Exstream Delivery Security
Comparing Exstream databases to secure releases
Context
Within a document software vendor/integrator (anonymized), deliveries related to Exstream templates were sensitive: a change in a template or resource could introduce discrepancies that were difficult to detect and costly to fix late. The tool needed to provide a reliable method to capture a reference state (baseline) and automatically compare a new database to trace all differences and secure production deployments.
Objectives
- Build a secure web application to control Exstream deliveries
- Extract and structure Microsoft Access Exstream data into a baseline repository
- Automatically compare two versions (baseline vs new database) and detect additions/deletions/modifications
- Display discrepancies through a usable interface (search, filters) to secure releases
Approach
Development of a PHP/Yii web application with authentication and access control. Initial requirements gathering, then a feasibility study focused on exploiting the Access database generated by Exstream (identifying relevant tables/fields and extraction limits). Implementation of an internal data model to store a baseline: inventory of objects (templates, resources, settings) and their properties useful for control. Development of a comparison engine between two extractions (baseline vs new version) to identify additions, deletions and modifications, then rendering in a web interface: list of changes, filters, search, and report generation. Functional testing, stabilization, then production of user documentation and operations manual.
Deliverables
- Production-ready secure web application (PHP/Yii)
- Exstream Access extraction module + baseline storage
- Comparison engine and discrepancy reporting (list, filters, report)
- Specifications, tests and documentation (user manual + operations)
Results achieved
- Reliable and reproducible detection of changes between two Exstream database versions
- Reduced risk of undetected discrepancies before delivery
- Traceability of modifications (additions, deletions, property changes)
- Time savings on quality controls and release process security
