Workflow App featured | Comidor Platform

Workflow application

Workflow application 789 592 Comidor Low-code Automation Platform

Comidor platform offers the ability to design your own workflow apps through App Designer, without using any coding. Making a simple or more advanced workflow app is easier than ever, even for non-developer users. Comidor guides you with simple steps, in order to publish your idea.

There are various types of applications provided in Comidor App Designer. You can choose the one that fits better your needs from the following options:

  1. Table applications: 
  2. Report applications
  3. Kanban applications

Let’s see step-by-step how to create and run a workflow app.

Workflow Application

The workflow app is a table process-based application. Choose this type when you want to monitor processes that include few or many steps, manual or automated, with multiple paths and business rules, with scheduling, state, completion, etc. With workflow apps, designers can easily map and orchestrate the business process steps with the Comidor powerful workflow engine, which is compliant with BPMN 2.0.

Access App Designer

In order to access App Designer go to the main menu on the left side of your screen and select the icon App Factory > Application Builder > App Designer

 

App Designer | Comidor Platform

 

In the new unit that opens, click on the button Create an App.

Create Report App | Comidor Platform

 

Create App

  • Click on the “Create an App” icon to create a new workflow app. The creation form opens.

Create an App | Comidor Platform

  • In the Application Type select Table Application.

app designer-create a workflow app

  • Give the Application Name and Description.
  • You can either choose from the existing options in the list or add a new Menu Header option. Depending on your selection, your app will be displayed in the corresponding menu header with a new icon. If you leave it empty, it will be included in the packages menu header.
  • You can also classify your app in a proper Category. Choose one Category from the existing options, or make a new Category. Categorization helps you find easier your apps in the App Designer. Based on the category you choose, the app is also displayed on the respective sub-menu.
  • Collaborators are the users or groups that have access rights to this App. Choose one or more users(s) or group (s) from the list.
  • Select whether this app is Basic or Supportive.
  • Leave the option Process enabled checked. If so, you are able to link a Workflow to your App.
  • Uncheck the option Is sequential.
    • If you leave it checked, you will create a Sequential app. You can then, switch to BPMN 2.0 in step 2. Once you switch to BPMN, you will be able to see the respective steps represented in a sequential workflow diagram, where you can add more steps and rules. Your app will no longer be sequential.
  • Define if this app has a Kanban view. If enabled, table records can be displayed on Kanban boards.
  • There is an option to upload an Image for your App.
  • Click Save to create your App, or Close to cancel.

Once you save your app, you are redirected to the view form. Comidor guides you through simple steps to design your App.

App Dashboard | Comidor Platform

 

1. Dashboard

In the step Dashboard, you get an overview of your application. In particular, you are able to view:

  • Quick Stats:
    • Number of forms, Steps, and Widgets that are created in this App
    • Graphs that show the application activity timeline and the Apps Overview status.
  • Basic Info:
    • the Type, Category, and other parameters
    • You can click on the pencil button to edit the above info
      • You can lock your app by checking on the Locked option. With this option, only the user who locks the app will be able to edit the app (in all steps). All the rest users will just be able to view the app, but can not edit it.App Builder sequential lock | Comidor Platform
      • By checking the Has customizations option, the application will not be exportable.
      • Put a flag to remember if this application 
  • Collaborators: the users or groups that have access rights in this App.
  • Comments: an area where users who have access can write and view comments.

2. Process

In the second step, you can fully design your process in terms of the number and the looks of the process steps, your Data model, Table View, and User forms.

Data Model

  • When the Data model tab is open, you see a sub-table with the following columns: icon, label, size, column name, created by, created on, last updated by, last updated on, the pin, and multi checkboxes.
  • You can see the existing and/or add all fields that you want to be used in the App here.  You can click on the “+” to create your own custom fields.
  • Click on the refresh icon, and the table should be updated.
  • Type a keyword in the search area, click enter and the table should be refreshed displaying results that match the keyword.

App designer - data model - workflow apps

  • Click on an existing field, to view its basic info: By default, you will see Entity, Label, Auto-generate name, Column name, Type, Default Value, Store Type, Tooltip, and Security Level. In the Connected Forms tab, you can view the list of forms in which this field is used.

Workflow

Define one by one the steps of your workflow application, or Switch to BPMN design for more advanced applications. Each step is actually a workflow task in BPMN 2.0, with assignees, one form, and fields linked to it. Click on “Create the first step of your application”.

