Prerequisites

• Access to the File > Automation > External application (PM042) menu.
• Access to SoftExpert Workflow.

Introduction

External applications are PHPs that run on the server and can be invoked during the execution of a process in SoftExpert Workflow. They can be available both on the SoftExpert Suite server and on a web page. 

They are used to solve specific problems that SoftExpert Suite does not yet handle natively.

Its execution can take place in two ways:

• In the execution of a system activity without human interaction. In this case, the system will execute its application and follow the process.
• In the action of a user activity. Here, it is possible to configure that the external application will be executed, which will be followed by the execution of the activity. Or simply execute the external application without executing the activity.

Creating an external application

1. Access the File > Automation > External application (PM042) menu.

2. Click on the button.

3. Enter the ID # and name of the external application.

4. In the General tab, note that the Use native external application field is enabled. This indicates that the native applications of the system will be used.

5. If you keep the Use native external application option enabled, in the Native applications field, select the desired option.

6. If you disable the Use native external application option, in the Application path field, provide the full path where the external application is located. For example: “http://intranet/login.php”.

7. If necessary, in the Description field, enter additional information on the application.

8. Click on the button.

Adding the external application parameters

During the creation, after saving the external application for the first time, the Parameters tab is enabled, in which all parameters that can be passed at the moment of calling the external application must be provided. 

1. In the Parameters tab, click on the button.

2. In the ID # field, enter the name of the parameter to be sent to the external application.

3. Check the Parameter is fixed for all calls field for the parameter to be fixed for all calls to the external application.

4. In the Type field, specify whether the parameter value will be constant or variable.

5. If the parameter type is constant, in the Constant value field, enter the value that will be sent to the external application.

6. If necessary, enter a description for the parameter.

7. Click on the button.

Differences between parameter types:

• Constant parameter: the system will always send the same value to the external application, regardless of the activity or process in which it is used.
• Variable parameter: it is possible to enter the value when configuring the external application in an activity. This way, in a process, the external application can receive a value and, in another process, a different value.

Configuring screen properties

On the WEB screen tab on the external application data screen, configure the screen properties if the execution type is WEB.

1. On the External application data screen, access the WEB screen tab.

2. Select the positioning of the screen for when the external application is called. Choose between Center, Maximized, Upper left, or Customized.

3. The Width and Height fields will be enabled if, in the Positioning field, one of these options is selected: Center, Upper left, or Customized. In this case, enter the height and the width (in pixels) of the external application screen.

4. The X axis and Y axis fields will be enabled if, in the Positioning field, the Customized option has been selected. In this case, set the screen position using the X axis and Y axis fields (in pixels), and set the screen size of the external application using the Height and Width fields (in pixels).

5. The tab presents some more options. Check in the table below what each one represents:

6. Click on the button.

Upon finishing all external application configurations, click on the button.

Conclusion

The external application will be created and ready to be used in the execution of a process in SoftExpert Workflow.