Tools

  SMTP

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The SMTP Tool is used to create a Task Step that triggers a Task to run based on the contents of incoming or outgoing mail sent via a virtual SMTP Mail Server.

When an email is received it is compared against a number of filters created in the Step which define values for the message parameters. Where all filter requirements are met the message is utilised to trigger a Task to run. On receipt, each of the email parameters is exposed and their values may be mapped to variables created for the Task and then used in other Steps.

  Schedule

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The Schedule Tool is used to create a Task Step that triggers a Task to be run, based on specific times and dates. Any number of Schedule Steps may be created for a Task.

However, there are restrictions when Tasks may be run, such as during system maintenance, holidays and other restricted times. These are User configured for a specific Task through the Task Options dialog and for all Tasks through the global Options dialog.

The MS SQL Server Trigger Tool is used to create a Task Step that utilises the Microsoft SQL Server trigger functionality to create a trigger on a table of a specified SQL data source. When a specified data modification is attempted, such as an attempt to add or delete a table row, the trigger then causes a Task to run.

The trigger creates virtual tables for inserted/updated and deleted rows which may be mapped to Task variables so that the data may be used in other Steps within the Task.

If a Database Query (ODBC) Step is used within the Task to retrieve a recordset from the SQL data source, then the memory feature may be used in a subsequent Step to memorise all of the data into a Repository.

The Oracle Trigger Tool is used to create a Task Step that utilises the Oracle trigger functionality to create a trigger on a table of a specified Oracle data source.

When a specified data modification is attempted, such as an attempt to add or delete a table row, the trigger then causes a Task to run.

The Workflow Job Submission Tool is used to create a Task Step that triggers a Task to run when responses from Workflow Jobs match criteria specified in one or a number of filters.

Initially the Workflow Job Tool is used to create a Workflow Job Step in a Task that publishes one or a number of web forms called Workflow Jobs to a web site folder on a specified Web Server when the Task runs. They contain controls that enable data to be manually entered or selected from a list of options by specified users / recipients.

When a Workflow Job Submission Step is configured, the appropriate Workflow Job is selected which exposes the data fields that its web form contains. Filters may then be created on the data fields so that when specified criteria are met, the Task is triggered to run.

The Database Query Tool allows the extraction of specific information sets from relational database systems such as ERP, Financial, Accounting, MRP, Production, CRM, HR, Project and Bespoke systems to name but a few.

Once obtained by this action the information is then available to other Format or Output Tools for manipulation and/or delivery.

The Database Query (ODBC) Tool has comprehensive ODBC support for both modern and legacy platforms supporting both the SQL 89 and SQL 92 ODBC standards and variations thereof.

The versatile Stored Procedure Tool provides the ability to execute database stored procedures and functions to provide read, write and automated data processing.

The Tool supports any RDBMS with a functional OLEDB Provider thus enabling native support for a multitude of data sources. If a procedure generates a result set, the Tool can return this to other Tools for format and/or delivery. Conversely, the Tool can consume a result set to enable multiple procedure calls or indeed simply execute a single procedure. Procedure calls can be passed static or dynamic parameters in order to control the precise nature of the call being made.

The Database Query (OLEDb) Tool is used to create a Task Step that allows the extraction of specific information sets from relational database systems such as ERP, Financial, Accounting, MRP, Production, CRM, HR, Project and Bespoke systems to name but a few.

Once obtained, the information is then available to other Format or Output Steps for manipulation and/or delivery.

The Database Query (OLEDb) Tool has comprehensive support for both modern and legacy platforms supporting both the SQL 89 and SQL 92 ODBC standards and variations thereof

  XML Document Import

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This tool allows XML files on disk (local or UNC) to be imported into TaskCentre. It can retrieve a specific file specified or from a previous step, or a wild carded file name. If a wild carded selection is made it will retrieve the oldest file first so can be used to process files in the order that they are created.

When importing the file it will validate the file against a schema. This schema can be imported if it has been supplied, inferred from an XML file and if necessary manually modified to apply additional validation.
An option is present to allow file properties to be extracted and for these to be used in subsequent steps in the task.
The contents of the XML document imported can be consumed by other TaskCentre tools that consume XML such as connector tools, the XML to Recordset tool or Save as File.

