Workflow1

Classification: Genpact Internal

Introduction to workflow

Tool From Oracle Works with Oracle Database PL/SQL Based Widely Used with Oracle Applications Can be Used Stand-Alone or with

Oracle Apps

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Classification: Genpact Internal

Need of workflow

Workflow can be described as the flow of information and control in a business process.

Routing the information Defining and modifying business rules Delivering electronic notifications Integrating systems

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Classification: Genpact Internal

Workflow Advantages

Human Element in Decision Making Flexible Processes Electronic Notifications System Integration PL/SQL Based Architecture

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Classification: Genpact Internal

Workflow Components

Workflow Engine Workflow Builder Workflow Definition Loader Notification System Business Event System Directory Services

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Classification: Genpact Internal

Workflow architecture6

Classification: Genpact Internal

Workflow Engine

Workflow engine Embedded in database Uses the process definition created with Oracle

workflow Builder to coordinate the routing of activities of a Process

Monitors Each activity in a workflow Process Signals any change in the workflow state using

calls to PL/SQL or JAVA APIs Guarantees consistency between application and

workflow state because of Oracle database transactional Integrity

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Classification: Genpact Internal

Workflow builder

Workflow Builder is the development tool for oracle workflow

Define and customize workflow definitions You can save the definitions to a flat file or

database At any time you can add, remove, or change

workflow activities, or setup new prerequisite relationships among activities

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Classification: Genpact Internal

Notification system

Notification system Routes notifications

to a role, which can be a single user or group of users

Enable users to receive or respond to notifications

Provide access to notification worklist from E-business suite.

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Classification: Genpact Internal

Email Notification10

The notification system interfaces with the notification mailer program to send email notification to users and Roles

Users can reply to email notifications using their email client.

A notification mailer can send an individual email for each notification, or a summary email listing all the outstanding notifications for a user.

Classification: Genpact Internal

Directory services

Directory services As a set of views that are mapped with user

tables. The workflow engine and notification system uses

to determine who should receive the notifications. User can be associated with more than one role

and one role may contain more than one user.

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Classification: Genpact Internal

Workflow definitions loader

Workflow definition loader Is an utility that load process definitions between

database and flat file. Runs on server machine Also integrated into workflow builder

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Classification: Genpact Internal

Workflow definitions loader13

Classification: Genpact Internal

Some standard workflows in oracle apps14

Payable Expense Report (Payable) Candidate Offer Approval Process (HR) PO Confirm Receipt Process (PO) Journal Approval Process (GL) Order Header and Line Process (OM) Procurement Workflow (Purchasing) Credit Memo Workflow (AR)

Classification: Genpact Internal

Workflow example15

Classification: Genpact Internal

Workflow example16

Classification: Genpact Internal

Workflow Responsibilities17

Workflow User Web Applications

Workflow Administrator Web Applications

Classification: Genpact Internal

Monitoring of Workflow18

Searching Workflow Instance Activity History Workflow Details Workflow Status Diagram Cancel and Suspension of workflow Rewind of Workflow

Classification: Genpact Internal

Who can monitor workflow19

Owner of the Workflow Workflow System Administrator

Can be a Particular User (Mostly SYSADMIN) Particular Responsibility

Finding out Workflow Administrator SELECT text FROM wf_resources WHERE name =

‘WF_ADMIN_ROLE’; Changing Workflow Administrator to a

Responsibility UPDATE WF_RESOURCES SET text = ‘FND_RESP|FND|FNDWF_ADMIN_WEB|STANDARD’ WHERE name = ‘WF_ADMIN_ROLE’

Classification: Genpact Internal

Workflow design approaches20

Bottom up Approach In the bottom up approach, we first create all the

components (attributes, messages, functions, notifications etc.) and then use them to build a workflow process.

Top-Down Approach In this approach, we directly start with the graphical

representation of the work flow process and create all the components as required in the building process.

It is generally better to use Bottom up approach as it gives more clarity on the components required.

Classification: Genpact Internal

Workflow terminologies

StoreProcessItem TypeAccess LevelProtection LevelActivityAttributeNodeLookup CodeLookup Type

Result TypeNotificationPerformerRole MessageFunctionTimeoutTransition

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Classification: Genpact Internal

Workflow Navigator22

Classification: Genpact Internal

Item type23

Item Type: Is name of the identifier of a business. Other components are associated with item type. Must be unique. All the components of the workflow process contain

the item type as the foreign key.

Classification: Genpact Internal

Item type

Classification: Genpact Internal

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Persistence: The workflow run history

will be deleted by WF_PURGE api for Temporary.

WF_PURGE.TotalPerm() API can be used to delete explisitly for Permanent

Item Attribute25

Classification: Genpact Internal

Type Description

Text This type of item attribute contains character/string data.

Number This type of item attribute contains number data.

Date This type of item attribute contains DATE type of data.

LookupThe attribute value will contain one of the lookup code defined in a lookup type in the workflow.

Form

The attribute value is internal name of the Form Function (defined in Oracle Apps). FND_FNDSCAUS:#RESP_KEY="SYSTEM_ADMINISTRATION" #APP_SHORT_NAME="SYSADMIN"

URL

The attribute value contains a web URL. An URL can contain dynamic attributes as follows: http://www.oracle.com?arg1=-&msgattr1-&arg2=-&msgattr2-

Document

This type of attribute is used for sending document with a notification. The following types of document types can be used: PL/SQL Document , PL/SQL CLOB Document , PL/SQL BLOB Document

Example 126

Company ABC wants to use Oracle workflow to automate the Expense reimbursement system. Whenever employee travels or incurs any expense from his pocket for a company work, he can submit the expense report through a specially designed form. The details will then be sent to his supervisor for approval. Overall the process is as follows:

Employee submits his expense report through a custom form. This launches a workflow which sends a notification to his supervisor. Once supervisor approves the expense, an email is sent to the requestor

informing him of the approval. Supervisor can also reject the request and ask for more details. In this

case, a notification is sent to the requestor informing him of rejection and the information which is being sought.

Employee can provide the requested information and then submit the report again.

On final approval, the details are sent to Accounts department for reimbursement.

Classification: Genpact Internal

Example 127

Classification: Genpact Internal

Example 128

Classification: Genpact Internal

Example1.sql

Workflow monitor

The Workflow Monitor displays an annotated view of the process diagram for a particular instance of a workflow process.

Users can get a graphical depiction of their work item status.

It also displays a separate status summary for the work item, the process, and each activity in the process.

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Classification: Genpact Internal