The FreeBalance Accountability Platform

The FreeBalance Accountability Platform is pure-web Java Enterprise Edition (Java EE) Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) platform designed for government financial management.  Applications are deployed via Java Server Pages (JSP) supporting centralized, decentralized and hybrid deployment models.

Platform

The FreeBalance Accountability Platform is a technical software platform designed for government.

  • Platform Foundation to support GRP modules operating on a wide variety of operating System, database, computer and Internet browser platforms including open source and commercial options.
  • Integrated Development Environment built on Eclipse to enable governments to develop specialized and unique GRP modules.
  • Systems Management to support maintaining Systems, users and groups while managing archival, retrieval and system integrity check.

Capacity Building

Capacity Building functionality is integral to the FreeBalance Accountability Platform design.

  • Adaptable Help and Documentation updates standard system help and documentation to show government practices and assist users.
  • Knowledge Management tools to support government practice knowledge bases.
  • Change and Task Management tools to support government reform and modernization.

Information Security

The FreeBalance Accountability Suite is deployed securely in government information environments.

  • Authentication and Authorization includes strong access and identity management.
  • Digital and Electronic Signatures includes biometric integration.
  • Secure Cheque Printing meets financial standards.

 

Graphical User Interface

The FreeBalance Accountability Platform uses the following Graphical User Interface (GUI) to interact with the end-user:

From the above image:

  1. Search - Search keywords to be directed to a particular entity.
  2. Workspace Name - Provides the title of the current entity.
  3. Mode Selector - Choose the Mode.  The user can create a new entity, search the System for an existing entity, or view results.  By default, the screen will be in Search Mode.
  4. Workspace - The space displaying configurable parameters specific to the current screen.
  5. Tabs - Displaying sub-workspaces within the current entity.  Click to Tab to view the corresponding Workspace.
  6. Workspace Command Buttons - The icons provide applicable work functions for the current entity.
  7. List - Displays a list of applicable entities.  Headings are displayed at the top of the list to describe the category.
  8. User Menu - The menu provides users with available features of the application.
  9. Personalized User Menu - The menu consists of saved directory unique to the particular user.
  10. Mode - Describes the current Mode selected.  By default, the user will be in Search Mode.
  11. Navigation Path - The screen directory.  The navigation path acts as a guide to the location of a particular entity.
  12. Find Tool - Presents a list of existing data entires relating to the current entity.
  13. Language Bar - Language options are represented by national flags.  Click the flag to change language setting to the corresponding language.
  14. Help - The Help icon provides a link to on-line FreeBalance Help site.
  15. Internal Messages - The number of unread messages is displayed.  A green icon indicates a new message.
  16. Session Details - Indicates the user currently logged in and language setting.  Click Logout to log off of the application.

 

Icons / Buttons

The FreeBalance Accountability Platform GUI offers to the end-user the following functionality, via Icons and Buttons:

  Create / Add - Set screen to Insert Mode.  Users can then create a new record through this button.

  Search - Set screen to Search Mode.  Users can enter filter criteria and search existing entries.  By default, when entering a feature, users are in Search Mode.

  Results - Once a record has been created or searched for, users can return to the results screen when necessary.

 Generate Data Import Template - Allows users to generate the template file related to the screen.

 Execute Data Import - It allows users to execute the data import for the related screen.

  Workflow History - Allows users to view the history of workflow transitions for an item. The following is presented:

  Workflow Transition - Click this button to change the workflow status, and move the process to the next stage in the workflow. 

Delete - Click to remove the record. A window is displayed confirming the item is deleted.

 Lookup - The Lookup tool allows users to browse and select existing items.  Once selected, all available information automatically populates the corresponding fields.

Save - Click to save the information inputted. The record is stored and a confirmation message is presented.

 Import - Import a file from outside the GRP.  When clicking the icon, a screen appears:

Click the Browse icon, to search for a file.  Click the  icon to Import an Excel or CSV file.

 Discard - Eliminate the selected file.

Accept - Save changes and return to the previous screen.

Find - Present a list of existing items as per the selected filter criteria. From the list users may select one record to retrieve the stored information.

  Update - Select to update all changes made to a record.

  New - Add a new item to the detail tab.  A screen appears allowing users to enter new information for a detail item.

  Remove - Remove a record.  A screen appears to confirm the record is deleted.

  Select All - When users are required to sort by a specific filtering criterion, the Select All button allows to highlight all the filter criteria.

  Unselect All - When users are required to sort by a specific filtering criterion, the Unselect All button unselects all previously highlighted filter criteria.

The sort by list appears as follows:

Expand tree structure - Click to reveal all items under a particular list.

Collapse tree structure - Click to hide all items under a particular list.

 Mandatory field - Indicates a field that is required.

 Range Field - Allows users to select range of values.

Color Picker -Allows users to select color code. The following window appears:

 

  Calendar - Allows users to select a calendar date.  The following window appears:

Audit - Allows users to view the audit history for the current record.  The following screen appears:

 HTML Export - When exporting a report, click the icon to export in HTML format.

 PDF - When exporting a report, click the icon to export in PDF format.

 PDF - When exporting a report, click the icon to export in PDF format.

 Excel - When exporting a report, click the icon to export in Excel format.

 Excel XLSX- When exporting a report, click the icon to export in Excel XLSX format.

 RTF - When exporting a report, click the icon to export in RTF format.

 ODT - When exporting a report, click the icon to export in ODT format.

 ODS - When exporting a report, click the icon to export in ODS format.

 MS Word - When exporting a report, click the icon to export in MS Word format.

  Full Screen - Full Screen button allows users to see the screen in full screen mode.

 Proceed - Select to execute processes.