Methods for sending additional data

There are three main methods for sending additional data: Adding data to the UserData element of a BOD, Extending a BOD, Creating a new BOD.

Adding data to the UserData element of a BOD
- Achieved by adding name/value pairs to the userData element of the BOD message
- Requires no schema changes
Extending a BOD
- Achieved by extending the model object provided with WebSphere Commerce
- Requires schema changes and use of the extension point framework
Creating a new BOD
- Achieved by creating a new model object
- Requires a new schema and associated request builder

Adding data to the UserData element

Advantages
- Requires no schema changes
- Fields are automatically mapped on WebSphere Commerce side

Disadvantages

Limited amount of data can be passed
Restricted to name-value pairs

Difficult with record data - lists of repeating data


<wc:CommerceArea>
                <wc:StoreId>0</wc:StoreId>
        </wc:CommerceArea>
        <wc:UserData>
            <wc:UserDataField name="userField1">This is
text</wc:UserData>
            <wc:UserDataField name="userField2">This is more
text</wc:UserData>
           </wc:UserData>
</wc:Logon>

Extending the UserData element

To add additional name-value pairs for Create or Sync BODs

Add parameters to the model object
- Passed to service request handler via TelesalesProperties
- Properties marked as user data are added automatically to the UserData element
- <ModelObject>.setData()

Add the field to the user data property

<ModelObject>.addUserDataProperty()

Example: Customer.addUserDataProperty


protected TelesalesProperties getCreateCustomerParameters() { 
        TelesalesProperties parms =
super.getCreateCustomerParameters(); 
        Customer customer = (Customer) parms.get("customer"); 
        customer.setData("userField1", "custom data"); 
        customer.addUserDataProperty("userField1"); 
        return parms;
}
<wc:UserData>
        <wc:UserDataField name="userField1">custom
data</wc:UserData>
</wc:UserData>

Use the appropriate extension point
- Example: Editor extension point
- <ModelObject>.addUserDataProperty() Example: Customer.addUserDataProperty
```
<editor 
      name="customerEditorName" 
      icon="" 
      
      id="extensions.customerEditor">
</editor> 
```
Use the configuration editor to support the customization
Example: com.ibm.commerce.telesales.customerEditor=extensions.customerEditor