dynamic pdf creation and file managment in coldfusion

[tmasingale]

I have a coldfusion web app that allows an admin to create pdf's from an sql query by clicking a link in a cfgrid. There are 3 admins with three different levels of access.

My inclination for a solution is to have a pdf created check box in my cfgrid that checks the db to see if the pdf has been created. I would then have another checkbox in cfgrid for printed which would track if the file had been printed. I would have a separate area of the app for printing files that would update the db on click/print.

1. I need to make sure if a pdf is created it hasn't been created before. (currently I just overwrite the current pdf.

2. If a pdf has been printed I would like to bring up a modal that alerts the user that the pdf has already been printed. The client would also like a watermark if the file has been previously printed.

3. allows for some type of file/document management. I think that this could be done with cffm.1.323


I don't know if I'm over-reaching on this. The app is done except for this part. The department that wants this functionality is severely worried about duplicate files being printed. I'm worried that without file management they will be calling me in to write it as soon as they realize the problem. They will be dealing with about about 300 to 400 new pdf files every six months.

To me this is starting to sound more like document management and not web app territory. If anyone could please point me in the right direction I would be very appreciative.

thanks

Travis Masingale

[acoder]

Your proposed solution seems correct (or at least one way).

You could add in further changes in that there are no links to click if the file has already been created. Likewise with the print, there is already an indicator to print, so the user will not actually be able to click on something to print.

File management should be simple enough with filename/location and creation/print indicators in a single table (or possibly more if you have categories, etc.)