Find out more about Sequential apps here.

  • You have the option to Switch to BPMN design, in the Process step.

sequential App switch to BPMN | Comidor Platform

  • A confirmation pop-up appears.

App switch to BPMN | Comidor Platform

  • If you click Yes, you will be able to see the respective steps represented in a sequential workflow diagram, where you can add more steps and rules. Your app will no longer be sequential but a workflow app.

workflow app- workflow design

With Comidor BPMN 2.0 Designer, you can map and optimize any process that takes place in your company.

  • Drag-n-drop any workflow components from the left side panel, into your pool.
  • Define the attributes of each component
  • Draw the sequence of your steps and define your business rules
  • Make sure you connect all alternative paths with one or more End components.

Basic Components

Comidor offers the following BPMN 2.0 basic components:

  • Tasks and escalations
  • Subprocess
  • Email
  • SMS
  • Notification
  • Timer
  • AND/OR/XOR gateways
  • Annotation
  • End

Integration Components

Additionally, designers can cover their integration needs with the following components:

  • RESTful Web Service
  • OpenAI API
  • Message Queue
  • Teams integration
  • Google integration
  • Zoho projects API
  • Zoho leads API
  • Freshdesk API
  • Salesforce API

Data Components

Designers can use low-code data components for data input and output:

  • Comidor DATA (insert/update/delete)
  • Shell Command
  • File Reader
  • Export Data
  • Convert Data
  • Digital Signature
  • Document Creator
  • QR Generator
  • Table Extractor
  • Excel Processor
  • Graph Creator
  • Blockchain
  • KPI Update
  • DMN

RPA Workflow Components

Other workflow elements can be added within the workflow design to enhance automation in business processes with RPA and ML/AI. Those components are:

  • RPA Caller/ Receiver
  • Sentiment Analysis
  • Document Analyzer
  • Text Classification
  • Predictive ML
  • Selenium RPA
  • Image Classification
  • Web Scraper

Workflow design | Comidor Platform

 

Code Components

Enhance your processes without using any coding with the Workflow Code Components. Add the following code components into the workflows to replace commands and queries:

  • Set values
  • Existence check
  • SQL Creator
  • String Utilities
  • JSON Array to Excel
  • Deserialize JSON

My Plugins

Designers can upload their own plugins for custom code to perform any advanced functionality they wish. Drag and drop the My Plugins Component in any workflow, and then
choose which plugin to run. The response of your plugin can then be stored in an app field and used within your workflow.

Learn more about each Workflow Component in detail.

Table View

  • Determine which columns you wish your App to have in the main table. By default, you should see all the table fields you have created in the steps, and will be added as columns in your application table. Each field has a pencil and x buttons.App designer - table view - workflow apps
  • You can add more Columns, by clicking on the “+” icon and selecting the desired field, or drag-n-drop from the list of the available fields.
    • A pop-up appears to add a column. Choose a field from the list (both custom fields and process fields are available).
    • Add a label name. If left empty, the column gets the field name.
    • Prefix or Suffix to be displayed before or after the value of each entry
    • Select the preferred alignment
    • Define the preferred width in percentage to be displayed as default in the summary table
    • Other options like ALIAS Column, Not Sortable, and Hidden are available, too.
    • Check the “Is Kanban Field?” option in case you want to display this field on the Kanban boards.
    • Click save to add this column to your table, or cancel.

app designer- add a column

  • Drag and drop the field columns, in order to re-arrange their position in the Table View.
  • You can select one or more columns and delete them from Table View if you wish.
  • Click on the edit button to make any changes you need to each column.
  • Click on the x button to remove this field from the Application table.
  • Switch to mobile view, to get a preview of your Application table in a browser of a mobile device. Choose a preferred device (mobile, tablet)

sequential app mobile preview | comidor platform

Forms

All forms included in this App are visible in the tab User Forms. Create a new one or edit the existing forms here.

