Map Templates

When a map is imported into or exported from DNE Maps, it is imported or exported as a map template. But when a template is opened and you are working in DNE Maps, it is editable, and therefore not a "template" but just a "map". You can build any number of different maps using the same template. In short, a template is like the skeleton for a map, and it is the starting point for building a new map.

A map template consists of one or more kNowledge Elements (NEs), each of which can represent a stage, point or object in the map, plus any number of files related to that point in the map, and meta-data fields for both NEs and files. If a map describes a process like a booking procedure, then space for all the information that you need to complete any particular step in that process can be included on the NE dedicated to that step, either on data fields for the NE (e.g., "does the client want cancellation insurance?"), on attached files (e.g., the full text of the cancellation insurance conditions), or on data fields for the attached files (e.g., "did the client receive a printout of the conditions?"). The template guides the process of "how travel bookings are made around here" while the map you edited gives information about John Smith's vacation in Hawaii or Jane Jones' business trip to Maine.

When you open a map for the first time, or when you want to start editing a new map, you do it by importing a map template. After that you won't need the template any more, unless you want to edit a second (or third, etc.) different map based on the same template. For instance, every time a new customer comes in to book a new trip, you start the booking by opening the original template, then  you add the particulars for their trip and finally save a new map for that new customer. But if John Smith comes back to change his return date, you would not go back to the template, but rather just  open the saved "John Smith in Hawaii" map.

When you load a template, DNE Maps has to decompress a single file (the map file you are importing) into its many source files (all the documents and files included in the map), so loading a large or complicated template can take a little time (similar to unzipping a zipped file). In contrast, reopening a saved map is very quick.

How to Load a Map Template

1.	Click on the main toolbar.

2.	Select . A browser box will appear.

6.

Click .

Or:

1.	Click . A browser box will appear.

5.

Click .

Or:

4.

Click .

Click here to (internet connection required)

How to Export a Map Template

1.	Click on the main toolbar.

2.	Select . A browser box will appear.

4.

Click .

Or:

1.	Click . A browser box will appear.

3.

Click .