Getting Started with Business Rules in Configurator
Before you begin, you must research the decision points, constraints, and sources of data that impact labels and printing in your scenario. Based on your research, determine what approach to use and what components you need.
If you have identified a need for business logic beyond what can easily be incorporated into data sources in a label template, then you should consider using processes and business rules to fulfill that need.
Create a Business Rule
If you have identified a need for business logic beyond what can be incorporated into data sources, create a business rule to provide what you need. It is recommended that you design a business rule by using the Configurator. However, if you have programming experience, you can create a business rule in a text editor intended for use with extensible markup language (XML), and then copy and paste the business rule into Loftware Enterprise SP.
Tip: For assistance with a business rule that you have created or to have Loftware create business rules for you, contact Loftware's Professional Services Group.
You can use the examples of business rules provided in this guide as a starting point for creating a business rule to meet your needs. For more information, see Examples of Business Rules Using Configurator.
If you need to incorporate different functionality than what is shown in the examples, refer to the Configurator Reference for information about creating and configuring component sets. For more information, see Business Rule Configurator Reference.
When you are ready to create a business rule in Loftware Enterprise SP, see Create a Business Rule in Configurator.
Use a Process
If you have created a business rule or if you want to override the label template, layout, or device to be used when processing a print request, a Loftware Enterprise SP administrator can create a process to run the business rule or to specify overriding values.
Note: If the process is intended to be run by a Data Provider in Print
Use an Integration
Unless the process that runs your business rule is intended to be run only by a Data Provider
Person or process that enters data into a form or other data entry view for a label that was configured by a Designer. A user acting as a Data Provider requires the DOCUMENT_PRINTER role or equivalent permissions. in Print
Test the Business Rule
After you have completed any configuration that includes a business rule, you should test the result to ensure that the output produced contains the expected data, is formatted correctly, and is routed to the intended device.
A Loftware Enterprise SP administrator must ensure that users who are expected to run or to view the status of a business rule are granted the role-based permissions and the object access permissions they require. This includes not only permissions to access processes and business rules, but also permissions to access objects with which those processes and business rules interact.