Using Workflows
In Loftware Enterprise™ SP, you can use workflows to track and manage the creation and modification of label templates and layer objects, while automating the approval and publishing process.
Depending on its configuration, a workflow can:
- Automatically select users to review or approve a label template or layer object
- Automatically email users when they need to review or approve a label template or layer object
- Allow users to see the current step of the workflow for a label template or layer object
- Require users to review, approve, reject, or comment on a label template or layer object applied to a workflow
- Use eSignature at any step
- Automatically publish a label template or layer object after the required users have approved
A workflow template is a collection of and possible defined by XML that can be used to progress a label template or layer object through an instance of the workflow in Label Design 
. The workflow template can call Event integrations (for example, an Event Email Producer) to extend the capabilities of workflow outside of Loftware Enterprise SP.
A workflow template is created in Process Design 
, which can then be used in Label Design to progress a label template or layer object through the workflow. Label Design and Application Design 
is used to create a custom front-end interface for the workflow. You may have multiple workflow templates in your Loftware Enterprise SP environment.
Workflow sample
A workflow is a sequence of steps that a workflow template follows. Your administrator can create workflow templates in Process Design . For more information, see Workflow Sample.
Recognizing an item in a workflow
When you open a label template or layer object in Label Design that is applied to a workflow, the following information is displayed:
- In Workflow appears in the bar at the bottom of the editing pane. A lock icon is also displayed in this bar if the label template or layer object is checked in.
- Workflow Step is included in the Properties pane of the label template or layer object with the name of the current step of the workflow.
Note: A label template or layer object can only be applied to one workflow at a time.
View the current step of a workflow
If an item is applied to a workflow, you may view the current step of that workflow, depending on the workflow template and your permissions.
To view the step of a workflow for a label template or layer object, use this procedure.
- In Label Design , click
.
- In the Open dialog box, select a label template or layer object and then click OK.
- Click File > Workflow > View Current Step Details or click the View Current Step Details
button in the toolbar.
Starting a workflow
Approving or rejecting an item in a workflow
If your Loftware Enterprise SP environment is using workflow, you may be responsible for reviewing and approving a label template or layer object that someone else has edited.
To approve or reject a label template or layer object in a workflow, use this procedure.
- In Label Design , click .
- In the Open dialog box, select a label template or layer object and then click OK.
- Click File > Workflow and select a progression as appropriate. For example, select Approve to approve the changes to the label template or layer object.
Note: The options or progressions available are dependent on the workflow template and your permissions.
- Depending on the workflow template, a dialog box for comments may display.
- Depending on the workflow template, you may be required to add your electronic signature.
Using eSignature
In Loftware Enterprise SP, you can use eSignature to electronically sign a label template or layer object in a workflow, providing a formal and verifiable approval of the label template or layer object.
eSignature can be customized by applying an Electronic Signature action to the application. For more information, see Electronic Signature Action.
button in the toolbar.
button in the toolbar.