The Flat File Import provide the ability to import flat files such as plain text or csv (delimited or fixed width), extract data from flat files and expose that information as either a recordset or XML for use in other TaskCentre BPM Tool, Import flat files types that have multiple record types i.e. orders and product lines within a single file and import flat files in sequence so that business applications are updated chronologically.

Common commercial uses for the Flat File Import Tool may include:

• Integrate data that has been exported from one business application as a flat file to another business application e.g. ERP to CRM
• Integrate accounting or sales force spreadsheet data by event
• Integrate bank reconciliation data with your ERP solution
• Integrate CSV or Text files exported from courier systems
• Integrate sales data from ecommerce solutions or EDI gateways into primary business applications

The TaskCentre Web Service Connector Tool enables organisations to connect business applications with the plethora of web services now available.

The TaskCentre Web Service Connector Tool will::

• Enable drag and drop integration between a very wide range of applications.
• Simplify integration with web services removing the need for developers.
• Provide integration with SOAP based web services.
• Provide integration with HTTP based web services.
• Provide powerful drag and drop data transformation capabilities.
• Support OData and SData services.

Examples of common commercial web services that the new tool will connect with:

• eCommerce Platforms e.g Magento, XCART etc
• Business Applications e.g. Sage, Microsoft, Oracle and many specialist applications etc
• Courier Services e.g. FedEx, DPD etc
• Email Marketing Applications e.g. Constant Contact, Interspire, MailChimp etc
• Information services e.g. currency exchange

The Format As Text Tool is used to create a Task Step that creates single or multiple textual documents, primarily utilising information provided by Input Tools such as the Database Query (ODBC) Tool and requires no global settings.

The Step uses merge fields to merge data objects into the document from a source to produce dynamic documents such as alerts and notifications or data formats such as .CSV for spreadsheets or uploading to other systems.

These textual documents can then be delivered using many of the Output Steps such as Send Message (SMTP) as body and/or attachment, Send SMS (m:science SMS Server), Send Fax(Tobit), File Transfer (FTP) and Save to File.

The Format as HTML Tool is used to produce single or multiple HTML documents, primarily utilising information provided by Input Tools such as the Database Query (ODBC) Tool. It is possible to create new HTML pages within the interface or import pages that have already been created elsewhere.

The Tool uses merge fields to merge data objects into the document and/or insert tabulated data from a source to produce dynamic documents such as order acknowledgements, statements, intranet or web site content or summary reports. These HTML documents can then be delivered using many of the Output Tools.

The Run Crystal Report Tool is used to automate the running of Crystal reports. The Tool can be used to run a report one or many times and allows the use of dynamic data to set report parameters at run-time.

The dynamic data could be from an Input Tool such as Database Query (ODBC) whereby the Crystal report could be run once for each row exposed by the query action. For example this could be running a statement for each of a list of customers or producing an order acknowledgement for each of today’s orders. The documents then exposed can be delivered by other many of the Output Tools. Utilise new or existing reports designed within the Crystal Reports environment.

The Run MS Word Merge Tool is used to create a Task Step that creates single or multiple documents in common Microsoft Word formats containing merged data. The Tool requires no global settings.

MS Word documents or templates that contain mail merge fields are imported into the Tool. These are then automatically read from the document by the Tool and presented in a table. Each mail merge field may then either be mapped to TaskCentre variables, formulas and columns or left to use the mail merge data source specified in the document. The mail merge data source may also be imported into the TaskCentre database.

The Run MS Word Merge Tool can therefore operate in mixed mapping mode if necessary, combining the data source specified in the document and data from TaskCentre.

These documents can then be delivered using many of the Output Steps such as Send Message (SMTP) as body and/or attachment, Send SMS (M:Science SMS Server), Send Fax(Tobit), File Transfer (FTP), Save As File and Print Document.

The Create Workflow Job Tool is used to create a Task Step that dynamically Creates Workflow Jobs. A Workflow Step dynamically generates one or any number of web page(s) containing fields for completion by recipients and publishes them to a web site folder on a specified web server. Each of these web pages is called a Create Create Workflow Job and can be assigned for completion to any number of recipients.

In addition, each Create Workflow Job can be assigned a number of Stages through which it must go before it is considered to be complete. For example if a Workflow Step is created to produce Purchase Orders for an item when the stock level reaches a certain point, the Create Create Workflow Job may need to go through a number of checking and review stages by stores, purchasing and QA personnel before being approved for purchase.

