Workflow Launch Tool^©

Leveraging the power of Workflow Automation

Function Overview

The standard Syteline Workflow offers the capability to link a workflow with a singular Syteline action. These actions can be either add, update, or delete to a specific screen. Syteline has provided the ability to make these links on all GUI screens. Simply push the workflow button from the toolbar and add the named workflow to the screen action. Any time a user completes a Syteline action of add, update, or delete a workflow will be launched automatically without any additional input from the user. In addition to initiating the workflow, all of the data elements from the Syteline screen will be available to the workflow.

The AIT Workflow Launch Tool improves this functionality in several unique ways:

Voluntary Flow Launch:

First, the workflow becomes a voluntary action initiated by the user that is tied to a Syteline hot-key. In many situations, the completion of an add or update action does not represent the beginning of a flow. As an example, as line items are being added to a purchase order by the user may not want to create individual flows for each line item. By allowing the user to create all of their purchase order line items first and then launch the flow, the user is able to capture all of the pertinent information about that purchase order into just one workflow.

Standard Syteline Workflow	AIT Workflow Launch Tool
Multiple PO lines, multiple flows PO may not be ready to send!	Multiple PO lines, one flow launched when it is ready to go!

Multi-Relational Data Acquisition:

The second improvement that the Workflow Launch Tool offers is to gather additional data elements that may be important to the flow, but not present on the current Syteline GUI screen. As in the previous example, the purchase order has a purchase order header screen with information specific to a vendor. The same purchase order could have multiple line items and every line item with a different part number, quantity, and cost. The Workflow Launch Tool gathers all of the pertinent data elements from both the header and the line items and passes them to the workflow so that you can generate a form, e-mail or attachment that meets your specific business needs. The Workflow Launch Tool can also pull data elements from other tables (item master, QA information, on-hand info, etc.) providing complete information as it relates to your document.

Standard Syteline Workflow	AIT Workflow Launch Tool

Architecture

Single Hot-Key Approach:

The Workflow Launch Tool provides the ability to launch different workflows, from different screens and send different datasets - all from one pre-defined Syteline Accelerator Key. This is accomplished through a two stage architecture made up of a "Launch Generator" and "Data Acquisition Agents".

Launch Generator:

The Launch Generator is the primary means of identifying which Syteline Module/Screen the user is in and therefore will determine what primary information to pass to the Data Acquisition Agent.

Data Acquisition Agent:

The Data Acquisition Agents (DAA) are programs that acquire and organize multi-relational data from the Syteline tables and then launch a workflow populated with that data. By passing certain key data from the WF Launch Generator about the (for instance) Purchase Order Header, the DAA then gathers specific related information from the vendor, item master, vendor/item x-ref or any other related tables. This approach results in more detailed and useful workflows. As an example, a PO approval / notification flow may need to pass information to accounting about the vendor, MRP related information to planning, and QA/revision related information to the Quality department. Using DAA's can facilitate all this data being included into the content of a single flow.

Standard of Custom DAA's Available:

Example DAA Data Set (Purchase Order)

DAA Data Sets:

While AIT provides a standard library of DAA's, the relational data that is acquired and sent to the workflow can be designed and customized to meet your company's specific needs. Below is an example of a data set designed to launch a purchase order approval routing flow. The data included provides information necessary for flow participants in the procurement, accounting and quality departments.

Create your own data set that is specific to your needs. AIT flow consultants can assist you in defining your requirements.

Product Benefits

• Enhances the workflow to Syteline connection by allowing the user to control when a flow is launched.
• Improves the standard workflow by providing greater access to tables and fields within the Syteline database.
• Allows you to select which fields will best benefit your unique process.
• Allows you to create one workflow for multiple entries into Syteline.
• Installation can be performed by your system administrator in just minutes.
• The standard Syteline workflow functionality is not impacted by these programs and you can use both tools simultaneously.
• Does not modify any of the standard code within Syteline.
• Does not require the use of external databases or other external connections.

Available DAA Data Sets / Pricing

Price includes compiled code on CD, installation instructions and one hour of phone support. All sales are subject to California sales tax or applicable state use tax. On site training and support is available on a per diem basis.

The Workflow Launch Tool is available for Syteline customers using versions 4.01 and above.