Multiple Approval processes

You can set up more than one Approval process. For example, you can set up an Approval process for each version such as Actual, Budget, and Forecast. Or, if you have multiple data sources, you can set up an Approval process to go against each data source. The framework is provided for up to three Approval processes.

To set up multiple Approval processes, you must:

  • Define an approval status view for each Approval process.
  • Set the ApprovalStatusView property for the additional Approval process categories. For example, ApprovalProcess2 and ApprovalProcess3.
  • Add the APNode parameter specifying the correct Approval process to the URL if more than one Approval process is being used.

Adding Approval process categories

The framework for additional Approval processes is defined by the Approval process sections in the workstation.config file. You can modify the workstation.config file to include additional Approval process sections. The syntax is: 

<ApprovalProcess4>
<ApprovalStatusView value="Approval_Base4" desc="ApprovalStatusView is the approval_base view. It is used to store the approval status. It will also be used to display the APOverview.aspx and APStatus.aspx pages." />
<ApprovalDimensionName value="" desc="The default approval dimension is the Unit dimension. If you are approving on a different dimension, change ApprovalDimensionName to the name (not description) of your approval dimension. ApprovalDimensionName" />
</ApprovalProcess4>

By default, all Approval processes use the audit logging, email activation, and STMPServer properties from the ApprovalProcess section. You can also add the following properties to the additional ApprovalProcess(n) sections of the workstation.config file:

  • AuditLogging
  • UseEmail
  • SMTPServer

The syntax is: 

<AuditLogging value="false" desc="Turn on logging to the approval audit table. This is not needed unless you have a custom page to read the audit information. Enabling will double the submit/approve/reject time in CPM Negligible performance impact in relational databases." />
<UseEmail value="true" desc="UseEmail allows you to turn off the email functionality of the Approval Process. Set to False to turn off the email functionality." />
<SMTPServer value="localhost" desc="If UseEmail is true, you may specify a SMTP server. LocalHost may be used if the SMTP service is installed on the CPM server. Otherwise, specify the name of your mail server." />