app designer- forms - workflow apps

  •  By default, no form is chosen. The message “You haven’t selected a form. Please select one!” is shown. Select a form, OK, and plus buttons are available.
  • Click on the “+” icon. A pop-up window appears to define the title of your new form. Click on Save to save your form and you are directed to the form designer.Form Designer-simple apps
  • On the left side of your screen, under the Design tab, you will find the Elements (panel, section, code, paragraph, style, grid, group), a list of fields that you can include in your form, and a preview of the form. Easily search for the desired fields and add them to your form with a simple drag-and-drop action.
  • Click on a field and a pop-up appears where you can add properties for each field. You can define various properties for the field, including mode, label, tooltip, translated value, pattern, pattern error message, required, alignment, placeholder, element CSS, Element CSS Class, label position, size, hidden, Trigger event scripts on user entry, Disable changes by scripts on this field, is Area, Has QR Input, and the Area Size.sequential User Forms field properties | Comidor Platform
  • Under the Settings tab, you should see the following Basic fields: Record type, Title, Access, Main, Primary, Quick, Position, Form Division, Mobile form, Approve/Reject form, and Validity. In the Advanced section, you will find fields such as Script before open, Script before edit, Script before save, and Template File.
  • The following buttons are also available in the form designer: Add tabs, mobile view, toggle fullscreen, publish, copy, and delete.
    • You can also make a form Main, which means it will be visible in the main record as a tab. State the position of each form that you want to display.
    • For the form, you want to start the App with, select the option “Replace existing form” in the field Primary, if you wish to initiate your app from the “+” icon of the summary table of the App.
    • In the Quick field, you can choose the form to be visible in the Quick Add menu or in the process templates list, if you wish to initiate your app from the Quick add menu.
  • Don’t forget to Publish your form after finishing your design.

publish a form

  • Furthermore, you can edit the existing forms from the tab Forms. Select one from the list and click OK.

 


3. Graphs

In step 3, you can design your app Graphs or Widgets. Comidor Widgets are the ideal choice for data visualization. Get the most updated data on the visualization format you define.

App Graphs | Comidor Platform

  • Create your own personalized dashboard in seconds.
  • Combine multiple views of data to get richer insight.

You can easily create a new Graph, by clicking on the “+” icon.

App Graphs | Comidor Platform

Find out more about all types of Widgets and how to create them.


4. Advanced

Get the most out of the App Designer with this advanced options step by including user tabs in your records or the table of your app, event scripts, data objects, and field rules to show or hide fields, sections, or tabs in forms when specific conditions are met. This step is available only for Table applications (non-process & process enabled).

User Tabs

Use tabs to have complete control over the accessibility of your application.

  • The tabs appear inside records (as a tab at the left part of the record) or at the summary table of the application.
  • A tab can be a table from any Comidor entity, HTML, or widget.

User tabs | Comidor Platform

  • You can easily create a new Tab, by clicking on the “+” icon
  • The Record type is by default the name of the App and disabled
  • Select the Type of Tab you wish to create (Table, HTML, or Widget)
    • In Type Table:
      • Give a Title to the Tab
      • In the “View Tab in” choose record.
      • Select Query: the query to define which fields to be fetched as columns from which tables
      • Where Clause: type a specific condition to be met
      • Access Code defines who can access this tab
    • Select Type HTML when you want to add guidelines or other important information for a specific app:
      • Give a Title to the Tab
      • In the “View Tab in“: choose record or table.
      • Access Code defines who can access this tab
      • Unit-action – insert the HTML here

App designer tabs | Comidor Platform

    • Type Widget: a tab to monitor all the widgets (general or application widgets)
      • Give a Title to the Tab
      • In the “View Tab in“: choose the table option.
      • Access Code defines who can access this tab
      • After saving this tab, click on Add widget button to Select the widget you would like to be displayed
      • All added widgets are displayed on Linked widgets. You can click on the ‘-‘ to remove a widget from this tab.

Field Rules

The field rules functionality enables you to hide or show fields/sections/tabs inside forms when certain conditions are met.

Click on the Field Rules tab and you will be able to see the sub-table of all field rules, with the following columns: Rule title, Field(s),  Section(s), Tab(s), Created by, Created on,  and the pin button.

  • Refresh button: Internal refresh in the table/all updated records are presented
  • Search option: type a keyword and press enter; respective field rules appear.
  • Pagination: Navigate through available pages to see all Field rules.

To create a new Field Rule press on the “+” button, and the creation form opens.Create Field Rules | Comidor Platform

  1. Give a Rule title
  2. Select the Action to be performed: you can either Hide or Show
  3. On: choose between fields, sections, or tabs, depending on what you want to show or hide. Depending on the option you choose on the “ON” respective lists will appear.
  4. Set in which Form you wish this rule to be applied (from the user forms that the selected field is displayed)
  5. Choose the name of the Field(s)/Section(s)/Tab(s) that you wish to perform the above action. Click on the + icon to add more rows. – to remove a row.
  6. Select the desired Save option (refer to Quick Reference Guide

Custom Condition Builder

After saving the Field Rule in your workflow app, and while being in the view form, you can add conditions.