There are a number methods in which recipients will access the Create Workflow Jobs that are applicable to them.The first method is for a hyperlink to the specific web page for the Create Workflow Job to be provided to the recipient in the body of an email. Clicking on the hyperlink will then open the Create Workflow Job in a web browser window for the recipient to complete.

The second method would be through a custom developed internal application that utilises the Workflow Web Service.

The second method is for the recipient to use the Create Workflow Job Manager application which allows the recipient to log in and manage all of his currently assigned Create Workflow Jobs.

Once a recipient has entered or selected the necessary data in the Create Workflow Job page and has completed it by pressing on the applicable 'submit' button, the data is stored against variables previously created in the TaskCentre Task and is used in subsequent Task Steps. So for our Purchase Order example this could mean that if a column status is changed to 'Approved' then a Purchase Order could be automatically created and sent to a supplier.

The Recordset to XML Tool is used to create a Task Step that converts recordsets produced by other tools such as the ODBC query into XML documents either for use in other tools such as connector tools feeding other systems or saving to file for consumption by another system. Multiple recordsets can be included in a hierarchical XML document.

There is no global configuration required for this tool.

The tool has two modes: Auto Generation of the output XML, and manual generation. In auto mode, the structure of the XML and the key fields within each level are automatically determined by the tool. In manual mode, the user may change the structure and key fields, which will in turn affect how the data is translated into XML.

The XML documents produced can be consumed by connector tools such as the SalesLogix or Sage Line 500 Connector tools or can be consumed by the Save to File Tool. It is also possible to convert them back to a recordset using the Recordset to XML tool.

The XML to Recordset Tool is used to create a Task Step that converts XML produced by other tools such as connector tools feeding other systems into Recordsets for use in the many other tools which consume recordsets for uses such as powering alerts via fax/email/sms, create reports, power a workflow, perform FTP transfer, etc.

The options set in the configuration of the step determine the fields present in the output recordset. Only those fields selected from the tree structure will be created in the output recordset.

At runtime, the data exposed in the output Recordset of the step is a union of all the child objects selected in the XML structure, thereby converting the hierarchical data contained within the XML into a flat recordset as used by many other tools in TaskCentre.

The Send Message (SMTP) Tool is used to send messages to virtually any SMTP compliant mail server.

The Tool is capable of sending multiple messages in either text or HTML formats, incorporating data from an Input and/or Format Tool to any number recipients. If the data being used from, for example, a Database Query (ODBC) Tool includes a column containing e-mail addresses, then this may be used as a ‘dynamic’ recipient address for the messages sent.

The versatile Stored Procedure Tool provides the ability to execute database stored procedures and functions to provide read, write and automated data processing. The Action supports any RDBMS with a functional OLEDB Provider thus enabling native support for a multitude of data sources.

If a procedure generates a result set, the Tool can return this to other Tools for format and/or delivery. Conversely, the Tool can consume a result set to enable multiple procedure calls or indeed simply execute a single procedure. Procedure calls can be passed static or dynamic parameters in order to control the precise nature of the call being made.

  Send FAX (Tobit)

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The 'Send Fax (Tobit)' is an 'Output' Tool which is used to create a Task Step that sends faxes that contain static or dynamic content to one or more recipients via the market-leading mid-range fax solutions from Tobit Software.

The Tool supports Tobit FaxWare and Tobit David; the powerful unified messaging server. Tobit address book and fax cover pages are also directly supported. The Send Fax (Tobit) Step incorporates data from Input and Format Steps into fax messages and then sends them to any number of recipients. It supports both Text and HTML data from Steps such as Format as Text, Format as HTML and Run Crystal Report.

The File Transfer (FTP) Tool is used to upload or download one or more files to and from one or more FTP Servers.

When uploading, the file or document to be transferred may be created by TaskCentre Tools or may already exist within an accessible file system. For example, documents produced by the Format type actions can be produced dynamically and uploaded to an FTP site in a single Task.

The Save as File Tool can be used to save the output from a Format type Tool as one or more files on disk or to save one or more files from a binary column exposed by an action such as Database Query (ODBC).

