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


Use the BMC Sample Request Time Off <version> sample service to automate service requests for applying 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 <version> sample service content package.

Ajay creates a Blue Prism connector configuration. He creates a Blue Prism Robotic Automation Process (RPA) process by using the 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 sends the time off details to the user through an email. He updates the BMC Sample Request Time Off <versionservice in the BMC Helix Digital Workplace Catalogapplication. 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 for time offs:


icon_play.pnghttps://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.
    For information about the content packages, see PDFs-videos-and-API-documentation.

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 hostname in the URL.

    User

    Username of the user who has the permission 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 <version> is displayed in the Service Management console.
  1. Select the service, click Actions, and click Edit Service Name.
    22_1_Time off edit service name.png
  1. 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.
    22_1_Blue Prism Edit workflow.png
  1. In the Workflow and Questions pane, in the Workflow section, click Edit.
    22_1_Time off workflow edit.png
    The following workflow is displayed in the Workflow designer:
    22_1_Time off workflow.png

    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 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.

  2. If required, update the workflow input variables.
    The following input variables are available:

    22_1_Time off input variables.png
    You must map these input variables to the service questionnaire so that the values of user responses to service questions are used as variable values.
  1. 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.
    22_1_Blue Prism Edit workflow1.png
  1. In the Workflow and Questions pane, in the Questions section, click Edit.
    22_1_Time off questions edit1.png

    The following questions are displayed in the Questions Designer:
    22_1_Time off questions1.png

    Question

    Description

    Leave Type

    The 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

    The value specifies the time off start date.

    To Date

    Value specified the time off end date.

  2. If you have added additional input variables in the workflow to receive inputs from the service requester, add questions corresponding to the variables.
  3. 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 Example_Icon for publishing service.png, and click Publish.
    22_1_Time off service publish.png
    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 Digital Workplace.
  2. Submit a time off request by using the Request Time Off service.
    22_1_Time off submit request.png
  1. 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.


 

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