  • Click on the ‘+’ icon to insert a new row
  • Select the unit that the field comes from (Process, Application name, etc.)
  • Choose the Name of the Field and its value
  • Use AND, OR, and parenthesis to form your conditions
  • After adding all the rows of conditions you need, click on the Publish condition button.

Field Rules | Comidor Platform

Manage Field Rules

  • If you want to make any changes to a Field Rule, simply select the respective Field Rule and click on the pencil icon.
  • After making any changes click on Save.
  • In order to change the conditions, simply make the changes you wish in the view form of the Field Rule, and then, press the Publish condition.
  • You can Delete one or more Field Rules, by multi-checking them in the Field Rules table and then clicking on Delete.

Field Rules | Comidor Platform

 

Data Objects

Data objects are discrete units of information that are structured and organized within a computer system or database. When we use the term “data object”, we are essentially referring to a set of data that should be considered as an independent entity. Data objects come in a variety of forms, such as data tables, lists, forms, pointers, records, files, and sets.

With data objects in Comidor App Designer, you can enhance the functionality of your event scripts in any app. It allows you to quickly and effortlessly create any type of data set you require.

Data Objects | Comidor Platform

  • To create a new Data Object, simply click on the “+” icon.
  • Create data sets, variables, lists, forms, records, or action data types and define their properties.
  • Utilize those data objects in event scripts.

Event Scripts

In this tab, you are able to write scripts for a certain Data Type to be executed before/after/on a specific event.

Click on the “+” icon to create a new Event script:

  • Add the Procedure Name.
  • Choose the Data Type (apprec, task, process, dataset) and define where you want the script to be applied.
  • An Event Type can be inserted, updated, deleted, etc.
  • In the Procedure Body add your code.
    •  This is for advanced users to write their procedures.

App designer event scripts | Comidor Platform


5. Configuration

In this step, you can make the configuration of the workflow application.

  • Decide what you would like to include from the Basic options
    • NotesTags, and Links.
    • If the Kanban view is enabled, define the “Group by Field” and the “Title Field“. The “Group By Field” is used to categorize boards, while the “Title Field” will serve as the title for each board.
    • The ability to create, edit, and/or delete an entry.
    • The Activity history tab
    • Decide whether you would like to include the print/export options in the summary table of this application.
    • Allow user layout change; the ability to change the table’s categorization, and the pin button to remove columns.
    • Define a Primary Field (Record Identity: Appears in lists, etc). To define a primary field, select one of the fields you created in step 2 from the drop-down list.

Configuration step- basic options

  • Customize your data by:
    • Defining a Numeric field as Incremental, and in every new record, it will automatically increase by one with every new record. Additionally, you have the option to specify the starting number.
    • Setting a Prefix and Suffix to the app and an Incremental No Field; select a number field from the Data Model for which you want to auto-populate a number. eg. for this app the requests will get SR.1, SR.2, etc.
    • Selecting a default categorization for the table view based on a specific field (Title, Priority, etc.) – up to level 3.
    • Choosing a specific field to display the Summary table ordered by ascending or descending order.
    • Granting rights to your app; define to whom each entry is assigned, send notifications, Admin 1,2, and Supervisor. Choose users, groups, or dynamic options such as Creator, creator’s Manager, etc.
    • Setting up to 3 numeric fields, to be displayed in the table as Totals (Sum fields 1, 2, 3).

configuration-data customization

  • You can fully customize the app layout, by selecting font sizes and colors in CSS Design options.

configuration-css design

  • You can easily incorporate custom CSS and JS within the App Designer, unlocking endless possibilities for personalization and enhanced functionality as you build your app. Simply add your custom CSS and JS rules in the Configuration step of your app. Remember to publish the app to save your changes.

configuration-custom css


6. Analytics

The Analytics step provides the designers, with insights into each Workflow’s real-time usage.

Dashboard tab: Set Analytics Filters to get the results you wish.

    • Narrow your results to tasks that were assigned to a specific user or group.
    • Select the period of time you are interested in.
    • Click on Refresh and the following graphs are populated: Analytics Totals, Instances per State, Tasks per User, Delayed tasks per User, Tasks per Team, Delayed tasks per Team

  • Pinpoint the total and delayed instances and tasks that were created within one workflow. Cost is calculated based on the duration of each task multiplied by the cost rate of the user that completes each task. See more in the Services unit.

