SouthWare® Work Flow Module

Understand the terminology used in WorkFlow

Here are some of the key terms you need to understand:

Process - This is a documentation tool within WorkFlow to help you see the programs that comprise a particular process. WorkFlow contains documentation records for the major processes so that you can see how information flows from program to program within the process. This makes it easier to know where you need to insert FlowMods to modify the process.

Program - This is the basic component of a module. A program is executable from the menu or another program. It is typically part of a process and contains multiple FlowPoints.

FlowPoint - This is a particular point in the processing flow of a program. Examples include the start of a program, the display of a record, an accepted field in a record, the write of a record, the update of a record, the exit of a program, and many others. A FlowPoint is simply a "tag" or ID given to a processing point so that you can reference that point when you're creating a FlowMod.

FlowMod - This is a modification that you write for a particular FlowPoint. The FlowMod is essentially custom programming that you create with simple-to-use but powerful commands. It is automatically incorporated into the standard program and is evaluated/executed at the appropriate FlowPoint.

Step - This is one command or component of a FlowMod. A FlowMod may consist of up to 10 steps, and you may use multiple FlowMods in combination and/or branch between them. As compared to other types of programming, a FlowMod is analagous to a paragraph of code while a Step is analagous to a command within a paragraph.

Understand how WorkFlow FlowMods integrate with the Excellence Series

With SouthWare WorkFlow you can add one or more FlowMods to a particular SouthWare FlowPoint (field, question, or other processing point in a program). When the related program gets to that particular point, it turns control over to WorkFlow to take whatever FlowMod step(s) you have specified. From your standpoint your FlowMod has the same effect as if you had changed the standard program.

When the standard program turns control over to WorkFlow it makes available the current record information. Your FlowMod can then work with the current record information (read it or change it) just as if the standard program was doing the work.

FlowMods really serve as a programming language that is simple to use and understand. You get the flexibility of custom programming within standard programs!

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