Integrating Elvis 5 and Enterprise Server 10 - how it works

Elvis 5 can be tightly integrated with Enterprise Server 10 to make the assets that are stored in Elvis available in the workflow of Enterprise.

This integration makes it possible to:

• Make images stored in Elvis part of the Enterprise workflow
• Restore layouts that were archived from Enterprise
• Export assets from Elvis to Enterprise
• Import assets from Enterprise to Elvis (typically done for archiving purposes)
• Map and synchronize metadata fields
• View the relations between layouts and their placed files

This article describes the architecture as well as some of the technical aspects of working with assets within an Enterprise integration.

Architecture

At the heart of the integration sits the Elvis Content Source plug-in. It is installed and configured in Enterprise Server and takes care of all communication between Elvis and Enterprise.

The following figure shows an overview of the plug-in architecture.

1. Elvis Server. Manages all files which can be placed on layouts or that can be stored (as a reference) in Dossiers in Enterprise. Such files include images, videos, audio files, documents and so on.

2. Enterprise Server. When a file is accessed through Enterprise (for example by dragging it in Content Station or by placing a file on a layout in InDesign with Smart Connection installed), it retrieves the original file, the file preview, the thumbnail, metadata and versions from Elvis. Likewise, when changes to the metadata of a file is edited in Enterprise, the Content Source plug-in ensures that these changes are also made to the file in Elvis.

3. Elvis Content Source. The Elvis Content Source plug-in for Enterprise is the link between Elvis Server and Enterprise Server. It manages all file operations performed by Enterprise on files stored in Elvis.

Working with Elvis files in Enterprise

An asset that is stored in Elvis can be used in Enterprise in one of the following ways:

• As a shadow object that is created in Enterprise and that is linked to the asset in Elvis (default setting). Only when the Elvis file needs to be worked on is the original file — together with the file preview, thumbnail, metadata and versions — retrieved from Elvis and stored on the local system of the user.
• As a copy that is created in Enterprise and that is not linked to the original in Elvis.
• As a variant: a copy that is stored in Elvis and linked to a shadow object in Enterprise. The variant is also linked to the original image, thereby making it possible to see the original asset and all its variants. Variants are stored in a dedicated folder in Elvis, known as a 'Production Environment'. Multiple Production Environments can be set up, one for each Brand / Category combination. This makes it possible to use the same asset across different Brands.

The metadata of the file is stored in the file in Elvis and simultaneously in the reference in Enterprise. Whenever values in the mapped metadata fields is changed on either the Elvis side or the Enterprise side, these values are synchronized.

To summarize, the default behavior is as follows:

• The original file is managed in and by Elvis
• Versions of a file are created in Elvis
• By default, only references of a file are stored in Enterprise
• Metadata is stored in Elvis and updated in Enterprise

Using Elvis files in multiple Enterprise Brands

When the default configuration is used, a file from Elvis can only be used in one Enterprise Server at a time. To use a file in multiple Enterprise Brands, use the 'variant' option as described above.

Behavior when exporting or importing files

When importing files from Enterprise in Elvis or exporting files from Elvis to Enterprise, the default behavior is that references are created in Enterprise. Should copies be created instead, this can be configured. For more information, see Importing files from Enterprise Server into Elvis 5 and Automatically exporting assets from Elvis 5 to Enterprise - configuration.

User management

For a seamless integration between Elvis and Enterprise it is important that all clients use the same user to log in. The user therefore needs to be present in both Elvis Server and Enterprise Server and have the proper permissions assigned. The use of LDAP is advised. For more information, see Integrating Elvis 5 in Enterprise Server 10.

Document history

• 13 December 2016: Added information about the 'variant' option.
• 13 December 2016: Updated architecture diagram.