This could be to update an intranet, to save documents for later processing by another Task or simply to expose information to another system or application. For example, HTML output from a Format as HTML Tool may be saved as one or more .HTM files or output from Format as Text as .CSV for use in Microsoft Excel.

The Print Tool provides comprehensive print services that can be incorporated into any process where hard-copy output is required. The print action works by interacting with other actions that produce textual output such as Format as Text or that expose print capabilities such as Run Crystal Report.

A single Print Tool can print one or many documents to any printer for which a print Windows compatible driver exists. The Print Tool allows the configuration of all the standard print attributes when designing a specific action but also allows these to be controlled at run-time by using objects from, for example, a Database Query Tool.

The Send SMS Tool is used to send SMS (Short Message Service) text messages to one or more GSM mobile devices via the market-leading SMS Server product from M:Science.

The Tool is capable of sending static or dynamic SMS Messages to one or multiple recipients. Typically the action works by using text documents produced by the Format as Text Tool due to the nature of the SMS medium. If the source data for the Text documents includes a mobile number, then this may be used as a dynamic recipient address for the SMS messages.

The TaskCentre Web Service Connector Tool enables organisations to connect business applications with the plethora of web services now available.

The TaskCentre Web Service Connector Tool will::

• Enable drag and drop integration between a very wide range of applications.
• Simplify integration with web services removing the need for developers.
• Provide integration with SOAP based web services.
• Provide integration with HTTP based web services.
• Provide powerful drag and drop data transformation capabilities.
• Support OData and SData services.

Examples of common commercial web services that the new tool will connect with:

• eCommerce Platforms e.g Magento, XCART etc
• Business Applications e.g. Sage, Microsoft, Oracle and many specialist applications etc
• Courier Services e.g. FedEx, DPD etc
• Email Marketing Applications e.g. Constant Contact, Interspire, MailChimp etc
• Information services e.g. currency exchange

  Run Program

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The Run Program Tool may be used to run self-terminating shell executable programs including .exe or .bat for example, or in fact any file type that is associated with such a shell executable program. Programs can either be existing programs that exhibit the right attributes or programs specially created to provide integration with proprietary protocols, systems or applications.

As well as the flexibility to create a program that performs virtually any operation, the behaviour of the program can also be controlled dynamically at run time.

To enable this, the Tool can pass static or dynamic command-line parameters to the program when run. The program can be run once or multiple times, depending on the way the action is configured.

The Call COM Object Tool is used to call third party COM Objects which provide integration with other systems, protocols or applications.

The COM Object may be provided by a COM Server (.EXE) or COM .DLL written in languages such as Microsoft Visual Basic, C++ or other supporting COM and DCOM. Using this action, TaskCentre can call an object and pass either static or dynamic parameters to the object in the method call.

The Run VB Script Tool is used to create a Task Step that runs a VB Script file, utilising data produced by other Steps within a Task.

The versatile Stored Procedure Tool provides the ability to execute database stored procedures and functions to provide read, write and automated data processing. The Action supports any RDBMS with a functional OLEDB Provider thus enabling native support for a multitude of data sources.

If a procedure generates a result set, the Tool can return this to other Tools for format and/or delivery. Conversely, the Tool can consume a result set to enable multiple procedure calls or indeed simply execute a single procedure. Procedure calls can be passed static or dynamic parameters in order to control the precise nature of the call being made.

The TaskCentre Web Service Connector Tool enables organisations to connect business applications with the plethora of web services now available.

The TaskCentre Web Service Connector Tool will::

• Enable drag and drop integration between a very wide range of applications.
• Simplify integration with web services removing the need for developers.
• Provide integration with SOAP based web services.
• Provide integration with HTTP based web services.
• Provide powerful drag and drop data transformation capabilities.
• Support OData and SData services.

Examples of common commercial web services that the new tool will connect with:

• eCommerce Platforms e.g Magento, XCART etc
• Business Applications e.g. Sage, Microsoft, Oracle and many specialist applications etc
• Courier Services e.g. FedEx, DPD etc
• Email Marketing Applications e.g. Constant Contact, Interspire, MailChimp etc
• Information services e.g. currency exchange

  Decision

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The Decision Tool is used to control the flow of the process based on the result of one or more expressions.

The decision works by testing a sequence of Boolean (true/false) conditions in turn until an expression returns ‘true’ then that branch of the process is followed. For example, a Task could behave differently if it is Friday as opposed to any other day of the week on which the Task runs.

