Getting Started with Business Rules in XML, Processes, and Integrations
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 to create.
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. For an overview of the capabilities of business rules and processes, see Implementing Business Logic.
If your scenario requires a custom process but does not require a business rule, proceed to the Create a Process section. Otherwise, proceed to Create a Business Rule.
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 in Application Design
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 XML.
Tip: If you are migrating from an environment in which a Loftware Connector filter was used, you can achieve the same functionality by using business rules. For more information, see Business Rules to Replace Loftware Connector Filters.
If you need to incorporate different functionality than what is shown in the examples, refer to the Business Rule Reference for information about creating and configuring business rule components. For more information, see Business Rule Reference.
Important! You should familiarize yourself with how to specify whether Loftware Enterprise SP should look for a value in the job, in the process, in the system properties, or in a row of data from a database. For more information, see Location Prefixes.
When you are ready to copy and paste the business rule that you have created into Loftware Enterprise SP, see Create a Business Rule in XML.
Create 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, you must create a process in Process Design
Important! You should familiarize yourself with how to specify whether Loftware Enterprise SP should look for a value in the job, in the process, in the system properties, or in a row of data from a database. For more information, see Location Prefixes.
Note: If the process that you create is intended to be run by a Data Provider in Print
For more information, see Create a Simple Process, Create a Generator Process, or Create a Reprint Process.
Create an Integration
Unless the process that you created 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
On the Configuration tab of the integration that you create, for the Default Process select the process that you have created. For more information,
Test the Business Rule, Process, and Integration
After you have completed any configuration that includes a business rule, process, or integration, 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.
You must also ensure that users who are expected to run or to view the status of a process and any associated 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. For more information, see Configuring Access for Processes and Business Rules.