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User Interfaces

CMDBuild provides several user interfaces tailored to different roles and usage contexts. Each interface exposes a specific subset of functionalities and interaction models, supporting daily operational activities, system configuration tasks, field work and simplified access for non‑technical users. The following sections describe the available interfaces, outlining their scope, main features and how they integrate with the core CMDBuild components.

Data Management Module​

The Data Management Module is the standard web interface for operators. It supports daily Asset Management activities, according to the permissions assigned to each user role. Typical operations include:

  • consulting and updating asset data and related entities (companies, employees, buildings, customers, suppliers, orders)
  • carrying out activities defined by company processes through dedicated workflows
  • performing control activities via dashboards and printing configured reports

The main features of the Data Management Module are described below.

Card management and views​

  • searches using criteria or saved filters
  • creation, editing, cloning and deletion of cards
  • master–detail views
  • consultation, creation and modification of relations
  • opening the Relation Graph
  • browsing the history of changes
  • uploading attachments with metadata
  • running commands from the contextual menu, including mass updates and data import/export (if templates are configured)
  • viewing assets on maps, vector plans or 3D models
  • exporting and printing cards, with selectable columns and row filters
  • printing the current card with its relations

Process management​

  • consultation and search
  • start and execution using the provided widgets

Reports and dashboards​

  • printing reports (tabular, graphs, documents)
  • consulting configured dashboards and related KPIs

Additional features​

  • changing group or tenant
  • user preferences
  • password change
  • notifications
  • schedule

Administration Module​

The Administration Module provides all configuration and system management functionalities. Its main features include:

  • summary dashboard for system status and content
  • configuration of the CMDB data model and related UI behaviors:
    • creation of classes (object types)
    • creation and modification of class attributes
    • UI configuration: attachments, fieldsets, triggers, contextual menus, widgets
  • workflow configuration:
    • definition of persistence information
    • import of flows designed with TWE (XPDL)
    • definition of UI behaviors
  • creation of domains (relations between classes)
  • creation of lookup lists
  • definition of filters and views
  • configuration of navigation trees
  • dashboard configuration
  • report creation using JasperStudio
  • custom menus for user groups
  • custom UI components
  • attachment management
  • security management:
    • creation of users and groups
    • definition of permissions
  • notification management
  • import/export templates
  • Task Manager configuration
  • Service Bus configuration
  • GIS and BIM configuration
  • localization
  • system management
  • system parameters definition

Mobile App for Operators​

Many Asset Management operations take place in the field (item movement, problem resolution, inventory). The Mobile App allows operators to perform the main features of the Data Management Module directly from smartphones and tablets.

The Mobile App allows you to:

  • use the navigation menu
  • consult and update cards, relations and attachments
  • perform searches and apply filters
  • consult and process workflows using the main widgets
  • print reports
  • configure app parameters and consult logs

It also provides features specific to mobile devices:

  • taking pictures and saving them as attachments
  • scanning barcodes and QR codes to open related cards

The Mobile App is available for Android and iOS devices and requires an active maintenance subscription.

Self‑Service Portal for Final Users​

The standard CMDBuild interface is designed for technical users. In many cases, however, non‑technical users need simplified interfaces for basic operations through intranet portals, such as:

  • submitting requests
  • monitoring the resolution process
  • consulting FAQs
  • printing reports

The GUI Framework enables the creation of these simplified interfaces. It provides:

  • activation in portals based on different technologies (developed in jQuery)
  • high flexibility in defining layouts through XML descriptors and CSS
  • quick configuration via predefined functions and native UI elements (forms, grids, upload buttons, widgets)
  • interaction with CMDBuild through REST webservices

The GUI Framework is used in CMDBuild READY2USE and openMAINT for implementing Self‑Service portals.

REST Webservices​

Alongside graphical interfaces, CMDBuild provides REST webservices, which allow external systems to read and write data and execute operations programmatically. These APIs are also used internally by CMDBuild components.

External applications can use the webservices to implement interoperability scenarios such as:

  • synchronizing data with external master systems (asset management, HR, ERP)
  • receiving automatic malfunction notifications from monitoring tools
  • interacting with IoT systems (sensors, data collectors)

Webservices are used by:

  • standard User Interface
  • the GUI Framework, for simplified interfaces
  • the Mobile App, for smartphone and tablet operations (with maintenance subscription)

All CMDBuild users can use the same webservices to implement custom integrations.