Advanced Config is a section which belongs to the App Configuration in AppStudio which consists of more advanced features which the user can apply to the app.
It is formed of 7 different sub-sections:
Summary
In the summary section, there is an option to add a category and a KPI
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- Category: Which group should your app be in on the Launchpad? This is sometimes referred to as the ‘taxonomy’. Apps can be ordered in the launchpad alphabetically ascending or descending using the Category.
- KPI: Key performance indicators (KPIs) refer to a set of quantifiable measurements used to gauge a company’s overall long-term performance. So, what is the Key Performance Indicator for this process - how will you know if it reflects best practice?
Stakeholders
In the stakeholders section, the user will find a grid where you can input the names and emails of key stakeholders of this app. This allows for a record of any key individuals who may need to be consulted on app changes and could offer input for processes and functionality.
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- Exec Sponsor - Who was your main point of contact for what the app should be, the processes involved and what it should be used for?
- Ops Lead - Who was your main Softools contact who assisted with implementation/created the app for you?
- Tech Lead - Who in your IT team or Softools was responsible for any technical integration or functions?
- App builder - Who built the app - this could be one of your app builders or a Softools team member.
Diagrams
Here the user will have the opportunity to upload information on the planning and processes of the app.
- Process Image - Upload a document that outlines the process that is covered by the app. For example, this could be a Word document or a pdf including a flow chart.
- System Diagram - Upload a document that explains how the system in the Softools app works - for example, this could be the process for different users or details on workflow and email notifications.
- Help Video - This is a textbox for a URL link that you can use to paste in a link for a video explaining the app, Softools in general, or the process that users should follow.
Tech Options
In this sub-section, the user will have the chance to select further app options, which are divided by:
Connectivity
This toggle enables offline availability, check Offline vs Online Applications for information on the pros and cons of offline and online apps.
Enabling Offline availability means on user login, the app structure and the Record data in the Application will be synced into the browser. This allows users to continue to access, add and edit Records when they lose an internet connection. Any additional or changed Records will be stored as pending changes in the browser and then add the values when an internet connection is restored.
Note: Workflow and the running of Expressions happen on the server which means that these will require an internet connection. Please read this article before making this change to see the differences between online and offline - Offline vs. Online Applications - A Look at Variances – Softools
Recommendation: If your App contains a high volume of Fields and/or the Record count is large (>10,000 Records,) then we advise testing the speed of synchronisation with this data volume in the App. A judgement would then be needed to assess if the length of synchronisation is worth the benefit of having the App available offline.
Single Sign-On
This shows whether the site uses single sign-on which means that users do not need to put in a username and password, just their email address which is supported through connecting Softools to an external application, such as Azure. For more information on Single Sign-On options, click here.
You can switch the toggle on to set Single Sign-On, but you will need to contact Softools to set up the integration for this to work. Please contact support@softools.net for this and any enquiries about single sign-on.
Languages
Here the user can select both the App Default Language and the Site Supported Languages. Default language will be used for the default translation base language. Site-supported languages are further languages that can be added to the app for translation purposes.
The ability to translate Apps on your Site facilitates greater use cases, meaning no corner of your business, no matter the region has to forego the benefits Softools' platform has to offer. Currently 15 of the most used languages globally are supported, with the process of using these having been designed with ease in mind. For more information on translations, click here.
Other Options
In here, the user will have the opportunity to choose if comments and attachments are allowed to be added to the app and whether to choose a record user identifier field.
Record User Identifier Field:
NOTE: This is not the in-depth article on this matter, for that please see here.
Under this Template you can set a 'Record User Identifier Field' via a Field within the App. This is then used instead of the Softools assigned Record ID. This can be good practice if there is likely going to be lots of data Imported into the App without it first having been Exported.
This is because when data (or Records) get Exported from Softools, the first column in the Export spreadsheet is for the Record ID, meaning that each following column (Field) and its data is assigned to a specific Record (per row). Hence if you attempt to Import Records without these IDs the platform does not know which Records the changes are intended for. Yet, if you set your own Record ID Field you can choose something more simple and more uniform in comparison to the Softools generated Record ID, this way the platform can still recognize what data belongs to which Records. If it were 'RAID' for example this is much easier to reference and keep track of when making new Imports without Exporting first.
Make sure to click the 'Save' button when making any changes in order for them to be added to the next app version. Once you have made all the changes you need to an application you are then ready to publish it to workspace.
- Allow Attachments? - Enables users to add attachments to records
- Allow Comments? - Enables users to add comments to records
- Enable Data Lens - Will allow AI integration so that there is an AI search on the homepage
App Home Card
Here the user can allow for the option App Home Card Enabled. Please check App Home Card – Softools for further information.
The 'Configure' section in App Studio is used to establish an App's basic information but can also hold some useful advanced features like the App Home Card
At the bottom of this section is the 'App Home Card' template, this allows you to customize the card that appears on the app homepage showing you recent or pending records. Usually, this will show you the record ID or Record Title if one is selected. But you can now customize this to be whatever you would like.
App Home Card Enabled: when this is disabled it won't show the rest of the options until turned on.
Card Width and Height: This works similarly to the card report with the height and width being determined by pixel height. We suggest that you test these out until you find a size you like, try starting with 400px by 500px.
Card Templates: This works similarly to the card report where you select a card template you have created previously, please see the example here
Card Named Styles: You can also select the way you want the card to appear, like with other styling options, to know how to create one of these styles please click here
Please see the example that's been created below
Report Actions
Here you can set actions for when a record is clicked in a report or when a new record is created. This is done through creating an action field within the app that can then be selected here.
Named Styles
In this sub section the user will see 4 columns: Name, Description, Element and State. The user can create named styles for the app, check out Styles – Softools for more details.
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