Customizing the Database Structure

In the DSM application, all major operations, such as archiving, retrieving, searching, and cataloging, require interaction with database records of the Digital Resources and/or Retrieval Requests Folder Types. In customizing these Folder Types, DSM allows you to define database fields to store as much information as needed to better support your company’s archiving workflow. This chapter provides you with general overview of the DSM database structure and instructions on how to create custom database fields.

After the database structure has been set up, you would normally proceed to designing forms that DSM end users will utilize to interact with database records defined at the record type level. For more details on setting up custom forms, refer to the “Formatting & Designing Forms” chapter of this guide.

You may also define Finds that are based on the Digital Resources and/or Retrieval Requests record types, particularly on their database fields, and may be distributed to users throughout the DSM system. For more details on setting up Global Finds, refer to the “Setting Up Global Finds” section of this guide.

You must be logged into the DSM Client as the Administrator to access administrative utilities (grouped under the Administration menu) and customize the Digital Resource and Retrieval Request Folder Types. For more information on the administrative utilities of the DSM application, refer to the “Administrative Tools” section of this guide.