Analytics Preview tab: Set Analytics Filters to get the results you wish.

  • Choose between Total or Delayed Tasks to be displayed.
  • Monitor the Duration and Cost of each step.
  • Select the period of time you are interested in.
  • Click on Refresh and the diagram is updated wholly. For each chosen filter a row is added with the data from the run time. (value & percentage).

  • View workflow analytics with the “Delayed Task” Filter to measure the scheduled time and the actual time it took for a task to be completed. This feature enables users to identify bottlenecks.  Each task will have the chosen filters (Total tasks, Delayed tasks, Cost, Duration, ineffective KPIs) with counter & percentage. The tasks with delays will be highlighted in red, whereas those with no delays in green.

workflow analytics preview | Comidor Platform

  • View workflow analytics with the “Total Task” Filter to measure how many times every task is executed in total. This will identify your “critical path”, and your process “optimal path” and ultimately will help identify where the focus should be on, for better resource management.

 

Publish your App

Finally, click on the Publish button in order to Publish your app.App Designer publish | Comidor Platform

Your workflow app is ready to use!

Note that you can also create an Application with NLP in just 4 steps. Find out more here.


Edit Apps

If you want to edit an existing workflow app, go to the main menu on the left side of your screen and select the icon App Factory > Application Builder > App Designer. From the list of applications, select the one you wish to edit.

Workflow App Designer delete | Comidor Platform

  • You can navigate through steps 1-6 by clicking on the respective step and applying any change you wish. Do not forget to publish your changes.
  • You can delete a User App if you wish.  Open the App you want to delete, and from the actions button, click on the Delete option.
    • A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click Confirm to proceed with the deletion or cancel.App Designer delete | Comidor Platform
    • You can also check the Linked Entities that will be affected in the respective tab.App Designer linked entities | Comidor Platform

Run an App

Play App | Comidor Platform

  • While viewing an app in the App Designer, you can easily run your workflow app! Click on the Play button on the top right of your screen and the quick add form of this app is populated.Run App | Comidor Platform
  • In case there is no quick add form, a respective message appears and you are directed to step 2, in User forms to create a new quick add form.Play App error | Comidor Platform

See the Table

Users can apply the following actions in the table workflow apps:

  • Access the table (based on the access rights that are specified by the designer)
  • Print or export the table results
  • Apply filters, categorize, and search within each table
  • Access, edit, or delete each record
  • View records in table, kanban, or graph views
  • In the graph view, pie, bar, or stack charts can be easily created with real-time data and the desired filtering.
  • To view the User Apps you created and published through App Designer, follow these steps:
    1. On the left side of your screen, locate the menu.
    2. Select either the Packages Icon or the Header Menu you chose in Step 1 of App Designer.
    3. A list of all the published apps will be displayed here, categorized based on your Category selection in Step 1 of App Designer.
    4. If no category is chosen, the app will be shown under “Packages”.
  • find a custom app in the menuSelect the one you wish to access and it will open in a new tab.

Run App table | Comidor Platform

 

By clicking on the “+” icon you can create a new entry of this app. (In order to see the “+” icon, you should have checked first the respective option in the Configuration step of App Designer). A new tab opens with the form that was created in the App Designer. Fill in the fields and click on Save to add this entry.

See the Record

In a workflow app, the record looks as below:

  • In the process record, you will see all the default Process summary forms and any main forms you have created in the App Designer step 2.

Run App Workflow | Comidor Platform

    • Since the App is process-based and linked with a workflow it will have a State (Opened, Scheduled, Running, etc.) and also some more Tabs in the left-side menu, such as Workflow tasks, attachments, and workflow audit.
      • Keep in mind that the process state needs to be “Running” in order for the workflow to start.
      • Every time a new task is assigned to a user, the user will be notified in his calendar. The user can open the task and view the connected form (if any). Once the task is completed, the workflow moves on to the next step.Workflow App run task | Comidor Platform
      • Click on the tab “Workflow tasks” to see the tasks that have been created so far in a table grid. In particular, you can view which task is completed, by whom, when, and its scheduled and actual duration.

Run App Workflow | Comidor Platform

      • Get real-time data for every workflow step via the Workflow Run Diagram, which is the graphical representation of the entire workflow design that highlights the completed and pending steps in different colors along with start and end times and the paths that the flow follows.

Workflow App run diagram | Comidor Platform

 

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