Fractal:SDK



Frequently Asked Questions



General
Further Information

What is Fractal:SDK?


Fractal:SDK is a software development kit that lets you alter and extend the functionality of the core Fractal Map components provided by Fractal:Edge, and embed them fully inside your applications.

What are the system requirements for Fractal:SDK?


Fractal:SDK requires a PC running Windows 2000, XP or Vista and access to relevant data sources. The minimum hardware requirements are:
  • 1 GHz Processor
  • 256 MB RAM
Note: For large project data sources (> 10,000 items), a significantly faster processor and more RAM may be required to ensure satisfactory performance.

How can I benefit from using Fractal:SDK?


Fractal:SDK allows you to integrate Fractal Maps tightly with your proprietary business applications and processes to add customer value and provide competitive differentiation.

Is Fractal:SDK expensive to deploy?


No, Fractal:SDK is typically licensed via a one-off payment ensuring low ongoing cost of ownership. It is easy to install and work with so new users can get up and running within minutes with minimal IT support and little or no impact on the IT infrastructure.

What support and services are provided?


Fractal:Edge provides the following optional support and services:
  • project configuration;
  • product training;
  • product maintenance;
  • product support via email; and
  • development for extensions to the product if required.
Please contact us if you wish to receive more information about these services.

What data sources is Fractal:SDK limited to?


Fractal:SDK can be used to create data adapters for almost any data source, and supports a wide range of enterprise data sources via Fractal:Edge's set of standards-based data adapters, allowing quick and easy configuration 'out-of-the-box'. Please see the section on Data Adapters for more information.

Can a Fractal:SDK project query a variety of different data sets?


Yes, Fractal:SDK can combine information from several different data sources simultaneously and 'on-the-fly' if necessary.

Can the end user reconfigure the Fractal Map 'on-the-fly'?


Yes, options are provided to manipulate the way that the Fractal Map appears or behaves and these results are displayed immediately.

How long does it take to create a new component with Fractal:SDK?


This depends on the complexity of the component, but for instance we would expect a new data adapter to take about a day to prototype and a few days to refine.

What languages does Fractal:SDK support?


Windows 32-bit C++ or any .NET compatible language such as C# and VB.NET.

What platforms are supported by Fractal:SDK?


Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista and Server 2008.

Can I use components that I create in Fractal:SDK online?


Yes, you can alter or extend the behavior of both Fractal:Server and the C++ based web clients (currently Active-X for Internet Explorer only) with Fractal:SDK or embed Fractal Map display and data processing components into your own online applications.

Is Fractal:SDK easy to uninstall?


In the unlikely event you want to stop using Fractal:SDK, or if you wish to clear your system before installing a newer version of the product, you can uninstall the application by selecting "Uninstall Fractal Intelligence" from your Start Menu (by default Program Files -> Fractal Edge -> Fractal SDK -> Uninstall Fractal SDK), or by using Window's Add/Remove Programs feature in the Control Panel.

What are Fractal Maps?


A fractal is a simple pattern repeating at smaller and smaller size to create an intricate whole. Fractal Maps use circles arranged within circles to display structured data. Please see the Features and Benefits Sheet for more information.

Why are Fractal Maps Useful?


Fractal Maps can represent very large amounts of data onscreen without losing the detail. This expanded vision generates a level of contextual understanding and explanatory power not possible with other user interface techniques. Please see the Features and Benefits Sheet page for more information.

What can Fractal Maps be used for?


Fractal Maps can be used to navigate, analyse or manage almost any large, complex or fast moving data source. Fractal:Edge have created a number of products to allow you to apply Fractal Maps easily in situations where these conditions exist including:
  • Financial Services Front Office functions including fund management, trading, broking and risk management;
  • General Business Intelligence functions including financial control, compliance, operations monitoring;
  • Website and search engine navigation; and
  • PC, network and other device management.
Please see the Experience section for more information.

Do Fractal Maps have to be based on circles?


No, but a pattern based on circles is the most flexible fractal pattern we have discovered to use in Fractal Maps.
Please contact us if you wish to explore the use of Fractal Maps based on shapes other than circles.

What visual cues can be used in a Fractal Map to highlight particular values or patterns in the data?


A variety of visual cues can be used to highlight the values in one or more data fields, including colour, size, texture and associated icon.

Where can I get further information?


You can find additional information about Fractal:SDK from the following sources:
 

The Fractal Map shown to the right is a simple map of the Fractal:Edge website. Each circle represents a page in the site starting with the largest, outer circle representing the homepage. If there are further links from that page they will be shown as smaller circles within it.

Fractal Map with the homepage highlightedBy moving your mouse over a circle and "hovering" over it (by keeping the mouse still) for a short time, you will see labels appear to show you the titles of the page you are hovering over (at 12 o'clock) and the pages it is linked to.

Clicking on a circle opens the relevant page in your browser window.

Fractal Map with the homepage highlightedIn addition, the Fractal Map will show a "crumb trail" for the page you are viewing by highlighting the relevant circles in red. The smallest red circle represents the page you are viewing and any "parent" pages higher up in the website structure will also be highlighted red showing you the route you would take to reach the page. Note that the homepage itself is never coloured red in this way.

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About the Fractal Map