To effectively extend the Kaptio platform, developers should align their customizations and integrations with the architectural principles defined for each layer. Below, we outline the general principles and corresponding actionable guidelines for each layer of the architecture.

User Experience Layer

Principles: Enhance usability and accessibility while maintaining a cohesive user interface that aligns with Kaptio’s design standards.

Guidelines:

Leveraging Salesforce Platform Tools: Utilize Salesforce platform tools like Lightning App Builder, Salesforce Console, and other highly configurable no-code/low-code options for managing and enhancing the user interface. These tools provide powerful ways to customize the UI without extensive coding, allowing for rapid deployment of tailored features.
Custom UI Components: Develop bespoke user interfaces or modify existing components using Salesforce Lightning components or Kaptio’s proprietary tools to enhance user interaction based on specific business needs.

Services Layer

Principles: Ensure that all extensions and integrations at the service level enhance the platform’s core functionalities without compromising system integrity and performance.

Guidelines:

Business Logic Extensions: Create or modify business logic using Apex classes or triggers in Salesforce to implement custom business processes or workflows.
Third-Party Service Integration: Integrate with external services via APIs to augment Kaptio’s native capabilities, such as adding payment processors or real-time data feeds.

Data Layer

Principles: Maintain data integrity and security while ensuring that the data architecture supports scalability and performance.

Guidelines:

Data Management Enhancements: Implement custom data management practices, such as new data validation rules or encryption techniques, to protect sensitive information.
API Development: Develop robust APIs for efficient data interaction between Kaptio and external systems, ensuring they adhere to standard security protocols.

Data Model Layer

Principles: Extend the data model to accommodate unique business requirements while ensuring compatibility with existing and future platform updates.

Guidelines:

Custom Object and Field Creation: Extend the Salesforce data model within Kaptio by adding custom objects and fields that capture unique business data requirements.
Schema Extensions: Design data schemas that integrate smoothly with Kaptio’s core data structures, facilitating efficient data flow and reporting.

Applying Guidelines Across Specific Modules

After understanding the framework principles, developers can apply these guidelines to specific modules within the Kaptio platform, such as CRM, PIM, OPS, CONNECT, DOCS, PAY, and BOOK modules. Each module may require unique extensions, integrations, and data model changes based on its specific functionalities and the business processes it supports. Here’s how these principles can be applied:

CRM Module

Possible Extensions: Enhance customer relationship management by integrating additional Salesforce apps or third-party CRM tools that can provide deeper insights or functionalities like social media integration, customer behavior analysis, or automated marketing tools.
Possible Integrations: Integrate with email marketing platforms such as MailChimp or marketing automation tools like HubSpot to enhance customer interaction strategies.
Data Model Changes: Add custom fields to capture unique customer data points, such as preferences or history of interactions, which can be used for personalized marketing and service offerings.

Reseller Agreement Objects - includes reseller agreements, services, groups, and other related objects.
Promotion Objects - includes services, promotions, promotion effects, and other related objects.

CRS Module

Possible Extensions: Develop custom booking algorithms or payment solutions tailored to specific business needs or regulatory requirements.
Possible Integrations: Integrate with financial software for real-time payment processing and accounting, like integrating with PayPal, Stripe, or accounting systems like QuickBooks.
Data Model Changes: Extend the booking or financial management objects to include additional data fields that capture specific details related to bookings:

Itinerary Objects - includes itineraries, itinerary items, passengers, passenger assignments, and other related objects.
Payment Objects - includes payment schedules, payment rules, payments, and other related objects.
PNR Objects - connect flight supplier, connect flight gateway, pnr, pnr ticket and other related objects.
Supplier Invoice Objects - includes supplier invoices, supplier invoice lines, accounts, and other related objects.
Sales Invoice Objects - sales invoices, sales invoice lines, accounts, and other related objects.

PIM Module

Possible Extensions: Create custom modules for dynamic package creation or to automate supplier contracting and communications.
Possible Integrations: Integrate with external inventory management systems or supplier databases to streamline the supply chain.
Data Model Changes: Introduce new data structures to handle complex inventory relationships or to support new types of products or services.

Supplier Agreement Objects - includes supplier agreements, business units, channels, and other related objects.
Services Objects - includes services, price categories, accounts, add-ons, and other related objects.
Services Pricing Objects - includes services, price categories, item prices, price seasons, and other related objects.
Occupancy Pricing Objects - includes services, service prices, price roles, price modifiers, and other related objects.
Inventory Objects - includes services, price categories, inventory contracts, allotment days, and other related objects.
Discount Objects - includes discounts, groups, services, price categories, and other related objects.
Package Objects - includes services, packages, components, package departures, and other related objects.
Package Departure Objects - includes packages, package departures, allotment days, and other related objects.
Content Objects - includes services, packages, content, images, videos, and other related objects.
Notes Objects - includes location notes, notes, supplier notes, and other related objects.

OPS Module

Possible Extensions: Develop detailed dashboards for operations management, incorporating AI to predict and manage operational needs.
Possible Integrations: Integrate with logistics and fleet management systems to optimize tour operations.
Data Model Changes: Add or modify data entities related to operations management, such as vehicle tracking or staff assignments.

Manifest Objects - includes manifest, manifest items, services, itinerary items, and other related objects.

CONNECT Module

Possible Extensions: Implement advanced connectivity solutions for real-time communication between different parts of the system.
Possible Integrations: Integrate with third-party APIs for enhanced connectivity options, like live transport updates from local transport authorities or weather service data.
Data Model Changes: Adapt the data model to include links to external data sources, ensuring seamless integration and data flow.

DOCS Module

Possible Extensions: Automate document generation further by creating templates that are dynamically adjusted based on customer or regulatory needs.
Possible Integrations: Integrate with document management systems such as SharePoint or Google Docs to manage and archive generated documents efficiently.
Data Model Changes: Extend the document objects to include metadata for categorization, access management, and compliance tracking.

PAY Module

Possible Extensions: Develop custom payment solutions tailored to different markets or integrate advanced fraud detection and risk management algorithms.
Possible Integrations: Link with multiple payment gateways and financial services to offer flexible payment options to customers worldwide.
Data Model Changes: Enhance the financial data model to support complex multi-currency transactions and provide detailed financial reporting.

BOOK Module

Possible Extensions: Customize the booking engine to support advanced booking features like dynamic pricing, promotions, and package customization.
Possible Integrations: Embed third-party booking services, such as hotel or flight booking APIs from providers like Expedia or Booking.com.
Data Model Changes: Expand the booking data model to accommodate new types of reservations, detailed customer preferences, and integration points with other services.

On this page

Development Guidelines for Extending Kaptio Capabilities: Framework Principles
User Experience Layer
Services Layer
Data Layer
Data Model Layer
Applying Guidelines Across Specific Modules
CRM Module
CRS Module
PIM Module
OPS Module
CONNECT Module
DOCS Module
PAY Module
BOOK Module