  Text Parser

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The Text Parser Tool is used to create a Task Step that extracts specific textual data from variables populated by other Steps and then maps the data to other variables for use in further Steps.

Textual data to be parsed is first selected by dragging and dropping a variable containing the data from the Task Browser dialog into the Text Parser configuration dialog. The Step then uses extraction rules to select the textual data to be extracted and mapped to other variables.

These variables may then be used to automatically incorporate the extracted textual data into other Steps.

  Data Filter

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The Data Filter Tool is used to create a Task Step that extracts a subset of data from a recordset produced by a Database Query (ODBC) or Call Procedure (OLEDB) Step and provides the data for use in further Steps.

When a Task containing an Output Step that is using the Memory feature is run, a Repository is automatically created for the Task containing the memorised recordset.

When a Data Filter Step is added to the Task, the Repository may be selected and a Repository Filter created within the Step. The Repository Filter is used to compare the new recordset created when the Task is run again, against the existing memorised recordset in the Repository and then set rules to filter the new subset of data produced.

  File Management

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This tool allows files on disk (local or UNC) to be renamed, moved, copied or deleted. This can be applied to specific files fed from a previous step or to a wild carded list of files.

The rename function can prefix or suffix the existing file name with a fixed string, the contents of a variable or other dynamic content in TaskCentre, or a date/time stamp can be applied.

The delete function optionally allows files older than a certain period to be deleted.

The copy function allows a copy of a file to be made in another folder.

The move function allows a file to be moved from one folder to another.

The Equifax Connector Tool provides the ability to integrate information flows between the data services provided by Equifax and back office business applications (ERP, CRM etc).

When used in conjunction with the other tools available within the TaskCentre Business Process Management (BPM) Suite, both SME’s and large enterprises can deliver automated credit referencing and data validation solutions quickly and easily.

The Sage ERP 1000 (Line 500) Connector Tool provides a simple and straightforward way to extract and write back data into Sage ERP 1000 (Line 500).

By utilising the TaskCentre Sage ERP 1000 (Line 500) Connector Tool companies using Sage ERP 1000 can add workflow capabilities to their business processes or integrate it with other applications or web services i.e. saleslogix or Equifax.

The SageCRM Connector Tool provides a simple and straightforward way to extract and write back data into SageCRM.

By utilising the TaskCentre SageCRM Connector Tool companies using SageCRM can integrate SageCRM with other applications, web services or data files i.e. an ERP application, currency rate web service or a CSV file.

Author: Sellmore

The Sage SalesLogix Connector Tool provides a simple and straightforward way to extract and write back data into SageCRM.

By utilising the TaskCentre Sage SalesLogix Connector Tool companies using Sage SalesLogix can integrate Sage SalesLogix with other applications, web services or data files i.e. an ERP application, an address validation web service or a CSV file.

The SAP Business One Connector Tools provide a simple and straightforward way to extract and write back data into SAP Business One.

By utilising the TaskCentre SAP Business One Connector Tools companies using SAP Business One can integrate SAP Business One with other applications, web services or data files i.e. an e-Commerce application, an Courier web service or a CSV file.

Author: Codestone Software Ltd

EDIView for TaskCentre is a set consisting of four EDI Integration tools: 1) Create EDI file 2) Import EDI file 3) EC Download and 4) EC Upload.

When used in conjunction with standard TaskCentre Business Process Management (BPM) Tools, EDIView for TaskCentre significant reduces the costs associated with EDI Integration projects.

Author: Dimension Software

The Sage Office Line Connector Tool provides a simple and straightforward way to extract and write back data into Sage Office Line.

By utilising the TaskCentre Sage Office Line Connector Tool companies using Sage Office Line can add workflow capabilities to their business processes, integrate it with other applications or web services i.e. saleslogix or credit score web service

Author: RS Systeme GmbH

The Exact Globe and e-Synergy Connector Tools provides a simple and straightforward way to extract and write back data into Exact Globe and e-Synergy.

By utilising the TaskCentre Exact Globe and e-Synergy Connector Tool companies using Exact Globe or e-Synergy can add workflow capabilities to their business processes, integrate it with other applications or web services i.e. a bespoke applications or courier web.