Workflows

Workflows, workflow settings, and settings rules for your utility are imported as part of your custom manifest file and created automatically by FDM when it imports the files. By defining workflow settings in the manifest, you allow yourself and your business unit managers the flexibility to modify workflow settings without the need to deploy a new manifest file for those modifications to take effect. Different workflows, settings, and rules can be defined for each workflow version.

When you work with Itron customer support to define your workflows in the manifest files, keep in mind that the following rules types are available to apply to workflow settings:

Rule type	Function
Allowed values	Restricts the available setting values to a predefined list, from which the user can select a value.
Maximum length	Defines the maximum amount of characters that are allowed in a text field.
Minimum length	Defines the minimum amount of characters that are allowed in a text field.
Maximum value	Defines the highest acceptable numerical value.
Minimum value	Defines the lowest acceptable numerical value.
Secure	Enables security for the setting it is applied to. Values for settings marked as secure are not displayed in the server client. Rather, the user can change the setting, the setting is encrypted on the FDM server, and then decrypted when the client is synced to the mobile device.

When Itron makes a new workflow version available, the system administrator uploads it to the FDM server at the system level through the Workflows view, modifies the settings if necessary, and sends it to any or all business units. At the business unit level, FDM automatically selects the workflow’s highest version number for dissemination to the business unit’s mobile devices. However, a business unit manager may decide to override the default by selecting an earlier version for one or more mobile devices.

When you upload a new workflow to the server, FDM enables it by default. You can disable it at any time, provided you have not made it available to any business units. If you have sent it to one or more business units, the system automatically switches their default workflows to the next highest version.

You can modify the system-level default values for workflows. Your business unit managers can override your system-level workflow settings values that they want to use in their business units. When modifying the system-level default workflow values, you can use the Quick Filter to narrow the list to only those of interest.

To enable and disable workflows for use by your business units, follow the common procedure for enabling and disabling items (for more information, see Common System Administration Category Procedures).