For example, the eSuite data access applet's primary function is to access data from a native data store such as a DBMS, spreadsheet, flat file, Lotus Notes database etc., and then pass that data onto the InfoBus. The eSuite spreadsheet applet can also function as a data producer offering data contained within the applet itself. In order for a data provider to establish participation on the InfoBus, the object needing to send or receive data using the InfoBus must actively initiate the participation. Once connected, the object may send DataBusEvents to announce data and obtain data. If the DataBusEvent has a data item name which matches an item the data producer can provide, it responds.
Some data produces can serve up only one data item, while others can serve many items.
Data consumers retrieve data from the InfoBus for visual display and analysis. Data Consumers can request data on startup by sending a DataBusEvent to the InfoBus. The Data Consumer listens for the announcement of data from a producer, and in response to the announcement issues a DataRequest event to get the data. With the InfoBus, it is possible to move data at high speed across applets. Because data items are named, the InfoBus only has to reference one object to pass that stream of data to another cooperating applet.