Recipe for Joomla Integration

Ken,
I have 10 Joomla-based websites where I have integrated PHPRunner built applications.
I add the PHPRunner application tables to my Joomla database. I use a different table prefix so that I can easily different between the two different applications.
Doing this then allows me to use the same username and password for both Joomla and the PHPRunner applications, i.e. jos_users. This makes life a lot easier because if the user changes his/her password, the PHPRunner application continues to work.
To see an example of how I have integrated the two, please go to http://www.competrax.com This is a demonstration website so please feel free to check it out. The PHPRunner applications are the Learning Plans, Learning Opportunities and Learning Evaluations components.
If you have specific questions, I will try and answer them.
Best of success,
Russ

Wow, Thanks!....Interesting...
I see that you are just calling the PHPR app by a URL in the Joomla page...
Have you given thought at all to embedding the app within the Joomla template so that every page of the site looks the same?

I am thinking that would involve the Joomla Wrapper component, and that would depend somewhat on the template....a CSS/fluid template with no side modules should to to full width, but still have the header and top navigation.
I see, too, that that might be more confusing for users...if you didn't shut down the top nav, there would be two different nav systems on the page.
Have you done any Wrappers or IFrames, or whatever, and is there an "automatic" way to make sure that the PHPR appication doesn't exceed the available width in the template, or do you just have to keep track of the field widths in a table, for example, and experiment a little?
Thanks for the interesting example...
Ken

I have absolutely no Joomla related experience so I recommend another approach.
Using header and footer files you can mimic any website look and feel.

Here is a simple yet elegant example:

http://www.aist.org/jobsasp/jobs_list.asp

Ken,
Yes, I did consider using a wrapper but decided that it would be too confusing for the user. I have to keep reminding myself that our software has to be user-friendly and not necessarily pretty or good looking.
I have tested the application with four different groups now and it works great. People know how to use it and there have been no complaints. Therefore, I going to stay with this approach for now.
I believe that the Joomla wrapper will automatically resize any content within the window. This of course may result in readability and format issues.
The approach suggested by Sergey may be the best compromise.
Best of success with your projects,
Russ

Thanks to both of you...yeah, that does sound like the best payback/effort solution.
Thanks to both of you,

Ken