Creating a workflow

Workflows consist of one or more tasks and steps. Workflows can be scheduled or run manually. Orchestration enables you to create a standard workflow or an application workflow. All tasks in a workflow step are executed in parallel. Therefore, you cannot perform the same type of task more than once in a single step.

For example, if you have a table loading sequence that must obey a sequential order, you place the extract task for the table that must load first in Step 1. Next, you add the subsequent extract task in Step 2. This restriction is applied at the space level, so you could have multiple extract tasks in the same step. However, those extract tasks must be applied to different spaces.

  1. Select Orchestration > Admin.
  2. Click the + icon to create a new workflow.
  3. If applicable, select a workflow type. You can select Workflow to create a standard workflow, or Application Workflow that points to a combination of application and resource.
    Note: You may not have access to application workflows.
    If you are creating an application workflow, you can select a Source Application and a Target Application from the list fields.
    When creating an application workflow, you must select a Target Application. A Source Application is not required to save the application if none of the tasks or steps require a source application in the workflow.
    Note: For tasks that require two inputs, for example: copyspace, the application workflow cannot be saved without both a source application and target application.
    If a Source Application is not selected, an IFS User Sync between Birst and Infor Birst Ming.le is not performed.
    Optionally, you can use Enable User Sync when creating an application workflow to enable or disable IFS User Sync directly on that workflow. The Enable User Sync is disabled by default. For example, if none of the tasks in the workflow use a Source Application, the IFS sync can be skipped.
  4. Click the Workflow Name and Workflow Description fields to specify a name and description. Birst automatically populates the name with the current date and time.
  5. In Step 1, click Add task to step and then select your task type from the Choose Task Type list.
    Task Type Explanation
    ClearCacheInSpace Clears the query cache of a space.
    Copy Space Copies the information from an existing Source Space to an existing Target Space.
    Copy Workflow Copies the information from an existing Source Workflow to an existing Target Workflow.
    Delete All Published Data Deletes all previously published data in the space.
    Delete Last Published Data Deletes the published data in a space from the last time the 'Publish Data' task was run.
    Extract Pulls data from a connection within a selected space with the option of selecting specific Extraction Groups.
    Note: You can create modeling changes, but creating external connection and data extracts in usage tracking spaces is not allowed.
    Import Package Imports a selected package to a target space.
    Note:  Already imported package will be re-imported.
    Preserve Variable Prevents other space operations from overwriting or removing specified variables. These variables can be restored using the Restore Variable task.
    Publish Processes the Publishing Groups for a specified space.
    Repoint Connection Repoints the imported connections in Child Space from existing Parent Space to the new Parent Space.
    Repoint Packages When you copy a child space and its packages, the packages in the child space point to original parent space that the packages originated from. If you want the packages in the new copied child space to point to a different space, for example a copy of the parent space, you must use the Repoint Packages task type to change where the packages in the copied child space point to.
    Restore Variable Restores the structure and value of variables preserved using the Preserve Variable task type.
    Set Variable Sets the value of a variable for a space.
    Swap Space Swaps the information from an existing Source Space with an existing Target Space.
    Swap Space for Packages Swaps the contents of two spaces and syncs imported packages.
    Note: The sync option is disabled by default.
    Usage Tracking Only available for Usage Tracking Space. This command extracts usage data or Spaces Overview data. After a Usage Tracking task, the usage tracking space must be published using the Publish Task.
    Note:  This task type is not supported in Application Workflow.
  6. After selecting the task type, select or specify any related options for the task. For example, you must select a Source Space and a Target Space.
    Note: The user interface does not allow for illegal characters, such as double quotes, in the Options field. Double quotes can be used in the command line prompt, but results in an error message in the user interface.
  7. To create another task to carry out in that step, click Add task to step for that step.
    All tasks in a workflow step are performed in parallel, so you cannot perform the same type of task more than once in a single step.
  8. To add a new step in the workflow, click Add a new step. You can also rest your cursor in the space after or before a step to display an Add a new step here + option.
  9. To modify the order of the steps, use the up and down arrows listed in each step header.
  10. After adding all your steps and tasks, click Save.
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