Creating and Maintaining System Services

NOTE The SysData directory is used for files that are read-only. Often the system administrator creates a network directory that multiple users can share as their SysData directory. The Data directory is used for editable files and is located locally on your workstation.

System services are stored in the INTSRV.DAT file, which must be in a user’s SysData directory. Personal services and customized toolbar buttons, keyboard shortcuts, and double-click action settings are stored in the user’s INTRACTN.INI file. Generally, end users set up their own preferred methods for launching the services they use.

When you edit a system service, InterAction Administrator always saves the changes in the INTSRV.DAT file stored in InterAction Administrator’s Data directory.

Therefore, if you want to change the existing system services for your organization, move or copy the INTSRV.DAT file from the SysData directory to the Data directory. After making your changes, distribute the updated INTSRV.DAT file to the SysData directories for the end users.

You can distribute this file in a number of ways:

• Configure the user workstations to use a SysData directory on the network, then place the edited files in this location. This is the easiest solution and is recommended.
• Use a network update utility to push the change out.
• Send out changed files via email or some other method and tell users to copy the files into the appropriate folders themselves.

Create a New System Service

1. Log on to InterAction Administrator.

2. On the main window of InterAction Administrator, double-click System Service in the entity list to open the Manage System Service dialog box.

3. Choose New to open the New System Service dialog box.

4. Enter the Menu Text for the service. This text will appear as the command for the service on the Services menu.

   TIP Use the “&” symbol to include a mnemonic letter assignment in the menu text.

5. Enter the Status Bar Text for the service. This text appears in the InterAction main window status bar when the service is highlighted.

6. In the Program Filename field, enter the file or application that the service should launch.

   • Choose the LookUp button to browse for the executable file for the service.

   • Choose the Insert Token button to include a parameter in the program executable name. Include the parameter in the Program Filename field only if the parameter is part of the program filename.

     NOTE See Using InterAction Tokens with Services for details about using tokens.

7. Enter the Start In directory for the service.

8. Enter the command line parameters (token) for the service.

   • Include a space between each command line parameter.

   • Choose the Insert Token button to select an InterAction token, such as email address or phone number, from a list of available InterAction tokens.

9. Select the Prompt for command line parameters when service is run check box to prompt the user to enter command line parameters when running the service.

10. Choose OK to save the new service.

11. When you are done creating services, choose Close to close the Manage System Service dialog box.

12. Distribute the INTSRV.DAT file to the SysData directory for all users.

Edit a System Service

1. Log on to InterAction Administrator.

2. On the main window of InterAction Administrator, double-click System Service in the entity list to open the Manage System Service dialog box.

3. Select the service to edit and choose Edit.

4. Change the fields as needed, then choose OK.

5. When you are done editing services, choose Close to close the Manage System Service dialog box.

6. Distribute the updated INTSRV.DAT file to the SysData directory for all users.

Delete a System Service

1. Log on to InterAction Administrator.

2. On the main window of InterAction Administrator, double-click System Service in the entity list to open the Manage System Service dialog box.

3. Select the service to edit and choose Delete.

4. When prompted to confirm the deletion, choose Yes.

5. When you are done editing services, choose Close to close the Manage System Service dialog box.

6. Distribute the updated INTSRV.DAT file to the SysData directory for all users.