Workflow and Process Concepts

A project consists of workflows and / or processes, and resources, such as input and output files. There are logical containers, such as Workflows and Processes, which hold the workflow and process, and Resources, which hold files, such as .xlsx, .xls, .xlm, and so on and sub-folders.

Understand the concept of a workflow and process and their components, such as steps, entries, and hops.

Workflow

A workflow is a logical flow of steps that enables you to perform an end-to-end business flow or task, such as:

• Data flow

• RPA -- Web GUI, Desktop, and Surface Automation

• IT Process Automation

• Machine Learning

• OCR -- integration with OCR tools with out-of-box plugins or customized integration with Execute a Process plugin.

The two components of the workflow are steps and hops. The workflow is saved with an extension .psw.

• Steps

Steps are the building blocks of workflow. For example, if an input from an excel file needs to be added to a database, you can use the following steps, excel file input step, and table output step. Each step performs a specific task, such as reading data from a flat file, filtering rows, and updating the database table. Configure steps to perform the tasks as required.

Note

All steps are started and run in parallel.

You can group the steps in the following ways:

• Based on functions, such as Input, Output, Scripting, and so on.

OR

• Based on the target system, such as MSSQL, Active Directory, Solar Winds, Microsoft Azure, and so on.

To access the toolbar hover over the step.

Tool	Description
	A step dragged-and-dropped from the Design tab on to the canvas.
	Input hop, connects an input step to the next step in the workflow.
	Enter or modify the description of the step.
	Modify input step details.
	Open contextual menu.
	Output hop, connects a step to the output step.
	Displays a message about metadata injection compatibility. NOTE: The tool is available in certain steps.

Note

The is also available for entries in a process.

• Hops ( )

Hops connect the steps or entries in a workflow or process, respectively. A hop is represented as an arrow. Hops determine the direction and flow of data through the steps or entries, and act as conduits for data flow. You can connect the steps or entries using the hop in following ways:

• Select the step or entry and hover over it. In the toolbar, select and drag it to the next step or entry.

• Select the step or entry and press SHIFT and then drag the mouse to draw the hop to the next step or entry.

• Select two steps or entries using CTRL + left-click, and then open the contextual menu, . Select New Hop and join the two steps or entries.

• Select a step or entry in the workflow that you want to connect to another step entry, and then double-click on a step or entry in the Design tab. The step or entry appears on the canvas with a hop connected to the already selected step or entry.

Note

To split a hop, insert a new step or entry between already connected step or entry. A message asking you to confirm that you want to split the hop appears. Select Yes.

• Select a hop, and you can also perform the following actions on it:
  • Edit: Edit a hop.
  • Disable: Disable a hop.
  • Delete: Delete a hop.
  • Flip Direction: Flip direction of a hop.
  • Hop Bulk Change: Enable bulk changes to hops, such as:
• Enable Between Selected Steps or Entries.
• Disable Between Selected Steps or Entries.
• Enable Downstream.
• Disable Downstream.
• Flip Direction: Change the direction of the hop.
• Evaluation: Evaluate if the flow of information needs to be:
  • Unconditional ( ): Executes the next process entry regardless of the result of the originating process entry
  • Follow When Result is True ( ): Executes the next process entry if the result of the originating process entry is true.
  • Follow When Result is False ( ): Executes the next process entry if the result of the originating process entry is false. The Evaluation option is available for process entry only.

Process

Processes are workflow-like models for coordinating resources, execution, and dependencies of IT or business process activities. The process is primary building blocks of an IT or business activity, and consists of process entries, such as Start and Get files via FTP, hops, and properties. Process properties contain the settings that control the behavior of a process and the method of logging its actions. The process is saved with an extension .psp.