Launching, as a batch, new BPM processes

Is it possible for BPM 7.6 to batch create several new and separate BPM processes? Can this be done by reading and incorporating data from an external (non BPM table) into a new BPM process/form, one record at a time? Each new record data from the non BPM table will be used to create a new and separate BPM process, complete with new Folder IDs. Thanks.

tim. . . .

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Brian Mellert

Do you mean processes -- or folders, even if in multiple processes?

Presuming you mean folders, even if in multiple processes, one method may be to raise flags. The same flag name can be used in multiple processes if appropriate (be very sure/careful you aren't launching too much if using a common flag), or have unique flags for each process.

Then it would be a matter of reading the source and launching the appropriate flags.

timothy koss

It would be processes. For example, an external table that is not connected to any BPM processes, call it Table A, has the same type of data fields (but no Folder Ids) as would be contained in a BPM process, call it BPM process (ABC). Each record/line in Table A is read and then a separate and new BPM process is kicked off that has the unique Folder Id for each record that is batch read from Table A. The result is that the ABC process will have added records added to its table that is in Table A. Is this possible?

Cutura_Sascha

Hi,

yes that is possible, no problem. You can build something like a scheduler runnining in defined intervalls which reads the records in Table A. For each record you can then raise a flag to initiate a new process folder of ABC. You can pass data (like an id for the record in Table A) within the flag call. Once a new process folder has been created you can then use the Id to "import" all required data from Table A into the new folder.

You can pass all the data in the flag call but I would recommend that when it is more than a couple of values to pull the data from Table A than pushing it into the process ABC.

timothy koss

Is the 'schedular', that you refered to, a Metastorm function?

timothy koss

Do you have any process examples that I can view?

Jerome_Pearce

Have a look here:

http://metastorm.processmapping.com.au/post/Importing-Legacy-Data-1581765

http://metastorm.processmapping.com.au/post?id=3686994

Cutura_Sascha

Hi USDA,

The "Scheduler" is not a built in MBPM functionality. It is basically a small process which has just the purpose to run timed actions.

Create a new project
On your process map create a stage with a timed action
Determine the list of new folders to be created for each timed run (All records with the status e.g. "New")
Set the items you are processing to a status e.g. "In Progress"
For each record in your list run the raiseflag method
Set the status of the items in your table e.g. to "Completed".

I hope that helps.

Sascha

Brian Mellert

Alternatively, a Windows Task scheduler could be used to raise flags. I know some folks don't like that approach with some valid reason. However, I've found the timed action approach results in "time creep" over time, at least using ## time after last updated. (e.g. if something is intended to run at 0:00, using a timed action eventually results in it "creeping" to later times as time goes on. One weekly midnight job is now about 20 minutes after.

I suspect there are other ways to keep it at a fixed time, but the last updated isn't necessarily the answer if a fixed time every time is required.

timothy koss

I looke at the links, but Form1 and Form2 were emply.

Jerome_Pearce

Hmmmm....

It seems one is six years old, and the other I have no knowledge of. As it happens I've been meaning to do this and you have pushed me to do it now: We are giving away many of our version 7 utilities and libraries.

Have a look here:

http://www.processmapping.com.au/freestuff/metastormbpm7giveaway/Procedures.html

The one you will be interested in is 'Import Data', and there are many otyhers to look at too.

timothy koss

Thanks for links. Looks like I'm getting close, but, I'm not sure what is going on. Is the TEST IMPORT process in working order? I'm thinking that it is supposed to grab the data from the 'TEST1.txt' file? When I try to publish TEST Import, it fails with an error "Map segment not linked to any Segment". When I click on the dropdown, nothing appears to select from. Referring to the 'PM IMPORT DATA' process, I'm getting warnings when I publish this saying that "No Form Segment has been specified for Segments 1 and 2. Are any of these two examples triggering a new BPM process based on the data imported? What part does the 'PM Import Library' play in? Thanks for your time.

tim. . . .

Jerome_Pearce

It looks as though you have broken the links to the Library. You need to publish this first, and let the Designer refresh it when you open the demo procedure.