Fields

A Field is a variable in a Business Process that gets its value from another object.

They are only available when you create a Business Process using an:
  • Inbound EDI Business Process template
  • Outbound EDI Business Process template
  • Application Route Business Process template
  • Connection Business Process template

The object supplying the value would be a corresponding Route for EDI or Application templates, or an EDI enveloper for Connection Business Processes. Fields can represent a value, such as a string, but they can also represent an object, such as a Ruleset or Transformation Settings.

When you use one of these templates, the Business Process is pre-populated with certain parameters and tasks. The inbound and outbound templates allow you to use Fields.

Business Use

Suppose you want to use one Business Process for multiple trading partners using EDI. Each trading partner uses a different Ruleset.

The Business Process' Execute Transformation task asks for specific values in its Properties view. Normally, you would enter one specific Ruleset in its Ruleset value. But you are using EDI and therefore have Fields available.

Without using Fields, you would have to create a Business Process for each Ruleset. Instead, you can create a new Field and make its Type Ruleset.

Create (or open) the Inbound or Outbound EDI Route's editor. In the Process Binding section, add the Business Process. With the Business Process highlighted, the Properties view displays new Field. In the Value column, define the Field's value.

Do this for each Route that you want to use the Business Process. Since the Routes are unique for each trading partner, each one can populate its own Ruleset into the Business Process' Field.

How this Object Works

The Business Process draws a Field's value from a Route or EDI Enveloper. The Field's value must be defined in the corresponding object for a Business Process to use the Field.

Process Summary

To use Fields you must:
  • Create a Business Process using a template.
  • Create a Field and define its type.
  • Reference the Business Process in a Route or EDI Enveloper.
  • Define the Field's value in the Route or Enveloper.