a new form as well.
I think you need to get your architecture and flow defined, then you can
work on the best solution.

http://www.infopathdev.com is another good source of information.

If you need some one on one training from an expert, then you can purchase
some support credits here.
http://www.qdabra.com/products_all.asp?cat=12

 

[Kurt]

thanks for the post.

we are not organized into roles and designing on the fly by group effort.
file sharing and lack of version control is a necessity. yes, we will attach
these froms to a data structure, which does not yet exist. we do not care
about previous edits or version control in the design phases. we care about
flexibility and group effort. the group is small so we will likely not step
on each other but willing to take that risk using 'local private' copies that
get pushed to the shared folder.

can the invisible hooks be deactivated for the form development phase?

then we can activate and define the hooks and lock down changes/ownership.

i'm hoping that the final product will be accessed by any browser from
anywhere without the need for an application. is this solution forever tied
to the infopath application? i do not want users to install anything.

 

[Clay Fox]

If you are going to do browser based forms then you need a web server which
is accessible to everyone but then they do not need InfoPath.

If you use Web Services to your backend data then you will have a lot of
flexibility as you develop it. Plus you will need this for your browser
based data integration.

I think the big thing will be settling your flow and process.

If you need some support with this I would love to discuss.
http://www.infopathdev.com/members/clayfox.aspx