Example: Automating service requests for applying a time off by using Blue Prism RPA

Use the BMC Sample Request Time Off 21.05 sample service to automate service requests for apply time offs.

Scenario

Ajay, an application business analyst wants to create a service to automate time off requests. He uses the BMC Sample Request Time Off 21.05 sample service content package.

Ajay creates a Blue Prism connector configuration. He creates a Blue Prism Robotic Automation Process (RPA) process by using sample BMC Sample Request Time Off Process.zip process. Ajay configures the process to update the time off system based on a user request and send the time off details to the user through an email. He updates the BMC Sample Request Time Off 21.05 service in the BMC Helix Digital Workplace Catalog application. He then publishes the service and makes it available for users.

The following video (2:37) explains how to automate a user request for applying time offs:

https://youtu.be/7QJlDSp6vQw

Before you begin

• Make sure that you import the Email - POP3/SMTP vertex buffer object (VBO) to Blue Prism.
• Make sure that you download the BMC Sample Request Time Off Process.zip file and import it to Blue Prism.

Task 1: To create a Blue Prism connector configuration

1. Log in to BMC Helix Digital Workplace Catalog.
2. On the Services tab, click Connectors.
3. Select Blueprism, click Actions, and click Open.

4. Update the following fields:

   Field	Description
   Name	Name for the connection.
   URL	Blue Prism server endpoint URL. For example, http://<host name>:8181/ Important: To get the URL, you must expose an RPA process as a web service in Blue Prism, and use a digital worker or Resource Pool host name in the URL.
   User	User name of the user who has permissions to assign and run a process.
   Password	Password for login.
   Trust All Certificates	If you want to trust your certificates, specify the value as True, else do not specify any value.

5. Click Save.
   

Task 2: To define Request Time Off service

1. Log in to BMC Helix Digital Workplace Catalog.
2. On the Services tab, click Services.
   The service BMC Sample Request Time Off 21.05 is displayed in the Service Management console.
   
3. Select the service, click Actions, and click Edit Service Name.
   
   
4. Update the service name, and click Save.
   For example, Request Time Off.

Task 3: To define Request Time Off service workflow

1. In the BMC Helix Digital Workplace Catalog application, in the Service Management console, select the Request Time Off service.
2. Click Actions, and click Open.
3. In the Service Options pane, click Edit corresponding to the Workflow option.
   
   

4. In the Workflow and Questions pane, in the Workflow section, click Edit.
   
   The following workflow is displayed in the Workflow designer:
   
   
   The following elements are used in the workflow:

   Element	Label	Description
   Create Document	Process parameters	Accesses the attributes within the schema of the BlueprismParameters document definition. You must specify the document node values as they are used as input to the run the Blue Prism process.
   Run Blue Prism Process	Run Blue Prism Process	Triggers a Blue Prism process. You must specify the Blue Prism RPA process that you want to run in the element properties.

   
   

5. If required, update the workflow input variables.
   The following input variables are available:
   
   You must map these input variables to the service questionnaire so that the values user responses to service questions are used as variable values.
   
6. Save the changes.

Task 4: To define Request Time Off service questionnaire

1. In the BMC Helix Digital Workplace Catalog application, in the Service Management console, select the Request Time Off service.
2. Click Actions, and click Open.
3. In the Service Options pane, click Edit corresponding to the Workflow option.
   
   
4. In the Workflow and Questions pane, in the Questions section, click Edit.
   
   
   The following questions are displayed in the Questions Designer:
   
   

   Question	Description
   Leave Type	Value specifies the type of leave the user wants to avail. Users can specify values such as paid leave, unpaid leave, and jury duty.
   From Date	Value specifies the time off start date.
   To Date	Value specified the time off end date.

   
   

5. If you have added additional input variables in the workflow to receive inputs from the service requester, add questions corresponding to the variables.
6. Save the changes.

Task 5: To publish the Request Time Off service

1. In the BMC Helix Digital Workplace Catalog application, in the Service Management console, select the Request Time Off service.
2. In the Service Options pane, click , and click Publish.
   
   After you publish the service, the service is available to users. 

Task 6: To test the Request Time Off service

1. Log in to BMC Helix Digital Workplace Advanced application.
2. Submit a time off request by using the Request Time Off service.
   
   
3. Verify that you receive an email with your time off details.

Result

The Request Time Off service is available for the users. Users can submit time off requests by using this service and their requests are processed automatically.

Related topic

Automating tasks by using Blue Prism processes