The flexible workflow functionality in iSpaniel is designed to be highly configurable to allow you to create a workflow that can match any asset movement. This article will explain the concept if flexible workflow. After reading this, you can watch a video on how to create one.
An asset workflow is made up of Lifecycle Stages and Templates.
Lifecycle Stages
These are what go into make up the stages in Lifecycle Templates. They are pre-configured and cannot be added to, however, you can edit them to configure the following:
Repeatability
This allows a state to be repeatable. For example, this means that if you have a workflow that allows for multiple delivery stages then allowing the stage to be repeatable caters for this.
Allowing Notes
If you allow notes to be added to a stage then when you are carrying out that stage on the iSpaniel app, a notes box will be presented so that the person performing the task can add notes which will be visible in the portal. An example of why you may want this is to add a note to say that the customer was not present when you delivered an item. However, it can be applied to any of the stages as you see fit.
Require Subcategories
If a lifecycle stage requires subcategories then you are forced to configure these when you create your lifecycle template. An example of why you might want to use subcategories is for the maintenance stage, if you have specific types of maintenance that could be performed.
Lifecycle Templates
These are where you can put together the stages to make up the workflow for your asset and control how this must flow. These templates are then assigned to Asset Types so that the assets that belong to that asset type inherit the workflow from the template.
Out of the box, iSpaniel is pre-configured with a Fillable Assets workflow that will be assigned to all assets that do not have a lifecycle template assigned. You can create any
How it Works
Lifecycle Templates are created using a drag and drop editor that allows you to drag different elements into the workflow to build the process you want. For example, if you have a beer container, the process may be as follows:
To meet this requirement we can create an asset lifecycle template in iSpaniel that looks like this
If we want to make sure that the asset cannot be flagged as filled unless we have been through the cleaning process, then we simply add a tick in the back to say that the previous step is required.
Complex workflows can be configured for any type of asset to allow for movements through a supply chain and maintenance cycles. For example, this could be the lifecycle of a portable air conditioning unit that is installed on site and then has regular inspections before being collected, serviced and then sent back out.
Which would look something like this in iSpaniel.
